Fbkid's fantasy football top ten rookies

Football season is around the corner which means that fantasy drafts are almost here. Every year a couple rookies have big years. Last year Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson and Dwayne Bowe all had great rookie seasons. Lynch and Peterson were both drafted in all leagues. But Bowe unlike them wasn't and ended up starting on most fantasy teams by the end of the season. Here are my top 10 fantasy rookies which could help win you your league if you draft one of these guys or steal them off the waiver wire.


1.Jonathan Stewart RB Panthers: Running backs are always among the highest scoring players in fantasy football. That is the case on this list as Stewart has a great chance to start right away. DeAngelo Williams has been productive the last two years for the Panthers but he isn't the every down back that Stewart is. If he recovers from his toe injury soon Stewart could be starting by week one and could become a very good number two back. Expect around 1200 total yards and 9 touchdowns.

2.Kevin Smith RB Lions: Smith like Stewart has a very good chance of starting week one for the Lions. Tatum Bell hasn't done anything yet in Detroit and Smith brings a bruising style that would help out the passing game. Be careful drafting Smith in dynasty leagues though as he had 450 carries last year at UCF and his body could start breaking down in a few years. But this year expect around 1300 total yards and 8 touchdowns.

3.Darren McFadden RB Raiders: I know people won't like that McFadden is this low on the list but until the Raiders show they have a passing game it will be hard for McFadden to run this year. You make an arguement saying the Vikings don't have a passing game either and how Adrian Peterson did but the Raiders don't have Bryant McKinnie and Steve Hutchinson on the offensive line. McFadden should make an impact right away though as early on he could be used as a decoy and start getting lots of carries around the middle of the season. To start the year off he would be a good option as a number three back. Expect around 1000 total yards and 7 touchdowns.

4.Matt Forte RB Bears: This is my sleeper of the group as even though Lovie Smith says the job is Cedric Benson's to lose, he hasn't done anything yet. Forte brings a bruising running style to the Bears and could be a very good option around the goal line. Forte could be a very good late round pick that could pay off in a big way. Expect around 900 total yards and 7 touchdowns.

5.James Hardy WR Bills: Hardy should start opposite Lee Evans right away for the Bills this year. Hardy needs to work on his route running but is a great red zone threat for the Bills and that is where he will make fantasy football owners love him. Expect around 700 yards and 8 touchdowns.

6.Malcolm Kelly WR Redskins: Kelly has a great chance of starting right away for the Redskins as he is a red zone threat that they didn't have last year. Kelly could have the most immediate impact out of all the rookie receivers and would be a good nunber four receiver until he proves himself. Expect around 800 yards and 5 touchdowns.

7.Felix Jones RB Cowboys: Jones should make a great tandem with Marion Barber as they compliment each others styles as running backs. Jones now brings an element to the Cowboys as he can score anytime he touches the ball. He might be best off trying to acquire on the waiver wire but that could be dangerous. If he has one big game, everyone will be rushing to get him. Expect around 700 total yards and 5 touchdowns.

8.Rashard Mendenhall RB Steelers: Many people would have expected to see Mendenhall higher on the list but with Willie Parker and the Steelers throwing the ball more, he won't get as many carries as people would think. Mendenhall should get around 100 to 150 carries so don't expect all world numbers. He is a great 1st round pick in a rookie league. Expect around 700 total yards and 4 touchdowns.

9.Mario Manningham WR Giants: Manningham could have an immediate impact on the Giants this year as a slot receiver but he should be starting in the next few years. Sinorice Moss hasn't done much yet so it's Manningham's job to lose. With teammates in Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress he won't have to worry about much pressure from defenses. He would be a very good 2nd round pick in rookie leagues. Expect around 600 yards and 3 touchdowns.

10.Steve Slaton RB Texans: This is my 2nd big sleeper as Slaton has a very good chance of getting immediate playing time for the Texans. Ahman Green is injury prone and didn't do much last year and Chris Brown is injury prone as well. Slaton could also make a big impact in the return game as well. Expect around 900 total yards and 3 touchdowns.

Possibilities for the Browns at cornerback

Training camp isn't even underway and the Browns already have a position that needs to be addressed. That position is cornerback. After trading Leigh Bodden away in the offseason, Browns fans knew it wouldn't be the strongest position but now Daven Holly a corner entering his 4th year who was supposed to compete for a starting job, is now out for the year with a severe left leg injury. This is coming a week after the Browns cut Kenny Wright who was arrested on drug charges earlier this offseason. The Browns signed Terry Cousin yesterday which is a good move as he brings leadership and experience. Cousin though will be used more as a nickel corner like he was for the Jaguars. Here are some of my thoughts of what I feel the Browns should do to try and address the cornerback position.


Try to trade for Lito Sheppard: Just writing this I can already picture all of the "Braylon Edwards to the Eagles" posts i'm going to be seeing in the next few weeks. That trade though has no chance of happening though as Edwards is already establishing himself as one of the best receivers in the game. If the Browns do try and trade for Sheppard the asking price could be too much. If the Browns part with any receiver it would most likely me a guy like a Travis Wilson who has good size but hasn't made the impact they expected yet. This could be out of the Browns price range but it is an option.


Try and sign Ty Law: This move makes the most sense to me as Law already has experience in Romeo Crennel's system as they were both with the Patriots for the three super bowl titles. Law would be a great veteran presence for Eric Wright as Wright showed glimpses of why he could be a special corner in the league last year as a rookie. Law can still play as he has been productive the past couple years but at 34 he is starting to slow down a bit. He could also be out of the Browns price range but would bring good value if the Browns could sign him to a one year contract.


Trade for Domonique Foxworth: This could be the best possible move for the Browns as it won't cost nearly as much as the others. Foxworth has shown that he could be a solid corner but with Champ Bailey and Dre Bly ahead of him he won't get much of a shot to start in Denver. The Browns might be able to get him cheaper since he is entering the last year of his contract. All this might cost the Browns is a second round draft pick.


So to me the best move would be to go after Foxworth as he is young, and for the money brings good value. But other then that going after Ty Law makes the most sense for the Browns.

5-22-08 Weekly Mailbag

Recently I have came up with a new idea for me to do on the blog. That is for a weekly mailbag. Just send me your NFL questions and I will answer them on the blog. To get your question answered, send it to askfbkid@yahoo.com and they will be featured in the weekly mailbag. Since this is the first mailbag their isn't many questions but as your questions come in the mailbag will only improve.


Clearly Jake Long did the right thing by returning for his senior season at Michigan. What do you see in store for Chad Henne and Mike Hart?
While you're thinking about the Maize and Blue, what's in store for Manningham and Arrington?
-Mark,FL


FB: I feel that Henne could end up being a very good starting quarterback in the league as he has a strong arm,leadership and experience in big games. Henne also has experience in a pro style offense. He might not play for the Dolphins this year though as right now it's John Beck's job to lose. Beck is the only guy left on the team who started for them last year and even though he isn't a Bill Parcells type of quarterback,they will still give him a very good look. Beck I think will start for the Dolphins this year but Henne is the guy for the future.

Hart has a very good chance of becoming one of the steals of the draft in Indianapolis. As I mentioned in my AFC Draft grades article Kenton Keith is replaceable and Hart is good enough to come in and get 5 to 10 carries a game.

Manningham though could be a absolute stud in New York. He is now going to the defending Super Bowl champs and will get taught the game by Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress who are both very good receivers. Manningham looked good in the first mini camp but he got hurt in the process so we will see what happens.

Arrington has the potential to be a very good player and could be another Marques Colston like find for the Saints in the 7th round. The only problem is the Saints are deep at receiver and character is a concern. The Saints haven't gotten anything out of last years first round pick at receiver Robert Meachem who didn't even step on an NFL field last year. At this point Arrington is more of a developmental project and should start off this year on the practice squad.


That is all for the first mailbag. Remember to send in your NFL questions to askfbkid@yahoo.com and they will be answered on the blog just like this one.

Fbkid's AFC South draft grades

It is the second installment of my draft grades and it is time to head to the AFC South. This could be the toughest division in all of football as 3 out of 4 teams made the playoffs. All of these teams have had success building through the draft so it should be tight race for who gets the best grade.


Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars needed to address the defensive line heading into the draft and they did a good job focusing on it during day one. The Jaguars traded up to number 8 and selected Derrick Harvey. Harvey is a good player who will really help out the Jags but they gave up a lot to take him. This could end up being one of the riskiest moves in the draft. Quentin Groves was a good pick in the second round as he has great pass rushing ability. Groves is a first round talent but teams were scared off by his reported heart problems. Thomas Williams was a good pick in the 5th round as he should bring depth at linebacker and will make an impact on special teams. Trae Williams was a good value in the 5th round as he brings depth at corner which you can't get enough of when you play against the AFC's elite in the Patriots and the Colts twice. Chauncey Washington was a value in the 7th round as he could become a good kick returner and maybe become a key player in a few years as Fred Taylor is almost done. Overall the Jaguars had a good draft but it will all depend on how Harvey does to see if he was worth trading up 18 spots in the draft.

Grade: B-


Tennessee Titans: The Titans had a very interesting draft as many people thought that they would address wide receiver needs in the first round. Instead they drafted Chris Johnson in the first round. Johnson brings lots of speed to the offense and should make a great 1-2 punch with LenDale White. Johnson will also use his 4.24 speed to help in the return game. Jason Jones is a project at defensive end but could become a good player if he has time to develop. The Titans best pick though was receiver Lavelle Hawkins in the 4th round. Hawkins doesn't have great timed speed but plays faster then he is timed. The Titans got some solid players in the draft but where they picked them is the problem.

Grade: C

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts didn't have a pick in the first round but they did a good job of taking players who fit the teams system. Mike Pollak was the first center off the board in round two but he is very athletic and will be the eventual replacement of Jeff Saturday. Philip Wheeler was a good pick in the 3rd round as he gives the Colts a blitzing linebacker that they need. Jacob Tamme was a great pick in the 4th round as he gives the Colts another threat at tight end and will eventually replace Dallas Clark. Marcus Howard was also a solid pick in the 5 round as he should contribute on special teams and add depth at the linebacker position. Mike Hart was a good sleeper pick in the 6th round as he could become a decent 3rd down back and with the issues involving Kenton Keith, Hart could make an impact right away. The Colts didn't have many picks but for the few they had they made the most of them.

Grade:B


Houston Texans: The Texans got caught in a middle of a run on offensive tackles and some would consider that they reached to address a need. Duane Brown is a very athletic tackle who has experience on the left and right side but where the Texans took him was the issue. With the right coaching Brown could be one of the better offensive tackles in this draft class. Antwuan Moldin was a good pick in the 3rd round. He is a bit raw and if the Texans give him a few years the pick will really pay off for them. Steve Slaton was a value pick in the 3rd round. Slaton could end up playing a big part in the Texans backfield this season considering that both Chris Brown and Ahman Green are injury prone. Xavier Adibi was a very good pick in the 4th round as he and DeMeco Ryans should be forces at the linebacker position for years to come. The real wildcard of the draft for the Texans is 5th round pick Frank Okam. Okam is a first round talent but he isn't always focusing on the game. So overall the Texans did a very good job of addressing team needs. If Okam pans out, this draft could be a very good one for the Texans.

Grade:B