The Top Rookie Players at Every Position in 2012 Fantasy Football

NFL training camps are about to get started, and those who play fantasy football are thinking about rookies in an effort to determine which of them can help their teams the most during the 2012 season. It can be a tremendous boost to a fantasy football team to find a rookie that can be productive.

Historically, rookies have not made a large impact in fantasy football, but Cam Newton and A.J. Green proved that concept wrong in 2011, and it is time to start thinking about how a rookie can help a fantasy team. With players entering the league more prepared than ever, and it is a priority to find the ones that can be productive enough to be on a fantasy roster.

It will take some digging to find the best rookie performers at each position, but this is not an impossible task. There are a few that will be productive enough that they will start for fantasy teams right away, and it is best to start looking at them now.

Players need the opportunity to make plays, and some are in a better position than others. These are the top rookies at every position entering the 2012 NFL season.

Quarterback

Robert Griffin III comes into the 2012 season as the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins, without question. The Redskins traded up in the 2012 NFL draft to get him. They gave up a lot of draft resources in their deal with the St. Louis Rams. The Redskins swapped their first round pick in 2012 with the Rams, and they gave up first round picks in 2013 and 2014, as well as their second round pick in 2012.

Griffin III is transitioning from a spread offense at Baylor. He needs to work on the simple things like taking a drop back from center. He also has to show that he can read a defense. He is learning a new offense, and he has picked up the offense extremely quickly.

Mike Jones of the Washington Post has reported that Griffin III has impressed offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with how fast that he has learned the offense, as well as his drive and focus.

“He’s done a real good job,” said Shanahan. “He’s come in, being in a totally different offense, learning totally new terminology, trying new plays he hasn't done before. It’s been a work in progress. He’s gotten better each day. He works as hard as anyone can at it on the field and off the field, and it’s been a really good camp for him.”

RG3 is an exciting quarterback, and he is in a solid situation with the Redskins. The Redskins have a very talented group of veteran wide receivers and tight ends. These players will help the quarterback’s transition from college to the professional ranks.

The wide receiver position is remarkably deep, and players such as Santana Moss, Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon will give the passing game some punch, play making and consistency. Tight ends Chris Cooley and Fred Davis also are threats, and players that will get a lot of targets in this passing game.

Griffin III has a lot of things going for him. He is instantly one of the best running quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has a powerful arm. He is also a highly accurate deep passer, and the combination of the ability to extend plays with his feet, and deliver the ball with accuracy is a deadly combination.

NFL defense are going to struggle with the speed at which Griffin III makes plays, and his running ability sets him apart from other quarterbacks. Look for Griffin to combine for 25 total touchdowns or more in 2012.

Griffin III is going to have an exceptionally successful rookie campaign, and he will be fantasy relevant in 2012.

Other quarterbacks to consider:

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

Running Back

The Browns selected Trent Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Richardson is an incredible football player and an instant boost for the Browns’ offense. He is the best running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson.

Richardson has an advantage over Peterson, as Peterson came off the field on third downs. This won’t be happening in Cleveland because Richardson is going to get the majority of the running back work.

Trent Richardson is going to become one of the best running backs in the NFL, and it could happen in 2012. He can do it all, from running the ball to catching it out of the backfield. He is also skilled in pass protection, as he has the size and willingness to handle a linebacker or a defensive back while picking up the blitz in pass protection.

His situation is perfect, as the Browns offense will feature Richardson. He is a player that never has to leave the field and his power and speed are going to be a problem for NFL defenses.

Michael David Smith of profootballtalk.com has reported that the Browns were amazed by Trent Richardson.

“Wow!” Shurmur said when asked about Richardson. “He’s a very powerful man. He’s powerfully built. Don’t let the 5’9” fool you. He’s almost 230 pounds. That’s a lot of muscle packed into that body. I just think he’s got a very powerful build, much like we thought, and it shows up on the field.”

Running backs that do not come off of the field are a dying breed, and Richardson is a player that is fantasy gold as he is an every down back. Richardson can rack up points while running the ball, and he is going to perform remarkably well in a league that rewards catches for running backs.

Looking into the future of fantasy football, it is not difficult to project Richardson to be the first overall pick in the not too distant future. He is going to be the next big one for fantasy football purposes.

I advise people that rookies do not fit well into starting lineups. Rookies are generally unreliable, but Richardson is a player that defies this kind of thinking. Richardson is the one player that I would easily draft as a starter, as his situation is fantastic, and his talent is immense.

There should be no fear in drafting him early in 2012. It in not unrealistic to expect 1400 total yards and 10 touchdowns from Richardson as a rookie.

Other running backs to consider:

David Wilson, New York Giants

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wide Receiver

The Arizona Cardinals selected Michael Floyd with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft. Floyd is an automatic upgrade at the position for the Cardinals. He is going to be a perfect complement to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Floyd had some issues at college with decision making and maturity. Floyd is going to get some serious mentoring from Fitzgerald, and it is going to benefit him immensely.

Floyd is going to be a No. 2 wide receiver in Arizona, but it will not reduce his production as compared to some of the other receivers drafted in 2012. Floyd is going to be able to take advantage of defenses that will be trying to take away Fitzgerald.

Floyd is skilled at using his body to box out defenders, as he plays an extremely physical style of football. He is also going to make a lot of positive yards after the catch, especially on routes where the Cardinals are clearing out one side of the field.

From a fantasy perspective, Floyd is in a better place than any other rookie wide receiver. Other rookies are in places with big questions at quarterback, or they will not get the playing time that Floyd is going to get.

Floyd should easily solidify himself as the Cardinals starting wide receiver opposite Fitzgerald, and that means steady production. Knowing that there is steady production coming represents value in fantasy football.

As long as the Cardinals get decent quarterback play, Floyd should be in for a solid rookie season. It is fair to expect 45-50 catches and around 650 yards receiving, as well as five touchdowns.

Other wide receivers to consider:

Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars

Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans

Tight End

The Indianapolis Colts drafted Coby Fleener early in Round 2 of the 2012 NFL draft. He comes to Indianapolis from Stanford along with No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck. The quarterback and the tight end already have an excellent rapport, and Fleener is in a great spot as a rookie.

Fleener is unchallenged, as he is clearly the No. 1 rookie tight end in 2012. He is going to start for the Colts right away, and he will be productive immediately. The expectation is that Fleener is going to be an outlet for Luck, and a player that Luck goes to often.

Luck is going to use Fleener as a safety valve, and this means that anytime Luck feels pressure he is going to look Fleener’s way. He has an opportunity to catch a lot of balls as a rookie, and that represents tremendous value.

At 6’6” and 247 pounds, Fleener is a tall tight end. Tall tight ends are becoming giant mismatches for NFL defenses, as players such as New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham have become elite pass catchers.

Fleener has exceptional speed, as evidenced by his 4.45 second 40-yard dash time. His size and speed combination is among the elite tight ends in the game, and he compares physically to Gronkowski and Graham.

Fleener has terrific hands as he catches everything in sight. He is going to be a mismatch if defenses try to defend him with a linebacker down the field. Fleener is going to make plays for the Colts, and he is an extremely exciting young player.

As a rookie, Fleener will not be among the elite tight ends that we have seen emerge over the past few years, but he is a compelling depth player for fantasy purposes. He could easily post 50 catches for around 600 yards, as well as four or five touchdowns.