FF.com Rookie Rankings

08/21/2009 12:45 PM -  Craig Davis

I get it, I get it… it’s long overdue. Hey, it’s better late than never, right? After studying training camps, watching pre-season games, and reading newspaper reports (not to mention adding in my own pre-training camp opinion), I’ve come up with some very valuable rookie rankings for those of you in dynasty/keeper leagues and have a near future rookie draft.

TOP 50

RANK	PLAYER, POS.	RANK	PLAYER, POS.	RANK	PLAYER, POS.
1.	Chris Wells, RB	18.	Jared Cook, TE	36.	Shawn Nelson, TE
2.	Knowshon Moreno, RB	19.	Aaron Brown, RB	37.	Pat White, QB
3.	Shonn Green, RB	20.	Brandon Pettigrew, TE	38.	Sammie Stroughter, WR
4.	James Davis, RB	21.	Juaquin Iglesias, WR	39.	Patrick Turner, WR
5.	Percy Harvin, WR	22.	Glen Coffee, RB	40.	Chase Coffman, TE
6.	Donald Brown, RB	23.	Austin Collie, WR	41.	Mike Teel, QB
7.	LeSean McCoy, RB	24.	Andre Brown, RB	42.	Javon Ringer, RB
8.	Michael Crabtree, WR	25.	Louis Murphy, WR	43.	Brandon Tate, WR
9.	Matthew Stafford, QB	26.	Travis Beckum, TE	44.	Davon Drew, TE
10.	Hakeem Nicks, WR	27.	Mike Goodson, RB	45.	Nate Davis, QB
11.	Jeremy Maclin, WR	28.	Mohamed Massaquoi, WR	46.	Derrick Williams, WR
12.	Mark Sanchez, QB	29.	Josh Freeman, QB	47.	PJ Hill, RB
13.	Bernard Scott, RB	30.	Arian Foster, RB	48.	Keith Null, QB
14.	Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR	31.	Ramses Barden, WR	49.	Tom Brandstater, QB
15.	Kenny Britt, WR	32.	Mike Thomas, WR	50.	Rhett Bomar, QB
16.	Brian Robiskie, WR	33.	Gartrell Johnson, RB
17.	Rashad Jennings, RB	34.	Deon Butler, WR
		35.	Javarris Williams, RB

QUARTERBACKS

1. Matthew Stafford, Lions — Might not start right away, but will eventually be the starter of what could be a very explosive offense. He gets to work with the best young wide receiver in the game.

2. Mark Sanchez, Jets — I have no doubt in my mind that Sanchez will take the starting job in Week 1 of the 2009 season. Has plenty of talent around him… especially in front of him.

3. Josh Freeman, Bucs — Might not get to start right away, but has an incredible arm and is learning the new Tampa offense rather quickly. Look for him to be the every week starter in 2010 for sure.

4. Pat White, Dolphins — What makes him special is his feet. He might actually be used in the Wildcat formation as early as this season. Can be used in multiple formations and will be a much needed asset to this offense.

5. Mike Teel, Seahawks — With Hasselbeck becoming injury prone (and older) and Seneca Wallace nothing more than a career backup, expect Teel (who is playing well in camp) to have a legitimate shot to start in a year or two. Great arm strength and good rapport with receivers already.

BEST OF THE REST

Nate Davis, 49ers
Keith Null, Rams
Tom Brandstater, Broncos
Rhett Bomar, Giants
Stephen McGee, Cowboys
Curtis Painter, Colts

RUNNING BACKS

1. Chris “Beanie” Wells, Cardinals — Injuries aside, he’s in the best situation to be a fantasy factor in 2009 and beyond. Comes into a very good offense already that should give him a shot at plenty goal line and red zone carries.

2. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos — Signed late, but is starting to gel with the offensive line and QB Kyle Orton. Great speed and good hands make him a threat on every play. Must work his way ahead of Correll Buckhalter and Peyton Hillis, but should see plenty of touches.

3. Shonn Greene, Jets — Definitely more value AFTER 2009, but could see significant action depending on the health of Thomas Jones. Greene played under the radar until the end of the 2008 season with Iowa.

4. James Davis, Browns — Might be a bit of a head-scratcher for some of you, but I’m telling you right now this guy is the best, most talented RB the Browns have on their roster. With Jamal Lewis on the downside of his career and Jerome Harrison equating to nothing more than a backup, the opportunity is there for Davis to take the reigns and run with them.

5. Donald Brown, Colts — I think too many people are too high on this guy, which quells my expectations a little. Still a solid talent who should do a nice job sharing the load with Joseph Addai. Very powerful runner with good instincts.

BEST OF THE REST

LeSean McCoy, Eagles
Bernard Scott, Bengals
Rashad Jennings, Jaguars
Aaron Brown, Lions
Glen Coffee, 49ers
Andre Brown, Giants
Mike Goodson, Panthers
Arian Foster, Texans
Gartrell Johnson, Chargers
Javarris Williams, Chiefs
Javon Ringer, Titans
PJ Hill, Saints

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Percy Harvin, Vikings — Amazing how quickly his value shot up after the signing of Brett Favre, eh? Favre could be a Viking for two years, meaning Harvin will have tremendous value even after this season.

2. Michael Crabtree, 49ers — He’s basically ruined any chance of catching passes in the first half of the 2009 season, but this guy is ultra-talented and will catch onto the system as soon as he arrives in camp. Beyond 2009, this guy is clearly the cream of this class.

3. Hakeem Nicks, Giants — I still believe this guy will be in the starting lineup at some point during the 2009 season and it could be as early as Week 1. Nicks has great physical tools and is quickly becoming entrenched with the playbook.

4. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles — He might not be as valuable as some projected in 2009, but beyond this year expect Maclin to play alongside DeSean Jackson for years to come, giving the Eagles one of the speediest receiving corps in all of football.

5. Darrius Heyward-Bey — Funny things happen in the NFL, and with Chaz Schilens suffering an unfortunate injury, it opened the door for Bey to start Week 1, should he continue to excel in camp. His route running is noticeably better than it was three weeks ago.

BEST OF THE REST

Kenny Britt, Titans
Brian Robiskie, Browns
Juaquin Iglesias, Bears
Austin Collie, Colts
Louis Murphy, Raiders
Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns
Ramses Barden, Giants
Mike Thomas, Jaguars
Deon Butler, Seahawks
Sammie Stroughter, Bucs
Patrick Turner, Dolphins
Brandon Tate, Patriots
Derrick Williams, Lions

TIGHT ENDS

1. Jared Cook, Titans — This guy is a specimen, and he’s just biding his time until Bo Scaife becomes a free agent at the end of the 2009 season. To be honest, he could play right now but I’m not sure Jeff Fisher will let him jump both Scaife and Crumpler in the same season.

2. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions — When he figures out how to block, this guy is going to be (potentially) a top 5 fantasy tight end for years to come. He should step in and play right away, but let’s not forget Calvin Johnson is still the top receiving priority on this team. Pettigrew will have more value in PPR leagues.

3. Travis Beckum, Giants — This guy was the best thing the Wisconsin Badgers had in the passing game. He was a wide receiver in a tight ends body and should be ready to spell Kevin Boss on occasion this year. Fantastic hands and the ability to run routes like a wideout will make him very valuable in future seasons.

4. Shawn Nelson, Bills — The TE position hasn’t been a real fantasy producer in Buffalo in recent years, but Nelson might just change that. That’s why people have soured on Nelson. Don’t be like them. Take heed in knowing this guy has the potential to finish fourth in total receptions for the Bills in 2009.

5. Chase Coffman, Bengals — Like Nelson in Buffalo, Coffman is being avoided by fantasy owners because of the offense he plays in. Cincy and tight end don’t exactly go hand-in-hand, but Coffman could change that. This is the perfect year for him to be drafted due to the injuries to Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht. If the stars align just right, Coffman could be starting Week 1.

BEST OF THE REST

Davon Drew, Ravens
Zach Miller, Jaguars
Cornelius Ingram (inj. out for 2009 season)