Which NFL rookie will make the biggest contribution this season?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. look at which first-year players will have the most productive NFL season in 2011. Weigh in with your comment.

Matt Vensel, Baltimore Sun

Without valuable offseason workouts and training camp two-a-days, NFL rookies on both sides of the ball are scrambling to play catch-up. Some will be rushed into roles they might not be ready for (think Cam Newton in Carolina and A.J. Green in Cincinnati). But the more polished, pro-ready prospects from April’s draft will have the biggest impact as rookies in 2011.

Von Miller will play a role in Denver’s revamped defense. Julio Jones gives Matt Ryan another weapon in Atlanta. And Anthony Castonzo will probably be called on to protect Peyton Manning’s blind side in Indianapolis, an extra critical task considering the 35-year-old quarterback’s health status.

But if the first half of the preseason is any indication, Buffalo’s Marcell Dareus is a front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He has racked up two sacks in two preseason games and he has already drawn comparisons to Bills great Bruce Smith. Smith had 6.5 sacks in 1985, his rookie season. Dareus should be in that neighborhood in his first NFL season.

Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune

It can be difficult for rookie receivers to make contributions quickly, but Julio Jones isn’t the typical rookie receiver. He stepped in the Falcons’ starting lineup on the first snap of camp and has looked comfortable and at ease ever since. Part of it is Jones’ unusual physical skills. Part of it is Jones’ blue-collar approach. Part of it is the Falcons’ coaching and how they are using him. Part of it is that Jones has an elite quarterback throwing to him in Matt Ryan. Part of it is that the Falcons have effective weapons around Jones who will help free him, weapons like Roddy White, Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez.

When you add everything together, Jones is positioned to have a productive rookie year and add a dimension to what already was one of the NFL’s finest offenses.

Photo: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is one of several NFL rookies who are expected to have productive seasons. Credit: Joe Skipper / Reuters