The Next Generation of Superstars!

In this segment we will take a look at who we think will be the next superstar at each offensive skill position. The criteria is simple, the player has to be in the league for 2 years or less. As we know, learning to play the NFL game is difficult. Athletes who were able to do things in college are not able to do those same things in the pros. They have to master the little things, use proper technique, hard work and decipline to become a Superstar. Looking for all those qualities plus talent is a chore but here is what we came up with.

OFFENSE

QB – Matt Ryan – The Boston College QB came into the league like a house of fire. He was taken by the Atlanta Falcons 3rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. After a Rookie season that saw the Falcons go 11-5 that earned them a Wildcard birth, Matt Ryan seems poised to take the next level. He has the tools…accurate, strong arm, mobile, etc. The one thing that sticks out to me with Matt is his intellegence. On the famous “Wonderlic” exam, Matt scored a whopping 32 which tied Brian Brohm for the highest score for a QB that year. The one thing that impresses me the most when I watch Ryan is his presence. He knows what is going on. He is a master of film study, he understands defenses and what they are trying to do and he knows more importantly not to force the issue. Numerous times when Ryan has no play, instead of forcing a throw he simply throws it out of bounds. That avoids a sack, a turnover or possibly points for the other team. Paired with a young Roddy White and Michael Turner the Falcons have a nice nucleus to build off of and Matt Ryan is headed in the right the direction.
HONORABLE MENTIONS – Matt Stafford, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez

RB – Chris Johnson – It’s easy to say that Chris Johnson is having his breakout season this year, in his 2nd year in the NFL. The young man out of East Carolina is straight up a baller. His 4.2 speed makes him a weapon to take it to the house on every play. He is a dual threat in the passing game as well having already had game with over 100 yards on the ground and over 100 yards in the air. Anytime that you can get a guy that you have to focus on corralling due to his speed that opens the door for other things to happen. The LB’s and Safeties will bite on Playaction everytime with Johnson in the backfield. In his rookie campaign in 2008, Johnson made the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1228 Yards in 15 games. So far in 2009, Chris has 1091 yards in only 9 games. With the type of speed and ability this young man has, a 2000 yard season is definitely not out of the question and it may come as soon as this year! The Titans are a good fit for Johnson as they like to run the football. Paired up with Lendale White, the Titans have a nice 1-2 punch with Johnson being the homerun threat. His future is probably the brightest out of everyone we mention today…he is that good!
HONORABLE MENTION – Knowshon Moreno,Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy,

WR – Percy Harvin – There is something about this young man that is special. He plays the game of football very hard. He is tough to bring down, he finishes out every play, he runs great routes and oh yeah…he can fly! Harvin was one of the most dangerous WR’s in college last year playing for the National Champion Florida Gators. Many people in the scouting industry were not 100% sold that Harvin would translate as a pure Wide Out in the NFL. Back in his collegiate days, he was lined up all over the place. He was a Running Back, a Wide Out and even a QB in the Wildcat. The one thing that everyone could agree on is that Harvin is dangerous with the ball in his hands. So far in his rookie campaign, Harvin has showed that he is very capable to play Receiver in the NFL. He has electric ability on Kick and Punt Returns and is 2nd in the NFL in All Purpose yards with 1357. He has 2 return TD’s but here is the stat that is the most eye popping – 19.7 yards per touch! Ranked number 1 in the NFL! That is Superstar material and if Harvin keeps workin hard and learning the nuances of the NFL, he will be the next big thing at WR!  HONORABLE MENTION – Desean Jackson, Eddie Royal, Michael Crabtree, Kenny Britt

TE – John Carlson – The Tight End out of Notre Dame has been catching our attention. He has the tools to be an impact player at the TE position. Carlson has caught 34 balls for 403 yards and 3 TD’s this year with the Hawks but it’s all the little things that he does well that have him poised for greatness.  He looks like a hybrid Wide Receiver, at 6-5 he offers a big target. He isn’t blazing fast, he ran a 4.85 at the combine nor is overly ellusive. He does however play smart football and he knows how to find the open spot in the zone and “sit down” in it and give the QB a big target to throw to. The Seahawks consistantly face bad weather and in those games a big Tight End offers a great weapon in the short passing game. He hasn’t scratched the surface yet as a big play TE like Vernon Davis or Antonio Gates have proven to be but his reliability should make him one of the best Tight Ends in the business as the years unwind.
HONORABLE MENTION – Brandon Pettigrew, Dustin Keller, Martellus Bennett,

Left Tackle – Ryan Clady – There are only a few Left Tackles with the skills that Ryan Clady has. His feet, his size and his strength set him apart from the rest. Clady went his entire rookie campaign without allowing a full sack. He went the first 4 games without allowing one this year as well and that was an NFL record. Clady has all the skills to be elite if he isn’t already. His quiet and humble demeanor are hardly what you would expect from a man who is 6-6 and 325 pounds. The Left Tackle position is one that is extremely important in the NFL as it protects the blind side of the QB, the Denver Broncos have a staple on their line that should be a rock for many years to come.  Any time a rookie Left Tackle can come into league and allow only .5 sacks in 20 games, he is special!
Honorable Mention – Jake Long, Michael Orr, Jason Smith

These players all have one main thing in common beside natural ability and that is work ethic. I have always maintained that in a pool of talented men it’s the ones who work the hardest that seperate themselves. If you want to be the best, you have to work harder than the rest! Check back with us as we will be doing “The Next Generation of Superstars” for the defensive players!