NFL Rookies Who Could Make or Break Their Team's Season

Few rookies have the potential to decide the fate of their team. Rookies typically spend the year simply trying to fit in and find a role in which they can contribute. 

But there are a few first-year pros who are in a position, for various reasons, to make or break their team's season. 

Given the nature of the game, this short list exclusively features offensive skill-position players. While plenty of other rookies will make a significant impact this season, these are the few who could truly decide the fate of their team with a strong or disappointing year. 

EJ Manuel, QB, Bills

Expectations aren't high for the Buffalo Bills this year, but EJ Manuel at least gives them some hope. 

At this stage of his career, Kevin Kolb has shown all he has to offer. But if Manuel can lock down the starting job, Bills fans can hope for a Robert Griffin III-like season. 

Realistically, Manuel will experience typical rookie growing pains, and the Bills will stumble to another 10-loss season. However, Manuel's athleticism will at least give head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett the ability to be creative with the offense, which could lead to some exciting upsets in the process. 

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Vikings

As Christian Ponder enters his third season, hope that he'll live up to his first-round expectations is beginning to dwindle. 

The Minnesota Vikings' front office recognized this was a critical year for Ponder and added Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson, giving Ponder no excuse but to take a significant step forward in year three. 

While Jennings will make an immediate impact, Patterson is a bit of project and may take some time to fit into the Vikings offense. 

If Patterson fails to establish himself as a weapon early, Jennings becomes easier to contain, and Ponder's situation may only be marginally better than a season ago. But if Patterson is able to become a playmaker immediately, the Vikings offense has the potential to be a high-powered threat in the NFC.

Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals

BenJarvus Green-Ellis returns for another season, but he failed to establish himself as a consistent threat for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012. 

Green-Ellis may be the favorite to win the starting job out of camp, but Bernard undoubtedly offers the most upside with his ability to impact the game carrying the football and as a receiver out of the backfield. 

If Bernard can make the necessary strides in training camp and establish himself as a significant upgrade over Green-Ellis, the Bengals offense may have the final piece it needs to become a championship-caliber unit. 

Eddie Lacy/Johnathan Franklin, RB, Packers

The Green Bay Packers fully expect to compete for a championship once again in 2013, but just how dominant their offense could be depends on the success of the running game. 

The running back by committee approach in 2012 was ultimately the Packers' downfall, and general manager Ted Thompson went all in to address the situation this offseason. 

By bringing in rookies Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin, the Packers may have finally found the thunder-and-lightning attack that Aaron Rodgers deserves to be supported by in Green Bay. 

If Lacy and Franklin immediately step into contributing roles, the Packers' offense may be the best unit they've put together in the Rodgers era. But if both rookies struggle out of the gate, the situation may not be any better than a season ago when Alex Green led the team in rushing. 

Geno Smith, QB, Jets

If the New York Jets had high hopes for Geno Smith, they wouldn't have let him slide to the second round. They also wouldn't be holding an open competition between Smith and the beleaguered Mark Sanchez. 

But nonetheless, Smith offers some hope for Jets fans and has the potential to turn the franchise around. 

The Jets still have plenty of questions on offense, but Smith's athleticism gives offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg an added dimension to work with which Sanchez lacks. 

The odds of Smith making a dramatic difference in New York this season may be slim, but he is one of the few rookies with the potential to turn his team's season around.