Ranking the Rookie Runners: The Finish Line and Looking Ahead

Let's face it, this year was all about the Rookie RB when talking about fantasy football. Depending on the scoring system for your league, three rookies most likely finished in the Top 10 RB producers. This made for arguably the single greatest rookie RB class in recent memory, not only from a realistic perspective, but also for fantasy purposes.

Is this the new trend and will we lust over the rookie class next season as we prepare for our drafts? Well, let's not jump the gun just yet. However, what we can depend on will be the spiked draft day values of the returning sophomore class. Many of these talents have already become mainstays on the fantasy football horizon.

And so today, we take a quick look back at the season that was, but more importantly gage the values of this heralded class moving forward. Follow along and in order...
Chris Johnson: Say hello to the star. Dude is ready to break away from the pack. He's got stardom waiting around the corner and many would argue that had he been on the field the entire game against Baltimore this past weekend, the Titans would be playing for the AFC Championship. Well, looking forward it's hard to find a more lucrative player at his position. He reeks of upside and we've seen the potential come to fruition. Dominance for years to come is on the radar and LenDale White is in the rear view...eating a pizza.

Matt Forte: Forte put up a monster season and at times (well most of the time) carried an otherwise lackluster Bears offense. He was leaned heavily upon and produced instant star fantasy RB caliber statistics. He's certainly arrived in fantasy football terms and he's going to be in it for the long haul. Look for Forte to draw considerable less hype than somebody like Chris Johnson, but he'll be equal in reliability.

Kevin Smith: One would have to believe that Rudi Johnson is no longer in the picture. Smith gave a late surge down the stretch to topple 1,000 total yards to go along with 8 TD's. Aside from Calvin Johnson, he's the only real glimmer of hope the Lions organization can hang onto. Already expectations are on the rise for K-Smith heading into next season. His fantasy value will no doubt spike to new heights with realistic goals of 1,200 total yards and double digit TD's. Look for him to build upon his hot close to '08 and be a commodity come fantasy draft time next season.

Steve Slaton: The keys to the Ferrari are all his. OK, so maybe the Houston offense isn't quite that extravagant, but it's still a young creative offense with several budding stars. And the ground attack belongs solely to Slaton after he brushed aside would be competition (um, and Ahman Green's knee) to become the full time feature. He most likely helped many in their push to the playoffs and beyond. Is he first round material next season? No, but he's certainly not the second coming of Dominick Davis. If he's on the board in Round 3...I'd consider that a steal.

Felix Jones: Something just tells me that Marion Barber's audition as the full-time RB in Dallas didn't go as planned. Barber struggled to stay healthy down the stretch and couldn't fully be trusted. When healthy, we saw the burst and game-changing ability of Felix Jones. Does it come as a surprise that the Cowboys ship began to sink when Jones and slew of other injuries hit the team? He's going to be thrust into more looks n' touches next season and if he can stay healthy, he'll be a fantasy star.

Darren McFadden: I'd love to say that McFadden is going to evolve into the next Priest Holmes/LT/AP that we've all anointed him to be. However, let's face the reality of the fact that his team stinks and he's still gonna split carries with either Michael Bush or Justin Fargas. I'm with everyone else that the Raiders should've just gone at the final month of the season with simply McFadden to see what they had. And I'm with everyone that he can and should be a star. Yet, as it stands right now...I think his stock should be tempered heading into next year's draft.

Jonathan Stewart: Don't sleep on J-Stew. While everyone will be slurping the DeAngelo Williams kool-aid, I just don't see a repeat of last season. No, I'm not saying Stewart will overtake D-Will for the starting gig. Rather, I just don't think D-Will is gonna erupt again as he did and thus, there will more of a timeshare. And to that notion, J-Stew wasn't all that bad with the touches he got this past season. He'll be overlooked, but he's a smart investment for those who can afford to be patient.

Ray Rice: The "little engine that could" should get more chances to shine next season. He's still somehow gotta supplant Willis McGahee and/or LeRon McClain, but when given the chance this past year he delivered. He's still certifiable via the "sleeper tag" for next season. However, don't be surprised if he pulls a late season surge for some lucky owner who takes the late round flier. Think Pierre Thomas circa 2008. Is that too lofty?

Rashard Mendenhall: Injuries derailed his debut season in Pittsburgh. And judging by the way Willie Parker's season was going (prior to the playoffs), Rashard was looking at a ripe opportunity to be the man heading into next season. Well, he may very well still get that chance. In the least, he'll see plenty of work in the red-zone, which we all love to hear in fantasy football.

Tim Hightower: Will he or won't he be the man? Best guess is that Edgerrin James is on his way out of town. However, does that mean that Hightower has what it take to be the full-time featured RB? Um, his porous yards per carry average would suggest otherwise. However, his nose for the end-zone speaks to ears of fantasy footballers everywhere. He's not a bad option as a Flex or reserve RB...right now.