NFL Draft 2012: Rookies Most Likely To Make The Pro Bowl

The NFL Pro Bowl is one of the highest honors that a player can receive.  While it may be rare, it is definitely possible for rookies to find their way onto a Pro Bowl roster.

The 2012 NFL draft is loaded with talent that will be able to make an impact from day one, and some of these prospects are polished enough to make a run at making the 2012 Pro Bowl.  Today we’ll look at which rookies from the 2012 NFL draft are most likely to make the Pro Bowl.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

As the most impressive quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning, Luck will enter the NFL as ready as a rookie quarterback could ever be.  He has everything you could ever want in a quarterback, and lacks hardly anything in his overall game.

The only thing that could keep Luck from the Pro Bowl is his team.  The Indianapolis Colts, who’ll likely draft Luck, don’t have a roster that is ready to win now.  However, if Luck can put up impressive numbers while improving his team’s overall record from last season, he could definitely sneak onto a Pro Bowl roster.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Even with the diminishing role of a “full-time” running back in the NFL, there are still plenty of backs in the league who are the primary source of offense for their teams.  Running backs like Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice all need to be considered some of the top players in th league, regardless of position.

Richardson will likely throw his name in with the players above as one of the best running backs in the entire NFL.  He has power, speed and the ability to make men miss in the open field.  He is also a successful blocker and receiver out of the backfield.

If Richardson lands with a team that allows him to be the primary ball carrier, he has a good shot at making the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is another prospect that is entering the league as one of the most polished at his position in recent memory.

He dominates in both the run and pass game, and can get out in the open field and find a man to block.  He’ll enter the league as one of the best at his position, and he’ll dominate opponents from day one.

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

If there is one quality that Pro Bowl voters love in a linebacker, it’s tackles.  Generally, the linebacker with the most tackles is the one who finds his way to Hawaii.

If there is one thing that Kuechly absolutely excels at, it’s tackling.  This kid can make plays all over the field and impact the game on numerous different levels.

Before posting impressive numbers at the NFL Combine, Kuechly was expected to be the best linebacker in this year’s draft.  However, after blowing everyone away with his athleticism, Kuechly has a chance to become a Pro Bowl player in his first year in the league.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB/FS, Alabama

While Kirkpatrick may not be the best cornerback in the draft (that honor goes to Morris Claiborne), he could benefit from switching positions to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Thanks to Kirkpatrick’s aggressive style of play and ball skills, many see him switching from cornerback to free safety in the NFL.  With his ability to make plays on the ball and force turnovers, Kirkpatrick’s numbers in his first year could be very enticing to Pro Bowl voters.

Look for a team like the Dallas Cowboys to take a hard look at Kirkpatrick early in the draft, and for Kirkpatrick to make his mark on the league extremely early in his career.

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