The Greatest Rookie RB Class Ever (1 Viewer)

[Red Apples]

Matt Forte

Chris Johnson

Tim Hightower

Steve Slatton

Ray Rice

Jamaal Charles

Kevin Smith

and then what about the players who are injured Felix Jones & Darren McFadden.

Then you have the great rookie WRs and what about the QBs.

I'm just wowed by this talent.

 

[Sheriff66]

Matt ForteChris JohnsonTim HightowerSteve SlattonRay RiceJamaal CharlesKevin Smithand then what about the players who are injured Felix Jones & Darren McFadden.Then you have the great rookie WRs and what about the QBs.I'm just wowed by this talent.

Stewart should be in there, and Mendenhall was lost for the season and showed flashes...

 

[Red Apples]

Matt ForteChris JohnsonTim HightowerSteve SlattonRay RiceJamaal CharlesKevin Smithand then what about the players who are injured Felix Jones & Darren McFadden.Then you have the great rookie WRs and what about the QBs.I'm just wowed by this talent.

Stewart should be in there, and Mendenhall was lost for the season and showed flashes...

Wow there are so many-and its just a matter of time before someone mentions the Rookie RB out of Denver

 

[Game Time]

think you're jumping the gun a bit early here! Potential yes, but still....

 

[Sheriff66]

think you're jumping the gun a bit early here! Potential yes, but still....

I agree, but this is quite a promising crop...

 

[Red Apples]

Sure it's early but I'm calling it the greatest NFL Draft ever!

 

[EBF]

2001

1 5 5 LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers Texas Christian

1 23 23 Deuce McAllister Saints Mississippi

1 27 27 Michael Bennett Vikings Wisconsin

2 7 38 Anthony Thomas Bears Michigan

2 18 49 LaMont Jordan Jets Maryland

2 27 58 Travis Henry Bills Tennessee

3 3 65 James Jackson Browns Miami (FL)

3 18 80 Kevan Barlow 49ers Pittsburgh

3 20 82 Heath Evans Seahawks Auburn

3 23 85 Travis Minor Dolphins Florida State

4 5 100 Rudi Johnson Bengals Auburn

4 13 108 George Layne Chiefs Texas Christian

4 20 115 Moran Norris Saints Kansas

4 26 121 Correll Buckhalter Eagles Nebraska

8 backs who had at least one 1,000+ yard rushing season. 6 backs still in the NFL seven years later.

The 2008 group is looking good, but some of them will fade away over the next couple years.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Sure it's early but I'm calling it the greatest NFL FFB Draft ever!

Fixed.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

Might be time to start including BJGE in these lists. The rookie rb class has been pretty ridiculous!

 

[Burning Sensation]

Matt Forte

Chris Johnson

Tim Hightower

Steve Slatton

Ray Rice

Jamaal Charles

Kevin Smith

and then what about the players who are injured Felix Jones & Darren McFadden.

Then you have the great rookie WRs and what about the QBs.

I'm just wowed by this talent.

Stewart should be in there, and Mendenhall was lost for the season and showed flashes...

...that he was likely a waste of a first round pick.

 

[Bri]

Matt ForteChris JohnsonTim HightowerSteve SlatonRay RiceJamaal CharlesKevin Smithand then what about the players who are injured Felix Jones & Darren McFadden.Then you have the great rookie WRs and what about the QBs.I'm just wowed by this talent.

I don't disagree it's extremely impressive but, we have to see if they've got staying power. At some point people will expect Rice to take the job from McGahee or Charles from Kolby or Kevin to hold off Rudi better etc. And Forte-This former Neal Anderson, Curtis Enis, Anthony Thomas fan is super curious how he'll do in year 2 and 3. Maybe Sweetness was so good they're cursed to not have another great RB. That would make more sense than trying to reason out why so many have looked good only to flop a year or two later.Slaton(?), Charles, CJ, and maybe even Hightower might not be feature back material. Before the "so what" replies, how do you feel about the supposedly great Reggie Bush?

 

[Eminence]

There's gonna be so little room for this next group of Rookie RB's.

>_<

 

[Twilight]

There's gonna be so little room for this next group of Rookie RB's.>_<

Nah. There are a lot of teams that could use at least a solid compliment back still. Cinci, Sea, probably KC, Den, NYJ, TB are all solid candidates to pick a RB on the first day, and there are several teams that could be looking for a solid complimentary back. There won't be a shortage of opportunity for rookies.

 

[FUBAR]

There's gonna be so little room for this next group of Rookie RB's.>_<

Nah. There are a lot of teams that could use at least a solid compliment back still. Cinci, Sea, probably KC, Den, NYJ, TB are all solid candidates to pick a RB on the first day, and there are several teams that could be looking for a solid complimentary back. There won't be a shortage of opportunity for rookies.

RBBC seems more prevalent this year and I suspect that will continue. The surprising thing this year is how quickly these guys have come on strong. With few exceptions, all of the rookie RBs taken in the first 3 rounds have performed at least as well as expected.

 

[Mikey16x]

Not to hijack I know its for RB... but this rookie WR is holding its on as well... this has been a great class altogether.

 

[gman8343]

Not to hijack I know its for RB... but this rookie WR is holding its on as well... this has been a great class altogether.

Absolutely, and add in Flacco, Matt Ryan, Dustin Keller and John Carlson... I have never seen a rookie class with so many players contributing this early.

 

[Sheriff66]

Matt Forte

Chris Johnson

Tim Hightower

Steve Slatton

Ray Rice

Jamaal Charles

Kevin Smith

and then what about the players who are injured Felix Jones & Darren McFadden.

Then you have the great rookie WRs and what about the QBs.

I'm just wowed by this talent.

Stewart should be in there, and Mendenhall was lost for the season and showed flashes...

...that he was likely a waste of a first round pick.

Really? FWP seems to be injured a lot, and M. Moore isn't going to be the long term answer at RB. I would have prefered an O-Lineman but all the big time tackles were gone by the time they picked, I think it is WAY WAY too early to call Mendenhall a bust. I think we will find out next year, because I see him getting half the touches at least.

 

[Bri]

Really? FWP seems to be injured a lot, and M. Moore isn't going to be the long term answer at RB. I would have prefered an O-Lineman but all the big time tackles were gone by the time they picked, I think it is WAY WAY too early to call Mendenhall a bust. I think we will find out next year, because I see him getting half the touches at least.

He didn't get much experience. A year off (more or less) can be good or bad for him. We'll have to see how he responds. IMO He'd have to be real good to beat out Mewelde. Pittsburgh has two backs in Mewelde and Willie that can get 100 yards rushing in a game. Rashard has to show his talent early, that he can also get 100 and should be in the mix. Otherwise, he becomes the young back that they want to develop on the sidelines, rather than the young guy that can help now. Mewelde answerred the call this year and really came thru for them. I don't think you can discredit that with potential. It'll have to be results. I think Rashard is going to have to explode on some team in preseason as that will be the only results he can get in the summer. I realize the negative tone of this post. I don't mean to insinuate he's done before his rookie year is over. The only thing I'm really trying to point out is the Steelers have options now, they have depth. People around here love Ahmad Bradshaw. Bottom-line is Coughlin is most comfy with Jacobs and Ward pounding the D. Alot of fans loved Lamont Jordan's potential. Curtis consistently made the staff more confident in him. It took Marion Barber a few years to make the Cowboys switch completely from Julius to making him the starter. Ray Rice had 140-ish yards last week, and this week McGahee got the lion's share of the carries. It is harder than most people think, for a young RB to get significant time when there is an established producer in front of them.For dynasty, next summer, I think it's very important that you try and gauge whether he is the young back they want to develop or the young back that can help now. The latter is eons better than the former.

 

[sparkky]

Not to hijack I know its for RB... but this rookie WR is holding its on as well... this has been a great class altogether.

Absolutely, and add in Flacco, Matt Ryan, Dustin Keller and John Carlson... I have never seen a rookie class with so many players contributing this early.

and avery, jackson, royal,,,,it does appear that lots of rookies have made a good showing with the opportunities they have so far.

 

[Phlash]

Might be time to start including BJGE in these lists. The rookie rb class has been pretty ridiculous!

4 straight games with a TD and 100 yards last game.This RB class is crazy so far.

 

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

One of the best FANTASY RB DRAFTS in my memory:

FORTE

CJ3

SLATON

STEWERT

K.SMITH

R.RICE

FELIX

And we havent seen much of yet:

McFADDEN

MENDENHALL

R.TORIAN

J.CHARLES

T.CHOICE

 

[nxmehta]

I'm betting that this is the best RB draft ever measured by total rushing yardage by all rookies combined in the class. Someone want to run the numbers on this?

 

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

I'm betting that this is the best RB draft ever measured by total rushing yardage by all rookies combined in the class. Someone want to run the numbers on this?

Not sure about the EDGE/RICKY and whom ever else came out that year, but those 2 alone put up some decent numbers.

 

[Tanner9919]

One of the best FANTASY RB DRAFTS in my memory:

FORTE

CJ3

SLATON

STEWERT

K.SMITH

R.RICE

FELIX

And we havent seen much of yet:

McFADDEN

MENDENHALL

R.TORIAN

J.CHARLES

T.CHOICE

ok hold the phone..Felix Jones is "great" player? how so, he's only played in 6 games, and couldn't stay healthy..... Mendenhall is so great, he hasn't played a single down this NFL season..

Torain is so good, he was injured, and in his first game back,got hurt again,and is now out for the season.

Jamaal Charles seems decent, but its way to early to tell whether or not he'll make a name for himself. T. Choice will never see the light of day in a Cowboys uniform behind Barber and boy-wonder, Felix Jones..

McFadden is a two-bit bust..two turf toes, a neck stinger, etc..anyone else think of Chris Brown when they see McFadden play? For being the #4 overall pick, McFadden has just 88 carries on the season..

Rashaam Salaam was good his rookie season, so was Curtis Enis..they were both out of football within a few years..

Of Forte, C. Johnson, Slaton, Stewart, Smith, Rice - someone will most definitely become the Cadillac Williams of the bunch, i.e., someone who ,for what ever reason ( injury, o-line problems, etc) , never repeats his stats from his rookie season..

someone else will become the Ronnie Brown of the bunch, i.e., a promising rookie RB showing flashes of brilliance, only to

become a big disappointment the rest of his career, someone who never develops into the stud RB that many thought he would become.

and the title of this thread is comical, I mean, can we wait 4-5 years before we call the 2008 draft "the best RB class ever"

please..

 

[Chunky Soup]

One of the best FANTASY RB DRAFTS in my memory:

FORTE

CJ3

SLATON

STEWERT

K.SMITH

R.RICE

FELIX

And we havent seen much of yet:

McFADDEN

MENDENHALL

R.TORIAN

J.CHARLES

T.CHOICE

ok hold the phone..Felix Jones is "great" player? how so, he's only played in 6 games, and couldn't stay healthy..... Mendenhall is so great, he hasn't played a single down this NFL season..

Torain is so good, he was injured, and in his first game back,got hurt again,and is now out for the season.

Jamaal Charles seems decent, but its way to early to tell whether or not he'll make a name for himself. T. Choice will never see the light of day in a Cowboys uniform behind Barber and boy-wonder, Felix Jones..

McFadden is a two-bit bust..two turf toes, a neck stinger, etc..anyone else think of Chris Brown when they see McFadden play? For being the #4 overall pick, McFadden has just 88 carries on the season..

Rashaam Salaam was good his rookie season, so was Curtis Enis..they were both out of football within a few years..

Of Forte, C. Johnson, Slaton, Stewart, Smith, Rice - someone will most definitely become the Cadillac Williams of the bunch, i.e., someone who ,for what ever reason ( injury, o-line problems, etc) , never repeats his stats from his rookie season..

someone else will become the Ronnie Brown of the bunch, i.e., a promising rookie RB showing flashes of brilliance, only to

become a big disappointment the rest of his career, someone who never develops into the stud RB that many thought he would become.

and the title of this thread is comical, I mean, can we wait 4-5 years before we call the 2008 draft "the best RB class ever"

please..

Calm down there slugger. First, Mendenhall did play an NFL down this year. Second, you're predicting there will be a Ronnie and a Caddy. Cool. Any evidence of this?

Third, you're really writing guys off quickly as injured. This doesn't mean they won't be great players.

Finally:

What we have right now is potential, and I think the OP will admit that we don't know for sure that this is the best class of RBS ever. The higher drafted guys (McFadden, Mend., Stewart) have gotten off to a slower start, but they're young, and still have plenty of potential. Considering that, plus the plethora of middle/lower rated prospects hitting like wild, this looks like an amazing draft.

The potential of this draft looks absolutely nuts. Can you point to a RB draft that is better than this one looks to be? Can you point to one that had an overall better rookie season?

 

[Sinrj]

One of the best FANTASY RB DRAFTS in my memory:

FORTE

CJ3

SLATON

STEWERT

K.SMITH

R.RICE

FELIX

And we havent seen much of yet:

McFADDEN

MENDENHALL

R.TORIAN

J.CHARLES

T.CHOICE

ok hold the phone..Felix Jones is "great" player? how so, he's only played in 6 games, and couldn't stay healthy..... Mendenhall is so great, he hasn't played a single down this NFL season..

Torain is so good, he was injured, and in his first game back,got hurt again,and is now out for the season.

Jamaal Charles seems decent, but its way to early to tell whether or not he'll make a name for himself. T. Choice will never see the light of day in a Cowboys uniform behind Barber and boy-wonder, Felix Jones..

McFadden is a two-bit bust..two turf toes, a neck stinger, etc..anyone else think of Chris Brown when they see McFadden play? For being the #4 overall pick, McFadden has just 88 carries on the season..

Rashaam Salaam was good his rookie season, so was Curtis Enis..they were both out of football within a few years..

Of Forte, C. Johnson, Slaton, Stewart, Smith, Rice - someone will most definitely become the Cadillac Williams of the bunch, i.e., someone who ,for what ever reason ( injury, o-line problems, etc) , never repeats his stats from his rookie season..

someone else will become the Ronnie Brown of the bunch, i.e., a promising rookie RB showing flashes of brilliance, only to

become a big disappointment the rest of his career, someone who never develops into the stud RB that many thought he would become.

and the title of this thread is comical, I mean, can we wait 4-5 years before we call the 2008 draft "the best RB class ever"

please..

Calm down there slugger. First, Mendenhall did play an NFL down this year. Second, you're predicting there will be a Ronnie and a Caddy. Cool. Any evidence of this?

Third, you're really writing guys off quickly as injured. This doesn't mean they won't be great players.

Finally:

What we have right now is potential, and I think the OP will admit that we don't know for sure that this is the best class of RBS ever. The higher drafted guys (McFadden, Mend., Stewart) have gotten off to a slower start, but they're young, and still have plenty of potential. Considering that, plus the plethora of middle/lower rated prospects hitting like wild, this looks like an amazing draft.

The potential of this draft looks absolutely nuts. Can you point to a RB draft that is better than this one looks to be? Can you point to one that had an overall better rookie season?

We can't. Do you know why? Because its too early to tell. After 4-5 years some will be injured, other will just bust. Few will turn elite while some will never reach their potential.Just my 0.02$ of course and I could be wrong but its quite possible that what you see right now is what you'll get out of this class.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I've been doing FF since 1991 and I've never seen so many rookie RBs outscore proven veterans as this year.

In the past, it was usually 1-2 stud rookies that came through but this year, they're everywhere!

 

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

I've been doing FF since 1991 and I've never seen so many rookie RBs outscore proven veterans as this year.

In the past, it was usually 1-2 stud rookies that came through but this year, they're everywhere!

maybe we should change the title to "The Greatest 1st year Rookie RB Class Ever" Its too early to annoint them the greatest ever, we can look back in about 7-8 years to give a good opinion on that.

But you cant write off those high round rb's that havent produced yet, and whose to say the 2nd tier rb's will keep it up.

But all in all, this is by far one great performance from a ROOKIE RB CLASS in memory.

 

[Banger]

20011 5 5 LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers Texas Christian1 23 23 Deuce McAllister Saints Mississippi1 27 27 Michael Bennett Vikings Wisconsin2 7 38 Anthony Thomas Bears Michigan2 18 49 LaMont Jordan Jets Maryland2 27 58 Travis Henry Bills Tennessee3 3 65 James Jackson Browns Miami (FL)3 18 80 Kevan Barlow 49ers Pittsburgh3 20 82 Heath Evans Seahawks Auburn3 23 85 Travis Minor Dolphins Florida State4 5 100 Rudi Johnson Bengals Auburn4 13 108 George Layne Chiefs Texas Christian4 20 115 Moran Norris Saints Kansas4 26 121 Correll Buckhalter Eagles Nebraska8 backs who had at least one 1,000+ yard rushing season. 6 backs still in the NFL seven years later.The 2008 group is looking good, but some of them will fade away over the next couple years.

That was a good year. 3 from this draft class already broke 1K (CJ, Forte and Slaton) and 3 guys in '01 broke 1K (LT, A-Train and Rhodes). Stewart/McFadden may have gotten close if they weren't injured and then you've got guys like K. Smith, Mendenhall, Hightower, Felix Jones, Choice, Rice and Torrain that are all pretty talented. It's likely that several may be replaced or not make it but a guy like Choice could come on later ala M. Barber when given the chance. Putting this draft class side by side against the '01 class I think when all is said and done this years class will end up a better class by a good bit.I could see a guy like Forte fizzling a bit like A-Train did but there will be others like F. Jones/Mendenhall who have their best years ahead of them. Should be interesting to watch....

 

[Banger]

I actually just played around with the data dominator for a moment and I compare the '01 class (which is the only comparable one in the last decade) to this years class. The top 10 backs scored 1233 fantasy points in '01 and through 14 weeks the '08 class has scored 1238 pts. Forte, CJ, Slaton, K. Smith, J. Stewart, Hightower and McFadden should all continue to get points over the last few weeks so there's a good chance that they beat that mark by a decent amount (10-15%).

 

[thatguy]

Not to hijack I know its for RB... but this rookie WR is holding its on as well... this has been a great class altogether.

Absolutely, and add in Flacco, Matt Ryan, Dustin Keller and John Carlson... I have never seen a rookie class with so many players contributing this early.

and avery, jackson, royal,,,,it does appear that lots of rookies have made a good showing with the opportunities they have so far.

Also, quite a few O Linemen making big impacts.