Second Year Step Ups (Players on the Rise)

Anyone who paid attention to the NFL or played fantasy football last season is aware of the solid batch of rookies that came into the league and played a significant role for fantasy owners. Names like Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, and DeSean Jackson were weekly fixtures in 2008. Still, there are more players from the draft class of 2008 who have yet to blossom. Let’s take a look at some guys entering their second seasons who may play an important role for fantasy owners in 2009.

WR Josh Morgan (San Francisco 49ers) - The sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech started impressing in training camp last year, and some thought he would be a factor immediately. It didn’t happen, as he caught just 20 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns, but he may very well break out this year. Early reports out of this season’s training camp have been that Morgan is once again opening eyes.

The team signed former Tennessee Titan Brandon Jones, still has Isaac Bruce, and drafted Michael Crabtree, but none of those players should be potential roadblocks. Jones, while also reportedly looking good in camp, has had a nondescript four year career. Bruce will turn 37 during the season, and Crabtree, who has been doing his best to raise the ire of NFL teams and fans with his attitude since the offseason, now has his cousin and “advisor” telling people Crabtree will sit out the season if he doesn’t get the money he wants.

RB Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) - The grumbling started in the offseason that Rice, Baltimore’s second-round pick last season, was going to be given every shot to be Baltimore’s No.1 running back, and so far during training camp, that seems to be the case. With Willis McGahee having hit a career wall and Le’Ron McClain not possessing the talents of a true feature back, Rice will be getting numerous opportunities to deliver.

Keep in mind that McGahee and McClain will still get their carries, but Rice very well could be the one on the field the majority of the time, especially since he’s easily the best receiving threat of the three.

TE Martin Rucker (Cleveland Browns) - Rucker will be one of the players vying for the tight end job in Cleveland now that Lt. Winslow has moved on. Rucker, a fourth round pick last year, has great hands and is a tough runner after the catch, but his blocking abilities leave something to be desired. Still, he was one of the best tight ends in college football during his time at Missouri, and if he can improve his blocking, will see plenty of time on the field.

WR Keenan Burton (St. Louis Rams) - Like Rucker, Burton was a fourth round pick last season. In his first year in the league, he caught just 13 passes last season for 172 yards and a score, but could have had better numbers if he had stayed healthy.

Fellow second year pro Donnie Avery is the team’s No. 1 wideout, but every other spot is open, as the Rams purged many of their veterans after the year (including Torry Holt), meaning Burton will have every chance to win a starting spot. He’ll be competing with Laurent Robinson and Ronald Curry, but neither of those two remind anyone of Jerry Rice, so don’t count Burton out.

*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOYS KYLE SMITH. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW!*

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