by Scott Henry

Created on: August 21, 2009

Every year, a new crop of rookies joins the NFL, and many of them bear the weight of enormous expectations. Some flourish in the spotlight, and others wilt under the pressure. Some are expected to be saviors, and others come in as complimentary pieces to already-strong lineups. The good ones, however, will usually find a way to shine.

Here are a few of 2009's promising rookie prospects.

1. RB Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

Brown has been compared to last year's rookie sensation, Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears, for his ability to combine backfield running ability with dangerous pass-catching skill. He begins the season caddying for the recently injury-prone Joseph Addai. Veteran Dominic Rhodes was able to break 900 total yards and nine touchdowns in that role last season, and Brown's younger legs could exceed that production, eventually pushing Addai to the bench completely.

2. RB Shonn Greene, New York Jets

The Jets had Greene at the top of their entire running-back board in the 2009 draft, and were able to snag him at the top of the third round. Greene's a between-the-tackles bruiser who could combine with big-play threat Leon Washington to give the Jets an even more dangerous running game than disgruntled veteran Thomas Jones and Washington were able to last year.

3. WR Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans

Britt's elusiveness has been compared to Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos, and if he can produce anything close to what Marshall has done early in his career, the Titans will be able to open up the field a bit for another 2008 rookie star, running back Chris Johnson.

4. LB Brian Cushing, Houston Texans

Cushing has a pair of young stars around him in the Houston defense, DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams, who command a great deal of attention from opposing blockers. He may prove to be just as disruptive a force if coordinators forget that he's lurking.

5. DE Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins

With the addition of the speedy Orakpo and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the Redskins may be much more fearsome on the pass-rush this season. What's been a surprise is that he's adapting fairly well to working in coverage when the defensive calls call for him to stand up and drop back.

6. WR Juaquin Iglesias, Chicago Bears

The Bears didn't give up multiple draft picks and last year's starting quarterback to get Jay Cutler just to have Cutler turn and hand the ball off forty times per game. With a collection of unprovens at wide receiver in Chicago, Iglesias may have the opportunity to take the slot receiver role and run with it. Cutler found Brandon Stokley almost 50 times from the slot last season, and similar production may be on tap from Iglesias.

Rookies are always hard to handicap, but some end up in better situations than others. Talent and opportunity are wonderful, but very few football players are good enough to succeed without help. These six may have found themselves in the right situations to maximize their impact on the National Football League.

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