Adrian Peterson and 5 NFL Stars Destined to Rebound in 2012

Adrian Peterson had his worst season as a pro in 2011 and will forcefully bounce back in 2012.

Despite gaining over 1,100 total yards and scoring 13 times in 12 games, Peterson's previous seasons were better on a whole other level.

Fortunately for Peterson, he's in good company, as these other NFL stars are also destined to respond well this year.

Peyton Manning: QB, Broncos

One of the worst storylines for the NFL in 2011 was Peyton Manning not getting under center to lead the Indianapolis Colts.

From 1998 to 2010, Manning threw under 4,000 yards only twice and hadn't had a completion percentage below 66 percent since 2000. A future Hall of Famer, Manning has another opportunity to reestablish himself in the pros and keep that legacy going.

Denver is a team that can follow Manning's lead, as running back Willis McGahee and rookie Ronnie Hillman provide a reliable two-back set. The Broncos receiving corps led by Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas have great potential, as both proved reliably effective with Tim Tebow.

With Manning at the helm, though, Decker and Thomas will see a drastic increase in productivity, as the Denver offense will be more balanced.

The offensive line is a concern, as the unit didn't have to pass-block as much in 2011 with Tebow's scrambling ability. That said, Manning will help with that because of his ability to read defenses before the snap and make in-game adjustments.

Jamaal Charles: RB, Chiefs

The only bright side of Jamaal Charles' injury last season was that it happened early on.

That allows for more recovery time before the next season, so Charles has even better odds of enjoying a strong 2012 campaign.

Prior to the 2011 season, Charles was coming off of two outstanding years with 1,417 total yards in 2009 and 1,935 total yards in 2010. Even more impressive was Charles' yards-per-carry average each season (5.9 in '09 and 6.4 in '10).

The man only attempted 230 rushes in 2010, so it's obvious he can move carry an offense downfield even with the defense stacking the box.

As for 2012, don't expect Charles to come out of the gates bowling over defenses and piling up yards immediately. Kansas City, for one, must improve the passing game, and Charles cannot get overused early in the year.

Peyton Hillis is a solid No. 2 back and is needed to change the pace. With each new week, Charles will be counted on more, and he'll really make strides during the middle and down the stretch.

Mario Williams: DE/LB, Bills

Through his first four seasons with the Houston Texans, Mario Williams didn't miss a game.

He was the No. 1 overall selection in 2006 and recorded 39.5 sacks, 160 tackles and forced nine fumbles during that span.

Even though he played in just 13 games in 2010, Williams still managed 8.5 sacks but only collected 22 tackles. Before going down in 2011, Williams had five sacks in five games and was on pace to set a personal best.

In the aftermath, Houston still managed to make the postseason and have other dominant front-seven defenders in Brian Cushing, Connor Barwin, J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed to control the line.

Looking at 2012, Williams has an excellent opportunity with the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo desperately needed a stud pass-rusher, and Williams has the luxury of playing with Mark Anderson and Marcell Dareus in the front seven.

Also, the Bills took South Carolina corner Stephon Gilmore at No. 10 overall in the draft, so Williams and Co. will have that little extra time to add quarterback pressure.

Jon Beason: LB, Panthers

Jon Beason is one of the most underrated defensive players in the game and goes vastly overlooked playing in a smaller market.

Despite him being largely unknown as an NFL star, his absence last season was sorely missed in Carolina, and it showed. Each of his first four seasons, Beason compiled at least 120 tackles, didn't miss a game and defended 29 passes while recording eight interceptions from 2007 to 2010.

A complete player that has a knack for shutting down any opposing ground game between the tackles and isolating the intermediate passing game, the Panthers defense couldn't do anything without Beason in 2011.

Ranking No. 24 against the pass, No. 25 against the rush and No. 28 overall, the Cats' inability to prevent opponents from scoring cost them a number of times.

Glancing ahead to this season, Beason has help in rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly and promising defensive end Charles Johnson.

Provided that the secondary can improve even a bit from 2011, Beason could have his best season yet, which is saying a lot.

Adrian Peterson: RB, Vikings

Through his first four NFL seasons, Adrian Peterson averaged over 1,700 total yards and scored 54 total touchdowns.

He has obviously been the focal point of the Minnesota Vikings offense, and rightfully so, because Peterson is arguably the best and most complete running back in pro football.

Even through a horrendous season in 2011, where Minnesota was 2-12 heading into its Week 16 matchup against Washington, Peterson was still rolling along and performing consistently well.

His desire to compete displays how valuable of a player Peterson is to the Vikings. They were far out of the postseason, and Peterson still only missed four games.

Well, 2012 has more hope, as Minnesota took Matt Kalil in the draft to boost the offensive line and field a balanced attack.

Provided that Peterson does return to form, the offense will once again go as he goes. It's not so much the Vikings' schedule this year as Christian Ponder's development as a passer.

Although Peterson can have a strong year without much of a passing game backing him, an improved aerial assault will make him emphatically more dangerous.

John Rozum on Twitter.