NFL Star Power: 10 Offensive Players To Watch in 2008

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson after he rushed for an all-time record 296 yards against San Diego

 The 2007 NFL regular season left us with plenty of excitement heading into the next season.

The surprising play of the Cleveland Browns, the resurgence of the Green Bay Packers, and the return of dominance from the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC were just a few things that left diehard football fans craving more next season.

But the players who unexpectedly broke out and had career seasons was arguably one of the best things that brought excitement this past season.

Not only did they leave an impact that was imperative for their teams to succeed, but some showed they were potential building blocks for their respective franchises... 

 
1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)

Grade for 2007: A+

Is it possible for a rookie to have a breakout season?

Of course.  If you do things like rush for an NFL record 296 yards in a single game, along with 1,341 total yards and 12 touchdowns.

No doubt after the sensational season he had, A.P. is the perfect building block for his franchise.

And to top it off, he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, which he had locked up after his 296-yard performance against San Diego. 

Health was one of the main concerns for him coming into his rookie season, but if AP can stay healthy, then the Vikings chances of making the playoffs are encouraging.

2. Derek Anderson (Cleveland Browns)

Grade for 2007: A

This guy wasn't even the starting quarterback in week one of the season, but once he got his opportunity to shine he never looked back.

DA finished the season with 29 touchdowns for 3,787, and led the Browns to 10 wins.

However, his team ruined their chance of making the playoffs when they lost to the Cincinatti Bengals in week 16.

After the breakout season he had, it would hard for the Browns not to come into next season with higher expectations

The only thing is, Anderson is a restricted free agent this offseason. If Cleveland does re-sign him, the chances of the Browns making the playoffs are excellent. 

3. David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Grade for 2007: B

As one of several critics who thought Byron Leftwich was the better option coming into the season, Garrard clearly proved us wrong.

Although he missed three games to injury, Garrard finished the season with only three interceptions, 18 TDs, and 2,509 passing yards.

The Jaguars were able to make the playoffs this season with him as the starting quarterback. Their expectations in 2008 should be very high, and are the only team who can come close to competing against the Colts in the AFC South.

4. Wes Welker (New England Patriots)

Grade for 2007: A+

With all the talk about Randy Moss hooking up with Tom Brady heading into the season, Welker came out of nowhere to help New England go undefeated during the regular season. 

It's always good to see a player that goes undrafted have success to show everyone what they missed on draft day.

Not only did he have over 1,000 yards receiving, but he set a franchise record for number of catches in a season with 112.

Going from playing on this past season's worst team in Miami last season, to playing for the best team in football today, he was one of the best offseason acquisitions that was a steal.

5. Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys)

Grade for 2007: A

"Marion the Barbarian" wasn't even the number one option in the running game at the beginning of the year, yet was named to the Pro Bowl. 

Barber rushed for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He definitely has given Cowboys fans something to look forward to next season.

Trading him to Miami for the number one pick in the draft would be one of the dumbest things to do. 

6. Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers)

Grade for 2007: A-

Like Derek Anderson, Grant wasn't even a starter when the season began.

While the Packers were surprising everyone early in the season, their running game was highly questionable.

That is until week eight when Grant became the starter, due to the injury to DeShawn Wynn.

Grant rushed for 104 yards in his debut as a starter, and went on to average 92.9 yards per game the rest of the season.

Even when Wynn returns from injury, this is the main guy on the ground for Green Bay next season. 

7. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals)

Grade for 2007: B+

It was his fourth season and his numbers were almost identical to sophomore season, but Larry Fitzgerald was a lot better this year believe it or not.

The two-headed quarterback was not working for the Cards at the beginning of the season when Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner split playing time.  But once Leinart went down with a season ending injury, the offense in Arizona was sort of rejuvenated.

Warner was named the starting QB and had an excellent season.  

Ten of his 27 TDs were thrown to Fitzgerald for 1,409 yards. 

That said, the Cardinals failed to make to playoffs which is why I grade his season a B+.

8. Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills)

Grade for 2007: B+

Marshawn Lynch was one of two players Bills fans should be excited about in 2008, with Andre Johnson being the other.

Despite the Bills finishing with a 7-9 record, Lynch did a great job in during his rookie campaign.

Lynch rushed for seven touchdowns for 1,115 yards, and that's only because he missed three games to injury.

With Willis McGahee now in Baltimore, Lynch quickly stepped into his footsteps.

9. Laurence Maroney (New England Patriots)

Grade for 2007: B

All the talk before the season was about Tom Brady and his new core of receivers—but everyone failed to mention Laurence Maroney and the running game.

He started off slow, but finished strong, scoring his first TD in week 11.

Maroney finshed the year with six TDs along with 835 rushing yards.

The Pats receivers were deadly enough during the regular season—but now with Maroney, the undefeated Pats might be more dangerous in 2008.

10. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons)

Grade for 2007: B-

What a nightmare season for Authur Blank and the Falcons.

The starting QB is sentenced to 23 months in prison for dog fighting, and the head coach Bobby Petrino quits during the season to take another job.  But at least they had Roddy White, who had a pretty decent season.  

Despite terrible play from their QBs, Roddy White was able to shine in Atlanta. White caught 83 balls for 1,202 yards and six TDs.

The Falcons have a lot of things to improve—but Roddy White is a start. 

Honorable Mention

Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers) 

Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs)

Justin Fargas (Oakland Raiders)

Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Shaun McDonald (Detroit Lions)  

Michael Whittenberg is a senior writer for BleacherReport.com.  To view his entire archive click here.