"Run-Run-Run-Run-Run..."The elite Rookie RB class of 2008 continues to make waves in the Fantasy world. The likes of Matt Forte and Chris Johnson continue to flourish as Top Tier RB's, while Felix Jones and Steve Slaton continue to nip at their heals to join the elite fraternity. Of course, there are a handful of other rookie runners that continue to flirt with greatness and are probably stapled into most line-ups on Sunday afternoon.
As promised, we're taking the pulse throughout the season, ranking the runners and forecasting the road ahead...if that's possible. By now, all these guys have at least a full quarter of an NFL season in the books. Some will rise and some will fall, but let's took a look at how things are shaping up thus far. As always, this could easily change after Sunday, but for now and in order...here goes.
Matt Forte: Right now, he's a surefire Top 5 RB and a lock to start every single week. He's got Atlanta, Detroit and St. Louis in three of his next six games. So, I'm not predicting any slow to his roll. He's dolling out over 100 total yards each week and he's found the end-zone four times already.
Chris Johnson: Is he losing steam? C'mon last week was a tough match-up against Baltimore. He's finally pushing tubby, LenDale White aside and getting involved at the goal-line. By most standards he's a Top 10 RB today and thus it's hard to move him down the ladder. Things are looking up as he gets to feast on Kansas City following the bye week. Yup, let's keep him here for just a wee bit longer.
Felix Jones: The loud groan you just heard was all the Marion Barber owners out there (like myself). The reality is that Felix is simply too damn good to be held in check any longer. The Cowboys lost to Washington in a week he never saw the pill. Well, they made sure he was involved against Cincinnati and he delivered. It's safe to say the ceiling for Jones may be slightly higher than any other runner in the class, sans maybe McFadden. If Barber breaks down...look the (beep) out!
Steve Slaton: Ladies and gentlemen please welcome the 2008 version of Ryan Grant. Of course, Slaton didn't exactly come out of nowhere, but he did enter the season buried on the depth chart. It took the Texans very little time to realize Ahman Green and Chris Brown were walking injuries. Slaton also easily brushed aside Chris Taylor to become the dream feature of this running game. Along the way he made many waiver wire scouts pleasantly delighted. Check the cream puff schedule ahead and you'll be hearing about Slaton for quite a while.
Jonathan Stewart: Don't be alarmed or fooled by DeAngelo Williams "break-out" game last weekend against Kansas City. Sure, Stewart didn't stake claim in the glory, but lost in the shuffle was the fact that he carried the ball a season high 19 times. Yes, he didn't quite muster up what his counterpart was able to produce. Relax, Stewart will get his in time. You've just gotta deal with the headaches for now.
Darren McFadden: Not a lot of love for Run D.M.C. Well, the fact is he's battling a nagging turf toe injury and he's hardly set the world ablaze otherwise. He had his one monster game and has since been splitting carries with Michael Bush. Now, Justin Fargas is back and looks to pluck away a few more carries. Stardom will just have to wait a little bit longer.
Dropped Out: Kevin Smith and Rashard Mendenhall
Keep an Eye Out: Tim Hightower and Jamaal Charles
