Rookies To Watch For

[JO_75]

Ok guys since the NFL Draft is over, the next thing as fans to look forward too(other than Training Camp) is the Fantasy Football Draft. Which rookies based off who drafted them will have an impact in helping you win FF this year, here's my list:

QBs:
- Jimmy Clausen: He would be one to start when your starting QB is on a bye week. He is in a great situation with the Panthers and has the best chance of all rookie QBs to succeed. He may be a sleeper if he starts.

RB:
- Ryan Matthews: He is in the best situation of all rookie running backs, Matthews will get plenty of carries to get double digit points some weeks.
- Jahvid Best: He'll be good but won't be as good as he should since the Lions line is still shaky.
- CJ Spiller: He'll be good this year, I have heard he may have the same impact as CJ, but he will be one to watch.

WR:
- Dez Bryant: He's in the best situation of all WRs. He may just put the Cowboys over the hump to get in the Super Bowl.
- Demaryius Thomas: This is questionable but we'll see if Orton/Quinn/Tebow can find him down field.

TE:
- Jermaine Gresham: If Palmer can have a good season and find Gresham when needed, Gresham will be able to put up double digit points.

Defense:(This is based on which rookies can make an impact on defense this year)

- Baltimore: With Kindle and Cody in place, Baltimore's defense has to be one of the first couple defenses to go off the board in FF. Has potential to put up double digits most weeks.

- Miami: Jared Odrick will be a beast for Miami, with them moving Randy Starks to NT, Odrick takes over at RE and will make an impact from day 1.

- Philadelphia: They added Brandon Graham and focused on defense with their first couple picks in the draft, this could be a sleeper team when it comes to defense.

- Detroit: The overhaul of the defense in the off-season with the addition of Suh makes this defense an off week starting defense when your starting defense is on a bye week.

- 49ers: The 49ers have had a good defense now they add Taylor Mays and they could be a defense to watch.

- NYJ: The addition of Kyle Wilson makes this defense even better, I would not be surprised to see the Jets defense be the first defense come off the board first.

Feel Free to add any thoughts and your own list of Rookies who can make an impact this season.

[Eso]

A few things I would disagree with-
Dez Bryant, he has Roy Williams, Austin Miles, and Jason Witten to compete for catches with, not to mention a top 5 run game.

Gresham- Once again, he will be competing with OchoCinco and Antonio Bryant for catches, he has to play the Ravens twice, the Steelers twice, the jets, and arguably the hardest schedule in the nfl, Carson Palmer has had an injured past, and they are a smash-mouth team.

Other than those two, good post, I think Ryan Mathews will have a good year.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Eso' date='27 April 2010 - 12:38 AM' timestamp='1272343136' post='400893']
A few things I would disagree with-
Dez Bryant, he has Roy Williams, Austin Miles, and Jason Witten to compete for catches with, not to mention a top 5 run game.

Gresham- Once again, he will be competing with OchoCinco and Antonio Bryant for catches, he has to play the Ravens twice, the Steelers twice, the jets, and arguably the hardest schedule in the nfl, Carson Palmer has had an injured past, and they are a smash-mouth team.

Other than those two, good post, I think Ryan Mathews will have a good year.
[/quote]

Plus Dez Bryant hasn't played football in a year and he's playing a posistion where players don't really break out of their shell until Year 3. Javid Best is also in a good situation to become a full time starter in Detroit. As he can prove to be explosive and a great out option for the young QB.

The only guys I'd think about drafting this year is Ryan Matthews and D. Thomas. Both of which would be late round fliers.

As for Clausen, I wouldn't draft him unless you knew for sure if he's starting. Because even if he does start he's got a tough season ahead of him: Bucs (2), Bengals, Bears, Giants, Ravens, Cardinals, Steelers.

Most of the rookies I just like to keep a real close eye on and pick them up as free agents.

[Ed_Reed20]

The guys in the best situations will be plucked pretty early,too early at times, however, I love unearthing sleepers(as I'm sure you guys do) and there's nothing better than finding productive rookie sleepers.

Our own TEs, Dickson and Pitta are injury to Heap away from some serviceable targets.

Both Arrelious Benn and and Mike Williams should see a lot of targets in Tampa Bay.

Also, Toby Gerhart will get touches behind Peterson.

There are others but I've got to hold them back for the league I'm assuming veteran members will have. The bigger the better.

[indianstick]

i don't know about you guys..but im def trying to have the jets D this year

[PuRock]

[quote name='indianstick' date='27 April 2010 - 03:25 PM' timestamp='1272396319' post='401241']
i don't know about you guys..but im def trying to have the jets D this year
[/quote]

They will be the most sought after D probably. And some poor person is going to draft them in the sixth round while I'm picking up a starting WR.

Too bad I'm like the last person in the world that drafts a D. I prefer to pick mine up on a weekly basis based on matchups.

[RoflDogs]

I have a feeling that Ben Tate will tear it up this year

[McBurks]

The rookie to look out for this year:Ryan Matthews.
The only problem I have is getting a good TE,last year I drafted Heap and he didn't do anything big until the Bears game when I decided to sit him.

Then again I picked up Vick the week before he versed Atlanta and scored some good points.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PuRock' date='27 April 2010 - 05:14 PM' timestamp='1272402872' post='401290']
Too bad I'm like the last person in the world that drafts a D. I prefer to pick mine up on a weekly basis based on matchups.
[/quote]

Agreed. I remember picking up some horrendous defenses late in the season in a very big league simply because they were facing teams with even more pitiful offenses.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='RoflDogs' date='27 April 2010 - 08:18 PM' timestamp='1272413922' post='401360']
I have a feeling that Ben Tate will tear it up this year
[/quote]

If Slaton cuts down on the fumbles, Tate will have a tough time seeing the field in my opinion.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='27 April 2010 - 11:33 PM' timestamp='1272425637' post='401445']
Agreed. I remember picking up some horrendous defenses late in the season in a very big league simply because they were facing teams with even more pitiful offenses.
[/quote]

Yeah. Most of the season I jumped from whatever defense was lingering around in free agency to the next.

Bucs - Raiders - Even the Lions (when they played the Rams). Some team that drafted the Titans early, dropped them mid season and I picked them up and rode on their winning streak for a while until a bad match up came.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PuRock' date='28 April 2010 - 09:59 AM' timestamp='1272463140' post='401529']
Yeah. Most of the season I jumped from whatever defense was lingering around in free agency to the next.

Bucs - Raiders - Even the Lions (when they played the Rams). Some team that drafted the Titans early, dropped them mid season and I picked them up and rode on their winning streak for a while until a bad match up came.
[/quote]

I remember picking up the Lions too when they played Rams too.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='28 April 2010 - 11:19 AM' timestamp='1272467957' post='401559']
I remember picking up the Lions too when they played Rams too.
[/quote]

Wasn't the best decision either. The Lions-Rams game was an offensive explosion.

Stat Line against the Rams -
Lions DST - 37 PA, 439 YDS, SACK - 1 FFP

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PuRock' date='28 April 2010 - 12:08 PM' timestamp='1272470899' post='401586']
Wasn't the best decision either. The Lions-Rams game was an offensive explosion.

Stat Line against the Rams -
Lions DST - 37 PA, 439 YDS, SACK - 1 FFP
[/quote]

Nope.

So do you guys like LARGE leagues or smaller ones? I love 14+ leagues; the waiver wire is usually picked clean and you really have to draft well to have a chance.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I like smaller leagues, personally. 12-16 is perfect for me. All four of the leagues I was in last year were that size, and I never had to pillage the waiver wire aside from one league. Otherwise, I drafted well enough to finish in the top 4 in all of them, taking first in one of the four. Honestly though, I try to avoid waivers unless there's a player too good to pass up. Although, I did think Jason Witten was going to be a steal when he was sitting on the waiver last year, and he didn't do squat after I picked him up =\

[DrMoonTooth]

The most reliable rookie would have to be Ryan Matthews. Running backs make a pretty quick transition in the NFL, so I'd say you trust him before any one else. I can't even think of another rookie worth drafting this year, but of course at least one of them is going to be waiver wire gold.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='08 May 2010 - 02:42 AM' timestamp='1273300932' post='406839']
[b]I like smaller leagues, personally. 12-16 is perfect for me.[/b] All four of the leagues I was in last year were that size, and I never had to pillage the waiver wire aside from one league. Otherwise, I drafted well enough to finish in the top 4 in all of them, taking first in one of the four. Honestly though, I try to avoid waivers unless there's a player too good to pass up. Although, I did think Jason Witten was going to be a steal when he was sitting on the waiver last year, and he didn't do squat after I picked him up =\
[/quote]

You consider a 12-16-sized league "small"? Who do you play with?

Regardless, I like playing in that range too.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Not "small" per se, but smaller than some of the huge leagues I've had a few friends in where you end up drafting some horrible players just because all of the good and decent players are gone. I usually just see what leagues are on yahoo and ESPN that fit that range, since I just do it for fun. I did have a league that consisted of co-workers last year.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='08 May 2010 - 09:39 PM' timestamp='1273369165' post='407236']
Not "small" per se, but smaller than some of the huge leagues I've had a few friends in where you end up drafting some horrible players just because all of the good and decent players are gone.
[/quote]

I hear ya. So we're talking 20, 25+?

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yup, I can't stand leagues where there's only like 5 defenses (maybe even none depending if you have defense hoarders in the league) to claim off waivers. I like to have a little flexibility and breathing room to make some moves if someone I draft goes on IR or is struggling during the season.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='08 May 2010 - 09:49 PM' timestamp='1273369756' post='407242']
Yup, I can't stand leagues where there's only like 5 defenses (maybe even none depending if you have defense hoarders in the league) to claim off waivers. I like to have a little flexibility and breathing room to make some moves if someone I draft goes on IR or is struggling during the season.
[/quote]

Agreed.

[ed.s52]

I'm thinking a rookie to watch for, probably in FA, is TE Gronkowski (maybe Hernandez depending on who the Pats start) and for the D can't deny the Colts pass rush is looking pretty beastly with Freeny, Mathis and rookie Jerry Hughes

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'd consider picking up Gronkowski, only as a back-up if I could help it. He should get some decent stats this year, since NE let go of both their other tight ends.

[RavensUCfan]

Javid Best will be a good Rookie pick. With Kevin Smith rehabbing his knee, he will definitely get more reps and may have a bigger role in their offense.

[JO_75]

[quote name='PuRock' date='27 April 2010 - 05:14 PM' timestamp='1272402872' post='401290']
They will be the most sought after D probably. And some poor person is going to draft them in the sixth round while I'm picking up a starting WR.

[b]Too bad I'm like the last person in the world that drafts a D. I prefer to pick mine up on a weekly basis based on matchups.[/b]
[/quote]

I agree with that. I normally try to pick up a starting defense early as my main defense and based on the matchups I changed defenses on some weeks. I felt kinda bad when since I had the Ravens Defense last year and benching them, it was either a hit or miss. When I picked up defenses to start over the Ravens defense, the Ravens had a good game and got like double digits on the bench while i was stuck with 6-7 points with the defense I picked up.

[how2group]

- Miami: Jared Odrick will be a beast for Miami, with them moving Randy Starks to NT, Odrick takes over at RE and will make an impact from day 1.

Totally agree

[ZIBBY28]

Ryan Matthews should be the first rookie off the board in ALL drafts IMO.. still not worth a pick in the first four or so rounds, though IMO