I'll be participating in a fantasy football keeper league that holds a two round rookie draft prior to beginning the free agent draft in the Fall so I figured this would be a good time to list the top rookies for 2009.
| Rank |
Player |
Position |
Team |
Comments |
| 1 |
Knowshon Moreno |
RB |
Denver |
With a new head coach and QB, the Broncos will run the ball and he'll be starting day one. |
| 2 |
Chris Wells |
RB |
Arizona |
Will take over for Edgerrin James and will be a starter in this pass-happy offense. New OC will could give them some new looks. |
| 3 |
Donald Brown |
RB |
Indianapolis |
Will be sharing the load with Joseph Addai but I expect him to take over eventually (even if it is 2010). |
| 4 |
Michael Crabtree |
WR |
San Francisco |
With no WR on this team, he will start and he'll produce enough to warrant being a 3rd or 4th WR on your roster. |
| 5 |
LeSean McCoy |
RB |
Philadelphia |
McCoy is in the same boat as Brown. He will spell Brian Westbrook but should be explosive in this offense. |
| 6 |
Percy Harvin |
WR |
Minnesota |
Harvin will be lined up all over the place and will get a bunch of open lanes thanks to Mr. Peterson. |
| 7 |
Shonn Green |
RB |
NY Jets |
Will be sharing the load with Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. |
| 8 |
Hakeem Nicks |
WR |
NY Giants |
Nicks will be the NY version of Anquan Boldin...but don't expect that right away...or till 2010 |
| 9 |
Jeremy Maclin |
WR |
Philadelphia |
Will be paired up with 2nd year speedster DeSean Jackson. Might hit a few long scores but will have an adjustment period. |
| 10 |
Brian Robiskie |
WR |
Cleveland |
Will start opposite Braylon Edwards and could make an impact right away as the #2. |
| 11 |
Mark Sanchez |
QB |
NY Jets |
Will be a starter in week one. Doesn't have the best receivers to help him out. |
| 12 |
Kenny Britt |
WR |
Tennessee |
Britt is the first 1st round receiver the Titans have had since Kevin Dyson in 1998. He will start but could struggle to produce in the run-oriented offense. |
| 13 |
Andre Brown |
RB |
NY Giants |
Plagued by injuries in college, Brown will backup Brandon Jacobs. |
| 14 |
Brandon Pettigrew |
TE |
Detroit |
The rookie will start for the Lions and should help their run and pass schemes. Good for a couple of TDs. |
| 15 |
Matthew Stafford |
QB |
Detroit |
Won't be the day one starter unless Culpepper is out of the picture. |
| 16 |
James Davis |
RB |
Cleveland |
Davis will be behind vet Jamal Lewis. Should get some carries and could wrestle the starting gig away by the season's end. |
| 17 |
Juaquin Iglesias |
WR |
Chicago |
Should find he starting lineup and with Cutler behind center, he should get some looks. |
| 18 |
Darrius Heyward-Bey |
WR |
Oakland |
DHB will be good for a few long receptions but that is all. |
| 19 |
Pat White |
QB/WR |
Miami |
The WildPat is coming to Miami. Could make things interesting this fall. |
| 20 |
Rashad Jennings |
RB |
Jacksonville |
Should move into the backup role behind Jones-Drew. |
| 21 |
Josh Freeman |
QB |
Tampa Bay |
Not clear if he will start yet but if he does, he deserves to be on the list. |
| 22 |
Shawn Nelson |
TE |
Buffalo |
Should be a starter for the Bills. With the attention that T.O. and Evans will attract, he could be a factor. |
| 23 |
Glen Coffee |
RB |
San Francisco |
Will compete for the backup role to starter Frank Gore. |
| 24 |
Austin Collie |
WR |
Indianapolis |
Could be the Colts dangerous 3rd receiver in their prolific offense. |