Fantasy Football Rankings 2012: Rookies Ready to Shine Right Away

Rookies are the easiest way to win your fantasy football league, but they are also the most volatile players to bank on, because you have no idea what they are going to give you on a weekly basis. 

Still, we fall in love with the names and the knowledge that we have of these studs getting playing time, which is all we need to take a chance on anyone. 

With knowledge being our biggest gift and detriment, we are going to try and cut through the garbage to find out which rookies are going to conquer the NFL in 2012. 

Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

I understand that banking on a first-year quarterback to have a productive fantasy season is a dangerous bet. But we have never seen a quarterback with the potential that Luck has. 

He may not live up to his full potential this season, though—in fact, I would be willing to bet a lot of money that he doesn't. Still, we know that Luck is going to play all 16 games as long as he is healthy. He is going to get better with each week, and the more confidence he gets, the better he will play in the huddle.

It that helps he has weapons like Reggie Wayne and Coby Fleener to throw the ball to. 

Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland Browns

The best thing that could have happened to fantasy owners who love to find value late is the knee surgery that was reported by Chris Mortensen of ESPN:

"

Trent Richardson's visit to Dr. Andrews includes tentatively scheduled arthroscopic surgery to clean up loose particle of cartilage #Browns

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 8, 2012"

Some might hear "knee surgery" and just immediately check out, which is understandable. But Richardson is a special talent, and by all accounts, the injury isn't going to keep him out for too long. 

Even if he has to miss a week or two of the regular season, Richardson will be a great backup plan to use when he does return. The Browns are going to have to rely on the running game a lot this season as they break in Brandon Weeden, and Richardson is already their best offensive weapon. 

DeVier Posey, WR, Houston Texans

All offseason, the talk was about how the Texans needed to add another receiver who could play alongside Andre Johnson or, on the off-chance Johnson suffered another injury, take over as the No. 1 receiver. 

Posey has an ideal frame at 6'2" and 210 pounds. He is a strong route-runner with solid hands, though he needs to get more confident when going over the middle. 

The Texans are going to have a strong offense and should be able to open things up more with Matt Schaub returning. Posey will be the direct recipient of a lot of passes thrown because of all the attention Johnson commands. 

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