Top: C.J. Spiller (left), Kyle Wilson.
Bottom: Jared Odrick.
Three of the four teams in the AFC East are considered strong playoff contenders with veteran rosters. So looking for impact rookies in this division starts with the Buffalo Bills, the one team that’s an afterthought when the experts try to handicap the division. C.J. Spiller was the Bills’ top draft choice and is considered a can’t-miss prospect, but the Bills were already deep at running back with Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. Spiller, however, supplies the Bills with the playmaking ability that their offense has been lacking, and he’ll surely get lots of opportunities on the field. Torrell Troup, the Bills’ 2nd round pick, also has a good chance to make an impact this year. He’s a high-motor nose tackle prospect and the Bills are switching to a 3-4 defense this year, so he may work his way onto the field also. The Bills have been hampered by injuries at RB and wide receiver in training camp, and that has given 2 undrafted free agents a shot at making an impact. Joique Bell, a Division II running back from Wayne State, has made the most of his opportunity with both Lynch and Jackson hurt, and David Nelson has a shot at getting significant playing time at receiver. The New York Jets have already proclaimed themselves the conference favorite to get to the Super Bowl, but if their all-world cornerback, Darrelle Revis, continues his holdout then rookie Kyle Wilson, a highly-regarded corner who was being penciled in to be a nickel corner, could find himself in the starting lineup on opening day. Even if Revis signs, he has missed all of training camp and may not be ready to play at the outset of the regular season. Vladimir Ducasse, another Jet draft pick, is slated to man the starting guard spot that Allen Faneca played last season, and those will be some big shoes to fill. New England has added their usual great crop of rookies to the roster this season, and in my opinion defense is where the rookies will have the most impact. He wasn’t drafted high, but linebacker Brandon Spikes is a guy who, despite a bad combine showing, is a football player to the core and will be a leader on the Pats’ defense in short order. Devin McCourty will also likely be on the field, at least as a nickel cornerback, right from the start of the season. Jared Odrick, from Penn State, and Koa Misi, from Utah, will be impact defensive players in Miami this season also. With Joey Porter gone and injuries striking the Dolphins hard on the defensive line, Odrick and Misi will get plenty of playing time and be expected to help add some pass rush.
Latoria Rought
October 4, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Monday nights game is bound to be exiting though. Youve got to really love Monday Night footbal. I have been waiting all year for this. I cannot wait to see what the defenses show.
Louise
August 26, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Hopefully, Spiller can breathe some life into a very dull Bills offense.