Fantasy: Rookies who could make big splashes

By Dan Davis  |   Tuesday, August 05, 2008  |  Comments( 8 )

Fantasy Football
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A look at three rookies with the potential to put up points for your fantasy team.

- Matt Forte, running back, Chicago Bears:

If the Bears' offense is going to have any success this season, the team must return to the power running attack that propelled it during its NFC title-winning 2006 campaign. Thomas Jones’ 1,210-yard season helped overcome the obvious deficiencies in Chicago's passing game back then, and the Bears must once again rely on a similar offensive tactic this year. Although the Bears signed free agent Kevin Jones earlier this summer, it's hard to place stock in a back whose production has dwindled every year since his rookie season.

As for Forte, he's a big-bodied (6-foot-2, 216 pounds) rookie out of Tulane with solid speed (4.45). In his senior season with the Green Wave, the second-round pick posted 23 touchdowns and racked up over 2,400 all-purpose yards. If the Bears can find any sort of consistency along the offensive line, Forte should be a solid fantasy option as at least a third back.

- Joe Flacco, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens:

Conventional wisdom tells fantasy owners to stay away from rookie quarterbacks, and there is certainly a lot of validity to that thought. However, the situation in Baltimore could be a decent one for Flacco to enter into. The first-rounder out of Delaware is a big, strong-armed QB with a mind for the game, and he could seemingly deliver big plays for the Ravens’ offense. Although head coach John Harbaugh will likely bring Flacco along slowly, the Ravens’ offense will be driven by their Ray Rice- and Willis McGahee-led running game -- which will aid Flacco in his development. Granted, the retirement of future Hall of Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden is a huge blow to Baltimore's offense, but the team's hoping Adam Terry succeeds him well and helps take pressure off Flacco. On the outside, wide receivers Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton should make plays after the catch, and terrific tight end Todd Heap will be a safety net to bail Flacco out when in need.

- James Hardy, wide receiver Buffalo Bills:

Hardy is a tall (6-6), athletic target with solid speed who will provide an immediate upgrade to Josh Reed on the outside for the Bills. Proven veteran Lee Evans will be the deep threat in the Bills’ offense, while Hardy should serve as an exceptional red-zone target with the size to be a difficult matchup for any corner and the speed to cause linebackers difficulty. The second-round pick -- an ex-Indiana football star and basketball player -- may not post monster yardage totals, but look for him to collect more than a handful of touchdowns.

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About Dan Davis

I'm a 23 year professional camel trainer, well exercised in the disciplines of pass rushing and mass texting. I'm an avid fan NAIA Men's Lacrosse, and I regularly paratroop on the weekend. Any questions feel free to ask.
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