Which NFL Rookies Will Impress Big-Time and Be This Year's Cam Newton?

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took the league by storm last year after being selected in the NFL draft, and there are several players that were selected in the 2012 NFL draft that could have a similar impact this season.

Newton was made the first overall selection last year by Carolina and proceeded to have one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in NFL history. He threw for 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns with an outstanding 84.5 rating. He also rushed for 706 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Newton broke several rookie records, including most passing yards in a season, most total touchdowns, most rushing touchdowns and first rookie to rush for 10 touchdowns and throw 10 touchdowns.

There won’t be many rookies that will ever come close to Newton’s impact statistically, but there will sometimes be rookies that can have a similar effect on the fortunes of a franchise overall.

In 2010 the Panthers went 2-14, enabling them to select Newton. In his rookie season, Newton improved that record on the way to a 6-10 record.

There are three players that were selected in the 2012 NFL draft that can do the same things for their respective teams. Through their leadership and talents alone these three players can allow their teams to drastically improve their records from the year before and instill some hope for the future of the franchise.

Here are the rookies that will impress next year. They may not match Newton’s production statistically, but they’ll have huge rookie seasons that could alter the landscape of the NFL is a big way.

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson has everything a prototypical NFL running back needs and more. He’s ridiculously strong but has game-breaking speed. Pass-protection is something that rookie running backs typically struggle with, but not Richardson.

Richardson is also very good at catching passes out of the backfield. This repertoire of skills makes him a complete NFL back and will allow him to be on the field in any situation.

This skill set is what enticed the Browns to take Richardson with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. The Browns finished 4-12 last season, and ended up last in their division, the AFC North. The team only averaged 95 yards per game on the ground, good for a ranking of 28 out of 32. The team’s leading rusher was the disgruntled Peyton Hillis who only had 587 yards and three touchdowns on the year.

Richardson will have a Newton-like effect on the Browns. He’ll rack up a ridiculous amount of statistics while improving the passing game as well because defenses will have to stack the box to stop him, giving quarterbacks less coverage to deal with on every down. 

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Washington Redskins

The Redskins liked Griffin enough to take him with the No. 2 overall pick last year, and for good reason. Griffin was the sole reason the Baylor Bears were relevant at all last season, and the Redskins are hoping that he can do the same thing for them this year.

Last season at Baylor, Griffin threw for 4,293 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Griffin is a complete quarterback. He’s got the arm to make any NFL throw and the elusiveness and speed to change the complexion of games with his feet.

The Redskins starting quarterback for the majority of last season was Rex Grossman, who was average at best. He threw for 3,151 yards and 16 touchdowns to 20 interceptions while leading the Washington to a 5-11 record and a last-place finish in the NFC East.

If any rookie is going to come close to Newton’s numbers statistically, it’s Griffin. He’s a dual-threat quarterback with solid weapons around him in Washington. Griffin should be able to vastly improve on the Redskins record from last year while winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in the process.

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals

Floyd was taken with the No. 13 overall pick by the Cardinals despite the wide receiver position not being the most pressing need on the roster. There’s good reason for that.

Floyd was arguably the most NFL-ready receiver to enter the draft and that will show early on in the season. He’s got a big frame at 6’3” and 220 lbs. Floyd has sure hands and will catch anything thrown his way while making any adjustments to passes to make the highlight catch.

A great season is on the way from Floyd not only because of his elite skill set, but because of the situation he landed in. Floyd isn’t expected to be the No. 1 target on the offense, which will allow him to surprise and put up huge numbers

Floyd has the luxury of playing across from Larry Fitzgerald, who happens to be a top five wide receiver in the NFL. Opposing defenses will only focus on shutting down Fitzgerald, allowing Floyd to get open consistently.

The impact Floyd will have on the Cardinals is huge. A consistent No. 2 receiver for quarterback Kevin Kolb will do wonders for the offense as a whole. Arizona already has a rising defensive unit, but thanks to Floyd the team will now be competing consistently for an NFC West crown and playoff appearances. 

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