Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: Cam Newton and the 5 Top NFL Rookies

When drafting a fantasy football team everyone is looking for a bargain. Some of the best values come when you roll the dice on a rookie and he ends up having a phenomenal season.

Sam Bradford ran away with the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award last season and proved to be a solid fantasy option.

Here are this year's Top 5 rookies to look out for when drafting your fantasy team or scouring the free-agent market.

Cam Newton

This is the ultimate high-risk move, but having Newton on your roster as the backup quarterback could pay big dividends. While he might not be fully ready to step in and contribute at the NFL level immediately, if things break his way he could be dangerous by midseason.

Newton is a true run/pass threat and if he does become Carolina's starter the team will rely on him heavily. That could lead to a lot of mistakes, but could also turn up roses if he proves ready to dominate.

No harm can come from Newton if you pick him up as a backup option. If you need to start him because of injuries you might be in trouble, but could also be pleasantly surprised.

Julio Jones

Julio Jones is an athletic freak and was arguably the best receiver in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons thought so much of him that they unloaded five draft picks to move up 21 spots and grab him with the No. 6 pick.

That should tell you all you need to know about how the Falcons plan to use Jones. He will see the ball early and often as teams double Pro Bowler Roddy White. With an accomplished quarterback like Matt Ryan throwing to him, Jones should put up great numbers.

Thus far in the preseason Jones has nine catches for 132 yards, including three grabs for 20-plus yards.

Jones could easily be in your starting lineup from Day 1 and should make a major impact this year. He's the odds-on favorite for Rookie of the Year.

Mark Ingram

The New Orleans Saints liked Mark Ingram so much that they drafted him with the 28th pick in the first round and gave up on the Reggie Bush Experiment.

While the former Heisman Trophy winner isn't an exciting runner, he is efficient and productive. He has an all-around skill set and can be used in almost all situations. He fits in perfectly with the Saints offense and should relegate Pierre Thomas to backup duty soon.

Ingram should get plenty of goal line carries, which should make him a solid points producer for your fantasy team. If you need more convincing, he already has three touchdowns in the preseason, which is tied for the lead among NFL running backs.

A.J. Green

When Cincinnati made A.J. Green the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, no one argued with it. The Georgia product is fast, big, has great hands and was as consistent as any receiver in college football over the past three years.

While Green may not be as flashy as Julio Jones, he might actually be better. He'll be starting from Day 1 as the Bengals' No. 1 target, and as long as Cincinnati can find someone to get him the ball, he could take a spot in your starting lineup.

So far this preseason Green has seven catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Fellow rookie Andy Dalton looks like the Bengals' opening day starter at quarterback and though he has looked solid, he will experience some growing pains this season. That shouldn't discourage you from taking Green because he will produce this year.

Kyle Rudolph

Kyle Rudolph had a disappointing career at Notre Dame largely because injuries continued to pop up and leave him on the sidelines. Concerns about his ability to stay healthy contributed to his drop on draft day as the Vikings snapped him with with the 43rd overall pick.

Now the big, athletic tight end has a chance to prove himself with a quarterback in Donovan McNabb who loves to use his tight ends. Visanthe Shiancoe is still with the Vikings, but he's over 30 now and his numbers have dropped off a bit. Plus, Rudolph is athletic enough to get split out into the slot, so he and Shiancoe can be used together at times.

Expect Rudolph to get a lot of attention from McNabb, as he has come on strong in camp and separated himself from the rest of Minnesota's rookies.