One NFL Rookie from Every Squad Who Perfectly Fits His Team's System
The NFL Draft is typically hard to predict, but over a month after the dust has cleared, it's easy to see which players fit their teams' systems.
While scheme-diverse players like Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson would have success anywhere, this article is aimed at recognizing the players who fit well in their new homes.
Look for a number of players featured here to make an impact as soon as next year.
Without further ado, here is a player from each team that fits their new team's system perfectly.
Arizona Cardinals: WR Michael Floyd
1 of 32The Cardinals made a big splash in the first round when they went with Notre Dame wideout Michael Floyd.
Larry Fitzgerald is already in place and the team needed a bulky receiver to replace Anquan Boldin after losing the latter a few years back.
Arizona operates best when the team has two solid receivers, and Floyd represents a completing piece to the Cardinals' system.
Atlanta Falcons: C Peter Konz
2 of 32The Falcons, behind bruiser Michael Turner, have developed a reputation as a very efficient offensive team.
Run blockers like Konz are at a premium in the league and Atlanta has become a home for top-notch offensive players.
This former Wisconsin player should thrive in Atlanta—this pick looks like a perfect fit.
Baltimore Ravens: LB Courtney Upshaw
3 of 32The Ravens are always looking to add pass-rushing linebackers who are strong and fast, but this isn't always possible.
When Courtney Upshaw was still available in the second round, coach John Harbaugh knew that the former Alabama player would be a solid fit in the Ravens' defense.
Look for this outside linebacker to make plays in place of the now-injured Terrell Suggs.
Buffalo Bills: OT Cordy Glenn
4 of 32I didn't like the Bills' pick of Stephon Gilmore and I feel as though the Glenn pick was their best of the draft.
Tank Carder was a consideration here, but the Bills love to draft and develop huge players on each side of the ball.
Glenn fits the bill and will be a top-notch player for years in Buffalo.
Carolina Panthers: WR Joe Adams
5 of 32The Panthers exploded onto the scene last season with new quarterback Cam Newton, and they look to build on their success from last season.
Adding options on offense for Newton has become the team's new goal after the Panthers grabbed Mike Tolbert in free agency.
Adams could be a solid No. 2 receiver behind Steve Smith, and the Panthers look to thrive next season.
Chicago Bears: WR Alshon Jeffery
6 of 32Another wide receiver, another perfect fit here. Jeffery is a special talent and should thrive in Chicago with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall.
The Bears will allow this former Gamecock to thrive on the outside and make big plays in their wide-open offense.
With Devin Hester in the slot (conceivably), it's very possible that the Bears have one of the best passing offenses in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals: S George Iloka
7 of 32Iloka was one of the best safeties in this draft class and should help revitalize the Bengals' defensive backfield.
This safety can cover zone as well as being able to come up and hit hard. He plays the game the right way and will be a good player in Cincinnati.
Look for him to work his way into the rotation from Day One with his unique skill set.
Cleveland Browns: QB Brandon Weeden
8 of 32The Browns needed to bring in a signal caller to compete with Colt McCoy in training camp and this former Cowboy is the perfect fit.
Weeden can make all the throws that Mike Holmgren's offense demands and I predict he'll break camp as the starter.
When Holmgren was in Seattle, the coach enjoyed success with Matt Hasselbeck, who is similar to Weeden. Look for Holmgren to attempt to rekindle that success.
Dallas Cowboys: CB Morris Claiborne
9 of 32I applaud the Cowboys for moving up in the draft and grabbing Claiborne, a playmaking cornerback with a knack for finding the ball.
This corner has mastered the art of getting his body between the football and the receiver, which is exactly what Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan demands.
Look for Claiborne to team with Brandon Carr and shut down the high-powered passing attacks of Philadelphia, New York and Washington.
Denver Broncos: QB Brock Osweiler
10 of 32Team president John Elway gave a clear indication that his team's new system is all about passing the football, after the former traded away Tim Tebow and signed Peyton Manning.
Osweiler, a pocket passer, should thrive in Denver and step in as Manning's successor when the latter's contract is up.
Look for the Broncos to develop this young signal-caller with the intention of making him a franchise player in a few years.
Detroit Lions: LB Ronnell Lewis
11 of 32The Lions made a number of splashes in the draft but none was a better fit than Ronnell Lewis, an outside linebacker.
This player is consistent with the Lions' hard-hitting philosophy at linebacker and will replace some of the team's key losses this offseason.
Look for Detroit to make waves next season and find a place on defense for Lewis.
Green Bay Packers: LB Nick Perry
12 of 32The Packers are known for their ability to create turnovers on the defensive side of the football, and it's because of players like Clay Matthews and BJ Raji in the front seven.
Now, another pass rusher like Nick Perry will make it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to move the ball on Green Bay.
Look for the team to feature a stellar unit in 2012, strengthened by additions from the draft.
Houston Texans: DE Jared Crick
13 of 32The Texans understand how to draft and develop defensive players, having already produced mainstays like Brian Cushing and Mario Williams.
Before Crick's injury the lineman was a highly-touted prospect, and I look for him to find it again in Houston.
After last year's additions of JJ Watt and Brooks Reed, drafting Jared Crick makes a lot of sense for the Texans.
Indianapolis Colts: WR T.Y. Hilton
14 of 32While Coby Fleener or Dwyane Allen would have been easy choices here, I love the Colts' pick of T.Y. Hilton.
This no-nonsense kick returner isn't a diva and puts the team's interests before his own. He was a top-notch kick returner in college, but also did work on offense and made an impact.
Andrew Luck enters the fold with a number of good weapons around him, but look for Hilton to be a gamechanger in Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Justin Blackmon
15 of 32New head coach Mike Mularkey brings offensive experience to the Jaguars after having transformed the Falcons offense over the last few years.
Mularkey will look to use Justin Blackmon in the same role that he used with Roddy White in Atlanta.
Blackmon should be able to pick up Mularkey's system almost instantaneously, for the receiver knows how to work the outside and make plays as a No. 1.
Kansas City Chiefs: NT Dontari Poe
16 of 32I didn't love Poe going into the draft, but I can see him being successful in the Chiefs' front-seven-friendly defensive scheme.
Poe will have the chance to play at numerous places along the defensive line and the nose tackle should be able to both rush the passer and stuff the run in his new home.
The former Memphis star brings a track record of elite athleticism and rare body build to a team that desperately needs defensive linemen.
Miami Dolphins: RB Lamar Miller
17 of 32Lamar Miller will get the chance to continue playing in Miami, moving from the Hurricanes to the Dolphins and bringing his gamebreaking speed.
After seeing how well the Dolphins use fast running backs (see Bush, Reggie), Miller should do just swell in Miami.
Look for this running back to see some time next season, making plays when Reggie Bush gets tired.
Minnesota Vikings: S Harrison Smith
18 of 32Harrison Smith is a hard-hitting safety with a nose for the football—I love the way he plays and think he'll be a great fit in Minnesota.
The Vikings like to run a lot of Cover 3, which is Smith's forte. The safety will thrive when the Vikings roll him up into the box and let him hit.
Smith will be like a fourth linebacker on the field for Minnesota, which should help them slow down tight ends like Jermichael Finley and Brandon Pettigrew.
New England Patriots: CB Alfonzo Dennard
19 of 32Dennard looked like a second or third-round prospect going into the draft, but surprisingly enough, he fell into the seventh round.
Bill Belichick loves to grab value picks in the later rounds and Dennard is just that—a value player who will have success in the Patriots' diverse defense.
This former Nebraska player has the ability to lock down receivers and could be a good nickel corner in Foxborough.
New York Giants: WR Rueben Randle
20 of 32The Giants have a penchant for developing wide receivers, having already made solid players out of Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham.
Randle will play on the outside and should take some pressure off of Nicks and Cruz, now that Manningham has departed.
Eli Manning loves to stretch the field, and a player like Randle, who makes big-time catches look effortless, should do well in New York.
New York Jets: LB Quinton Coples
21 of 32While many Jet fans may have disliked the pick, I see Quinton Coples being a perfect fit in Rex Ryan's attacking defense.
Look for Coples, an elite pass-rusher, to make plays on the outside for the Jets and get by opposing linemen.
The Jets needed a pass-rusher and were able to nab a special player with this former Tar Heel.
New Orleans Saints: WR Nick Toon
22 of 32This selection wasn't terribly easy, being that the Saints had no picks until the third round, but I certainly like their selection of Nick Toon.
Toon, whose father was an NFL star, should compete for a spot right away in New Orleans and will be a solid option for Drew Brees.
The Saints lost Robert Meachem this offseason, so look for Toon to step in and fill the void.
Oakland Raiders: WR Juron Criner
23 of 32The Raiders used to overdraft players based on their athleticism and speed, but the team has taken a more conservative approach and waited on such players in more recent years.
Criner is a burner on the outside and could contend with Jacoby Ford as the fastest receiver on the team.
Look for this playmaker to help Carson Palmer stretch the field even more and watch as the Raiders make offensive fireworks in 2012.
Philadelphia Eagles: DT Fletcher Cox
24 of 32Andy Reid knows how to rotate his defensive tackles and welcoming Fletcher Cox to the fold should do wonders for this Eagles defense.
Cox has the ability to make plays in both the run and the pass game, which is perfect for the Philadelphia defense.
Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson and are good defensive linemen, and Fletcher Cox will benefit from having them in his positional group.
Pittsburgh Steelers: NT Alameda Ta'amu
25 of 32The Steelers realize that Casey Hampton won't last forever, so the team brought in a solid player with Alameda Ta'amu to eventually fill Hampton's void.
Ta'amu is a massive lineman and fits the Steelers system in terms of his ability to bottle up plays and control two gaps.
He may not be effective for his first few years, but he'll learn the way from Casey Hampton and be a solid player over the course of his career.
St. Louis Rams: CB Janoris Jenkins
26 of 32Pairing Janoris Jenkins and Cortland Finnegan on the same cornerback unit will result in headaches for both opposing coaches and opposing players. Jeff Fisher is a genius.
Jenkins plays a very similar style to Finnegan and the two should combine to lock down opposing passing offenses.
This corner has off-the-field issues, but when he's in the game, there aren't too many better from this draft class.
San Diego Chargers: S Brandon Taylor
27 of 32The Chargers already have Eric Weddle at safety, so adding Brandon Taylor gives them the opportunity to start two very talented players in the back of their defense.
Taylor enjoyed a successful career in college and will look to rack up interceptions and pass deflections at the next level.
San Diego knows what it's doing in terms of drafting and developing defensive backs, so look for Taylor to coincide well with Weddle in 2012 and on.
San Francisco 49ers: RB LaMichael James
28 of 32Some will say that James looks to struggle to find time with Frank Gore and Brandon Jacobs already in the 49ers' backfield, but I disagree.
Jim Harbaugh knows how to get the most of his offensive players, and James is just too good to sit on the sideline for a whole game.
This running back will have a few opportunities every game to explode and make a big play happen.
Seattle Seahawks: QB Russell Wilson
29 of 32Pete Carroll had a lot of success passing the ball at USC, so it's feasible to think that this head coach knows what makes a good quarterback.
Wilson has everything but the necessary size to be a top-flight NFL quarterback, but this player's high arc of release should allow him to win the starting job in Seattle eventually.
Matt Flynn should be looking over his shoulder, because Wilson has the ability to capture a starting role.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Doug Martin
30 of 32The Buccaneers needed a third down running back and they grabbed one with Martin here.
With the NFC South becoming a passing division, Martin helps the Buccaneers become once again competitive.
Look for him and LeGarrette Blount to split the reps in the backfield in Greg Schiano's offense.
Tennessee Titans: S Markelle Martin
31 of 32The Titans made a number of flashy picks, but Martin looks to be the best fit here—he's a zone-covering safety who knows how to make plays.
With Jeff Fisher gone, the Titans need to bring in a new wave of young defensive backs to help the team grow.
This former Cowboy should have success in Tennessee, making plays on the ball and staying deep in coverage.
Washington Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III
32 of 32This was the easiest pick of the slideshow.
Mike Shanahan loves mobile quarterbacks and Robert Griffin III will help the Redskin offense explode in 2012.
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