2009 Offensive Fantasy Football Rookies to Watch

Now that the NFL draft has taken place, here are my picks for impact rookies (rookies who could make an impact this year) and productive rookies (rookies who I think could be productive, but not necessarily make an impact).  I am only listing offensive players.  Now, I don’t think there are any real “studs” like Matt Forte or Chris Johnson from last year, but in my opinion, the impact rookies should be picked somewhere in your draft and the productive rookies are someone you may want to take a late flier on in your draft or just keep an eye on to possibly claim off of your waiver wires if my predictions are accurate. 

IMPACT ROOKIES

KNOWSHON MORENO – RB, BRONCOS (word is that the starting job is his to lose.  However keep in mind that the Broncos have more RB’s than they have playing time for with Correll Buckhalter, Lamont Jordan, J.J. Arrington and still have Selvin Young and  Andre Hall)

KENNY BRITT – WR, TITANS (This waill still be a run-first team, but Kerry Collins really doesn’t have many options to throw to and Britt is a big receiver who should see time right away)

DONALD BROWN – RB, COLTS (Bill Polian has already said that he expects RB duties to be split close to 50-50 between Brown and Addai)

BEANIE WELLS – RB, CARDINALS (With Edgerrin James and J.J. Arrington gone, I believe he very well could start the season as the starter and Tim Hightower will return to being the short yardage and goal line back)

MICHAEL CRABTREE – WR, 49′ERS (This will be based on him returning 100% from his injury, but if he’s healthy, not only will he start but I believe he will be the #1 option. With his talent and potential, he was a steal at the 10th pick)

BRANDON PETTIGREW – TE, LIONS (Whether Stafford starts or not, I believe he will be the security blanket in the short passing game.  This team always plays from behind so I believe that he will see a lot of throws in the passing game) 

PERCY HARVIN – WR, VIKINGS (This guy is too much of an impact player not to be very involved in the offense with a lot of touches)

DARIUS HEYWARD-BEY – WR, Raiders (Al Davis didn’t take him with the 7th pick to sit him on the bench.  They have no other talent to go deep and I believe Jamarcus Russell will be throwing a lot in this offense)

PRODUCTIVE ROOKIES

MATTHEW STAFFORD – QB, LIONS (If he starts, he moves up to the top of my “impact rookies” list.  This team will throw a lot and Stafford has a very accurate arm and a good deep ball.  He also has one of the best wide receivers in the league in Calvin Johnson to throw to)

PAT WHITE – RB / WR/ QB, DOLPHINS (I believe White will be involved in a slash-type capacity in this offense and will see touches in the “wildcat” formation)

MARK SANCHEZ – QB, JETS (Word is that Clemens is going to start and Sanchez will sit back and learn.  However, if Clemens gets injured or plays bad, you may see Sanchez earlier than expected)

HAKEEM NICKS – WR, GIANTS (I believe that he will see some touches even though this is a run-first offense.  However, he will probably be the #3 receiver behind Steve Smith & Domenik Hixon)

LESEAN McCOY – RB, EAGLES (Westbrook’s no spring chicken, he seems to be injured at some point every year and I believe his workload will be reduced to keep him healthy.  This could give McCoy a chance for a lot of touches, especially if he can catch balls out of the backfield like Westbrook.  However, this is still a pass happy offense and unless Westbrook does get injured, his touches could be limited)