Andrew Luck was the #1 overall pick in 2012. His numbers are as follows-1,488 passing yards, 53.4% completion rate, he has thrown for 7 touchdowns and also has thrown 7 interceptions, his qb rating is 72. Luck has led the Colts to 2 wins this season. One of which came against perennial Super Bowl contender, Green Bay Packers in an emotionally charged contest in which Luck was able to lead the team back from a second half deficit to victory. The team was inspired by Head Coach Chuck Pagano and his battle with leukemia. Luck has performed well when you consider the enormity of the shoes he has filled. He has come in behind an NFL legend, Peyton Manning, and given the fans in Indianapolis hope for their team’s future.

October 14, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs with the ball past Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook (20) in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 38-26. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Robert Griffin III was the 2nd overall pick in 2012. His numbers are as follows- 1,343 passing yards, 70% completion rate, RGIII has thrown for 5 touchdowns as well as 2 interceptions, his qb rating is 100.5. Griffin has been successful throwing the ball and he is a true dual threat as demonstrated by his 379 rushing yards and scoring an impressive 6 rushing touchdowns. These numbers confirm RGIII has lived up to all the expectations the fans had of him. The Redskins coaching staff has done an excellent job of tailoring the offense around the particular skill set RGIII brings to the team. The numbers RGIII is putting up are profound and I expect him to build on his early season success having already led the team to 3 wins.

Ryan Tannehill was the 8th pick in the 2012 draft. His numbers are as follows- 1,454 passing yards, 59.6% completion rate, 4 touchdowns,and 6 interceptions, his qb rating is 76.5. Tannehill is the most impressive of the rookie quarterbacks to me this season. He has only had one and a half years of playing quarterback at the college level prior to being drafted by the Dolphins in 2012. While at A&M in 2008, Ryan, competed for the quarterback position as a freshman but came in 3rd during the summer qb competition. Head Coach Mike Sherman decided to use Tannehill at receiver. Ryan was quick to experience success as a receiver and set a few school records while playing the position. It was during the 2010 that he began playing some quarterback, and in 2011 Tannehill became the full time starter. Considering how little college experience he had I think it is extraordinary the success he has had in the NFL in such a short time. Tannehill has led the team to 3 wins this season.

Oct 14, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

Russell Wilson was the 75th pick in the 2012 draft. His numbers are as follows- 1,108 passing yards, 62.5% completion rate, 8 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, His qb rating is 85.6. Wilson was named Seattle’s starter in week 1. This came as a surprise to many, mostly because money the Seahawks invested in highly coveted free agent quarterback Matt Flynn. Wilson is the smallest of the quarterbacks discussed here but he probably has the most heart. This kid leaves it all out on the field every week. We can see his progress as an NFL quarterback in both of his most recent games. Early on Wilson was playing by instinct as he was adjusting to the speed of the game. In the last 2 weeks, versus Carolina and New England, the game is slowing down and Wilson is getting more comfortable in offensive coordinator Tom Cable’s offense. Russell leads all rookies in team wins with 4. There is no doubt that of all the rookies, Wilson has the best defense, but recently Russell has lead his team to victory from late game deficits. This shows his growth into a leadership role on the team.

There some stats and a little information about the candidates for offensive ROY. I decided to keep this competition strictly to quarterbacks because of how significant their impact on a team can be. The ROY right now would go to RGIII based on the  numbers he has put up to this point in the season.  Russell Wilson would be a close 2nd based on his numbers plus the 4 wins he has with the Seahawks. Tannehill would come in 3rd and Luck would be at the back of the pack in 4th place.

The defensive ROY will come later this week in the follow up to this article.

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First in mind is rookie RB David Wilson of the New York Giants. With veteran Ahmad Bradshaw not playing, Wilson got the start and showed his prowess early. If memory serves, he had three consecutive plays that went for first downs and more – 2 runs and one reception. The kid showed his speed and a great sense of balance that is going to serve him well. Running backs that go down after their first contact aren’t anything special. Wilson, at times, reminded me of a pinball the way he was being bumped and knocked after getting to the second level, but he wouldn’t go down without a solid tackler’s help. The talent is there as is apparently a good working knowledge of his offensive system. His ability to pass-protect should determine how much action he sees.

I’m looking for big things from him even if he does share carries with Bradshaw. Bradshaw has a history of being dinged up, so I’d draft Wilson and value him as a split-carry/3rd RB with moderate upside to a 2nd RB in fantasy leagues. He should see 10 touches when Bradshaw is healthy and around 20 when Bradshaw is on the bench with some minor nick that he seems to get every year. Wilson’s worth has gone up from a mid-round pick in standard leagues to perhaps as high as a 5th rounder. He’s currently ranked behind the likes of Donald Brown and Toby Gerhart and has shown his explosiveness on multiple plays…on one drive!

Another Wilson, Seattle Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson from Wisconsin, has officially won the job leading Pete Carroll’s offense. He’s made some good deep throws and has the ability to scramble with success as the blueprint for NFL QBs seems to be changing. Gone are the days that teams look for the 6-4, 230 lb. pocket-passer guy with the rocket arm and lead feet. They’re looking for more athletic QBs in the mold of Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Andrew Luck, and Robert Griffin III.

Wilson fits the (new) NFL QB profile, but in the body of an athletic Doug Flutie at only 5’10″ tall. All that matters is what he can do on the field, and Wilson has out-played pricey free agent Matt Flynn. I’d stay away from drafting either guy, but if you have to, the rookie is the one with the upside. Don’t even draft Matt Flynn, and while Russell Wilson probably won’t be a huge fantasy stud this season, he has the potential to be one. I’d only draft him as a backup/bye week starter towards the end of the draft, but his athleticism and deep ball accuracy means he’s got some potential.

Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces quarterback Cameron Newton (Auburn) as the number one overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

There has been a lot of talk about the Carolina Panthers drafting players this Thursday during the NFL Draft. The Panthers are more than likely to draft a player on defense to help a struggling unit with many injuries.

Whether it is to get immediate starters or get some good depth, probably both throughout the draft, draft analysis’s do not really look into the teams current depth. That alone is very decisive on what a team could pick.

But as any good team will do, your first picks are playing needs and your later picks are depth. Here is a look at the current depth and what the Panthers might plan to do with it.

Quarterbacks (3): There are three quarterbacks on roster; Newton, Anderson, and Clausen. Usually a team with three QB’s tends to look elsewhere for picks, but not too fast. Guaranteed, the Panthers will not pick a QB in the first four rounds, but if a good player is still on the board like Russell Wilson, there might be reconsideration.

This falls under the category of depth, so it must be addressed during the later rounds if it is going to be. Not only is Jimmy Clausen getting paid an extra million dollars this year, but he was inactive the entire season last year. I can see a potential draft trade with Clausen. It all boils down to if Newton were to get hurt, can any of the other two QB’s run this offence? Team need- 3

Running Backs/ Fullback (4): There are three backs; Williams, Stewart, and Vaughn on the current roster. Many thought that Mike Tolbert, recently acquired, would be a running back, but has been placed and paid as a fullback. Absolutely no way should the Panthers even consider a running back at all with a Pro Bowler and a potential Pro Bowler on depth. Team need- 0

Offensive Lineman (14): The line has had some solid additions this free agency with Bruce Campbell and Mike Pollak, but the line was injured for most of the year last year. Jeff Otah may need to be looked at for being replaced, even though his agent has said that Otah is at full recovery. Not only that, but Jordan Gross is not getting any younger and may need to start looking for his successor. When this line is healthy, you could see three to four Pro Bowlers. Team need- 7

Wide Receiver (8): With David Gettis coming back, injured all of last season, the Panthers are in better shape at receiver than everybody makes out. If you can remember, Gettis essentially outshined Steve Smith with Clausen at QB, so think of what he can do with Newton.

LaFell started to have a breakout season last year and can look to have an even better season this year. Steve Smith was re-signed through 2015, and with a rebirth last year and no signs of slowing down, I see no hurry to get a WR off the board. Team need- 4

Tight End (5): I was absolutely shocked to see that there were five men on the roster at tight end. I know that most of them will be on the practice squad but that’s a lot. With Jeremy Shockey gone, and Mike Tolbert at a solid fullback, I don’t see the Panthers running the double tight formation like they did last year. The team has resigned Ben Hartsock but need a better playmaker along with Greg Olsen. If they look to still run this formation, then tight end might be a little need. Team need- 5

Defensive Lineman (12): This is a position Carolina will be looking at to get immediate starters and not depth. The line could not stop the run at all last year, and need to find a solid player to stop it up.

Whether it is DT or DE, look to see the Panthers pick one of those in the first round, if not then the second. Ron Edwards will be back but will need someone younger with more versatility to play beside him. Team need- 9

Linebackers (10): With all the injuries from last year, the Panthers should look for not only depth but a potential day one starter. With Beason and Davis out of the season early, their chances of another injury are increased. If one were to go down, it will probably be Davis coming off of his third ACL tear. With the team recently resigning Jordan Senn, there might not be as huge of a need as previously thought. Team Need- 6

Defensive Backs (13): The Panthers got lit up last year against the pass, but with an improved defensive line putting better pressure, you can look forward to the numbers allowed to go down. Key free agents have also been added like Haruki Nakumura and Reggie Smith. These two are going to compete for the starting job but could look to improve special teams if they do not get the job. I would still look to get a corner with either the first or second round, depending on where the Panthers decide to pick a defensive lineman. Team Need- 7

Special Teams (3): Looking at three you might think that those are kicker, punter, and long snapper, but instead there are two kickers, 0 punters, and a resign Jansen at long snapper. Newly acquired kicker Medlock is looking to take the starting job from a struggling Olindo Mare, but Medlock can also punt like he did in Canada.

If a decent punter is not found in round six or seven, do not fear, you might however see a signing of a punter in free agency.