Nick Fairley and 12 Rookies Whose Teams Are Counting on Them Most

Nick Fairley, rookie defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, suddenly finds himself in the spotlight in the wake of Ndamukong Suh's anger management problem. Now, the Lions are counting on their first-round pick to anchor their defensive line for the next couple games while Suh serves his suspension.

This has been a frustrating year so far for the highly touted rookie out of Auburn. Fairley has spent more time in the trainers' room than on the field. But he is healthy now, and it couldn't come at a more fortuitous time for the Lions.

The Lions will be counting on a strong performance from Fairley, and they had better get it if they hope to stay in contention in the NFC.

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray has been the lightning rod that has sparked the Dallas Cowboys' resurgent offense. The Cowboys lead the New York Giants by one game, and they will be counting on Murray to keep the momentum going through the playoff push.

Murray is an exceptionally fast runner that hits his holes at full speed. He is a home run threat every time he touches the ball, as his 5.7-yard-per-carry average highlights. 

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

Randall Cobb could be one of the Green Bay Packers' most undervalued weapon. The Packers have shown some vulnerability in their defense this year, and Cobb's special teams exploits have turned the momentum in some games.

Cobb has returned two kicks for touchdowns this season (one kickoff, one punt). The Packers will be counting on him to keep providing that spark throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

I will be surprised if Cobb's play doesn't impact the Packers' playoff run one way or another. If, for instance, the Packers do end up hosting the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, I could see Cobb being the deciding factor in that game as a return man.

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints will be counting on rookie running back Mark Ingram in December and January this season. The Saints will need to go on the road in the playoffs to make it to the Super Bowl, and the home teams play in outdoor stadiums.

Much of the Saints' success has come in domed environments. As it happens every year, teams eventually need to be able to rely on a running game when the elements are at their worst. When that happens, Ingram will be counted on to shoulder the burden of the carries. 

The Saints have been bringing the rookie along slowly, but the whole aim has been to have the powerful runner available when he would be needed most. 

Akeem Ayers, Tennessee Titans

If the Tennessee Titans come on strong to end the season and the Houston Texans falter, the Titans could get into the playoffs. One of the players they will be counting on is rookie outside linebacker out of UCLA, Akeem Ayers.

Ayers has been one of the most anonymous rookies this season. He isn't flashy, but his production thus far has been rock solid. So far this season, he has recorded 49 tackles and two sacks.

The Titans defense will need to be sharp the rest of the way. New Orleans and Houston are the biggest games left on their schedule, and the team will be counting on Ayers to play well. 

Nate Solder, New England Patriots

The New England Patriots like to pass. I mention this just in case you have lived under a rock for the last decade or so. 

The Patriots drafted Nate Solder this year to protect Tom Brady's front side. So far this year, the rookie tackle has done a fantastic job. The Patriots as a team have only given up 20 sacks on the season, tied for eighth best in the NFL.

Solder will be counted on to keep Tom Brady upright for the next couple of months. 

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

J.J. Watt is doing for the Houston Texans what Justin Smith does for the San Francisco 49ers. He isn't as explosive or strong as Smith, but Watt is only a rookie. He will keep getting better.

As it is, Watt is a stud defensive end in the Texans' 3-4 scheme, run by defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. The Texans will be counting on his continued strong presence to anchor their league-leading defense. 

Without a viable option at quarterback, the Texans will rely even more on their dominant defense to propel them into the playoffs. J.J. Watt will be a big part of their success.

Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons will be counting on rookie wide receiver Julio Jones to make big plays for their offense the rest of the season.

The problem is, Jones has been fighting a hamstring for weeks now. 

The Falcons' playoff hopes rely heavily on whether or not Jones can make a big impact. The latest reports indicate he might be held out again this upcoming week, but I think Jones will be back in the lineup before the fate of the season is settled for his team.

I have been against this signing since day one, but if the Falcons are to succeed this year, they will be counting on their costly receiver.

Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith has been one of the most impressive rookies to come out of the 2011 NFL draft. Drafted in the second round, Smith has been the most explosive receiver in the league, averaging just under 20 yards per reception.

The Ravens will be counting on Smith to keep opposing defenses on their toes. Ray Rice is probably the player that most benefits from Smith's deep-strike presence. 

Smith is the perfect complement to Joe Flacco's rocket arm, and the pair have developed excellent chemistry. Expect it to continue as the playoffs approach.

Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders

Before Denarius Moore was injured against the San Diego Chargers, the Oakland Raiders' fifth-round selection was tearing things up. He was questionable against the Chicago Bears but could not go, but the Raiders will be counting on Moore to be a major player for them the rest of the way.

Carson Palmer is another quarterback, like Joe Flacco, who excels at throwing the deep ball. Moore and Palmer seem to be developing the same type of connection as Flacco and Smith. 

Moore will give the Raiders another explosive option to go along with Darius Heyward-Bey and Jacoby Ford. Combined with the powerful, quick-strike abilities of their two running backs, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, the Raiders offense is dangerous.

Von Miller, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos might be without their star outside linebacker Von Miller for a game due to thumb surgery, but Miller will be counted on to continue his strong play the rest of the season.

Miller is unquestionably leading the way for all defensive rookies, and he should win the defensive POY award without much competition. His 10.5 sacks have propelled the Broncos defense to be one of the most feared units going into final weeks of the season.

If the Broncos have a shot at making the playoffs over the Raiders, Von Miller will be a big part of their success. 

Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers

After winning the Defensive Player of the Month award for October, Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers had a rather quiet November. The 49ers will be counting on their pass-rushing specialist to play big for them down the home stretch.

It is time for Smith to become a starter for the 49ers' base 3-4. Whether or not the 49ers coaching staff agrees with me remains to be seen. Regardless of whether Smith starts the game or not, the 49ers need him to return to the form he showed in October. 

If the 49ers want to be able to compete with the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, the team will need to keep the pressure on the quarterbacks. Aldon Smith is just the man for the job.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Perhaps no other team will count on their rookie more than the Cincinnati Bengals. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton is giving his young team the best possible chance to make it into the playoffs in the toughest division in the NFL.

Dalton has shown more poise in the pocket this season than half the veterans in the NFL. He also has shown he has more than enough arm to make any throw he needs to make. It sure doesn't hurt that fellow rookie, wide receiver A.J. Green, is playing as well as he has.

If the Bengals make it into the 2011 NFL playoffs, it will be in large part because of "Red Rocket" Andy Dalton.