2012 NFL Draft: Which First-Round Stud Will Have Biggest Impact?

The first 32 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft will all be special players. For one reason or another, teams are going to invest in a player that they truly believe can make an impact on their team.

This year we've seen first-round rookies Cam Newton, Von Miller, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Aldon Smith, Christian Ponder and Ryan Kerrigan make immediate impacts for their ball clubs.

Which rookie has made the biggest impact is still up for debate. Newton certainly has the statistics, but both Miller and Smith have helped their respective teams fight their way into the playoff hunt.

With this season winding down, it is time to find the next batch of first-round studs. Many of the aforementioned rookies were expected to be good right away, but a few have been a welcome surprise.

Here are a few of the first-round studs who will make an immediate impact in the NFL in 2012.

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The junior tackle is the brother of Panthers Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil and has everything you look for in a franchise left tackle.

At 6'6", 295 pounds, he has great feet, good overall athleticism and still has the potential to get bigger and stronger.

Kalil is only 22 years old and has his best football ahead of him.

The team that drafts him, likely the Minnesota Vikings, can plug him in immediately and be more than satisfied with his decision.

He's not Jake Long or Joe Thomas, but he's not far behind.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

We've heard time and time again that it is difficult for rookie receivers to come into the league and dominate.

But this year, when healthy of course, A.J. Green and Julio Jones have more than risen to the expectation of their lofty draft statuses.

Justin Blackmon will do the same.

The 6'1", 215-pound receiver isn't a burner or physically-imposing specimen, but he's a supremely talented playmaker with big-time hands, great football speed and a knack for making tough plays look easy.

Whether it be St. Louis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Tampa Bay or even Minnesota, he's going to make an immediate impact next season.

But the two players who will make the biggest impact will be a running back and a linebacker.

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

What the 6'2", 237-pound tackle machine lacks in athleticism and size, he makes up for with hustle, toughness, football IQ and instincts.

Kuechly has been absolute machine since Day 1 in Chestnut Hill and will do the same wherever he is drafted.

With Manti Te'o returning to South Bend, Kuechly will be the most sought-after inside linebacker in the draft and should hear his name called in the late teens, early-20's.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Unless the Hurricanes running back is overdrafted because of his rumored 4.3 40-yard dash speed, Miller should have the opportunity to play for a good team right away.

Rather than have to step in and be the new franchise running back, a team like Denver, Cincinnati, Atlanta or the New York Jets will all be very intrigued in the redshirt sophomore.

If Miller is put in the right situation with a team looking for his skill set, he'll have the opportunity to shine immediately.

A system like Denver's will allow him to be used enough, but not too much, and will be tailored to his talents.

Cincinnati and New York would love him as a speedy complement to their bigger backs.

And Atlanta is an offense that is looking to pick up the tempo and may even move away from Michael Turner next year.