SB Nation User Blog: NYCowboy

Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

NYCowboy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:14:55 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

The Fantasy Sports Forum grades the top rookie wide receivers from 2008, with the round and overall position on where they were drafted. Each player received a grade based on their fantasy impact. The players are listed in the order of where they were picked in the NFL Draft.

Dexter Jackson, Buccaneers: 2/58
He did not record a stat in the seven games which he put on a uniform. He's still buried at the bottom of the depth chart going into next season.
Grade: F

Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

NYCowboy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:10:11 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

Harry Douglas, Falcons: 3/84
Showed some nice potential in two games this season. In week six against Chicago, Douglas caught five balls for 96 yards and in week 11 against Carolina, he had four receptions for 92 yards. For the season, the speedy rookie tallied 320 yards and two TDs (one rushing). Has the potential to be a solid number three option for Atlanta.
Grade: C+

Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

NYCowboy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:37:45 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

DeSean Jackson, Eagles: 2/49
Jackson caught the attention of the national audience in an early season game when he threw away the ball before entering the end zone in one of the stupidest acts of 2008 However, his talent as a game-breaker with his blazing speed is undeniable. Due to injuries to the Eagles front line receivers, Jackson ended up starting all but one game. He produced with 946 receiving yards on 63 receptions. Solid numbers, but he only reached the end zone three times (two receiving, one rushing)
Grade: B+

Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

NYCowboy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:32:56 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

Eddie Royal, Broncos: 2/42
An impressive training camp thrust Royal into a starting role from the first week. He played in 15 games and quickly showed that he is the real deal (how about a Royal Flush?) catching 91 balls for 980 yards and five TDs. He was a great late round value and/or early season free agent pick-up.
Grade: A

Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

NYCowboy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:27:30 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

Jordy Nelson, Packers: 2/36
It’s tough to make an impact with Greg Jennings and Donald Driver entrenched as starters, but Nelson consistently caught 2-3 balls per week and finished with 366 yards on 33 catches and 2 TDs. Will continue to be featured in the three and four receiver sets, which Green Bay frequently uses.
Grade: B-

Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

NYCowboy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:23:24 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

Devin Thomas, Redskins: 2/34
A non-factor all season with just 15 receptions for 120 yards and no receiving TDs (1 rushing TD). He cracked the starting lineup just once, but is a prospect that could develop with more opportunities.
Grade: D

Malcolm Kelly, Redskins: 2/51
Right now, this pick looks like a bust for the Skins as Kelly got into only five games and caught just three balls for 18 yards.
Grade: D-

Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

NYCowboy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:16:16 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

The Fantasy Sports Forum grades the top wide receivers from 2008, with the round and overall position on where they were drafted. Each player received a grade based on their fantasy impact. The players are listed in the order of where they were picked in the NFL Draft.

Donnie Avery, Rams: 2nd round/33rd overall
Avery started 12 games but had a very inconsistent rookie year. He hauled in 54 balls and totaled 684 yards with 3 receiving TDs (and one rushing TD). Not great, but not bad either. Showed flashes of someone who can have a bigger impact in year two.
Grade: B

Rating the Rookie Running Backs of 2008

NYCowboy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:37:55 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other when it came to projecting which running backs would be the next big star.
Below are the top running backs drafted in 2008, with the round and overall position on where they were drafted. We rate each player with a grade based on their fantasy impact. The players are listed in the order of where they were picked in the NFL Draft.

Darren McFadden, Raiders: Drafted 1st round/4th overall
Whether it was a lingering toe injury or the dysfunctional Raiders offense, McFadden could never get on track and his first season was pretty much a disaster for him and anyone who drafted him expecting to get the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson, not the Bears’ Adrian Peterson. If you’re in a keeper league, he’ll have some carryover value. If not, then this pick was a bust considering that he was drafted fairly high in most leagues.
Grade: D

Jonathan Stewart, Panthers: 1/13
He formed a dangerous duo with backfield mate DeAngelo Williams, rushing for 10 TDs and 835 yards. He showed that he will be a legit running back with a nose for the end zone for many years to come.
Grade: A

Felix Jones, Cowboys: 1/22
Despite having Marion Barber in front of him and getting the vast majority of touches, Jones displayed electrifying speed and game breaking ability. Unfortunately, his season was snuffed out with a hamstring and toe injuries after just six games. His 8.9 yard per carry average and 3 TDs gave fantasy owners a glimpse at his talent. His grade would have been higher if he had played more.
Grade: B-

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: 1/23
Taken by Pittsburgh right after Jones, Mendenhall was believed to at least be the short yardage specialist and vulture some touchdowns from Willie Parker. He didn’t even get a chance to do that as he was placed on IR after four games and just 58 rushing yards.
Grade: Incomplete

Read the rest of the Rookie Running Back grades here: http://thefantasysportsforum.com/article.php?ID=506

Rating the Rookie Running Backs of 2008

NYCowboy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:34:16 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other when it came to projecting which running backs would be the next big star.
Below are the top running backs drafted in 2008, with the round and overall position on where they were drafted. We rate each player with a grade based on their fantasy impact. The players are listed in the order of where they were picked in the NFL Draft.

Read the rest of the Rookie Running Back grades here: http://thefantasysportsforum.com/article.php?ID=506

Rating the Rookie Running Backs of 2008

NYCowboy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:31:32 -0000

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other when it came to projecting which running backs would be the next big star.
Below are the top running backs drafted in 2008, with the round and overall position on where they were drafted. We rate each player with a grade based on their fantasy impact. The players are listed in the order of where they were picked in the NFL Draft.

Read the rest of the Rookie Running Back grades here: http://thefantasysportsforum.com/article.php?ID=506