6 Rookies Whose Success Will Show Up on Tape, Not in the Box Score

As the 2012 NFL season progresses, it will be easy to tell how rookies like Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson are doing.  All you'll have to do is glance at the stats and see how they measure up against the rest of the league.

However, there will be a number of rookies who have huge impacts this year by doing things that won't show up in the box score.

Fans can check a box score to see how many tackles a player had, how many receptions he hauled in or if he corralled any interceptions.

But there are so many other things that players do on a play-to-play basis that aren't really recognized until film breakdown the next day.

Things like defensive tackles occupying blockers, cornerbacks holding their coverage for an extended amount of time or downfiield blocking by receivers are all little things that don't show up in the box score, but are essential to team success.

Here's a look at six rookies whose impacts will be felt beyond any statistics they put up in the box score.

Morris Claiborne (CB, Cowboys)

After a dismal 2011 season for the Cowboys' secondary, fans hoped that would be the main area addressed in the offseason.  It seems as they did that both in free agency and through the draft.

Despite an injury that is likely to keep him out until at least June, Morris Claiborne will help the Cowboys immensely, even if it doesn't show up in his own stats.

Claiborne is untested, and with newly-signed free agent Brandon Carr lining up as the other cornerback, teams may try to attack Claiborne early.  

If Claiborne is successful in his transition to the NFL, it will benefit the stat sheets of the defensive linemen more than his own.

The Cowboys were fourth in the NFC with 42 sacks last season, and that was with a secondary that couldn't cover anyone.  

If Claiborne and Carr are able to hold coverage just a touch longer, it will show up in more sacks for the defensive line and more mistakes by opposing quarterbacks, as they will be forced to progress through their reads. 

Michael Brockers (DT, Rams)

The St. Louis Rams were awful against the run last season, but Michael Brockers' presence should change that immediately.

As with the Cowboys' Morris Claiborne, Brockers' success will mean increased statistics for those around him.

The Rams have two good defensive ends in Chris Long and Robert Quinn, and having a load like Brockers in the middle of the line will help them immensely.  

At 6'5", 306 pounds, Brockers will consistently draw double-teams, which in turn will free up Long and Quinn to make more plays.

Brockers will also be able to absorb offensive linemen on a consistent basis as opponents try to get their run games going.  This will free up James Laurinaitis to make plays in the middle like never before.  

Brockers should be able to manage a respectable number of sacks and tackles for a defensive tackle, but his real value will show up in occupying blockers and freeing up his teammates to make plays.

David DeCastro (G, Steelers)

For decades, just the thought of the Steelers' linemen playing in the trenches has conjured images of nasty beasts, bloody and dirty, throwing people around.

That's why it was so shocking last year when the Steelers' offensive line was bullied around for most of the season.

Things are going to start to change, though, now that Dave DeCastro is in town.

As a guard, DeCastro will help in both the running and passing games, and that is perfectly fine.

However, where DeCastro will help most is in helping the Steelers' offensive line get its identity back.

DeCastro is a fierce, nasty lineman who should be one of those players who gets plugged into a spot and then is left there for a solid decade.

The consistency, security and intensity will go a long way in helping the Steelers' offensive line return to performing the way fans remember. 

Stephen Hill (WR, Jets)

Jets fans are hoping that Stephen Hill's success will show up both on tape and in the box score, but that might not be the case right away.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that Hill will put up great stats as a rookie, but there are certain things that he will do that won't show up in the box score.

While many draft experts were raving about Hill's athletic ability and long-term potential as a receiver, the Jets were talking about his down-field blocking ability.

Hill played in such a run-heavy system at Georgia Tech that he had no choice but to become a capable and willing blocker in the run game.  

If the Jets are recommitting to the run game the way they say they are, they are going to need Hill's blocking ability to translate to the NFL immediately.

Bryan Anger (P, Jaguars)

In no way whatsoever is this slide an endorsement of the Jaguars spending a third-round pick on a punter, especially with so many other holes to fill.

However, the Jaguars did need a punter in a big way.

Last season, there wasn't a single full-time punter who had less punts inside the 20-yard line than the Jags' Nick Harris, and only Brad Maynard had a lower punting average than Harris.

When you look at punting average leaders next season, Bryan Anger won't be at the top.  However, his presence will make a difference.

Anger is a pure directional kicker who even used a rugby-style punting game in college.  He takes his craft about as seriously as anyone and is a student of the game.

Any fan of a team with a bad punter learns just how valuable punters are.  Anger will turn around the Jags' punting game in one season just by being consistent and by kicking to whatever situation the game dictates.

Riley Reiff (OT, Lions)

When early mock drafts started hitting the internet after the Super Bowl, many people projected Riley Reiff to be a Top-10 pick. 

While Reiff might not have been too happy as he was tumbling in the draft, the Lions were ecstatic to grab him at No. 23.

Reiff's importance with the Lions lies in the depth he adds to their offensive line.  

The Lions have Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus at the tackle positions, but adding Reiff into the mix gives the Lions a stellar rotation at the tackle spot.

Reiff's presence might not directly lead to statistics that will show up in the box score, but the depth he adds to the offensive line will be invaluable in keeping their line fresh and cohesive.