10 Rookies To Keep A Fantasy Eye On

Rated Rookies: Evaluating the Fresh Faces

At the NFL draft on April 28, players, coaches, and most importantly fans were finally able to set aside the constant labor talks and focus on something positive. The Draft gave us something to look forward to. It was a small taste, an appetizer if you will, to a fresh start. When new faces come onto the scene, it reminds us how special the game of football is and how much we need it. Again, it's a fresh start. A brand new season for your team, your hometown, and of course your fantasy football league.

Every year, rookies are the biggest question marks in fantasy football. They are annually the riskiest pick you can make, simply because of the unknown. Despite the huge risk, some have proved to be legit: Randy Moss in '98, Edgerrin James a year later. How about Adrian Peterson? But others, most recently Ryan Mathews and C.J. Spiller, have made you rethink why you even participate. Are you prepared to spend a top 5 pick on the unknown? Do you have what it takes to pull the trigger on the young stud that tore up the college ranks?

Here is a fresh look at the top ten rookies to keep an eye on in 2011 and how they will stack up against the rest of the field. Who will live up to the hype?

1. Mark Ingram, RB, NO

The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner heads the rather thin running back class. We've all seen him on the big stage at Alabama and know what he is capable of. More interesting though is the offense in which he will be running. The Saints have a chip on their shoulder after they were bounced by the Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs and they are eager to get back to the show. Ingram gives them everything they lacked. Yes, they resigned Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush is still around…for now. Then there is the youngster Chris Ivory who showed flashes of brilliance. However, are any of these guys really going to carry the load?

Even if Ingram is stuck in a time share, he has the ability to take over the bulk of the carries especially at the goal line. Like a young Emmitt Smith he is tough between the tackles and has a surprising burst of speed when the pads are on. Paired with an electrifying offense, Ingram has the best shot to make some noise in this year's rookie class.

2. Julio Jones, WR, ATL

Hands down my favorite player in this year's draft. Julio Jones is a beast of an athlete, a physical specimen who looks like he came straight out of Avatar. Anybody running a 4.39 40 with a bum foot is a freak. Now I realize there might be some question marks there. He couldn't stay healthy in college, some question his hands. He's also a part of an established offense with a stud wideout in Roddy White, a Hall of Fame tight end in Tony Gonzalez, and Michael "The Burner" Turner who sees 25 carries a game.

However, Julio Jones hasn't even tapped into his full freakishness. In fact, being around guys that have done it at a high level is only going to help. There's no question Roddy White is the number one wideout in this offense, but as balanced as the Falcons are, Jones has the ability to step right in and make an impact. He's not a guy you're going to draft early, but he will surprise more than you think.

3. Daniel Thomas, RB, MIA

Early on, it looks like the best situation on paper. Quite frankly it probably is. The Dolphins look to be done with both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown and come early fall, Thomas could very well be the number one back in the Dolphins back field. Being from Kansas myself, I've watched Thomas play several games in a Wildcat uni. Of course I am a natural born Jayhawk, but that's neither here nor there. Thomas is legit.

Daniel Thomas has what it takes to make an impact right away. He draws comparisons to Eddie George, a tailback with a big body and full skillset. At 23 years old he will be thrown into the fire and if he can handle it, we might be watching Daniel Thomas highlights on Sundays for years to come. Be cautious however, he will be the bait that gets hyped up into the early rounds and you will have to decide whether or not he is worth it.

4. A.J. Green, WR, CIN

Personally, I've never been a big time A.J. Green guy. I'm not even sure why, but I just haven't. The guy is a prototypical receiver who could be a Hall of Famer some day. He has all the tools to be great and he too is in a situation to be the guy right away. Terrell Owens is out and by the looks of what Ochocinco is tweeting, it doesn't look like he is going to be around either. Not to mention, their QB refuses to come back.

There are some questions here. If Carson was throwing him the ball he might be number one on this list, but we all know how frustrating an unproven quarterback can be. I'm not drafting A.J. Green, but if he is sitting around late, he might be worth a shot. Don't let the sexy pick fool you though.

5. Jonathan Baldwin, WR, KC

Some might say this is a homer pick (I hail from the KC area), but Baldwin will surprise you. He is the definition of a 'diva' receiver. Massive skills, massive frame, massive attitude. However, Todd Haley is building a track record of handling these types of guys and with a promising young team in the Chiefs, Baldwin could fit right in, right away. There's no question Dwayne Bowe is the number one and Jamal Charles will gets his, but the way the Chiefs offense is split there will be opportunities for Baldwin to show why the Chiefs took him at 26. Comparable to Plaxico Burress, keep an eye on his progression.

6. Greg Little, WR, CLE

Surprised? At 6-4 220, Little is another freakish athlete very similar to Jonathan Baldwin. He too comes with some attitude out of North Carolina, but he too is a dynamic pass-catching wideout who will see time right away. If Colt McCoy makes the necessary improvements, Little will be a nice little surprise. This could be an interesting late-rounder sleeper right here.

7. Michael Leshoure, RB, DET

Young, raw, and thick are the words to describe Leshoure. Coming from a athletically talented Illini squad that produced Tampa Bay wideout Mike Williams last year, Leshoure's best has yet to come. With Jahvid Best being more of an outside runner, Leshoure is a good compliment here in an offense that could breakout in 2011.

8. Cam Newton, QB, CAR

There's not a lot to dislike about Cam Newton, unless you root for the Crimson Tide. Of course the QB position is the toughest transition from college to pro and he's not a guy you are going to count on for fantasy points, but with his ability to extend plays he will be better than some think. Killa Cam is a rare combination of size and speed for the quarterback position and I wouldn't be surprised if he lives up to the hype. Could be a spot start here and there in 2011, I'm serious.

9. Roy Helu, RB, WAS

He's not a guy you draft. In fact, this draft class doesn't have a lot of guys you should actually draft, but Roy Helu could make some noise in DC. We all know how Mike Shanahan likes to mix it up so Helu is in a good position here.

10. Ryan Williams, RB, ARZ

With Virginia Tech being on ESPN what seemed like every Thursday night, Ryan Williams is no secret to the national spotlight. A talented runner who is fun to watch might be the best of the Cardinals backs. It's a team you will be better off staying away from, but keep an eye on Ryan Williams.

Others to Watch:

• Leonard Hankerson, WR, WAS - Big size, big hands, could make a big impact.
• Blaine Gabbert, QB, JAX - Garrard is there for now, but Gabbert ain't bad.
• DeMarco Murray, RB, DAL - Lost in the shuffle. Chance he sees the field in Big D.
• D.J. Williams, TE, GB - Getting deep here, but what if Finley goes down again?
• Taiwan Jones, RB, OAK - Fastest player in draft, a name to remember.