Top Nine NFL fantasy impact rookies

Why only nine? Because of budget constraints. I couldn’t convince the publisher to print a Top 10 list so we had to trim it to nine. So, here are my Top Nine fantasy football impact rookies.

From back to front:

#9: DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles: Reggie Brown is nursing a hamstring. Meanwhile, Jackson is showing that he has the skills to play at this level. The Eagles need playmakers at WR and if he continues to play like he has, he will be on the field.

#8: James Hardy, WR, Bills: He’s huge. If he can stop pulling guns on his dad, he has a chance to get a lot of playing time. Lee Evans will open up quite a bit for him.

#7: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers: Simply put, a perfect addition to pair up with Fast Willie. My biggest concern is that offensive line. The Steelers offense is built from the outside in.

#6: Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: If he can stay healthy (and that’s a big if), he could take over backfield duties in Houston. There are rumors that Ahman Green could get cut outright. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle has given Slaton rave reviews.

#5: Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys: I could easily put him higher up this list. This kid is damn good. Marion Barber gets the bulk of the load, but a player of this caliber finds his way onto the field.

#4: Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: How could you make him fourth!!!?? A crowded backfield will do that. This is a list for fantasy impact, not who the best player is. McFadden looks like the truth, but I don’t know that he’ll be getting the bulk of the work just yet.

#3: Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: You better believe I wanted to rank him higher. I love this kid. Word out of Baltimore is that he looks great. He could run McGahee out of town for 2009.

#2: Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: This kid looks really good. I think the Titans have found a player. It concerns me that he’s splitting time with Lendale White, but he could still have a good impact.

#1: Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Because everyone else in their backfield is such garbage He looks like he can be a nice back and he’ll most likely be starting.

Micah Warren is the Blast Magazine sports editor

In Fantasy, Football, Sports on August 19, 2008 at 17:41

4 Responses to “Top Nine NFL fantasy impact rookies”

  1. Fooks on August 19th, 2008 6:04 pm

    mucho gracias! can’t wait to see the look on spinelli’s face when we take matt forte at #3!!!

  2. John Guilfoil on August 19th, 2008 6:29 pm

    Yup … i’m a cheap bastard

  3. Dan on August 20th, 2008 4:29 pm

    Good list Micah. McGahee + Rice 1-2 punch might be the only ray of hope in this sure to be dark season in Baltimore. Rice was a great pick for them.

    And Marion Barber isn’t that great. Jones will make it past him as a starter quickly.

  4. Jack on August 29th, 2008 10:25 am

    Dan, You must not watch many Cowboy games, if you don’t think Barber is the real deal. I think Jones looks great but as long as Barber stays healthy he is the man in Dallas.

    As for the list of rookies, what about Smith and Stewart?

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