Robert Griffin III and Four Other NFL Rookies to Get Excited About

It's finally NFL time. Almost. Training camps start all over the league this week and we're just 13 days from the first preseason game when the Saints and Cardinals play in the Hall of Fame Game on August 5th. Can't wait!

One of the most exciting parts of every new season is when we finally get a chance to see some of the rookies getting their first taste of NFL action. Who's going to shine? Who's going to be a bust? Who knows? We have to wait and see. What we do know is that the guys who get picked high in the draft will mostly get their shots right away, save for a few exceptions.

We know Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck are going to start for their teams, and we know there are a few other guys we can't wait to see.

Robert Griffin III - QB - Washington Redskins

Griffin is going to start and he's going to be exciting. He's athletic as hell, he can throw the deep ball and he can run. He's going to be providing highlights one way or another. Even though he was picked number two behind Luck, it seems as if more eyes are on RG3. The Redskins' first preseason game is Thursday, August 9th in Buffalo against the Bills.

Andrew Luck - QB - Indianapolis Colts

Luck's biggest task is making Colts fans feel like they'll be back contending sooner than later. He's not going to be the next Peyton Manning, but Luck has the skills to be similar. He's going to take his lumps and probably have more lows than highs this first year, but Manning threw a ton of picks and won only 3 games in his rookie campaign. The Colts' first preseason game is August 12th at home against the Rams.

Justin Blackmon - WR - Jacksonville Jaguars

Blackmon has the talent to be great. Whether or not he has the maturity remains to be seen. Getting popped for aggravated DUI and blowing three times the legal limit on the breathalyzer isn't calming any nerves in J-Ville. The other problem for Blackmon to have a breakout rookie season is the lack of a solid QB. Hopefully his arrest over the summer woke him up, but it's not like it was his first. Jacksonville's first preseason game is August 10th, when they host the Super Bowl champion Giants.

Michael Floyd - WR - Arizona Cardinals

Playing opposite superstar Larry Fitzgerald will open up the field for anyone lining up with him. Michael Floyd comes out of Notre Dame with the size and skills to contribute right away. Floyd is 6'3" and 220 pounds with dependable hands. He has to earn the playing time from some vets, like Early Doucet, but he could be a surprise for the Cards. He was drafted 13th overall, so they aren't going to waste the pick by sitting him too long. The Cardinals' first preseason game is August 5th against New Orleans.

Trent Richardson - RB - Cleveland Browns

I think Richardson has a great chance at being Offensive Rookie of the Year. He's crazy strong, is fast and is built to take NFL punishment. He's ready to play right now and after being drafted third, he will be playing right away. You don't see running backs get drafted high anymore because it's more and more of a passing league, but the Browns needed a game changer and Richardson can be that guy. The Browns' first preseason game is August 10th at Detroit.