Rating the Rookies

By Week 4, most players’ roles have been defined. Most specifically, at this point you have a pretty good idea of whether or not that rookie you drafted is going to have an impact on your fantasy team. This week, we analyze which rookies will contend for class president and which will put on the freshman 15.

Joe Flacco (QB - BAL) & Matt Ryan (QB - ATL) If you’re starting either of these guys in a 1 QB league, you should probably just stop reading this right now. Your season’s over, chump.

Darren McFadden (RB - OAK) The stud of the rookie class has gotten off to a rocky start. Despite his raw athleticism, he’s been hampered by a foot injury and the fact that he plays for the Raiders. D-Mac still might give you a few AD-style games, but you’ll get some rough ones in there, too, especially considering that he’s not guaranteed all the carries.

Chris Johnson (RB - TEN) Yes, I was down on Chris Johnson before the season. I didn’t realize he’d be in a 50-50 split with LenDale White and that VY wouldn’t be under center. Still, don’t overvalue this guy. His talent cries out to you, but not getting goal line carries makes him an uneven player. The Titans schedule gets tougher as the year goes on, and Johnson will see fewer carries when the team falls behind. But because he plays on passing downs, he’ll still be a productive RB2 or flex option.

Matt Forte (RB - CHI) I love me some All-Day Fo’ Tay. So far this season, Forte’s been bringing more heat than Megan Fox when she bent over that sports car in Transformers. He doesn’t have to worry about losing carries, and the Bears defense always keeps them in the game. Add in his ability to play on passing downs and he’s sitting pretty. Also, Rox Hoover thinks he has nice eyes.

Kevin Smith (RB - DET) It’s time for Silent Bob to speak up. Things are looking scary in Detroit these days: with no word yet on what happened with him this weekend in San Francisco, it’s time to put Smith on the bench. It’s never a good sign for the starter when the team brings in a former elite RB to back him up. I mean, you’d only dial a booty call if your girlfriend uses too much teeth. Think about it!

Felix Jones (RB - DAL) On another team, he’d be a stronger buy than DZZ back in August. For right now, though, the shifty Jones won’t be stealing too much thunder from the monster known as MBIII. Barber owners might be well advised to snatch up King Felix as insurance in a trade. Barring an injury to Barber, though, Felix remains a two-face – be careful which light he’s under when you decide whether or not to make him a flex play.

Rashard Mendenhall (RB - PIT) Deemed “Rashard Garbagehall” by Torry Hallelujah, this rookie RB will get a chance to show what he can do this week with Willie Parker out with an injury. If Parker ends up missing significant time, Mendenhall’s a must own. The matchup with the Ravens on Monday night won’t help his numbers, so it’s a buy-and-stash proposition until further notice.

DeSean Jackson (WR - PHI) Hold on to that football, son! What we saw in Week 2 at the goal line was inexcusable, but it’s tough to argue with his production otherwise. Even after his subpar week, our opinion on Jackson holds strong.

Eddie Royal (WR - DEN) Look, he only lit up the Raiders in Week 1 because Marshall wasn’t in the lineup. Since Marshall’s return, Royal only has a late TD and 2-point conversion to his name. While he’s a nice bench guy, he can’t be relied on to start.

(All other rookie WRs) There’s a reason rookie receivers don’t pull a Hurricane Ike and wreak havoc on The Lig. Stick to second and third-year guys – they’ve got a better combination of experience and upside.

John Carlson (TE - SEA) The receivers around him are limited. While you shouldn’t expect Carlson to give you starter-type numbers on a consistent basis, he’s got the faith of his QB and should be able to help you out here and there.