NFL's top 10 rookie storylines of 2010
The 2010 NFL draft class emerges with lofty expectations, garnering praise as one of the deepest infusions of NFL talent in recent history. Expect numerous compelling storylines to garner tremendous media and public praise and scrutiny throughout the season, including the following ten highly-anticipated rookie cliffhangers.
Rookie signal callers to start or sit?: Arguably, the league's most productive collegiate quarterback class enters the NFL in 2010, headlined by the Rams' top overall selection and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford(notes), the Broncos' Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow(notes), the Panthers' Jimmy Clausen(notes) from Notre Dame, and the winningest quarterback in NCAA history, the Browns' Colt McCoy(notes). While Cleveland's Mike Holmgren already declared McCoy would likely not play in 2010 and Tebow appears a long-term project in Denver, Bradford and Clausen will very likely play prominent roles this upcoming season. However, the timelines for starting these talented rookie passers will likely become subject to change throughout training camp, the preseason, or early regular season. Clausen emerges as the most capable candidate to guide his team to a playoff berth, ala Joe Flacco(notes) and Matt Ryan(notes) in '08, given the Panthers' tremendous cast of potent playmakers in place and Clausen's familiarity with the team's offensive scheme. Week 8 conveniently pits Carolina at St. Louis, generating the possibility of a Clausen versus Bradford regular-season rookie showdown.
Suh v. McCoy (Round 1): The Lions passed on Oklahoma's defensive tackle Gerald McCoy(notes) to select Nebraska's N'Damukong Suh with the No. 2 overall pick, likely linking the players' production for the remainder of their respective careers. Each player dominated in the Big 12; however, Suh appears poised to emerge as a once-in-a-generation NFL player. Detroit and Tampa Bay desperately need to improve defensively in 2010, meaning the franchises expect Suh and McCoy to not only start, but star from the outset of the season. Furthermore, the two monsters in the middle will rekindle their collegiate rivalry in Week 15, when the Lions pay a visit to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Super Bowl contender rookie roll call: Expect a number of talented draft picks, such as electrifying receiver Dez Bryant(notes) in Dallas, Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson(notes) in New York, first-round steal Jerry Hughes(notes) in Indianapolis, Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart(notes) in Minnesota, Rutgers' standout corner Devin McCourty(notes) in New England, and Baltimore's dynamic defensive duo of Sergio Kindle(notes) and Terrence Cody(notes), to contribute significantly to their respective team's postseason aspirations.
No. 1 receiver?: On the surface, this year's wide receiver class lacks the explosiveness and frontline talent, compared to recent years. First-year receivers typically struggle in the NFL; however, many critics believe Dez Bryant possesses the game-changing ability to quite possibly steal the rookie limelight within the Dallas Cowboys' vaunted offense. Expect either Demaryius Thomas(notes) or Eric Decker(notes) to eventually emerge as the Broncos' No. 1 receiving threat, while the Rams, Buccaneers, and Seahawks hope Mardy Gilyard(notes), Arrelious Benn(notes), and Golden Tate(notes) will assume similar roles down the road, respectively.
Late-round playmakers: Draft analysts pervasively raved about the depth of the 2010 draft. Potential Day 3 "picks to click" this season include the aforementioned Gilyard, first-round talent Everson Griffen(notes) in Minnesota, one of the draft's top receiving tight ends Aaron Hernandez(notes) in New England, Baltimore's polished pair of offensive weapons Dennis Pitta(notes) and David Reed(notes), late-round steal Corey Wootton(notes) in Chicago, run-stuffer Cam Thomas(notes) with the Chargers, Pete Carroll's USC product Anthony McCoy(notes) in Seattle, and Georgia Tech rushing standout Jonathan Dwyer(notes), with the Steelers.
Heisman watch: The 2010 draft class boasts Heisman Trophy winners Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford, as well as 2009 finalists Colt McCoy, N'Damukong Suh, and Toby Gerhart. Historically, the Heisman Trophy certainly does not guarantee NFL success, with Carson Palmer(notes) and Reggie Bush(notes) serving as the lone professional success stories (relatively speaking) of the past decade. For the complete list of past Heisman Trophy winners, visit Heisman.com.
Race for Rookie of the Year (offense): The NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award will likely field a number of worthy candidates in 2010. C.J. Spiller(notes), Ryan Mathews(notes), and Dez Bryant emerge as the most likely front-runners, while potential starting quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen appear poised to compete for top rookie honors, as well. Cincinnati's Jermaine Gresham(notes) would become the first tight end ever to win the award, if the Oklahoma standout delivers a breakout rookie season. To view past NFL Rookie of the Year recipients, click here, compliments of Hickoksports.com.
Race for Rookie of the Year (defense): Apart from the aforementioned pair of dominant defensive tackles, Suh and McCoy, the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award race could become extremely competitive. Potential playmakers (and likely rookie starters) include Kansas City's Eric Berry(notes), Seattle's Earl Thomas(notes), Indy's Jerry Hughes, Oakland's Rolando McClain(notes), and Cleveland's Joe Haden(notes). Ironically, linebackers have won the award every season this decade, except for Julius Peppers(notes) in 2002, establishing McClain as the historical favorite.
Rookies running wild: Rookie running backs regularly transition from the NCAA to the NFL with relative ease, compared to other offensive positions. Expect Ryan Mathews to receive a healthy portion of the carries in San Diego, while Jahvid Best(notes), Ben Tate(notes), and C.J. Spiller could each emerge from crowded backfields as the featured options in Detroit, Houston, and Buffalo, respectively. Minnesota's second-round draft pick Toby Gerhart, Cleveland's Montario Hardesty(notes), and Kansas City's Dexter McCluster(notes) should also receive considerable carries in 2010. Even late-round standouts Joe McKnight(notes) and Jonathan Dwyer may inevitably impact their team's rushing attacks as early as this season.
Red flags: Each draft class inherently possesses a myriad of "red-flag" victims, players whose stock stunningly plummets on draft day. Dez Bryant (NCAA suspension), Jimmy Clausen (intangibles), Colt McCoy (arm strength), Bruce Campbell(notes) (workout warrior), Taylor Mays(notes) (cover skills/production), Everson Griffen (work ethic), and LeGarette Blount (the punch heard around world) serve as 2010's greatest potential red-flag risks or redemptions.
