My ranking of the NFL's top 10 most impactful offensive rookies mid-way through the 2008 season:
1. Chris Johnson: 715 rushing yards, 5 TDs: Johnson is the most physically talented rookie of this class. From his now famous 4.24 time in the 40-yard dash to his breakaway game speed, he has impressed everybody who has seen him play. At this point in the season, he is the rookie of the year. Johnson and LenDale White are a scary and dynamic one-two punch.
2. Matt Ryan: 1661 passing yards, 9 TDs, 85.4 passer rating: Ryan is playing like a veteran. He is leading an Atlanta Falcons team that had no expectations coming into the season. He seems to have all the skills to become a quality QB for an extended period of time in the NFL. He has already led a John Elway style comeback.
3. Matt Forte: 641 rushing yards, 4 TDs: Forte has single-handedly made Kyle Orton's job easier. He has made the C
hicago offense two-dimensional. We'll see if he can do the same thing for Rex Grossman.
4. Joe Flacco: 1464 passing yards, 5 TDs, 75.6 passer rating: Young Mr. Flacco, from a small Deleware football program has lived up the hype. He is learning on the job, and learning at record rates. He is now used to the speed of the NFL game and is actually throwning/catching/running long-bombs almost every week. Its early, so I don't want to say he is the quarterback of the future, but he is certainly the quarterback of the present.
5. Steve Slaton: 538 rushing yards, 5 TDs: The Mountaineer is fast and quick all at the same time.
6. Eddie Royal: 461 receiving yards, 3 TDs: He came onto the scene with a huge first game. Since then he has peeter out a little but, but his presence coupled with Brandon Marshall still makes the Broncos offense one of the most dangerous in the league.
7. Tim Hightower: 242 rushing yards, 7 TDs: Hightower should actually be known as "garbage goal." He has become the master of short TD runs, much in the same way Brandon Jacobs was for the NY Giants a couple years ago. Last week Hightower ran for over 100 yards and a TD. Has he replaced Edge James as the #1 back in Arizona?
8. DeSean Jackson: 525 receiving yards, 1 TD: Jackson may have some butter fingers at times, but he adds life to an Eagles offense that has lacked a downfield threat since TO went to Dallas.
9. John Carlson: 244 receiving yards, 2 TDs: The one bright spot on the Seahawks offense. He is by far the best rookie tight end. Dustin Keller is the only one that can compare, but even he is well behind Carlson in production.
10. Jonathan Stewart: 352 rushing yards, 5 TDs: Stewart has filled a necessary role in Carolina. Watch out for the Panthers further into the season because Stewart gives them great depth in the backfield.
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