GMFL Rookie Watch 2012

User Bl0ndeRedHead has assembled his rookie watch for the season 1 of the GMFL. This will be updated throughout the season.

Franchise QB Candidates
#12 Andrew Luck
Indianapolis Colts
RD: 1 PK: 1
Stanford
Expectations: Very High
2012 Season Stats:
66% COMP, 1305 YDS, 14 TD, 7 INT, 118.6 QBR
Last Game (W 38-17 vs GB): 15/28, 356 YDS, 4 TD, 3 INT
Comments: Luck is throwing the ball all over the place, which is leading to lots of yards, touchdowns, and a very high yards per attempt number, giving him a slightly misleading high QBR. Unfortunately, all the risky throws are leading to INTs and a below average completion percentage as well for the number one overall pick. He has shown he has all the talent needed to correct his mistakes and develop into a great QB, but he’s on pace to shatter Peyton Manning’s rookie INT record.
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#10 Robert Griffin III
Washington Redskins
RD: 1 PK: 2
Baylor
Expectations: Very High
2012 Season Stats:
70% COMP, 1409 YDS, 13 TD, 3 INT, 117.2 QBR, 32 CAR, 308 YDS, 4 RUSH TD
Last Game (W 30-26 vs ATL): 21/28, 370 YDS, 3 TD, 5 CAR, 28 YDS, RUSH TD
Comments: RGIII has lit up the NFL in his first few weeks, making minimal mistakes and throwing it even better than expected, especially in the accuracy department. Add in his rushing numbers and the undefeated record, and it is shaping up to be a very impactful rookie venture for Griffin, who is up there in ROTY consideration at this point.
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#17 Ryan Tannehill
Baltimore Ravens
RD: 1 PK: 8
Texas A&M
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
62% COMP, 984 YDS, 8 TD, 4 INT, 101.0 QBR, 12 CAR, 62 YDS, RUSH TD
Last Game (W 42-20 @ KC): 9/13, 204 YDS, 3 TD, INT
Comments: For those who thought that Tannehill being picked with the eighth overall pick was a reach, the young QB out of Texas A&M is silencing the critics after a pre-season trade landed him in Baltimore, where he has played above expectations in a sort of “game manager” mode. As long as he can keep the mistakes down and continue to use his athleticism to make plays, Tannehill will develop into a nice QB.
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#3 Brandon Weeden
Cleveland Browns
RD: 1 PK: 22
Oklahoma State
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
56% COMP, 609 YDS, 2 TD, 7 INT, 51.9 QBR
Last Game (L 3-24 @ NYG): 6/13, 53 YDS, 3 INT
Comments: Weeden has shown some signs of life for the Browns, but few and far between, and for the most part, he’s looked terrible. Unable to move the ball or score consistently, and having more INTs than TDs, Weeden is looking like a reach as a first rounder. At 28 years old, unless he shows rapid improvement, he might not ever amount to a starting QB in the NFL, as his potential isn’t nearly as high as the other QBs in this draft class.
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#3 Russell Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
RD: 3 PK: 12
Wisconsin
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
57% COMP, 952 YDS, 10 TD, 5 INT, 100.3 QBR
Last Game (W 37-24 @ CAR): 8/18, 234 YDS, 4 TD, 2 INT
Comments: The sleeper future franchise QB entering the season, Wilson has had a very consistent season. His ability to move around the pocket and make good throws negates his small frame, and his leadership ability has many questioning how long Matt Flynn will stay in Seattle. Wilson may not be the next Michael Vick, Cam Newton, or RGIII, but he looks like he will be a starting QB in the NFL for years to come.
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Rookie Backs and Receivers

#33 Trent Richardson
Cleveland Browns
RD: 1 PK: 3
Alabama
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
102 CAR, 420 YDS, 4.1 AVG, 3 TD, 6 REC, 56 YDS, REC TD
Last Game (L 6-26 @ BAL): 14 CAR, 94 YDS, 6.7 AVG, 2 REC, 16 YDS
Comments: Richardson has had to carry the burden of the Cleveland offense as a rookie, and has produced decently. His YPC isn’t high, but teams are not playing the pass against Weeden, and Richardson is getting hurt by it. He has still had the knack for making a big play, and has shown good receiving ability out of the backfield. There’s no doubt, barring injury, Richardson can be a workhorse in the NFL, he just needs a better team around him to put up huge numbers.
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WR #14 Justin Blackmon
Jacksonville Jaguars
RD: 1 PK: 5
Oklahoma State
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
23 REC, 503 YDS, 21.9 AVG, 3 TD
Last Game (W 38-17 vs CHI): 4 REC, 79 YDS
Comments: Despite his off the field problems, and supposed mental immaturity, Justin Blackmon has been exactly what the Jaguars expected when they took him in the top 5: a beast. Averaging over 100 yards per game and almost 22 yards per catch, Blackmon is easily the biggest playmaker on the offensive side of the ball for Jacksonville. With a core of Gabbert, Blackmon, and Pierce at the skill positions, Jacksonville seems to have set up a nice core for the future. Now to find out if Blackmon can stay consistent over an entire year, and not allow something off the field to become a distraction or cost him in productivity.
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#22 Doug Martin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RD: 1 PK: 31
Boise State
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
70 CAR, 239 YDS, 3.4 AVG, TD, 6 REC, 59 YDS, REC TD
Last Game (L 23-29 vs WAS): 14 CAR, 39 YDS, 2.8 AVG, 2 REC, 23 YDS, REC TD
Comments: Martin was thought to be a sleeper coming into 2012, but his production has been lacking to start the year, after replacing LeGarrette Blount as the starter in Tampa as a rookie. But instead of putting up numbers comparable to Blount, Martin has barely been able to get 3 yards per carry, and has only found the end zone on the ground once this season. There’s still time for him to turn things around, but right now it seems like Martin can’t seem to figure out how to get big chunks of yards frequently.
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#22 David Wilson
New York Giants
RD: 1 PK: 32
Virginia Tech
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
75 CAR, 557 YDS, 7.4 AVG, 4 TD
Last Game (W 24-3 vs CLE): 18 CAR, 148 YDS, TD
Comments: Wilson is probably the leader in the clubhouse for ROTY, with a sick 7.2 YPC and on pace to run for over 1600 yards. The Giants were expecting him to come in and produce, but I don’t know anyone who saw this kind of outpouring coming. If Wilson keeps up this pace, the only thing in the way of him getting that award is a stellar second half from RGIII or Andrew Luck. There’s a bright future ahead for Wilson, and expect to see Ahmad Bradshaw’s role to keep diminishing as Wilson gets better.
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Rookie Dark Horses

WR #83 Brian Quick
St. Louis Rams
RD: 2 PK: 1
Appalachian State
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
6 REC, 112 YDS, 18.7 AVG, 0 TD
Last Game (W 25-7 vs ARI): 0 REC, 0 YDS
Comments: While the Rams other WR draft pick Chris Givens (4th Rd) may be quicker, Quick has the size, hands, and ability to get off the line to propel him above Givens in the depth chart. Unfortunately, that puts him in the 4th spot, behind Bryant, Lafell, and Smith. But despite only getting on the field for short periods, he has shown glimpses of being a playmaker by averaging almost 20 yards per catch and making some great plays after the catch. Once he finds the end zone and develops his skills, Quick could be a dependable big receiver who can make some spectacular plays.
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TE #80 Coby Fleener
Indianapolis Colts
RD: 2 PK: 2
Stanford
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
18 REC, 343 YDS, 19.1 AVG, 6 TD
Last Game (W 38-17 vs GB): 7 REC, 54 YDS, 2 TD
Comments: There is no doubt that after the way Fleener has been playing to start the season, he is one of the steals of the draft. Maybe it is just Andrew Luck and the chemistry they have, but almost half his receiving yards are after the catch, so he is certainly showing he can become another Dallas Clarke for the Colts, who nobody saw making this big of a swing upward this season. And part of the credit has to go to Fleener, who is leading the Colts in receiving TDs and 2nd in yards and catches behind Reggie Wayne.
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#84 Stephen Hill
New York Jets
RD: 2 PK: 11
Georgia Tech
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
15 REC, 336 YDS, 22.4 AVG, 2 TD
Last Game (L 14-35 vs HOU): 5 REC, 104 YDS, 2 TD
Comments: There is no doubt Stephen Hill possesses the physical skills to be a #1 WR in this league. He has already shown big play ability with his 31.8 yards per catch, albeit in small doses, with only 6 receptions in 3 games. But as a rookie, having a big play or two every game goes a long way in gaining your teammates’ and coaches’ trusts and respect, and bettering yourself as an NFL WR. If Hill can get all his cards in a row and put his nose to the grindstone, he could be another Dwayne Bowe type.
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WR #17 Alshon Jeffery
Chicago Bears
RD: 2 PK: 13
South Carolina
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
7 REC, 114 YDS, 16.3 AVG, 0 TD
Last Game (L 17-38 @ JAX): 4 REC, 77 YDS
Comments: When your team is struggling as much as Chicago is, it can be difficult to be productive as a rookie. And in the first few games, the perfect example of that would be Alshon Jeffery and the winless Bears. But after putting up a paltry 3 catches for 37 yards in the first 4 games, Jeffery finally produced in a good game for him personally in a loss to Jacksonville. The Bears drafted him in the 2nd round for a reason, this guy is a beast physically, and has loads of potential. If the team can get going, expect Jeffery to have some credit for it with key plays to help his team.
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WR #82 Rueben Randle
New York Giants
RD: 2 PK: 31
Louisiana State
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
7 REC, 112 YDS, TD
Last Game (W 24-3 vs CLE): 0 REC, 0 YDS
Comments: All three of these 2nd round WRs have basically the same amount of production just over a month into the season, except for one thing, Rueben Randle has celebrated his first NFL touchdown. Randle isn’t the most physically gifted out of the 3, but he may be the most balanced and versatile. With the depth the Giants have at WR these days, Randle is going to have to impress when he gets his shots at playing time.
Trending:

HB #30 Bernard Pierce
Jacksonville Jaguars
RD: 3 PK: 21 (Baltimore)
Temple
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
104 CAR, 626 YDS, 6.0 AVG, 5 TD
Last Game (W 38-17 vs CHI): 24 CAR, 153 YDS, 2 TD
Comments: In what might not even be the most puzzling move made by the Ravens so far this year, they cut 3rd round pick Bernard Pierce during the preseason unexpectedly. He fell right into the laps of Jacksonville, who thanked Baltimore for the favor and then watched the kid run his way to 2nd in the NFL’s race for the rushing title behind current Raven Ray Rice. The irony of Pierce possibly beating out Rice for the title would be overwhelming. Pierce has stepped up big time with MJD taking his talents to Cincinnati, where he is struggling somewhat. The Jaguars don’t mind, they’ve found his replacement.
Trending:

HB #44 Lamar Miller
Miami Dolphins
RD: 4 PK: 2
Miami (FL)
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
74 CAR, 560 YDS, 7.6 AVG, 6 TD
Last Game (L 14-20 @ CIN): 13 CAR, 55 YDS, 2 TD
Comments: After the departure of Reggie Bush to the Packers, diamond in the rough Lamar Miller has been shining. He leads all rookie running backs in yards per carry with 7.6, and in touchdowns, with 6. And what Dolphin fans have to love, is in a game like the most recent one against Cincinnati, even though he wasn’t able to gain a lot of yards and had some difficulty against a tough Bengals front seven, he scored 2 touchdowns and mucked out some nice chunks of yardage. He looks to be the future at tailback for Miami.
Trending:

WR #19 Devon Wylie
Kansas City Chiefs
RD: 4 PK: 12
Fresno State
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
16 PR, 304 YDS, 19.0 AVG, 2 PR TD
Comments: Although Wylie has yet to make a catch in the NFL, he’s produced far more than any other Chief rookie as far as making plays and finding the end zone. Wylie has broken onto the national spotlight by quickly becoming the best return man in the NFL. He leads all returners who have more than 5 returns in average yards per return, and punt return touchdowns, with 2 in only the first 5 games. Even if Wylie never develops into an NFL caliber receiver, he should always find a roster spot somewhere as a return specialist, because this little guy from southern California can fly.
Trending:

WR #17 Jarius Wright
Minnesota Vikings
RD: 4 PK: 23
Arkansas
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
17 REC, 223 YDS, TD
Last Game (W 26-13 vs TEN): 6 REC, 110 YDS, TD
Comments: Wright had his breakout game of the season last week against the Titans, and has been quite a surprise for Minnesota, who has hit on one of their two 4th round Arkansas WR picks. He’s a tiny fellow, but agile and quick, with a good burst and the ability to gain yards quickly. A smaller version of Percy Harvin, Wright can be a solid option for the slot, and has proven so this season with Minnesota.
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HONORABLE MENTION:
WR Josh Gordon - Cleveland
HB Alfred Morris - Washington
WR Michael Floyd - Arizona*
WR Kendall Wright - Tennessee*
WR Mohammad Sanu - Cincinnati
TE Michael Egnew - Miami

Impact Defensive Rookies

SS #24 Mark Barron
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RD: 1 PK: 7
Alabama
Expectations: Very High
2012 Season Stats:
25 TAK, 2 FF, 2 DEFL
Last Game (L 23-29 vs WAS): 9 TAK
Comments: The Buccaneers went after Barron to shore up their underachieving, old, and soft secondary by adding a tough S.O.B. in Barron who can lay the lumber and isn’t afraid to stick his helmet into another guy’s chest. With Talib being a risk taker at CB and 3 steps slower than years past Ronde Barber at FS, the Bucs needed someone who could play over the top in case a corner got burned, and someone who can chase after runners and give pursuit. They got both of those in Barron, who leads the Buccaneers defense in tackles. He seems to always be in on a tackle, and his motor never stops going.
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CB #27 Stephon Gilmore
Buffalo Bills
RD: 1 PK: 10
South Carolina
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
17 TAK, 1 TFL, 1 DEFL, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD
Last Game (L 24-27 @ SF): 3 TAK
Comments: With the NFL moving to a pass happy league, defenses are adding prototype corners like Gilmore, who is all of 6’1 and has the size and physical attributes to at least put up a fight when it comes to covering the monster WRs like Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. He has also shown an ability to not only be a great cover corner, but a corner who makes plays. With 2 INTs through 5 games, including one he returned 50 yards for a TD, Gilmore is quietly becoming the Bills best player in their secondary, and is making a case for Defensive ROTY consideration, unlike a couple other 1st round picks.
Trending:

DE #98 Quinton Coples
New York Jets
RD: 1 PK: 16
North Carolina
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
10 TAK, 2 TFL, 1 DEFL, 1 BLK
Last Game (L 14-35 vs HOU): TAK
Comments: The Jets already have a pretty loaded defense, but that didn’t stop them from adding someone many considered to be an elite pass rusher in college, Quinton Coples. A few years ago, he was playing well enough to be the #1 overall pick, but after some regression at UNC he fell down to number 16, where the Jets scooped him up. Coples has yet to sack the quarterback, but he isn’t unproductive. With 10 tackles and a couple of those for losses, Coples is showing he can be a decent run stopper too. And with his 6’6″ frame, the Jets’ coaching staff must love his ability to deflect passes at the line and block field goals, both feats he has accomplished in only 5 games so far.
Trending:

MLB #54 Dont’a Hightower
New England Patriots
RD: 1 PK: 25
Alabama
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
20 TAK, 5 TFL, 2 SACK, 1 FF, 1 DEFL
Last Game (L 10-45 @ SEA ): 3 TAK, SACK
Comments: The Patriots went all out on defense in the 2012 NFL Draft, and MLB Dont’a Hightower seems to be one of the “hits” as opposed to being one of the “misses” for the New England staff. He does a little bit of everything, stuffing the run with 5 tackles for loss, rushing the passer with 2 sacks, and playing in coverage with a pass deflection. He has also shown an ability to really smack guys around with powerful hits, and has a forced fumble to back that up. The Patriots seem to have finally found a solid group of LBs with Hightower, Spikes, and Mayo, something they’ve been trying to do since the days of Bruschi, Vrabel, and McGinest.
Trending:

OLB #53 Nick Perry
Green Bay Packers
RD: 1 PK: 28
Southern California
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
25 TAK, 10 TFL, 7 SACK, 1 FF, 1 DEFL, 1 SFTY
Last Game (L 17-38 @ IND): 11 TAK, SACK
Comments: USC sure knows how to produce NFL caliber linebackers, don’t they? Nick Perry has been a real treasure for Packer faithful, an OLB in the same vein as James Harrison or Terrell Suggs. A guy that’s gonna get to the QB, stop the run, and just be all over the field and a true menace to the offense. His stats so far are staggering for a rookie, leading all of them in sacks and tackles for loss. The only downside to Perry early on this year has been his inability to cover receivers, with 5 catches allowed. If he can work on his coverage game, him and Matthews will anchor a dominant linebacking corps in Green Bay.
Trending:

FS #22 Harrison Smith
Minnesota Vikings
RD: 1 PK: 29
Notre Dame
Expectations: Average
2012 Season Stats:
25 TAK, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 2 INT
Last Game (W 26-13 vs TEN): 2 TAK
Comments: Another safety putting up productive numbers for his team as a rookie, Harrison Smith was a very low-key draft pick toward the end of the first round for Minnesota, and he has quietly helped the Vikings secondary step it up after a very poor year last season. With 2 INTs and a forced fumble, Smith has shown a knack for forcing turnovers, something he was great at in South Bend. He has been burnt deep a few times, but if he can continue to develop his coverage skills he will be a solid FS for years to come. If he can’t cover anyone or learn to do it, he will always find a spot at SS for his ability to make plays and tackle.
Trending:

OLB #91 Courtney Upshaw
Baltimore Ravens
RD: 2 PK: 3
Alabama
Expectations: High
2012 Season Stats:
13 TAK, 7 TFL, 3 SACK
Last Game (W 42-20 @ KC): 3 TAK, SACK
Comments: And yet another productive defensive rookie out of Alabama this season, Upshaw was the first pick made by Baltimore in 2012, albeit in the 2nd round. So far he’s playing like a first round talent, constantly in the backfield and getting pressure on the QB with 7 tackles for loss and 3 sacks just 5 games into the season. If there was a team that didn’t need more firepower on defense it was the Ravens, but the addition of Upshaw adds some young blood into the mix. With all-timers like Lewis, Reed, Suggs, and Ngata there to train this young man up, I’d expect him to be a pro-bowl caliber player within a few years.
Trending:

MLB #54 Bobby Wagner
Seattle Seahawks
RD: 2 PK: 15
Utah State
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
26 TAK, 3 TFL, 1 FF, 1 DEFL
Last Game (W 45-10 vs NE): TAK
Comments: A small school surprise from Utah State, Wagner has shown the league he has the most crucial intangible for a MLB: always being around the ball. He leads all rookies in tackles, and is the motor for the Seattle defense. His ability to stuff the run by getting into the backfield, as well as a decent skill set when playing the pass has the Seattle fans lining up to buy #54 Wagner jerseys. Maybe the Seahawks should have taken him instead of Bruce Irvin in the first round, but I’m sure the coaching staff is happy they found this sleeping giant in the 2nd round.
Trending:

FS #35 Brandon Hardin
Chicago Bears
RD: 3 PK: 16
Oregon State
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
23 TAK, 1 FF, 1 DEFL
Last Game (L 17-38 @ JAX): 6 TAK
Comments: Brandon Hardin won’t complain that he’s leading the Chicago Bears in tackles when they have players like Briggs, Urlacher, and Peppers on the field. But when you’re 0-5 and opposing running backs are getting to the 2nd level every time, it’s good to have a dependable rookie like Hardin back there. With his size at FS (6’3″ 222), and his ability to make a tackle, he’s a perfect fit for the Bears so far this season. Unfortunately outside of a pass deflection, he hasn’t made a huge impact in the passing game, but he hasn’t been burnt deep or over the top yet, either. The ceiling on a guy like Hardin may not be that high, but the Bears will take the production he’s beeng giving them.
Trending:

CB #22 Brandon Boykin
Philadelphia Eagles
RD: 4 PK: 28
Georgia
Expectations: Low
2012 Season Stats:
17 TAK, 2 TFL, 1 SACK, 2 DEFL, 1 INT
Last Game (W 24-23 @ PIT): TAK
Comments: Georgia Bulldog product Brandon Boykin fell very far in the draft due to his size. The ability was there, but many doubted that he could ever be more than a nickel corner at 5’9. If he can’t guard any receiver over 6’2, why draft him with a top pick? Well he may end up making those scouts eat their words, and he might also end up being able to cover any kind of receiver if he learns to play to his advantages. Those being speed, agility, and quickness with getting in position and ripping at the ball. And in the Eagles’ blitz happy defense, he’s shown that little guys can be big playmakers. With a couple tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception early on in the year, Boykin has turned out to be a nice surprise.
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HONORABLE MENTION:
DT Dontari Poe - Kansas City
DT Fletcher Cox - Philadelphia
LB Luke Kuechly - Carolina
CB Morris Claiborne - Dallas
DE Jake Bequette - New England