2011 NFL Draft Results: 5 Picks Who Will Be Rookie Pro Bowlers

2011 NFL Draft Results Leave Some Teams Thrilled

There are several ways to label a draft choice.

Does he become a Hall of Famer? Does he become a bust? Is he a late bloomer who catches on somewhere else?

Each of those questions take many years to answer. But there are those players who step in right away and become stars that make a major impact.

In recent years, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco did that as quarterbacks. Edgerrin James and Adrian Peterson did that as running backs. And Ndamukong Suh and Shawne Merriman did that on defense.

So who in this draft is capable of becoming a rookie star that lands in the pro bowl? Here are five good candidates.

5) Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings: Talent is certainly critical for an early impact, but so is the talent that surrounds you. I'm not sure Roethlisberger or Flacco would have been quite as impressive as rookies had they landed with bad teams instead of perennial playoff contenders. So of all the rookies to be selected on Day One only one is walking into a truly great offensive situation.

That's Christian Ponder: he'll have Adrian Peterson in the backfield, Percy Harvin at wide receiver, maybe Sidney Rice as well, a great pass catching tight end in Visanthe Schiancoe, a good young rookie in Kyle Rudolph, and a very solid offensive line. If the veteran they bring in to start doesn't work out, Ponder could make a splash.

4) Mark Ingram Jr., RB, New Orleans Saints: Ingram is walking into an ideal setup where the Saints passing attack is already one of the best in the league. He doesn't have to be counted on as a 350-carry superstar. But he'll have plenty of chances to run with the safeties hanging deep, afraid to let Drew Brees burn them.

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3) Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: Rookie wide receivers rarely excel right away: aside from Randy Moss very few have been stars from the get-go. But what do Moss and Jones have in common, that Jones and Calvin  Johnson, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and even A.J. Green don't? Jones is walking into a situation where he already has an All Pro, Roddy White, on the other side of him: Moss had Cris Carter.

In a pass happy offense that has Matt Ryan developing every week, Michael Turner still a danger, and a still useful Tony Gonzalez, Jones walks into a remarkable situation in Atlanta.

2) Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals: Great athletes can excell in any scheme under any circumstance and Peterson might be the best athlete in this draft. He could take over for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie if he struggles again in 2011, but as a punt returner, he could become a dominant force from Day One.

1) Von Miller, OLB, Denver Broncos: Miller has all the tools to be a truly great player and in John Fox's scheme he will. But he should receive some extra help by Elvis Dumervil's return and the addition of Rahim Moore in the  secondary.