All eyes are on 2011 No. 1 overall draft pick Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton. After completing one of the most magical and dominant collegiate campaigns ever, the Panthers expect Newton to exploit the league for all its worth on the way to a Hall of Fame career.
Yet the question remains if Cam will have the biggest impact of the entire NFC South draft class, which is loaded with impact players set to take the league by storm over the next decade. The Panthers, Saints, Buccaneers and Falcons all greatly improved their teams, but only five rookies will stand out above the rest this season.
5. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Jacquizz is a spectacular running back with immense agility and quickness. He is a very good receiver out of the backfield. Rodgers will serve as the Falcons? lightning to Michael Turner?s thunder, which former spark plug Jerious Norwood consistently failed to do. Look for the dynamic playmaker to exploit defenses throughout contests.
4. Mason Foster, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers replace Barrett Ruud with a tackling machine in Mason Foster. He led the NCAA in tackles as he has the closing speed, instincts and wrap-up abilities to bring down any ball carrier. He is not expected to play on third-downs, according to St. Petersburg Times? Stephen Holder on Twitter. That?s fine, because Foster will own on first and second downs as he makes a bigger impact than first- and second-round rookies Adrian Clayborn and Da?Quan Bowers.
3. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are hoping Newton will be ready for Week 1, according to ESPN?s Pat Yasinskas, but I wouldn?t doubt Cam by any means. He already gives Carolina their best opportunity to win. The man is a freak of nature with the envious combination of speed and strength from the quarterback position. He needs to work on his accuracy, but he has very good arm strength, vision and instincts. The man is simply a winner and will prove that on Carolina?s gridiron.
2. Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
The Saints landed two steals in the first round when they grabbed DE Cameron Jordan and traded up to nab Heisman winning RB Mark Ingram. Ingram is the perfect complement to Drew Brees? aerial attack. He is the angriest runner to enter the league since Adrian Peterson. He is a phenomenal power back, but he also has great hands to catch out of the backfield and will protect Brees with ease. ?He?s gotten off to a very good start in camp and he?s really the only New Orleans rookie who is not being brought along slowly,? according to Yasinskas.
1. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Julio Jones is the man who completes the Falcons? Super Bowl caliber offense. The workout warrior is a physical specimen that very few men can contend with. He will abuse No. 2 cornerbacks with his strength and quickness off the line of scrimmage. Equipped with phenomenal speed, vision and soft hands, he will lead all rookies in yards and receptions. The touchdowns are reserved for elite receiver Roddy White, but Jones will emerge as one of the top home run hitters instantly.
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Nicollette Sheridan Nikki Cox Nikki Reed Norah Jones Noureen DeWulf
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