Good Bets to Play
Following are rookies who are likely starters or key contributors to their team's success this season.
Knowshon Moreno (RB), Denver Broncos — Once his knee is 100%, it will only be a matter of time until he is the number one back in Denver. Even if he starts the season as the backup, he is worth sticking on your bench as he should be getting the bulk of the carries by the end of the year.
Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB), Arizona Cardinals — Wells is expected to be the starting running back when camp breaks and at the very least, will be the backup and see his share of carries this year.
Percy Harvin (ATH), Minnesota Vikings — If Harvin gets healthy, he is expected to be a key contributer for the Vikings lining up as a back and a wideout.
Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR), Oakland Raiders — Is expected to start for the Raiders this season.
Kenny Britt (WR), Tennessee Titans — The Titans took Britt number one for a reason and leads the team in receiving yards after two preseason games. He is a safe bet to land in the top three on the Titans' depth chart when camp breaks.
Donald Brown (RB), Indianapolis Colts — Do not be surprised if he ends up starting for the Colts this year. They took him in the first round for a reason. Even if he does not start, Joseph Addai seems to be more productive when sharing the workload with another back, so, at the very least Brown should see 150 to 200 carries this year.
Michael Crabtree (WR), San Francisco 49ers — If and when he signs, Crabtree becomes the Niners' top receiving talent.
Mark Sanchez (QB), New York Jets — Even though he has not been named the starter, it is believed to be just a matter of time until he is. He is at least worth a pick in a keeper league.
Hakeem Nicks (WR), New York Giants — Nicks is a good bet to be a starter when the season begins and at worst, the third receiver.
Brandon Pettigrew (TE), Detroit Lions — Pettigrew is a good bet to be the starting tight end this season.
Shawn Nelson (TE), Buffalo Bills — The Bills have been in need of a difference-making tight end in the passing game for several years now and Nelson potentially fits the bill for the Bills. It is likely just a matter of time until he cracks the starting lineup for the Bills.
Chase Coffman (TE), Cincinnati Bengals — With the veteran tight ends dropping like flies in Cincy, Coffman is getting a chance to play with the first team offense in camp and has been getting generally good reviews on how well he is adapting to the Bengals' offense.
Shonn Greene (RB), New York Jets — Some think he has a real shot to win the backup job behind Thomas Jones. He is considered the heir apparent to Jones and would be a good pick in a keeper league.
Pat White (QB/ATH), Miami Dolphins — At the very least, White is going to see action as the Dolphins' "Wildcat" quarterback so he should have the potential to give fantasy teams a handful of passing and/or rushing touchdowns.
Brian Robiskie/Mohamed Massaquoi (WR), Cleveland Browns — Keep an eye on these two this summer. There is a strong possibility one of them ends up starting opposite Braylon Edwards and the other being the third receiver in Cleveland this season.
LeSean McCoy (RB), Philadelphia Eagles — McCoy is not going to start but should see 8 to 10 touches a game as Westbrook's backup. If you take Westbrook in your fantasy draft, then it would be worth it to take a flyer on McCoy in the later rounds. If Westbrook goes down, McCoy will get his carries.
Keep an Eye On
Matthew Stafford (QB), Detroit Lions — Head coach Jim Schwartz has yet to officially name a starter for the opener. There are those who believe it is Daunte Culpepper's to lose for the time being.
Josh Freeman (QB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Has a shot at being the starter, but Freeman is considered a bit of a project player and most reports have Leftwich being the favorite to open the season as the Bucs' starting quarterback.
Jared Cook (TE), Tennessee Titans — Was not expected to be a key player for the Titans with the presence of Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife, but he leads the Titans in catches and ranks second in yards after two preseason games.
Derrick Williams (WR), Detroit Lions — With Bryant Johnson missing all of camp thus far, Williams has a real shot to win a starting job and at the very least, is a contender to be the third wideout.
James Davis (RB), Cleveland Browns — Davis had a rather underwhelming college career in Clemson, but he has speed to burn and has a bigger frame than Jerome Harrison does. With Jamal Lewis looking more like the Jamal Lewis of 2005-06 last season, Eric Mangini may not wait terribly long to get some younger, fresher legs in there to carry the rock.
Louis Murphy (WR), Oakland Raiders — Could end up as a starter or the No. 3 receiver.
Ramses Barden (WR), New York Giants — Will get a chance to be the No. 3 guy and with his height should see a lot of balls thrown his way in the red zone offense.
Jeremy Maclin (WR), Philadelphia Eagles — Maclin is not likely to start unless Kevin Curtis or DeSean Jackson come down with an injury, but he is likely going to be the Eagles' third receiver and primary return man.
Mike Thomas/Jarrett Dillard/Tiquan Underwood (WR), Jacksonville Jaguars — With Torry Holt being the only established wideout on the roster heading into camp, this trio of rookies should get a chance to compete for the second and third receiver spots.
Rashad Jennings (RB), Jacksonville Jaguars — Could get a chance to compete for the backup spot behind Maurice Jones-Drew and could also see carries as a short-yardage back.
Kenny McKinley (WR), Denver Broncos — With Brandon Marshall moaning and complaining about being traded again, McKinley could get an opportunity to slip into the top three of the Broncos' depth chart at receiver after his performance in their preseason opener.
Austin Collie (WR), Indianapolis Colts — With Anthony Gonzalez likely taking Marvin Harrison's spot opposite Reggie Wayne, the No. 3 receiver spot is up for grabs in Indy. He could grab the spot, so keep an eye on him this summer.
Deon Butler (WR), Seattle Seahawks — Has a real shot at being the Seahawks' third receiver when the season opens.
Brian Hartline/Patrick Turner (WR), Miami Dolphins — Without any real stand-outs at the receiver position in Miami, Turner and Hartline could get the opportunity to claim one of the top three spots in the receiving corps.
Juaquin Iglesias/Derek Kinder/Johnny Knox (WR), Chicago Bears — Without any proven entities at receiver going into camp, these three rookies should get a shot at significant playing time.
Keeper League Players
These are guys who could contribute, but are likely to be backups this year and are worth picking up for a keeper league as they should be starters in another year or so.
Brandon Tate (WR), New England Patriots — If you get the chance in later rounds, take a flyer on Tate if you are playing in a keeper league. Once he gets healthy, he could contribute on special teams and give the Pats another big play weapon at receiver.
Javon Ringer (RB), Tennessee Titans — With LenDale White in a contract year, Ringer could be his heir apparent.
This story was re-published with permission from PopPickle.
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