NFL Draft 2011: Julio Jones and the Top Candidates for Rookie of the Year
The NFL Draft is exactly two weeks away. Well, exactly two weeks, four hours, and three minutes, but who is counting. The NFL Draft is just the beginning of the football season. After the draft we have training camps, then the preseason, and finally the regular season.
With that said, let's fast forward until the beginning of 2012. Here is a look at the top candidates for offensive and defensive rookie of the year.
5. Defense: Robert Quinn
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Projected team: Tennessee Titans (1st Round, 8th Pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 46 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Robert Quinn probably has the most potential out of any of the defensive ends. He sat out the entire 2009 season, but when he showed up to the Combine, he looked rather impressive. He will need to polish his game, as his skill set is still a little raw. However, he should be able to start from the first day and be a good pass rusher for the Titans.
5. Offense: Kyle Rudolph
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Projected team: Houston Texans (2nd round, 11th pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 47 catches, 601 yards, 8 TD's
Kyle Rudolph is this year's top rated tight end and in a pass happy environment like Houston, Rudolph could have a huge rookie season. He could have a similar season to what Rob Gronkowski did in New England last year. He has the size to thrive in the red zone and cause match up problems for opposing defenses. He is a hard working and smart player with incredible toughness.
4. Defense: Patrick Peterson
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Projected team: Carolina Panthers (1st round, 1st pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 58 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 interceptions, 2 defensive TD's
Patrick Peterson has been compared to Charles Woodson, arguably the best overall defensive back in the NFL. He is also considered the top overall prospect and has all the tools you want in a cornerback. He has fantastic play making ability, size, and speed to excel in the NFL for a long period of time.
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.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Offense: Cam Newton
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Projected team: Buffalo Bills (1st round, 3rd pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 2,868 passing yards, 532 rushing yards, 23 total TD's, 17 interceptions
Cam Newton, if picked by Buffalo, will be their featured offensive player. The Bills will do things with Newton that have never been done before with a quarterback. He might be the most exciting player to watch in football. He is a freakish athlete who could change the game forever. However, that probably won't happen in his rookie season.
3. Defense: Martez Wilson
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Projected team: San Diego Chargers (2nd round, 18th pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 98 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
Martez Wilson could eventually turn into a very intimidating middle linebacker. He has all the necessary physical tools, but his instincts need to catch up. He is a powerful hitter with great speed and he knows how to get after the quarterback. He definitely has room to improve, but look for him to make an impact his rookie season.
3. Offense: Mark Ingram
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Projected team: Miami Dolphins (1st round, 15th pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 242 carries, 1,183 yards, 8 TD's
Mark Ingram isn't going to blow by people with his speed, but he will certainly run you over if you get in his way. Ingram is a powerful back who looks capable to be a featured back in the NFL. He had injury problems during his junior season, but he appears to be healthy now and ready to carry the load.
2. Defense: Akeem Ayers
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Projected team: Washington Redskins (2nd round, 10th pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 82 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 defensive TD
Akeem Ayers had an inconsistent career at UCLA and a disappointing Combine workout, but look for him to prove all the doubters wrong his rookie season. He has shown the ability to hit with power and has good hands to make plays in coverage. He has the right size and build for the position and if he can put in the necessary work to succeed in the NFL, he will have a bright career in front of him.
2. Offense: A.J. Green
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Projected team: Cincinnati Bengals (1st round, 4th pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 84 receptions, 1,201 yards, 9 TD's
A.J. Green is, in my opinion, the best offensive player in the draft. He has everything you could ever want in a wide receiver. He has speed, hands, body size, competitiveness, and the list goes on and on. He will make any quarterback that is throwing him the ball look instantly better and will be an elite receiver in the NFL for many, many years.
The only reason Green is ranked second is due to the fact that he will most likely be drafted by a team that already has a decent group of receivers that will take away some of his catches.
1. Defense: Von Miller
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Projected team: Denver Broncos (1st round, 2nd pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 78 tackles, 11 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles
Von Miller is a special talent that has been compared to DeMarcus Ware and Derrick Thomas. He is the top pass rusher in the draft this year and showed the ability to alter games while in college. He is explosive off the edge and could dominate in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Look for Miller to make the Pro Bowl his rookie season, and many seasons after that.
1. Offense: Julio Jones
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Projected team: Cleveland Browns (1st round, 6th pick)
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 89 receptions, 1,264 yards, 11 TD's
Julio Jones will step into Cleveland as the top receiver and Colt McCoy's favorite target. Look for him to have plenty of opportunities to make plays with the ball in his hands. Jones is an extremely physical receiver who will break tackles with ease in the secondary. He is a tough and competitive player that won't back down to a challenge at any level. He will be one of the better receivers in the league starting with his first game in the NFL
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
