Philadelphia Eagles 2012: Which Rookies Will Make an Immediate Impact in 2012-13

For the first time in years, Eagles fans were happy with the team's draft selections. They filled needs and built depth, creating a buzz in Philadelphia about how quickly these players can make an impact.  

There are a few players who will make an immediate impact for the Eagles. Some players on this list will start, others will be valuable contributors off of the bench. Here are the Eagles rookies to keep an eye on this year.  

Fletcher Cox, DT

The Eagles traded up to the 12th pick in order to draft the man they had their eye on.  

Cox is a 6'4" 300-lb beast who will give the Eagles arguably the best defensive line in football, rotating with Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson at defensive tackle.  

If Cox turns out to be a bust, which I don't think he will, Philadelphia will waste no time letting him know about it.    

Mychal Kendricks, OLB

The linebacker position was a huge hole for the Eagles last year, and they addressed that hole in the draft by taking Kendricks with the 46th overall pick.  

Kendricks dominated the combine and has been great at the Eagles rookie camp.  He was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year last year, so the combine wasn't necessarily a surprise, but rather a validation that this guy is for real.  

Kendricks may just earn himself a starting spot at outside linebacker.    

Vinny Curry, DE

The Eagles took Vinny Curry with their second pick in the second round.  

Curry is a big, pass-rushing defensive end who recorded 23 sacks in his last two years at Marshall.  

Obviously, with Jason Babin and Trent Cole, Curry will not start, but he will see valuable time in the rotation.   

Nick Foles, QB

Foles is in a three-man battle for the second string quarterback role. The reason he could make an immediate impact is that, as Eagles fans know, Michael Vick is injury-prone.  

Foles has prototypical NFL size and an NFL-caliber arm, but he struggles with mobility. If Foles earns the second-string job and Vick gets injured, Eagles fans will expect him to grow up quickly and keep this team competitive.  

Brandon Boykin, CB

Brandon Boykin is a phenomenal athlete. He isn't big, but he can tackle and has fantastic speed.  

Asante Samuel is no longer on the team, so Boykin will play a big role for this team. He has the capability of playing the slot, and has practiced there for the Eagles.  

Not only will Boykin be playing on defense, but also he'll be returning kicks along with DeSean Jackson.  

Bryce Brown, RB

Bryce Brown was the final player selected by the Eagles in the draft.  

He's a very interesting player to say the least. Brown was rated higher than Trent Richardson coming out of high school, but he left Tennessee after a year in order to transfer to Kansas State. After sitting out a year, Brown hurt his ankle in his first game at K-State and never played again.  

Brown is big and could see time this year, but I don't think he is the best rookie running back on this team.

Chris Polk, RB

Chris Polk had early-round talent, but injury concerns kept him from being drafted at all. The Eagles wisely signed Polk as an undrafted free agent.  

At the University of Washington, Polk ran for 3,902 yards and 25 touchdowns, and showed promise in the passing game his senior year catching 29 balls for 324 yards and four touchdowns.  

If Polk can stay healthy, I think he has the potential to not only make the team, but also to be the second-string back behind LeSean McCoy.  

This is a guy that Eagles fans need to keep an eye on.