2012 NFL Draft: 10 Instant Impact Offensive Prospects

Year after year, we see several rookies make an immediate impact. This happens because of a few factors including a player's talent, team need and injuries. The level of impact varies from player to player, but any contribution is helpful.

The most noticeable impact tends to come from the skill position players. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs get a lot of touches, while also getting the opportunity to stuff the stat sheet. Nobody can watch every NFL game, making the visible stats important to most.

While the skill position players do have a major impact, the players along the line can also change a team's fortune. For example, the Pittsburgh Steelers' addition of Maurkice Pouncey played a major role in their recent Super Bowl run.

The upcoming slides breakdown several players that appear ready to have an instant impact. I stayed focused on the offensive side of the ball, with a defensive post coming soon.

I evaluated these prospects based on a few factors including experience, talent level and production. The prospects position also played a factor in this list. Often times, specific positions like quarterback have a longer adjustment period.

Mike Brewster, Center, Ohio State

Ohio State's Mike Brewster is one of three highly regarded center prospects. In my opinion, Brewster is the most ready to step in and start. He has a ton of experience, starting every game since his freshman season. Those starts have come against some excellent players in the Big 10.

Brewster is a technically sound player, who excels at gaining leverage on the defender. He is an above average pass and run blocker. However, his greatest attributes are his football IQ and leadership ability.

I feel Brewster will likely come off the board on the second day of the draft, but immediately contend for a starting position.

Cordy Glenn, Offensive Line, Georgia

A major factor in a prospects ability to make an immediate impact is versatility. If a player can handle more than one position, he provides his coaches with options. Georgia's Cordy Glenn is a versatile player, who is capable of playing either guard or tackle.

Glenn has excellent size and strength, combined with good fluid movements. His best fit would be at guard, but he is capable of playing right tackle. Playing left tackle would be a stretch, but he is a decent emergency option.

Any team looking to bolster their offensive line play is going to give Glenn a look. He is a powerful run blocker, showing the ability to get a push off the line. His quick feet and balance allow him to mirror defenders and protect the quarterback.

I can easily see Glenn finding his way into the first round of the 2012 draft.

David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

The offensive line might be the easiest place to get early playing time. Teams are more willing to insert a rookie guard than a rookie quarterback. This is because offensive line prospects are able to lean on the surrounding veterans for support.

Stanford's David DeCastro is NFL ready, capable of starting from day one. He is a powerful player, who is an above average run and pass blocker. Stanford's offensive system employs a lot of pro style concepts, which should help with DeCastro's transition to the NFL.

A guard-needy franchise would have to consider DeCastro in the first round of the 2012 draft.

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Someone is going to select USC's Matt Kalil in the top 10 of the 2012 draft. His early draft position and skill level will give him an early opportunity to start. If a team is using an early draft pick on a left tackle prospect, chances are they have a major need at the position.

Kalil is currently the top-rated offensive line prospect on the board. He is very athletic, which allows him to reach the edge and protect the quarterback. His ability to keep his pad level low helps him maintain leverage throughout the play.

Adding a player like Kalil would immediately upgrade a team's offensive line.

Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

Stanford's Jonathan Martin is battling Matt Kalil for the right to be the first offensive lineman selected in the 2012 NFL draft. Both Martin and Kalil seem likely to land in the top 10, with a shot of landing in the top five. The NFL places a high priority on left tackles.

Martin will be someone's opening day starting left tackle. His best attribute is his ability to protect the passer. He has a natural bend, which allows him to remain balanced and absorb contact. Martin has quick feet, something that is necessary to mirror defenders.

With the NFL becoming more of a passing game, the ability to pass protect is the first thing a franchise is going to focus on. Martin needs to improve his run blocking, but his ability to pass protect will get him immediately on the field.

Dwayne Allen, Tight End, Clemson

The majority of NFL teams have a tight end on the field for every play. In order for a tight end to truly make an impact, he needs to be able to catch and block. The best tight ends possesses that ability to keep a defense guessing. They are able to attack the seam and also open holes in the running game.

Clemson's Dwayne Allen is the most well-rounded tight end prospect in the 2012 draft. He has the ability to fire off the ball and create running room. His ability to keep his pad level low allows him to maintain leverage. Allen also does a good job in pass protection, making available to be an extra blocker.

However, Allen is not only an in-line tight end, as he is capable of making plays through the air. Allen possesses soft hands, always attacking the ball at its highest point. He has great concentration, showing the ability to make the tough catch.

Allen will likely be the first tight end selected.

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Wide receivers tend to have a longer adjustment period than most other positions. This is due to the overwhelming presence of the spread offense, which doesn't prepare wide outs for pro style routes. Even if a receiver has experience with pro routes, he still needs to work on reading a defense. College wideouts tend to get by on their athletic ability, something that won't fly in the NFL.

Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon is going to have an adjustment period. He plays in a wide open spread offense that relies more on spacing than route running. However, Blackmon has enough athletic ability to make an early impact in the NFL.

Blackmon is a very explosive player who likes to attack the deep part of the field. His transition could be made easier by having him focus on a few specific routes. Blackmon's ability to make plays down the field will help him make an early impact.

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Running backs have the easiest transition to the NFL. Their contributions are usually measured by rushing yards and touchdowns. In order to put up stats, running backs only need to take a hand off and find the running lanes. The only true adjustment comes in pass protect, but that can usually be overcome by a third down back.

Alabama's Trent Richardson appears like the only running back worthy of a first-round selection. He is a special player with an excellent combination of size and speed. Richardson is capable of pounding the ball between the tackles, while also attacking the edge of a defense.

Richardson will likely be the early favorite to win the rookie of the year award. He will land on a running back-needy team and get a ton of touches.

Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC

Quarterback prospects don't typically get a chance to get early playing time. However, the recent trend is to start a rookie quarterback early in his career. So far this season, we have seen four rookie quarterbacks earn starting roles.

USC's Matt Barkley is the most NFL-ready quarterback, behind Andrew Luck. Barkley has received a ton of playing time, starting since the first game of his freshman season. His experience against top level talent, as well as playing in a pro style system should make for an easier transition.

It seems likely that Barkley will be asked to start early in his career.

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Stanford's Andrew Luck is by far the best prospect in the 2012 NFL draft. He is prepared to step in and start from day one, which is saying a lot for a quarterback. Luck has all the physical skills combined with an excellent feel for the game.

A lot of Luck's early impact will depend on where he lands. If he lands on a team like Indianapolis, Luck will likely have to sit behind Peyton Manning. However outside of landing on the Colts, Luck will be the opening day starter for an NFL team.

Many feel that Luck will have a lot of success early in his career. He will make his rookie mistakes, but those should be minimal compared to past rookies.