THE SIX KINGS Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Deep RB class dominates early rounds as teams (and fantasy owners) hope to find the next Adrian Peterson By Michael Blunda April 27, 2008 Not every draft produces an Adrian Peterson. The Vikings’ running back had a rookie year for the ages in 2007, rushing for 1,341 yards, scoring 13 touchdowns and breaking the NFL single-game rushing record (296 yards) in just his eighth contest. With those numbers freshly in mind, fantasy owners will be scouring the ’08 draft class, hoping to find the next Peterson. The fact is, however, they simply won’t find such a jaw-dropping talent. While this draft might not boast that one standout skill player, it does have a very deep group of quality running backs. Since tailbacks tend to have smaller learning curves than quarterbacks or receivers, there should be a nice crop of first-year ballcarriers who make an instant impact. Here are the top 10 players from the Class of 2008 whom we expect to contribute immediately. 10. Falcons QB Matt Ryan Ryan, the only potential franchise quarterback in this year’s draft, now finds himself as the face of the Falcons and possibly their Week One starter. The Boston College product, who threw for 4,507 yards, 31 TDs and 19 INTs in his senior season, will have a lot of pressure on him to perform right away, something most rookie QBs struggle to do. He’s smart with a strong, accurate arm, but he’s bound to take his lumps with an Atlanta club trying to rebuild. Ryan does have a nice weapon in WR Roddy White, but don’t expect a huge statistical output from the first-year signalcaller. 9. Bears RB Matt Forté The Bears seem fed up with Cedric Benson and could be ready to cut their losses; Forté looks to be the beneficiary of that move. The back had a monster senior year at Tulane, running for 2,127 yards and 23 TDs, impressing many pro scouts in the process. Though not a speed demon, Forté runs very strong inside and has the ability to gain yards against eight-man fronts, something he might see often in Chicago. Forté has a very real shot of being the Bears’ lead dog this season and makes a great dark-horse fantasy pick. 8. Jets TE Dustin Keller Though tight end was not a glaring need, the Jets really must like Keller, as they traded up into the late first round to snag the former Boilermaker. Arguably the best pass-catching tight end in the draft, Keller attracted attention in his final two seasons at Purdue and hopes to do the same in New York. At 6-2, 242 pounds, he can line up either on the end or in the slot and has the speed to make big plays. Regardless of who’s under center for the Jets, Keller quickly should become a favorite target. 7. Lions RB Kevin Smith Though he fell to the draft’s second day, Smith now has a home in Detroit where he could see game action rather quickly. All he did last year at Central Florida was lead the nation in rushing with 2,567 yards and score 30 TDs to boot. Given Tatum Bell’s weak grasp on the Lions’ starting RB job, Smith should get a legitimate chance to compete in training camp. Even if he doesn’t win out right away, Smith could supplant Bell in the starting backfield early in the ’08 season. 6. Redskins WR Devin Thomas Seen by most experts as the best receiver in the draft and a first-round lock, Thomas slid into the second round before being snatched up by the Redskins. Though he had only one productive year at Michigan State, Thomas dazzled in his offseason workouts, giving teams the idea that he can be an impact pro. Washington should be a good fit for him, as new coach Jim Zorn’s West Coast attack is lacking a wideout with size. As long as fellow rookie WR Malcolm Kelly doesn’t eat into his playing time, Thomas has the tools to put up numbers in his first campaign. 5. Bills WR James Hardy Following a collegiate career in which he caught a school-record 36 TDs in three years at Indiana, Hardy finds himself with a great opportunity to produce in Buffalo. The Bills thus far have failed to line up a quality receiver opposite Lee Evans, but Hardy might finally be that guy. The 6-foot-5 3⁄8 wideout is extremely agile and towers over defenders, making him an ideal red-zone target. Young QB Trent Edwards will be elated to see Hardy running pass patterns this season and should look his way often as Evans faces double coverage. 4. Cowboys RB Felix Jones With Julius Jones gone, the Cowboys needed a complement to Marion Barber, and they might have found the perfect one in Felix Jones. Splitting time with Darren McFadden at Arkansas, Jones still managed to post big numbers and averaged an astounding 8.7 yards per carry last year. Unlike Barber, who is great at picking up tough yards inside, Jones’ specialty is running the ball outside, where he can use his quickness to elude defenders in space. With Barber shouldering most of the load, Jones should be a solid change-of-pace back for Dallas’ offensive juggernaut. 3. Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall Pittsburgh probably wasn’t looking to take a running back in Round One, but when Mendenhall fell into its lap at No. 23, it simply couldn’t resist. The physical specimen had a tremendous ’07 season at Illinois, rushing for 1,681 yards and scoring 19 TDs. Willie Parker remains entrenched as the Steelers’ bell cow, but the undersized runner really struggled to find paydirt last season, scoring just twice. Mendenhall had no trouble racking up TDs in college, and he could find himself as the team’s goal-line back right off the bat. While he might not see a boatload of carries this year, Mendenhall’s penchant to score should equal instant fantasy value. 2. Raiders RB Darren McFadden The fastest, most explosive running back in this draft goes to the “Black Hole,” where he promptly becomes the Raiders’ most intriguing offensive weapon. Unfortunately for his immediate value, McFadden will join a very crowded Oakland backfield, headed by ’07 starter and 1,000-yard rusher Justin Fargas. That said, Al Davis did not use the fourth overall pick on McFadden for nothing, so expect the former Razorback to contribute from the get-go. His blazing speed makes him a threat to score on every touch, and the lowly Raiders desperately could use his game-changing ability on offense. With the inexperienced JaMarcus Russell at the helm, expect Oakland to lean heavily on their ground game, which should mean plenty of opportunities for McFadden. 1. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart The Panthers landed the most complete back in the draft in Stewart, who led the Pac-10 in rushing a year ago. He couldn’t have asked for a better destination, as his only RB competition in Carolina will be DeAngelo Williams, who has yet to assert himself at the pro level. A timeshare between Williams and Stewart is the likely scenario to begin the season, but expect the Oregon standout to produce, even in limited duty. Don’t worry about his toe injury; he’ll be fine when training camp rolls around. Fantasy owners should not hesitate to grab Stewart on draft day, as he easily could take home Rookie of the Year honors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I'm move Forte up and add Chris Johnson and Ray Rice, removing Keller and Felix Jones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 I'm move Forte up and add Chris Johnson and Ray Rice, removing Keller and Felix Jones. You're taking one of my Jets off the list?!?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 As of right now, there's not a rookie RB I'd want over McFadden. McFadden in Oakland's ZBS should be devastating. Last year it allowed Justin Fargas to be a 1000yd rusher and Jordan to be the NFL's top or 2nd leading rusher after the first 4 weeks of the '07 season. OAK RBs ran the ball about 450 times so there's plenty of carries even if they do a 60:40 split between McFadden:Fargas et al. 1850+ total rush yards on a 4.1 ypc avg and 8 TDs with a combo of Fargas, Jordan, and Dominic Rhodes. I'd say that McFadden is a little better than that group. OAK OC Knapp and OL coach Cable came from a Falcons team that led the league in rushing 3 straight years. First reaction is, well, that's because of Vick. He obviously helped but Dunn had 3 straight 1100+ rushing seasons and made TJ Duckett look like a serviceable RB. All due respect to Dunn and Duckett but they're no McFadden either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 (edited) You're taking one of my Jets off the list?!?!?!?! Sorry man. A TE in the top 10? I just don't see it. As of right now, there's not a rookie RB I'd want over McFadden. McFadden in Oakland's ZBS should be devastating. Last year it allowed Justin Fargas to be a 1000yd rusher and Jordan to be the NFL's top or 2nd leading rusher after the first 4 weeks of the '07 season. I hope so. He'd help Russell too. Edited April 30, 2008 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 For production in this upcoming year I would swap Felix Jones and Kevin Smith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 What?!? No Donnie Avery?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Sorry man. A TE in the top 10? I just don't see it. Excellent point. He might be decent for a Dyansty pick, but 1st year TE's are typically not going to produce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 What?!? No Donnie Avery?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Excellent point. He might be decent for a Dyansty pick, but 1st year TE's are typically not going to produce. In Cheating Bastages TE's get 2 points per reception but in most leagues TE's are low scorers. Even Gates didn't do it when he was a rookie as far as I know. I wonder who the highest rookie TE was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 In Cheating Bastages TE's get 2 points per reception but in most leagues TE's are low scorers. Even Gates didn't do it when he was a rookie as far as I know. I wonder who the highest rookie TE was. Shockey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 (edited) Shockey? Did he? In 2002 this is from The Huddle(HOL). Top TE's. He was 138. 1. 88. Heap, Todd BAL TE 2. 104. Gonzalez, Tony KCC TE 3. 138. Shockey, Jeremy NYG TE Edited April 30, 2008 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Did he? In 2002 this is from The Huddle(HOL). Top TE's. He was 138. 1. 88. Heap, Todd BAL TE 2. 104. Gonzalez, Tony KCC TE 3. 138. Shockey, Jeremy NYG TE Misunderstood the question Thought you meant top rookie TE's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Misunderstood the question Thought you meant top rookie TE's. Oh I'm sorry. No this was a list of top rookie players this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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