20 Rookies to Watch in 2009

One thing that I'm actually half decent at for some reason is picking rookies that will have successful first seasons. I'll list 20 that I think will break out in their rookie seasons.

In no particular order...

1. Paul Kruger- OLB- Baltimore Ravens

Should get plenty of opportunities to rush the passer, especially on 3rd down. 6-7 sacks as a rookie. A big, tough dude.

2. Jarius Byrd- S/CB - Buffalo Bills

Dude is a straight up playmaker. Might not have the pure speed to play CB, but mark my words he will be a baller somewhere on the field.

3. Duke Robinson- G - Carolina Panthers

Carolina lacks depth on the interior line. After an injury or two, the Duke will shine.

4. Everette Brown- DE - Carolina Panthers

I thought this guy was going top-10. He'll struggle at times, but end up with 8+ sacks.

5. Alex Mack- C - Cleveland Browns

Getting your ass kicked around all of training camp by Shaun Rogers will get you good and ready, if you weren't already.

6. James Davis- RB- Cleveland Browns

Guy has early round talent, the fact that he went in the 6th was a steal. He'll spell Jamal Lewis and be beastly.

7. Alphonso Smith - CB- Broncos

Nickel Corner right now, I think he'll start opposite of Champ Bailey by the time the season is out.

8. Louis Delmas -FS- Detroit Lions

He's so fast. He reminds me of Bob Sanders, only bigger. I think he's gonna be the best player on this defense as a rookie, and this includes Ernie Sims.

9. B.J. Raji -NT/DE- Green Bay Packers

They are trying to get him on the field with Ryan Pickett right now the starter at NT, by putting Raji at DE in their new 3/4. That is a good sign. He'll be dominant at DE from day 1.

10. Fili Moala - DT- Indianapolis Colts

He's the big body the Colts have really needed in the middle for a long time. I think he'll fill what they were looking for with Corey Simon a while back.

11. Rashad Jennings - RB - Jacksonville Jaguars

Anytime Jones-Drew comes off the field, expect Jennings to shine. Why he lasted until the 7th round I will never understand.

12. Sean Smith -CB- Miami Dolphins

A 6' 4" cornerback? What the hell...imagine him going up against Straight Cash Moss twice this year. What a country. Oh, he just won the starting job too over Vontae Davis...

13. Percy Harvin- WR/RB - Minnesota Vikings

The guy, if he can stay healthy, is my pick for Rookie of the Year. He is just such an obscene athlete and has awesome instincts too.

14. Darius Butler - CB - New England Patriots

They have very little depth at corner, so look for him to see the field and excel, also due to the Pat's pass rush.

15. Malcolm Jenkins CB/FS - New Orleans Saints

Just returned a 60 yard pick in practice off Drew Brees. This guy was highly touted, highly regarded, and well deserving of all of it. I don't care if he's at FS or CB.

16. Clint Sintim -OLB- NY Giants

Another ridiculous pass rusher for the Giants, awesome...my only question is how many snaps he's going to get with the talent they have from a pass rushing standpoint.

17. Lesean McCoy -RB- Philly Eagles

He'll get plenty of time behind Westbrook, and he's the real deal. Amazing burst and cutting ability, and top end speed is reasonable enough.

18. Glen Coffee -RB- San Francisco 49ers

They will run a run-heavy attack, and Gore cannot handle every carry. They will have an excellent ground game to compliment an awful passing game, so look for Coffee to get passes out of the backfield as well as plenty of carries.

19. Jared Cook -TE- Tennessee Titans

He has probably the most ridiculous body and measurables of anyone in this past year's draft. He also has giant hands and plays hard. I expect him to be a top 5 TE in the next 2 years.

20. Kenny Britt - WR- Titans

If he can stay healthy, he is going to be a steal at the bottom of the 1st. With a non eye-popping receiving core, he'll get his chances.