Impact Rookies for the 2009 NFL Season
With NFL training camps opening in a little more than a month, all eyes will be on the rookie class of 2009. Teams today no longer have the luxury of allowing their first round draft picks to ride the bench as they learn from the veterans, rather they are looking for an immediate return on their investment by inserting them in the starting line- up from day one. Looking at this year’s crop of first round picks, the question is which players will have the biggest impact for their respective team?
The New York Jets selected USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in the first round. With no solid starter in place, he is expected to come in right away as the number one guy. While there is nothing harder than being a rookie quarterback in the NFL, he has all the makings of an immediate star. While only starting sixteen games in his entire college career, he is faced with the prospect of starting another sixteen games in his first season in the pros. With a strong arm and the poise of a long time veteran, Sanchez has what it takes to be a success right from the start. He will certainly take his knocks in the very physical AFC East, but I look for him to rise to the challenge and lead the Jets to a potential playoff berth this season.
The Minnesota Vikings needed an impact player on offensive so they chose wide receiver Percy Harvin from the University of Florida with their first round pick. While some off field issues have dogged Harvin throughout his college career, there is no question that he is a playmaker on the field. The main question in Minnesota will be who is going to be behind center throwing the ball to this open field threat. He is as exciting as they come and has the ability to score any time he touches the ball. Look for Harvin to be the feature player in Brad Childress’s offensive scheme.
In Buffalo, the Bills needed to improve on their poor pass rush so they picked defensive end Aaron Maybin from Penn State with their first pick in the draft. While currently penciled in as second on the depth chart behind Maurice Evans, this pass rushing specialist will get his chance to shine on obvious passing downs. Maybin has the ability to wreak havoc in an opposing team’s back field and should be able to make an immediate impact on the Bills’ overall defense.
While there will certainly be contributions from all the other rookies chosen in the first round, these three players have the ability to make a major impact for their team. So, as you begin to make notes for the rookie of the year, keep an eye out for one of these three studs to be on the top of your list.
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