Looking Ahead: 2008 NFL Rookie Stars
by Bodog Sportsbook | May 8 2008
Now that the NFL draft is finished and the rookie mini-camps are over, the obvious next step is to take a not-so-wild guess at which ones will immediately make plays on the field and bet on who the best chances are to win the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards.
WRs have to dominate if they want to win it like Randy Moss did in 1998.
Offense Since they have given out the award in 1967, the No. 1 pick has only won it three times. And never by a lineman - sorry, Jake Long. Give Joe Thomas a call... he’ll totally understand. The award has been won by running backs 31 times - an overwhelming success rate at that position. Of course, it’s the NFL and anything can happen. Right, New England?
Darren McFadden – RB - Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell has to be happy about this draft selection. When McFadden is on the field he’ll be staring at eight or even nine men in the box. That will open up Russell’s passing game in a big way for his first year as the starter. So long as Javon Walker can hobble all the way downfield.
Jonathan Stewart – RB - Carolina Panthers
Head coach John Fox showed two things in this draft. One was that he’s playing to win now by trading their first-round selection in next year’s draft to move up to get the mauling tackle Jeff Otah. The second thing was that they are going to win by playing a power game. Stewart is an agile power back and he should grab most of the short yardage carries. Those tend to translate to touchdowns.
Limas Sweed – WR - Pittsburgh Steelers
Wide receivers don’t get it often, but they don’t often play with Ben Roethlisberger. He’s been whining like a six-year-old with a skinned knee about the Steelers getting him a big target. He’s got it now in the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Sweed. He’s going to go to him early and often, especially in the red zone.
Kevin Smith – RB – Detroit Lions
Smith walks into a situation where he’ll get to play right away. All this kid did in college was produce. In three years at Central Florida he amassed over 5,000 yards from scrimmage and 46 TDs. Concerns about his timed speed and slight frame caused his drop, but he plays faster than he runs track. Which is good because he’s going to play football for the Lions, not pass a baton in the 4 x 100 relay.
Joe Flacco – QB – Baltimore Ravens
If he can win the starting job, he’ll have a coordinator who can develop young talent in Cam Cameron. His Miami debacle aside, Cameron has developed one of the most dynamic offenses in recent years. This team can run the ball with Willis McGahee and the defense can still stop teams from scoring, as long as Bart Scott keeps his helmet on. If he manages the game and wins a couple close ones, he could put together a strong campaign.
Jets LB Vernon Gholston has all the tools to win the Defensive award.
Defense The last five seasons this award went to rookie sensations Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma and Terrell Suggs. That’s five stud linebackers in five years, and 21 honored since 1967. Hey, everybody loves sacks. Except probably quarterbacks. This year also has arguably the No. 1 rated player in Glenn Dorsey playing defensive tackle.
Jerod Mayo – LB - New England Patriots
Bill Belichick gets credited for one thing above all others besides his wide-angle shot composition. He is a master of taking players and playing them in a scheme that will get the most out of them. Mayo goes to a team where he will be inserted in the right situations in order to get the best out of his abilities. Basically, just by getting on the field he’s liable to make plays by accident.
Glenn Dorsey – DT - Kansas City Chiefs
Beast. Monster. Machine. This guy is big, strong and fast. Maybe not big enough to be a NT in the 3-4, but big enough to line up on the same line as Tamba Hali and make some quarterbacks in the AFC West wish they could switch divisions. Three teams will regret passing on him. Miami will just be happy their yet-to-be-named quarterback plays upright.
Vernon Gholston – LB - New York Jets
3-4 linebacker. Athletic freak. Delivers punishing highlight reel hits. Voters love sacks. Ask Shawne Merriman. Gholston will have the mammoth Kris Jenkins creating huge holes for him to run at the quarterbacks through. The best chance other candidates may have is if Calvin Pace can somehow outrun him.
Keith Rivers – LB - Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals. Well, someone has to make plays and on that team Rivers will have no shortage of opportunities to shine. He’ll have a legitimate chance to lead his team in tackles, sacks and interceptions. The rest of that team is really that weak… or disgruntled… or in the process of committing a felony.
Tyrell Johnson – S - Minnesota Vikings
Some draftniks had Johnson rated higher than first-round safety Kenny Phillips. Johnson will be playing opposite Madieu Williams and behind what promises to be the best defensive line in football. With Pat and Kevin Williams taking up space and the quarterbacks giving the thousand-yard stare as Jared Allen comes barreling down at them, they’re bound to float some lame ducks for Johnson to pad his stats with.
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