Ranking the Rookie Runners

"Set the gearshift for the high gears of your soul...you've gotta run like an Antelope out of control."

Ah yes, the year of the Rookie RB is upon us in Fantasy Football. There have been many a great year in the past, but certainly not a talent pool so potent and so deep as this year's class. There are more than a handful of solid rookie RB options this season and any one of them could very well help you win your league. It's no surprise that most of these guys weren't flying under any radar this pre-season.

However, many of them could be found on the cheap or at a bargain rate in the 4th round or later of most Fantasy Drafts. And most of them appear to be off to a solid, perhaps steady start. Well, not many Darren McFadden owners are nodding their heads in agreement...just yet. That's hard to figure, considering he was the most coveted prize from the crop. Need I remind everyone...it's still very, very early?

Anyhow, after one week in the books it's time to gage the old value meter and track the progress of each back. We'll be taking the temperature of each RB as the season winds along. Of course, let's not get too excited and rush to judgment, because it is only one week, but for now here's how they stand.

1. Matt Forte - Bears: No real shock here. Forte abused the Colts in prime-time for 123 yards and a TD. He left a lot of folks not kin to Fantasy Football saying "who was that man and what have you done with Cedric Benson?" He heads to Carolina this week where he should see a little more resistance than the Swiss cheese the Colts threw at him.

2. Chris Johnson - Titans: The "dream" sleeper came to fruition right out of the gate. Fantasy pundits everywhere are dishing out "self high-fives" to themselves this week, as if they were the only ones that pegged Johnson to be something special. He dazzled a solid Jacksonville defense, while LenDale White was at the concession stand. And next up he gets to run his luck against a marshmallow like Bengals defense this week. Have to wonder if he'll rise in the rankings after Sunday? Hmm.

3. Felix Jones - Cowboys: First carry, 11 yards...TOUCHDOWN!!! He certainly couldn't have drawn up his first action any better. The Browns were worn and battered from Marion Barber and the Cowboys handed the keys over to their prized rookie. With Barber slightly ailing, Jones could be in line for some additional duty. However, that's coming against the Eagles in prime-time.

4. Kevin Smith - Lions: Well, it's hard to get excited about any Lions RB. He didn't exactly set the world on fire, sputtering out a meager 48 yards on 16 carries. Although, he did manage to add his first TD to his resume. And the Lions did appear to stubbornly continue to run the ball as promised, even though they were getting hammered. How long until that plan dissolves and how long until Rudi Johnson vultures his way for a fair share of the load?

5. Jonathan Stewart - Panthers: He put up solid yardage against the Chargers, but simply didn't get enough carries. DeAngelo Williams appears to be the only thing standing in the way between Stewart and Fantasy stardom. Well, that and John Fox. Of course, don't you just expect DeAngelo to find his way into an injury at some point? The road ahead for Stewart is hardly easy with the Bears and Vikings in successive weeks. However, hold steady and wait, because Stewart will come into relevance before you know it.

6. Darren McFadden - Raiders: An inept offense and Justin Fargas are serious road blocks for Run D.M.C. McFadden was probably gobbled up a few rounds too early in most Fantasy drafts by a giddy owner who thought they were getting the second coming of Adrian Peterson. I'm just not sold. Of course, I think McFadden will be a star, but it's gonna be a work in progress. The Raiders are simply god awful.

7. Steve Slaton - Texans: Ahman Green is hurt, yet again. Slaton appears to be the guy for the time being in Houston. However, round one was anything, but impressive. You can fault that on his team getting blasted, but I've never been a fan of the running game in Houston. I mean how many recycled RB's are they gonna run through before they get it right? Is Wali Lundy still on the waiver wire?

8. Rashard Mendenhall - Steelers: Willie Parker was supposed to be a fading asset. Instead, Parker played his trump card and ran all over the Texans, leaving Mendenhall with mop-up duties. If you're into conventional thinking, you've gotta believe eventually Mendenhall will grab some more goaline duties and raise his stock. And comforting feeling must reside with the fact that the Steelers aren't going to play the Texans every week.

So, there you have it...for now. It's one week and you never want to jump to conclusions in Fantasy Football. It's a what have you done for me lately game. After this coming weekend, we all could have a whole new outlook on the progress and standing of these famed rookies. Keep your tabs on these guys. However, if own one or more of them, take solace and rest assured that they're all going to have an impact on the outcome of many a Fantasy League.