2011 NFL Predictions: 5 Rookies Who Will Rock the NFL World in 2011

This year’s crop of rookies is loaded with immense talent all around. From the very first pick in Cam Newton to Mr. Irrelevant, Cheta Ozougwu, this class has as much potential as any in history. We will see fantastic production from this class, but the following five players are set to explode and rock the NFL world this season.

It was incredibly tough to pick just five players, especially considering that nearly every player in the first two rounds has the potential to enjoy great success. Yet these five men landed in the prime situations to begin their NFL journey. There is no stopping these men from destroying the competition as rookies to become franchise staples off the bat.

We have elite defenders and offensive studs on this list for their all-around abilities as prospects and premier situations to succeed immediately. You’ll see a diverse list; duplicate positions will be not be present. Still, sit back and strap yourself in, because these earth-shattering rookies are gearing up to rock your world—as well as the NFL’s—shortly!

5. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, New York Jets

New Yorkers are getting ready to see their next franchise staple on their defensive line. We’ve seen great defensive ends in New York over the past decade with John Abraham and Shaun Ellis, but Wilkerson has the ability to trump even those two greats with Gang Green.

No, he is not going to light up the box score with sacks and tackles as he plays in Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense, but he is going to set the pace for this entire team. Everybody wants to make noise about Darrelle Revis and David Harris, but Wilkerson is going to be making headlines with his ability to blow up offensive game plans.

Wilkerson is a freak of nature who had no business slipping to No. 30 overall. He would have been a sure-fire top 10 selection in the 2010 draft, so Ryan grabbed a steal at the tail end of the first round. He has immense size, strength, speed, agility and instincts, which will allow him to excel instantly.

According to Newark Star-Ledger’s Conor Orr:

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“Rex Ryan said he wouldn't have drafted Muhammad Wilkerson, a Linden native, with his first round pick in April's NFL Draft unless he planned on starting him, a notion he made a little more definitive today.

Just a day after watching him battle with starting left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson during the first day of organized team practices, he came out and cemented Wilkerson's role as a starter.”

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4. Jimmy Smith, CB, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens desperately needed a cornerback (they still do) to compete for a Super Bowl. Fortunately, they, too, landed a steal in Colorado’s Jimmy Smith.

Many were concerned with Smith’s off-field issues. Poppycock, this kid has oodles of talent and will thrive in this league for years to come. He is a top 10 talent that organizations were too afraid to take a chance on. Not Baltimore.

With Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs in the locker room, Jimmy will have his head on straight—and quickly.

Smith is a strong cornerback who can press his man at the line of scrimmage. More importantly, he can play man-to-man and play on an island all to himself, much like Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha.

Smith has even been compared to Asomugha, due to his style of play. He has quick and strong hands, allowing him to bat down passes with ease. More importantly, he has the instincts and solid hands to snatch the rock from his priority.

According to Dan Kadar on MockingtheDraft.com:

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“People may compare Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith to elite cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, but the incoming rookie already thinks more highly of himself.

‘I like the comparison, he's a shutdown corner in the NFL,’ Smith said Sunday [during] the NFL Combine. ‘I think I have better ball skills than he does, though.’”

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How’s that for confidence? I love it. That’s what I want to see from my first-round cornerback selection, who will need every bit of that confidence to excel in this league. Even better, he has the skills on the field to back it up.

3. Gabe Carimi, OT, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears desperately needed to bolster their offensive line to protect Jay Cutler from further mutilation.

They were able to steal my No. 1-rated offensive tackle, Gabe Carimi. Carimi is a Wisconsin product, which means he has been bred to destroy defensive linemen in the NFL.

And that’s exactly what Carimi does.

This man is an absolute mauler. He is a vicious and tenacious gridiron warrior who has no problem demolishing anybody in his path.

Mike Martz may not always be willing to call a rushing play, but Matt Forte will greatly appreciate running behind Carimi. It doesn’t matter if Gabe lines up on the left or right side; he is talented enough to play on either side.

Madden players, get ready to see a jump in Mr. Carimi’s ratings.

2. Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins

Fantasy players, say hello to your rookie workhorse running back, Daniel Thomas. Have no fear about Reggie Bush’s arrival in South Beach, all eyes are on DT.

I strongly suggested Miami land Thomas in mock drafts and they wisely traded into the second round to steal him away from the rest of the NFL. He is the premier running back for Tony Sparano’s offensive scheme, which prides itself on smash-mouth football.

According to the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero:

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“Simply, the plan is to make 6-1 and 228-pound rookie Daniel Thomas the workhorse. If he averages 18 carries a game that should be perfect.”

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Thomas has very good speed and power, but it is his vision and patience that will allow him to explode in the NFL starting Week 1.

He has the ability to catch out of the backfield, but expect him to dominate between the tackles. Unlike Bush, he is not afraid to get right into the line of scrimmage and bang with defenders. He is as strong-minded as he is a strong runner, which sets him up perfectly for long-term success in the NFL.

1. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Despite what anybody else might tell you, Atlanta made a great move on draft night trading up for Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.

The Falcons now have a freak of nature opposite Roddy White and can actually boast two of the strongest wide receivers in the game. Jones will manhandle cornerbacks with his quickness and strength off the line of scrimmage and then jolt past them with his blazing speed.

Julio is a big-play threat, but watch Matt Ryan look to him as a possession receiver as well on slants towards the middle. Jones has the toughness to play through injuries, though he missed some time at Alabama.

Expect Jones to rack up receptions and yards to give the Falcons one of the most feared offenses in the game. He completes this Super Bowl-caliber franchise and is already drawing rave reviews on the practice field.

According to the Rotoworld.com staff:

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“According to NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- who's live in Flowery Branch -- No. 6 overall pick Julio Jones ‘may already be the most impressive player’ at Falcons training camp.

Mayock described Jones as ‘more explosive off the ball than they thought.’” 

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Ryan is going to target Julio early and often to make sure he is involved in the offense and keeps the defense off White. Unlike A.J. Green in Cincinnati or being drafted by Washington or St. Louis, Jones will thrive as the complement to White in Atlanta.

Brandon Galvin is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist and Syndicated Writer.