NFL Predictions Week 1: 5 Rookies Who Will Fail in Pro Debuts

It's a foregone conclusion that most NFL rookies will fail in Week 1, as well as in the NFL all together.

And with each new season and each new Sunday, rookies are challenged with new reads, schemes, the speed, along with all the other generalities that come with playing pro football.

Therefore, when this Sunday kicks off, we'll get to see which rookies fail but show promise, as well as others that simply fail miserably.

The following five rookies all have an excellent amount of potential, but this Sunday begins a new challenge, and they will have to overcome much adversity in their first real NFL action.

Note: Not all rookies are starting, but are expected to receive solid playing time in Week 1.

Anthony Castonzo: LT, Indianapolis Colts

It's hard enough that he's getting the start against a solid and improved Houston Texans defense, but he also gets to block QB Kerry Collins blindside.

So with that in mind, you can fully expect the Texans to bring an array of diverse blitzes right into Anthony Castonzo and really try to diminish his confidence.

With fellow rookies J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed to rush the passer, the Texans also have LB Mario Williams.

Therefore it's OK, you can feel bad for the 38-year-old QB Kerry Collins because Castonzo is going to have a long day.

Andy Dalton: QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Due to the situation that was Carson Palmer, rookie QB Andy Dalton is being thrown into the fire this season.

He was only a second-round pick and we weren't really expecting him to be under center in year one.

But that appears to not be the case, and with an improved Cleveland Browns defense coming at him, The Dawg Pound will be howling all day on Sunday.

And yes, he does have WR A.J. Green to target, but with Browns CB Joe Haden in the secondary, Green may be locked down for most of the game.

Dalton will have his time to shine, but not this week.

Marcell Dareus: DL, Buffalo Bills

Although he was the No.3 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Buffalo Bills DL Marcell Dareus will have his hands full, along with the rest of his defense, against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last season, Buffalo was the worst team in terms of rush defense, and yes, Dareus will significantly help improve that area this season.

However, in Week 1, they face the NFL's best rushing offense in Kansas City, as well as a much improved passing attack.

Expect the Chiefs to challenge Dareus all game, because getting inside the rookie's head is a lot easier than some of their other established defensive players such as Shawne Merriman and Nick Barnett.

Also, even if Dareus puts pressure on QB Matt Cassel, Cassel is a good enough athlete to avoid the rush while keeping his eyes downfield.

Dareus has a ton of potential, but playing K.C. in game one will expose his rookie flaws.

Cam Newton: QB, Carolina Panthers

Here's why Cam Newton is going to struggle in Week 1:

1. It's a road game across the country, which is never guaranteed to be easy, no matter what.

2. Although the Carolina offense is improved, the Panthers still have a lot more work to do than most offenses.

3. The Arizona Cardinals defense has made great strides this offseason.

The biggest reason is the addition of rookie Patrick Peterson, whom the Cardinals drafted fifth overall, and who will significantly improve their defense.

Now, there's Adrian Wilson, Kerry Rhodes and Peterson in the secondary, which will make it difficult for receiving targets to get open.

In turn, that will allow pass-rusher Darnell Dockett, as well as Joey Porter, more time to get to Newton.

Make no mistake about it, Newton is going to be a solid NFL QB for the Panthers, but his first regular season game is going to be a rough one.

Jimmy Smith: DB, Balitmore Ravens

Although Jimmy Smith improves a Ravens' pass defense that desperately needs it, he's not ready to play the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin his NFL career.

Obviously he has to play them sometime, but for this being his NFL debut, it honestly can't get much more difficult.

For one, the Steelers have a great offense with QB Ben Roethlisberger, WRs Hines Ward and Mike Wallace and TE Heath Miller.

It will be a good learning experience for Smith, because if you want to be the best in the AFC North, the division crown goes through the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It will be an eye-opening experience for a rookie that's been criticized for work ethic and attitude off the field.

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