The 2012 NFL season hasn't begun yet, but the 2012 NFL draft is over. The rookies have signed with their respective teams and training camps are about to begin. If we use college stats to gain a perspective on the 2012 NFL ROY race several ROY candidates stand out. I'm going to point out some of the rookies that are primed for big seasons.
Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck had a great 3-year college career at Stanford. At Stanford Luck threw for a total of 9430 passing yards, 82 TD's and 22 INT's. His career passer efficiency rating at Stanford was 162.8. Luck has been drafted first overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Colts and he'll be required to step-in as the starting QB immediately.
Indianapolis will have several new WR's. The good news is that Reggie Wayne has been resigned during the offseason by the Colts. Having Wayne is important because he is the veteran leader on that offense. Garcon and Clark are now gone, but the Colts brought in two rookie TE's to try and help Luck this season.
Robert Griffin III
Robert Griffin III was drafted second overall by the Redskins. Griffin III played a 4-year college career at Baylor where he threw for 10366 passing yards, 78 TD's and 17 INT's. RG3 has excellent accuracy and he can also run the ball very well. In his 4 years with Baylor Griffin III ran the ball 528 times for 2254 rushing yards and 33 TD's.
Washington doesn't have that good of a team this year, but Griffin III could win the ROY award on his own if he plays like Cam Newton did in his rookie season. I expect Griffin III to have a big season and help the Redskins win some games, but I don't think it will be enough to win the 2012 ROY award.
Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson played three seasons with Alabama in his college career and he was able to rush the ball 540 times for 3130 rushing yards. Richardson had 35 rushing TD's and also added 7 receiving TD's in his college career. Richardson was drafted 3rd overall by the Browns and I think this is the player to beat for ROY.
Richardson is going to be relied on heavily in his rookie season this year. The Browns still don't have a QB and the team doesn't have Hillis either anymore. Richardson will get a lot of carries if he can stay healthy, which I think won't be a problem. Richardson is going to go high in fantasy drafts this season and if you can get him I would.
The Browns may not win many games this season, but if Richardson can put up huge numbers running the ball he'll be able to win the ROY award. Cleveland still plays a tough defensive game and they be able to win a few games with Richardson if he can control the tempo of games and punch in a couple TD's.
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