Q Points
|
Rookie |
Pos |
Team |
NFL Draft
|
Notes |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
| 45 |
Darren McFadden |
RB |
OAK |
4 |
The only rookie in this year's class with the potential to become the next Adrian Peterson. His situation isn't that great, but it's better than the other top talents. |
8 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
43
 |
Rashard Mendenhall |
RB |
PIT |
23 |
No glaring weakness to his game. May initially share carries with Willie Parker though. The Steelers covet Mendenhall's ability to run between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
40
 |
Jonathan Stewart |
RB |
CAR |
13 |
Stewart is the power back Carolina hasn't had since Stephen Davis. Toe may or may not be fully healed in time for preseason games, which could set him back. Panthers added OT Jeff Otah which should benefit Stewart. Expected to win starting job in training camp but he's not the lock to start Week 1 most think he is. |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| 40 |
Kevin Smith |
RB |
DET |
64 |
Kevin Smith is making the best of his opportunity, building up his "suit of armor" all off-season and carefully studying the playbook. Said to be 'driven to be the best'. Fellow offensive cast much better than Forte's. |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| 38 |
Matt Forte |
RB |
CHI |
44 |
Starting RB job is Forte's to lose but QB, WR and O-line look questionable at best. The Bears will have to run, but Forte may not get any scoring opportunities. Addition of Kevin Jones doesn't affect his long-term value that much, but Forte will definitely lose carries in the 8 games a year KJ is healty. |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| 36 |
Limas Sweed |
WR |
PIT |
53 |
If Sweed can fill the tall WR role that Roethlisberger was begging the team to address in the offseason, he could be a great pick in a rookie draft. He could eventually replace Hines Ward, who is getting up there, and play alongside Santonio Holmes for years. |
4 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
| 36 |
Felix Jones |
RB |
DAL |
22 |
Landed in a great situation, but won't get more than 10 carries a game behind Marion Barber. |
6 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
35
|
Ray Rice |
RB |
BAL |
55 |
Rice impressed at minicamp. He will get carries this season. |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
| 35 |
Steve Slaton |
RB |
HOU |
89 |
He'll be third on the depth chart to start the season, but it won't be long until Ahman Green and/or Chris Brown gets injured. He could be a wise-guy pick. |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
| 33 |
DeSean Jackson |
WR |
PHI |
49 |
Tough to get a read on this guy. He works out with Jerry Rice in the off-season, but then his work habits are seriously questioned and he missed some OTAs with a hamstring injury. Seen as only a return man, but so was Westbrook when he was a rookie. |
5 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
32
|
Chris Johnson |
RB |
TEN |
24 |
Going to backup LenDale White for at least one year, probably more. Has NFL speed, but maybe not the size. Will get his 10 touches per game. |
5 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
| 31 |
Donnie Avery |
WR |
STL |
33 |
Surprise first WR drafted and by St Louis has to mean something. Avery got time with the first unit at OTAs in Holts absence. Could be groomed by Holt. But Bulger is 31. |
4 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
31
|
Tim Hightower |
RB |
ARI |
149 |
There is an chance Hightower becomes the heir apparent in Arizona. He only has to beat out JJ Arrington (won't be hard). Edge is gone after 2009 at the latest. |
5 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
| 31 |
Jamaal Charles |
RB |
KC |
73 |
They're talking about giving him 10-12 carries a game, but that he "cant take a pounding" so they won't give him many more than that. He is battling Kolby Smith for backup role. They would split time if Larry Johnson injured. |
5 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
30
|
Devin Thomas |
WR |
WAS |
34 |
Is expected to beat out fellow rookie Malcom Kelly for the #3 WR spot in a fairly good situation in Washington. Chance to be #2 if Randel El's knee has post surgery problems. |
2 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
| 30 |
Matt Ryan |
QB |
ATL |
3 |
He'll be thrown into the starting role, ready or not. He's got a poor offensive line. |
3 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
30
|
James Hardy |
WR |
BUF |
41 |
Hardy was already in trouble for flashing a gun during an argument when it was revealed that he was one of the three Bills players involved in Marshawn Lynch's hit and run accident. |
4 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
29
|
Eddie Royal |
WR |
DEN |
42 |
Another example of a high draft pick buried on the depth chart, although he's moving up fast. Royal's immediate impact will be in the return game. |
3 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
| 29 |
Joe Flacco |
QB |
BAL |
18 |
Flacco looked solid enough in minicamp. It's only unclear when (not if) Baltimore will start him and when he'll be fantasy worthy. |
3 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
29
|
Jerome Simpson |
WR |
CIN |
46 |
Early reports say he is struggling in practice and is behind fellow rookie Andre Caldwell for the #3 WR spot. However, Cinci drafted him over several other higher profile WRs and they may have a need at WR if Ocho Cinco and Housh leave in coming years. |
2 |
4 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
28
|
Mario Manningham |
WR |
NYG |
95 |
First he was slowed by a hip flexor at rookie practice, then he was "slow to impress" in practice sessions two months later. Still he has the physical tools you want in a WR and is in a great situation. We can hear it now, "Manning to Manningham TOUCHDOWN" |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
28
|
Ryan Torain |
RB |
DEN |
139 |
Every Denver RB is potentially a gold mine. Torain is no different. He has a good chance to get a lot of carries with weak competition ahead of him. Was injury prone in college and is injured already after one week in the pros. |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
| 26 |
Jordy Nelson |
WR |
GB |
36 |
Drafted high, but at least 4th on the GB depth chart in 2008. Driver is 33 so there is an opening coming up. Competition is James Jones the 78th pick in the 3rd rd of 2007 draft - who is progressing well. |
2 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
| 25 |
John Carlson |
TE |
SEA |
38 |
Could be first rookie TE ever to start for Mike Holmgren. |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
25
|
Dustin Keller |
TE |
NYJ |
30 |
Keller will likely be used like Gates, often splitting out wide. In effect he will be the Jets slot reciever but lack of blocking could keep him on the bench too often for fantasy use this year. |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
| 24 |
Andre Caldwell |
WR |
CIN |
97 |
Carson Palmer called Caldwell the more pro-ready of his two new rookie WRs (Caldwell played in the SEC while Jerome Simpson played at Coastal Carolina). Caldwell could find himself in an ideal situation in a few years. |
2 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
| 22 |
Jacob Hester |
RB |
SD |
69 |
Drafted high by SD he is battling Darren Sproles for the backup role. Would split carries if LT was injured. Lacks speed and elusiveness of premier tailback. |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
22
|
Malcolm Kelly |
WR |
WAS |
51 |
Kelly is battling DeSean Jackson for the #3 WR job in Washington. His upside is limited by Santana Moss and Randel El, but good situation on young team otherwise. |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| 20 |
Taylor Mehlhaff |
K |
NO |
178 |
If a team spends a draft pick on a K they usually keep them. Not this time. Saints could have used that pick on a defensive back. |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
19
|
Chad Henne |
QB |
MIA |
57 |
Chad is a stopgap solution which leaves the door open for Henne. More upside than Beck or McCown. |
3 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
| 19 |
Early Doucet |
WR |
ARI |
81 |
Drafted to replace Bryant Johnson until Steve Breaston played him out of the job. Still worth a look, especially if you already own Fitzgerald or Boldin. |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
| 18 |
Tashard Choice |
RB |
DAL |
122 |
Buried behind fellow rookie Felix Jones and veteran star Marion Barber. He won't get carries anytime soon without injuries ahead of him. |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
18
|
Brian Brohm |
QB |
GB |
56 |
GB drafted Brohm awfully high to be planning on using him as a backup. |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| 15 |
Brandon Coutu |
K |
SEA |
235 |
Coutu couldn't beat out Olindo Mare in camp - Seattle went with the proven veteran. Unfortunately, he's proven that he sucks. Coutu could be resigned when Mare starts missing FGs. |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| 10 |
Fred Davis |
TE |
WAS |
48 |
Will be tough to get noticed behind Cooley. |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
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COMING SOON: 2009 Rookie Rankings |
