Top 5 NFL Rookies
1. Randall Cobb (Packers)
Green Bay Packers rookie receiver, Randall Cobb, got off to a hot start in his debut. Versus the Saints in week 1, Cobb returned a kickoff for 108 that lead to a TD, and caught a 32 yard pass for six. What a way to start a career! The 108 yard return tied a NFL record, and with a ten yard end zone, will likely stand forever.
Cobb was drafted out of Kentucky with the 64th pick on the 2nd round of the 2011 draft. At Kentucky, he could do it all with his 4.4 40 yard dash speed. As a senior, Cobb caught 12 passes at Mississippi State for 171 yards and a TD. Versus Vanderbilt, he ran for 2 TD, on 10 carries, for 170 yards; including a 73 yard scamper.
Randall Cobb was picked to boost the Packers return game and has done just that. You will soon see teams refusing to kick to him; let’s hope they don’t because he is exciting to watch. I think Cobb is a name we all will hear much more of as the season progresses.
2. Cam Newton (Panthers)
Speaking of great debuts, Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton had one for the ages. As the no.1 pick in the draft out of Auburn, Newton didn’t receive a lot of praise for his passing skills. He ended up quieting the critics showing that he will be a passer in the NFL for years to come.
In Arizona, Cam Newton stayed in the pocket, was accurate, and tossed his first 2 TD passes of his career. He finished the game with 422 passing yards; an NFL record for yards in a debut. Newton even dove over the pile for a 1-yard TD. The Panthers lost 28-21, but the future looks bright in Carolina.
Don’t expect 400 yards every week, but Cam showed that he can play QB in this league and can do it well. Expect rookie ups-and-downs, but you may see more ups. Newton opened a lot of eyes in his debut and will be rookie of the year when the season ends.
3. Nick Fairley (Lions)
Defensive tackle Nick Fairley may be a rookie on a line with studs like Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch, but he can really help the Lions. Fairley is from Auburn as well, drafted no.13 by Detroit. He figures to be a disruptive force versus the run and pass. He is 6’3″ and 291 pounds, strong as a bull, and could be the second straight Lion to win defensive rookie of the year (Suh).
Fairley left Auburn as a junior and only has one full season showing what he can do. Limited playing time and character concerns led him to fall to no.13 after being considered the top defensive talent in the draft. Fairley set Auburn season records with 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He also was named defensive MVP in the BCS Championship Game versus Oregon.
Point blank, this kid can play and will help make Detroit’s D-line one of the best in the NFL. He will be able to play at a high level in the NFL if he wants to; if he does, watch out for the Lions.
4. Mark Ingram (Saints)
Saints rookie running back Mark Ingram may have to battle Pierre Thomas for touches in 2011, but should get his fair share. At 5’9″ 215 pounds he is built like Emmitt Smith and has the same ability to make defenders miss. Not to mention his TD scoring abilities.
At Alabama, Ingram was a scoring machine. In 3 seasons he ran for 42 TD and won the Heisman Trophy in 2009 with 1,658 yards and 17 TD. If Ingram can get the majority of carries, he will definitely be in the upper tier of rookie of the year voting. The red zone is where you will see him for sure, as the Saints also know he is a TD machine and should score at least 10 TD in 2011. Expect great things from Mark Ingram.
5. Andy Dalton (Bengals)
Quarterback Andy Dalton was the 35th pick in the 2011 NFL draft, and is expected to replace Carson Palmer for years to come. In his last 2 seasons at TCU, Dalton went 25-1 and beat the Wisconsin Badgers in the Rose Bowl. If Dalton can win even half that many games in 2 years for the lowly Bengals, Palmer will be easily forgotten.
Dalton is an accurate passer completing better than 60% of his passes in 4 seasons at TCU. In his last 2 years, he threw 50 TD to 14 INT and even ran for 900+ yards and 9 TD. The point is; this guy is a leader of the huddle that can stay in the pocket and throw on the run with accuracy. With weapons like 1st round pick WR A.J. Green and TE Jermaine Gresham, Dalton will have the tools to put up impressive numbers as a rookie. Numbers, probably not wins, as he is in a tough-as-nails division with a not so talented team around him.
These are the top 5 rookies to watch during the 2011 NFL season. They will not disappoint their teams, or their fans, as they are full of talent. Keep an eye on these players because they will all be household names for years to come.