16 May 2009

Top Five fantasy Football Rookies

Some exciting rookies were taken in the 209 NFL Draft and it seems every year a few of these rookies make an immediate splash in Fantasy Football. When you are putting together your fantasy Football Draft board in a few months, don't sleep on these rookies.

1. RB Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts
This kid has it all and will likely be remembered as one of the steals of the 2009 NFL Draft. He led the nation in rushing in 2008 with 2,083 yards. He has it all, speed (4.46), size (5' 11" 210 lbs), power, elusiveness and toughness. He will likely beat out Joseph Adai by mid season and just might end up as the offensive rookie of the year. Mel Kiper called him an "athletically gifted workhorse".

2. WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
If he stays out of trouble, stays healthy and dedicates himself to football the skies the limit for Harvin. He brings a lot to the table in fantasy football because he can get you points in so many different ways: rushing, catching the football and also in the return game. With the ball in is hands he was the most explosive, dangerous offensive player in the 2009 NFL Draft. Harvin and RB Adrian Peterson should make a devastating one-two punch for the Vikings.

3. RB LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles got lucky to get McCoy (5' 11" 205 lbs) where they got him in the 2009 NFL Draft. Not only was he a great value, but he fills a huge need and should get a bunch of carries from day one as long as he stays healthy though training camp. The Eagles, unlike the Cowboys, have not neglected their offensive line and I expect them to run the ball a little more in the future. The Eagles might be the most improved team in the NFC East, offensively at least.

4. WR Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
Hicks (6' 1" 217 lbs) is another talented player that got lucky to be drafted by a very good football team. With Plaxico Burris off the team, the door is wide open for the young Nicks to emerge as the go to receiver. Fast, strong and hands of glue, Nicks can be that possession receiver that Eli Manning has never really had. Not a game breaker or a deep threat, but he has Michael irvin explosiveness, strength and competitiveness.

5. WR Patrick Turner, Miami Dolphins
It looks like the Miami Dolphins and NFL Draft Dog were the only organizations that had Turner rated as a third round talent. I had him rated that high in my 2009 NFL Draft value Board. Time will tell if he ends up as a good player, but I think he will. I fell in love with Turner at the 2009 Senior Bowl, he looked like the best receiver on the field. He ends up in an ideal spot, the Dolphins need a receiver and Turner has the size and ability to see the field as a rookie. Not blazing fast, but he runs great routes and has great hands. At 6' 5" 221 pounds, Turner can be Bill Parcells' next Keshawn Johnson.

Honorable mention:

TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
A boom or bust prospect and not much of a blocker, but if he can regain the form that he displayed as a junior, he could be a dangerous H-Back type target for the Giants. He broke his leg early in his senior year, so his stock dropped in the 2009 NFL Draft, but before he broke his leg he was the best pass catching tight end in college football. As a junior he led the nations' tight ends with 982 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. The Giants kind of have an opening there and Beckum could find a place in the NFL simialr to how the Cowboys used TE Jay Novacek in their 1980's Super Bowl years.

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