NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking the Top 10 NFC West Rookies to Watch in 2011
Although in the weakest division in the league compared to the rest, Arizona, St. Louis, Seattle and San Francisco are highly competitive amongst themselves as they all fight for the NFC West crown. Last year, the division could still be won in the final weeks of the season and we should all expect another tight race down the stretch—especially with these fantastic groups of rookies.
Although the Seahawks did not have a great draft, Pete Carroll landed two impact rookies to complete the beginning phase of his overall vision. Which unheralded rookie Seahawks made the list?
The talk of the league will be Arizona’s Patrick Peterson, but will he lead our list of top rookies to watch on the field in 2011?
I stand by my belief that if Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams had a solid receiving option, they would have won the division in 2010. After grabbing one of my top-rated defensive prospects in the first round, they completely revamped the offense. Which rookie receivers will help the most? How many rookie Rams made the cut?
Finally, new head coach Jim Harbaugh filled two major voids in the first two rounds with pass-rusher Aldon Smith and quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Will Kaepernick beat out Alex Smith, who is expected to return, for the starting job and a spot on this list?
Here are your top 10 NFC West rookies to watch in 2011.
10. Austin Pettis, St. Louis Rams WR
1 of 10Height: 6’2”
Weight: 209 lbs
Career Stats: 229 receptions, 2,838 yards, 39 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.61
Bench Press – 14.0
Vertical Jump – 33.5
Broad Jump – 120.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.68
20-yard Shuttle – 3.88
60-yard Shuttle – 11.14
In search of a No. 1 wide receiver, the Rams grabbed Austin Pettis to be their No. 1 playmaker on the outside. He is a big receiver who fights for every ball thrown his way. Although the cornerback competition will be much great than what he experience at Boise State, he still gets to play with an incredible and accurate quarterback in Sam Bradford.
Although I expect Greg Salas to rack up the receptions as the possession receiver for this unit, Pettis will be the explosive option over the top the team desires. He is one of the more sure-handed receivers in the class and has excellent footwork and ability to separate from cornerbacks.
He probably won’t lead the team in receptions as a rookie, despite being the “No. 1 option,” but he will be the one Bradford looks to for that big play throughout each contest.
9. John Moffitt, Seattle Seahawks OG
2 of 10Height: 6’4”
Weight: 319 lbs
40-yard Dash – 5.55
Bench Press – 23.0
Vertical Jump – 30.5
Broad Jump – 102.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.79
20-yard Shuttle – 4.53
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Pete Carroll landed a steal in the third round as he creates one of the best young offensive lines in the league. Wisconsin product Gabe Carimi was my No. 1 run-blocker in this class with his nasty nature and mean streak.
John Moffitt joined Carimi on Wisconsin’s mauling offensive line and has the same bruising mentality. For that, Moffitt may be the second best run-blocker in this class.
Although he is not a great athlete, he is the type of gritty offensive linemen coaches and teammates want in the huddle. He will absolutely destroy defenders to create running lanes for his running backs. The bruising Marshawn Lynch will love to have Moffitt paving the way up front. Carroll would have been smart to grab Carimi in the first, though.
8. James Carpenter, Seattle Seahawks OT
3 of 10Height: 6’4”
Weight: 321 lbs
40-yard Dash – 5.28
Bench Press – 23.0
Vertical Jump – N/A
Broad Jump – N/A
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Although a reach pick, James Carpenter is still an overall solid pass- and run-blocker. He was one of my top-10 offensive linemen in the entire class. He has the size, athleticism and versatility to play across the line.
Pete Carroll is clearly trying to create one of the most dominant offensive lines in the entire league and will be greatly assisted by his recent draft picks. Carpenter and John Moffitt complete this powerful and highly athletic offensive line.
Carpenter will help in the run game but greatly assist whoever lines up at quarterback. Last year, Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst were abused in the pocket—that won’t happen again with Carpenter and last year’s first-rounder Russell Okung.
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7. Greg Salas, St. Louis Rams WR
4 of 10Height: 6’1”
Weight: 210 lbs
Career Stats: 285 receptions, 4,345 yards, 26 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.56
Bench Press – 15.0
Vertical Jump – 37.0
Broad Jump – 120.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.65
20-yard Shuttle – 4.10
60-yard Shuttle – 11.21
Although Austin Pettis will give Sam Bradford the big-play ability from the wide receiver corps, Greg Salas will prove to be the most reliable, sure-handed receiver on the team. He will instantly be the No. 1 possession receiver on the team as he will catch any pass thrown his way.
He is an underrated receiver who will rack up receptions as most defensive coordinators play him one-on-one. He has the quickness off the line to get open just long enough for Sam Bradford to throw darts his way. He will be among the rookie league leaders in receptions as Bradford uses him as a safety net.
6. Ryan Williams, Arizona Cardinals RB
5 of 10Height: 5’9”
Weight: 212 lbs
Career Stats: 403 attempts, 2,132 yards, 30 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.61
Bench Press – 19.0
Vertical Jump – 40.0
Broad Jump – 123.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.96
20-yard Shuttle – 4.18
60-yard Shuttle – 11.4
With Tim Hightower a pending free agent, Ken Whisenhunt grabbed a top three or four running back in this class in Ryan Williams. This is a dynamic back with excellent combination of explosiveness, speed, power and agility.
He can make plays by himself and should quickly take the reins of this backfield. I expect him to dominate the carries by midseason and push Chris Wells into the change-of-pace role to preserve his health for the stretch run of the season.
Williams and Wells will create one of the most dynamic backfield duos in the league, and should rival Jahvid Best and my No. 2 rookie runner Mikel Leshoure in Detroit. This will be a lethal one-two punch for the remainder of Wells’ contract, who I believe will bolt from Arizona due to Ryan’s presence.
5. Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams DE
6 of 10Height: 6’4”
Weight: 265 lbs
Career Stats: 84 tackles, 13 sacks, 4 forced fumbles
40-yard Dash – 4.7
Bench Press – 22.0
Vertical Jump – 34.0
Broad Jump – 116.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.13
20-yard Shuttle – 4.4
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
If Robert Quinn played in 2010 and teams weren’t concerned with his brain tumor, he would have been a top five or seven pick in this year’s draft. He has elite potential in the NFL as a big-time pass rusher with his size, speed and quickness. The Rams needed to upgrade their pass rush in a big way to assist the secondary, former No. 2 overall pick defensive end Chris Long and star linebacker James Laurinaitis.
I do have my reservations about Quinn in this system as he will be the focus on the defensive line. The rest of the unit won’t be able to take the pressure off him and I fear he may be better suited as an outside linebacker rushing the passer next to Laurinaitis.
Still, this is a determined and motivated player to succeed at all costs on the field. He is a high-character player who has overcome adversity in his life just to play football.
Although I believe his future will be far superior to his rookie season, he will be a big reason the Rams finally make it back to the playoffs as offensive coordinators gear to stop him. The increased attention on him will greatly assist the rest of this improving defense.
4. Sam Acho, Arizona Cardinals OLB
7 of 10Height: 6’2”
Weight: 262 lbs
Career Stats: 136 tackles, 20 sacks, five forced fumbles
40-yard Dash – 4.68
Bench Press – 23.0
Vertical Jump – 33.5
Broad Jump – 112.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.69
20-yard Shuttle – 4.32
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
The Cardinals are close to securing their defense after drafting the high character Texas product, Sam Acho. Acho is the type of player who will give everything in his body on the field. Just as important, he will give everything off the field to his community. He is one of the most respected human beings in all of college football and will become an instant fan favorite on and off the field.
He is a gifted player with a remarkable work ethic. He is a driven and dedicated player who has a knack for getting to the quarterback. He has solid strength and quickness to shred blockers on his way to the quarterback.
The Cardinals desperately needed a young, quality pass rusher after the failed Joey Porter experiment. Acho was a steal in the fourth round as Ken Whisenhunt filled a glaring hole on defense, which will improve the entire team.
3. Lance Kendricks, St. Louis Rams TE
8 of 10Height: 6’3”
Weight: 243 lbs
Career Stats: 78 receptions, 1,160 yards, eight touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.75
Bench Press – 25.0
Vertical Jump – 34.5
Broad Jump – 122.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.94
20-yard Shuttle – 4.15
60-yard Shuttle – 11.9
Last year, with limited talent around him Sam Bradford exploited defenses with his remarkable poise in the pocket, arm strength and accuracy. Equipped with the worst group of wide receivers in the league, Bradford almost took the Rams to the playoffs as he made great use of his tight ends.
Now, Bradford will have the best tight end he’s ever played with. Lance Kendricks has great size, speed and athleticism for a tight end. He will dominate underneath coverage and up the middle of the field. He will be a mismatch nightmare and should quickly become Bradford’s No.1 go to guy in the red zone.
2. Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers OLB
9 of 10Height: 6’4”
Weight: 263 lbs
Career Stats: 108 tackles, 17 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble
40-yard Dash – 4.78
Bench Press – 20.0
Vertical Jump – 34.0
Broad Jump – 118.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.19
20-yard Shuttle – 4.5
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
The San Francisco 49ers desperately needed to find an outside pass-rusher in this draft. They landed a freak pass rusher in Aldon Smith, who has often been compared to DeMarcus Ware.
Jim Harbaugh already boasts the best linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis. Now, he has an excellent pass-rusher to pair with him. I’ve said it since draft night. Jim now has the NFC’s version of his brother John’s top linebacker tandem consisting of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.
A major concern with Smith heading into the draft was if he had enough strength to play defensive end in the NFL, but he heads to a great destination as he will be the 49ers’ new elite pass-rusher. Willis will take the pressure off Smith to allow him to relentless attack the quarterback. Expect him to be among the rookie league leaders in sacks.
1. Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals CB
10 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 219 lbs
Career Stats: 135 tackles, one forced fumble, seven interceptions, one touchdown
40-yard Dash – 4.34
Bench Press – 15.0
Vertical Jump – 38.0
Broad Jump – 126.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.58
20-yard Shuttle – 4.07
60-yard Shuttle – 11.01
Patrick Peterson is a once in a decade player and was easily my No. 1 overall prospect heading into the draft.
This is the closest player to Deion Sanders we’ve seen since Deion Sanders. He can do everything on the football field. He has excellent shutdown coverage skills, is a solid tackler and a fantastic return specialist. He has great hands and is so confident in his ability that he could also play wide receiver if asked, just like Sanders did at one point with Dallas.
Peterson completes the most talented secondary in the league as he joins Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes in Arizona. These are four dangerous playmakers, but Patrick will be the most dangerous of them all with his overall natural abilities. He has the vision, footwork, hands, speed and instincts to be one of the few elite cornerbacks in this league.
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