As we approach the first games of the year, lets look at the rosters of the four AFC South teams and see which rookies made the team and which rookies are apt to have an impact this year. Remember, of course, you can't declare a draft pick a bust until two or three years down the road. It takes some players longer to learn the system, and some teams are just loaded with veterans at certain positions.
Six of seven draft choices made the team, and five of them are slated to start: LOT
Charles Spencer (Pittsburgh), TE
Owen Daniels (Wisconsin), RB
Wali Lundy (Virginia), DE
Mario Williams (North Carolina State) and LN
DeMeco Ryans (Alabama). This many rookie starters tells me that new head coach Gary Kubiak is looking to the future more than at this year's record. It is very hard for any team to start five rookies and succeed, especially when that team had a 2-14 record the previous year. These rookies will take their lumps, but it could pay off in December, or next year.
All seven of Indy's draft picks made the team, but none are listed as starters. RB
Joseph Addai (LSU) could be the exception in that he is expected to share the load with
Dominic Rhodes. Along with first-round pick Addai, the team's other rookies are CB
Tim Jennings (Georgia), LB
Freddie Keiaho (San Diego State), OT
Michael Toudouze (TCU), OT
Charlie Johnson (Oklahoma State), S
Antoine Bethea (Howard) and CB
T.J. Rushing (Stanford). Rushing and Toudouze are on the practice squad. It is not surprising that none of the rookies are starting, as this is a good, veteran team.
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