NFL Draft 2012: 12 Picks We Can't Wait to See Square off

The NFL draft is finally over, but the fun is just beginning. Now that we have seen where each prospect has landed, it’s time to start focusing in on the upcoming showdowns between some of the elite players selected.

Every year, there are interesting storylines created by the draft process that trickle over into the season to reach their conclusion. Some teams pass on a player for another prospect at the opposite position, and the two end up facing off in the regular season. Each player is driven to defeat the other to prove they deserved to be picked before the other.

There are also the prospects at the same position motivated to show the league and its fans who truly deserved to be drafted higher.

Unfortunately for NFL fans, the Indianapolis Colts and Andrew Luck don’t play the Washington Redskins and Robert Griffin III this season. Of course, they could always meet in the Super Bowl.

Even though that marquee matchup is missing, here are 12 draft picks we can’t wait to see square off next season:

Week 5: Cardinals at Rams: Michael Floyd vs. Janoris Jenkins

The Arizona Cardinals travel to St. Louis in Week 5 to take on the Rams. The game will feature the 13th overall pick Michael Floyd facing the second-round selection Janoris Jenkins.

Floyd went about where he was expected to in the draft, but Jenkins plummeted down the draft board thanks to a variety of off-the-field issues that ultimately resulted in him being kicked off the Florida Gators football team.

Had Jenkins stayed out of trouble, he likely would have been taken before Floyd. Jenkins has plenty to prove and will get his shot at a first-round talent like Floyd since Cortland Finnegan will be occupied with Larry Fitzgerald.

When these two elite prospects collide this year, the whole league better be paying attention.

Week 6: Bills at Cardinals: Stephon Gilmore vs. Michael Floyd

Week 6 sees the Buffalo Bills face off with the Arizona Cardinals in a game that will feature a showdown between Bills’ cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Cardinals’ receiver Michael Floyd.

The Bills made Gilmore the 10th overall pick to shut down the likes of Floyd who was selected by Arizona at 13th overall.

Both are extremely physical players who enjoy getting in the oppositions face while routinely dominating anyone in their way.

Both teams are on the rise, and whoever wins the showdown between the two elite prospects, will send a message that resonates throughout the league.

Week 7: Browns at Colts: Brandon Weeden vs. Andrew Luck

The Cleveland Browns meet the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 with both teams touting a new franchise quarterback.

Andrew Luck was the obvious selection for the Colts at No. 1 overall while Brandon Weeden was the shocking selection for the Browns at 22.

Weeden will likely be out to prove any doubters wrong. Many considered him to not be worthy of a first-round pick because he’s 28 years old. He’ll attempt to turn the critics into believers by putting together a better game than the most highly touted quarterback prospect since John Elway.

On the flip-side, Luck will be looking to show the league and its fans exactly why he was the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the class.

The showdown not only has massive implications for the future of each franchise, but potentially for the landscape of the entire NFL as well.

Week 9: Vikings at Seahawks: Matt Kalil vs. Bruce Irvin

In Week 9, the Seattle Seahawks host the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings will be touting the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect who entered the draft in Matt Kalil while the Seahawks will be looking to unleash the surprise 15nth overall pick Bruce Irvin.

Irvin was a surprise at 15 because many had projected him to go in the second round because of some off-the-field issues and his lack of a true position at the next level. The Seahawks picked him at the spot as a situational pass-rusher only when picks that high are typically used on every-down players.

Irvin will have a massive chip on his shoulder thanks to all the criticism. He’ll likely want to embarrass the No. 1 tackle on his way to the Vikings’ quarterback while Kalil will do everything in his power to show everyone he was worth the fourth overall selection.

Week 9: Dolphins at Colts: Ryan Tannehill vs. Andrew Luck

Week 9 also features another massive rookie showdown when the Miami Dolphins take on the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts made Andrew Luck the No. 1 overall selection while the Dolphins took a major risk on Ryan Tannehill at eighth overall.

Tannehill was a risk because he's such a raw prospect at the position having only played it for a few years. That’s a polar opposite of Luck who has been hailed as the best quarterback to enter the league in over a decade.

Tannehill will be hoping to outperform Luck to make the city of Miami and the rest of the NFL believe in him. He’s got a tough road ahead of him in terms of development, but beating Luck in a rookie showdown will give him an enormous confidence boost.

Week 13: Jaguars at Bills: Justin Blackmon vs. Stephon Gilmore

When the Jacksonville Jaguars meet the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, it will be a classic matchup of rookie wide receiver versus rookie cornerback.

Both players were top-10 selections with Justin Blackmon at fifth overall to Jacksonville and Stephon Gilmore at 10th overall to Buffalo. Each will likely have the game circled on their calendars as it’s a chance for both to prove they were worthy of such high selections.

Normally, a Bills and Jaguars game wouldn’t be too exciting of a matchup in recent history because each franchise has struggled. Now, each team has a lot invested in the game as their premier rookies square off against one another.

Week 13: Vikings at Packers: Matt Kalil vs. Nick Perry

Whenever the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers face one another in an NFC North divisional rivalry, the whole league is paying close attention—thanks to two high-profile rookies that won’t change this upcoming season.

Offensive tackle Matt Kalil joined the Vikings at fourth overall while Green Bay made outside linebacker Nick Perry the selection at 28. Kalil was the consensus best tackle while Perry was one of the most sought after pass-rushers in the class.

In Weeks 13 and 17, the two will have the chance to test one other. One of the best rivalries in football just got much better thanks to the addition of two elite prospects who will have to deal with each other for a long time.

Bonus: Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III vs. Kirk Cousins

The Washington Redskins traded up to the second overall selection in the draft to ensure they landed the second-best quarterback prospect in Baylor’s Robert Griffin III.

Then, unexpectedly in the fourth round, the team selected yet another rookie quarterback in Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins.

There won’t be a true quarterback competition between the two in Washington, but the media will have you believe otherwise. It will make for entertaining television to say the least.

Even on draft day, ESPN analysts like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay were heard saying selecting both would cause problems in Washington.

That won’t be the case, but it’ll be quality entertainment for the remainder of the offseason until a true starter is named.

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