NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting the Postseason's Top Rookies

Not always from a statistical perspective, but from an analytical perspective, a rookie's production in the playoffs is crucial.

Whether it's a pass-rusher drawing double-teams, a CB locking down a receiver or a WR drawing attention away from his fellow teammates and/or making blocks downfield, rookies can be huge game-changers.

So, here are five rookies that will help their teams the most this January.

Julio Jones: WR, Falcons

If only the Atlanta Falcons' defense could stop opposing offenses on a consistent basis, they would have a better record than 9-6.

Fortunately for Atlanta, though, rookie WR Julio Jones is having a solid year, with 50 catches for 883 yards and six TDs, averaging 17.7 yards per reception.

He's been a great target to steer attention away from WR Roddy White and TE Tony Gonzalez. In turn, that has also allowed RB Michael Turner to have a solid year with almost 1,200 rushing yards.

In the postseason, the Falcons will either play the Giants or Cowboys of the NFC East, or have a rematch with the Saints, depending on what happens in Week 17.

As for Jones, he does need to have good statistical numbers to become a dominant presence for any defense. His ability opens up the playbook and his size makes him a great blocker downfield.

It would not be surprising to see Atlanta line him up in a bunch twins set just on the edge of the offensive line. This would give Turner another blocker to follow and Jones could really bait a defense on play-action.

The Falcons need to remain a balanced offense and Jones must keep defenses honest.

Torrey Smith: WR, Ravens

The rookie speedster from Maryland—hometown favorite Torrey Smith—is the deep threat for the Ravens.

This season, he's accumulated 808 yards on just 45 catches and has scored a team-leading seven receiving TDs. His average is 18 yards per reception, which really forces a defense to stretch out.

Much like Julio Jones in Atlanta, Smith helps take pressure off RB Ray Rice—whom the offense revolves around—and QB Joe Flacco.

Smith's acceleration, speed and quickness make him a matchup problem for defenses and allow Rice to slither his way between the tackles in the trenches. If the Ravens want any shot at winning the AFC, Smith's ability to draw double/bracketed coverage—providing Ray Rice with more room to roll—will be key.

If Smith can stretch the field, defenses will neglect to load up the box and will play in more nickel/dimeback situations.

If Smith is left single covered, he'll burn the defender deep and we're talking six for Baltimore. Torrey Smith is just as dangerous as Mike Wallace in Pittsburgh.

Von Miller: LB, Broncos

Denver Broncos rookie LB Von Miller is the man who rejuvenated The Orange Crush defense.

Yes, having solid veterans like Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey and Elvis Dumervil have helped, but Denver needed some new young blood on their dark side.

Miller has learned to be a force, as evidenced by his 11.5 sacks, 64 tackles, four pass deflects and two forced fumbles.

When the Broncos blitz, offenses have no choice but to pick their poison.

Either put a tackle or RB on Miller singled up and risk getting beat, or double-team Von and allow Elvis Dumervil to be in a one-on-one situation.

If the offense tries to double both Miller and Dumervil, then the middle will be left open for players like DJ Williams and Brian Dawkins to blitz and cause havoc.

Denver can now attack you in a variety of ways, thanks to Miller's presence coming off the edge. Miller also takes pressure off anyone playing pass defense, giving the Broncos a distinct advantage.

When watching the Broncos, don't just watch for Tim Tebow. Check out No. 58—he may one day remind you of another No. 58 that played for Kansas City in the 1990s (Derrick Thomas).

Randall Cobb: Return Specialist, Packers

Football is a game of inches. It's won by converting third downs, getting three to five yards on first down, then moving the chains.

A major factor, though, is how many yards an offense needs on a given drive.

Green Bay's rookie return man Randall Cobb averages 27.7 yards per kickoff return and 11.3 yards per punt return.

All together, that's nearly four combined first downs that the Packers offense need not worry about when they take the field.

In short, that's 40 less yards they need to gain, which may not seem like a lot. However, that number is accumulated over several changes of possession.

When a team elects to punt, they want to change the field position. Well, it's Cobb's duty to negate that advantage and put his team in a better position to score points. After all, that's the object of moving the football.

Cobb's ability to take one back or significantly change the field position gives the Packers another strong edge in addition to having Aaron Rodgers as their QB.

If you're wondering why Green Bay has scored so quickly on a consistent basis, check out Randall Cobb on kickoffs and punts and watch how much he helps them out.

Aldon Smith: LB, 49ers

Because the 49ers have LB Patrick Willis patrolling the trenches inside and out, rookie LB Aldon Smith need not worry about really dominating as a rush defender.

That being said, the man has accounted for 14 sacks, 35 tackles, four pass deflects and two forced fumbles, with one recovery.

He's clearly lifted the 49ers defense in the front seven, so it's no surprise that Frisco ranks No. 1 in rush defense (allowing just 75 yards per game) and have a total of 38 sacks this season.

What Aldon has done for the 49ers is eerily similar to what Von Miller has done in Denver.

This postseason, Smith's ability to cause QB pressure will become more important than before, as San Fran will likely have to play both New Orleans and Green Bay if they want to win the NFC.

Getting pressure on Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers is literally the 49ers' only hope of slowing them down. As we saw with Tamba Hali of Kansas City against the Packers, if you pressure Rodgers, you have a chance.

Aldon Smith must do just that or draw two blockers every time he blitzes—otherwise, the 49ers will struggle to control the game tempo.. San Francisco is the outlier of all NFC playoff teams, as they prefer to win the trenches as opposed to stretching the field.

Smith is a big part of the 49ers' ability to control the line of scrimmage. If he plays well, the Niners will make a deep run.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27