NFL Preseason Week One: Top Five High Value Rookie Performances

Throughout the course of the year, I am going to choose five rookies who I felt played the best each week. The only catch is, the only rookies eligible are rookies selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft.

I'm referring to these rookies as "High Value Rookies." These are the rookies that teams expect to be starters one day. They were the biggest hyped, and many were "can't miss prospects."

So lets see how they really do and which rookie is the best. Here is the top five from preseason Week One. 

5.) Ryan Matthews, RB, San Diego Chargers

Stats:
9 Attempts
50 Rushing Yards
2 Receptions
11 Receiving Yards

To be honesty, I thought Ryan Matthews was going to be just an okay running back. I didn't see him being a star, but after watching preseason Week One, I've changed my mind.

This guy has so much power behind him when he runs. In college he was bowling over many players, but not a lot that were his size.

In the NFL, he's bowling over people bigger than him. One of these NFL players is Lance Briggs (See Video). 

Ryan Matthews put on a show for Chargers fans everywhere. This might be one of those guys you take a risk on and draft real early in your fantasy draft.

4.) Lamarr Houston, DT, Oakland Raiders

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 12: Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass against Lamarr Houston #99 of the Oakland Raiders during the preseason game at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium on August 12, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Im

Stats:
2 Tackles
2 Sacks

Lamarr Houston was able to get his two sacks on the first drive against the Cowboys. After that his play kind of dwindled, but if this was the top five for the first drive of the game, he'd be number one.

Raiders fans seem to be very excited about Houston, and you could see some big plays from him down the road this season.

3.) Tim Tebow, QB, Denver Broncos

Stats:
8 Completions
13 Attempts
105 Yards
1 Rushing Touchdown 

Do you hear that? I believe its the sound of Josh McDaniels silently saying to the world "I told you so."

Tim Tebow's stats are actually smaller than they should be as his receivers dropped a couple of passes they should have had. Tebow made some beautiful throws as well as a fantastic touchdown run as time expired (video). 

Compared to the play of Brady Quinn, Tebow looked like a superstar. There is a very slim chance Tebow will pass Kyle Orton for the starting spot, but there is no telling what packages McDaniels has in store for the rest of the NFL. 

2.) Daryl Washington, LB, Arizona Cardinals

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - AUGUST 02: Linebacker Daryl Washington #58 of the Arizona Cardinals practices in the team training camp at Northern Arizona University Walkup Skydome on August 2, 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Stats:
9 Tackles
4 Assists
1 Fumble Recovery

Daryl Washington was all over the field in the first preseason game for the Arizona Cardinals.  Nine tackles and four assists would be pretty high even if he had played a full game, so doing it all in about two quarters was impressive.

Washington is not Karlos Dansby, but the play he showed in his debut game has eased many fans minds about losing Dansby. Washington may make a run for defensive player of the year if this keeps up.

1.) Pat Angerer, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Stats:
5 Tackles
3 Assist
2 Sacks

The Colts did a great job by picking up Pat Angerer in the draft. Like Lemarr Houston, Angerer had two sacks, but added on three more tackles and three more assists.

Here is a number to wrap your mind around. The three starting linebackers for the Colts last year only managed to rack up two and a half sacks, combined. Angerer was all over the field and was the No. 1 "High Value Rookie." 

Did I Miss Something?

Did a "High Value Rookie" on your team play great and not make the top five? Do you think someone in my top five doesn't deserve to be there? Let me know what I missed so I can improve my top five for the weeks to come.

Just remember "High Value Rookie" = Drafted in the first two rounds.