Five Players Who Will Benefit from NFL Lockout

The NFL Lockout will be a setback for this year's incoming NFL rookie class but there will be some players who will benefit from the less demanding workout schedule and player led practices. Most NFL running backs can recover and keep their bodies in top condition with the limited contact in player sanctioned practices as well as defensive players.

Legs will be fresher and bodies rejuvenated when the NFL players show up for their first day of camp this season. If there are less injuries this season, expect many teams to limit or cut spring practices and OTA's in 2012. The following five players will benefit the most from a work load reduction in the off-season.

5. Christian Ponder: Minnesota Vikings

Ponder is the only rookie to make the list but the Florida State quarterback took the initiative and began organizing workouts for the Minnesota Vikings offensive players immediately. Unfortunately, not many of his front line players showed up for his impromptu practices. Adrian Peterson remained in Texas working out on his own, Percy Harvin lost his cell phone and fellow wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice no-showed out of disrespect. The exp erience will harden Ponder's resolve and he will be better in the end.

4. Chris Johnson: Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson takes a brutal beating during the season and a few added months of no contact will do him a world of good. Johnson is working out at his own pace and there is the possibility he will hold out if the Titans do not make an offer soon after the lockout is over. If Johnson does not hold out this will be his best season of his career.

3. Darren McFadden: Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden lost games due to injuries in 2010 and some time off will benefit the hard runner. McFadden is aggressive in practice and time away from the hard-hitting will help him stay healthy for the 2011 season. McFadden is a straight up and down runner and that is not a good style to avoid injuries in practice.

2. Mark Sanchez : New York Jets

Mark Sanchez already organized off-season practices before the NFL Lockout and now his practice sessions are more important than ever. The NFL Lockout is helping Sanchez entrench himself as the leader of this team. This will help Sanchez to enter the season loose and with a swagger he has not owned since joining the Jets and becoming to No.1 quarterback.

1. Peyton Manning: Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning will be the one player in the NFL to benefit the most from this NFL Lockout because he will profit from it financially and physically. Manning has never needed practice in the past but he is a voracious study in the film room and the extra time studying will of in the NFL Playoffs.

Manning will have plenty of time to study opposing defenses and learn how to beat the best defenses in his AFC South Division as well as the rest of the NFL schedule for 2011. Manning can also rack up plenty of commercial time during the NFL Lockout.

Sources:

Yahoo! Sports NFL statistics and news

NFL website player profiles

NFL Network