History has repeatedly shown that rookies can have a huge impact in fantasy football if the player is talented enough and/or has the opportunity to shine. Examples of this from 2010 include LeGarrette Blount and Mike Williams, both exceptional players who found the perfect spot in Tampa Bay. Just weeks after the 2011 draft, here are three rookies that have a chance to score big fantasy points this season.
1. RB Daniel Thomas -- Despite being a late second round pick, Thomas may very well be the top fantasy scorer among rookies because of the situation available with the Dolphins. It is expected by most that neither Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams will be back, leaving the door open for Thomas to become the feature back in Miami. Thomas ran for 1,585 yards in college last year, if he indeed does earn lead back duty, he has the potential to get close to 75% of that figure in 2011.
2. RB Mark Ingram -- Ingram was almost unanimously considered the top running back in the draft, so it's no shocker he would be capable of compiling fantasy points as a rookie. However, when he landed with the Saints, who already have Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, and Chris Ivory, his stock seemingly took a dive for fantasy purposes. The knock against Ingram is that being a committee back on a pass-heavy team isn't an ideal situation, but I would argue otherwise. The Saints have repeatedly shown they do not trust either Pierre Thomas or Reggie Bush to handle lead back duties. New Orleans has been reluctant to give either of them the carries or the money of that role. The team realized after a disappointing follow-up season to their Super Bowl win in 2010 that they need to get back to pounding the football, and that's where Ingram comes in. The Saints did not give up 1st and 2nd round picks for just another guy sharing the load. The way I see it, barring injury Ingram is a lock to lead the Saints in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns in 2011.
3. WR AJ Green -- Green is a prototypical #1 receiver, arguably the best to come out of college since Calvin Johnson. Although he doesn't have elite speed, what really separates Green from recent highly drafted receivers like Michael Crabtree, Dez Bryant, and Julio Jones is his ability to get open vertically. Green has the size, quickness, body control, hands and route running precision to be an All-Pro as a rookie. Unfortunately for him and his fantasy owners, he will be playing for the Bengals which could put a serious cap on his potential. Green will have the opportunity to enter the season as Cincinatti's top receiver, but with the likelihood of catching passes from a fellow rookie, that may not be as attractive a situation as being a second receiver on another team.
Author Resource:
Myles is an NFL junkie and self-proclaimed guru in the world of sports. When Myles isn't writing about what you need to know on the real turf, he can be found writing about the upcoming Madden NFL 12 football video game on his popular Madden 12 news blog.
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