Fantasty Football Week 1: 7 Rookies That Will Put Up Big Numbers

On Thursday, the NFL season was finally kicked off in what ended up to be a high scoring, action-packed game between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers.

Both quarterbacks Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers played tremendously, finishing the game with combined total of 727 passing yards and six touchdowns.

The other bright star of the game was rookie wide receiver Randall Cobb.

Cobb, the second-round pick out of Kentucky, caught two passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Cobb's big highlight of the night was his kickoff return for a touchdown where he caught it deep inside the end zone and kept his balance to take it to the house.

The 64th overall pick came out of nowhere and was the top rookie in Thursday night's game.

The other rookie that was focused on was Saints running back Mark Ingram.

Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy Winner, had an alright night, only finishing with 13 rushes for 40 yards.

The first round pick had to go up against a tough Packer defense and was stopped several times in third and fourth down plays when the Saints needed short yardage.

One of those plays included the game-ending run with no time left on the clock when the Saints chose to rush the ball at the 1-yard line instead of passing. The Packers knew right what they were doing and took the legs out from under the offensive line and stuffing Ingram to end the game.

If I was a betting man, I would say that Ingram will turn it around and start to put up big numbers as the season goes on.

Unfortunately for Cobb, he may not be having as many spectacular nights this season as he did in Week 1, as he finds himself behind Donald Driver and Greg Jennings in the team's depth chart and he won't be returning kick offs for touchdowns every game (well you never know).

However, in the NFL's first week back after the lockout, Cobb set the bar high for the rest of the league's rookies and these seven will put up big numbers.

1) QB Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)

All eyes will be on the quarterbacks today in Phoenix as the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers start new players under center.

The Cardinals will start Kevin Kolb, who was supposed to start for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, but because of a concussion and the stellar play of Michael Vick, never had a chance and was traded to Arizona.

The Panthers will start rookie quarterback and 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.

Newton was the first overall pick by the Panthers, and it was unsure if he would be the team's starter in Week 1.

However, after a decent preseason, the Panthers decided that Newton was there guy over second-year quarterback Jimmy Claussen.

With Newton's mobility and accuracy out of the pocket, he should have success against a Cardinals secondary who slimmed down in the offseason.

Arizona had to say good-bye to it's top corner in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the deal that brought them Kolb and are entering the season with only four corners.

One of those corners is untested rookie Patrick Peterson, who was drafted just four picks after Newton at No. 5.

The Cardinals are putting a lot of pressure on Peterson and Newton could try and target that.

Watch for Newton to go a lot to two of the Panthers biggest offseason acquisitions, literally, in tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey.

If Newton can successfully move around the pocket and spread the ball around, he should have a successful Week 1.

2) WR AJ Green (Cincinnati Bengals)

No one had a bigger overhaul at wide receiver this season than the Cincinnati Bengals.

The team said good-bye to two of its top receivers in Terrell Owens through free agency, and Chad Ochocinco, who was traded to the New England Patriots.

The Bengals were clearly trying to become a younger team at the position, as well as finally cut ties with the less than spectacular relationship they had with Ochocinco.

The first step in the youth movement at wide receiver was the team's fourth overall pick in the 2011 Draft, which was used on Georgia's talented AJ Green.

Green was one, if the, top wide receiver in the draft, along with Alabama's Julio Jones, and will now act as Cincinnati's top receiver.

Green is an exceptional route-runner and is known for his leaping ability, putting up 23 touchdowns in only 27 collegiate starts while a Bulldog.

Green will have his work cut out for him this season as he will be thrown to by fellow rookie Andy Dalton, who took over the starting role after Carson Palmer threatened to retire if he was not traded.

Dalton and Green will make a lot of mistakes in the process, but as the season rolls on, Green will most likely lead the team in receiving yards.

Green gets a great start to his NFL career as he is put up against a Cleveland Browns defense, one that is trying to learn a new 4-3 system after switching from Rob Ryan's 3-4 last year.

The Browns were one of the team's that was most affected by the NFL Lockout as they not only had to learn a new defense, but a new offense as well under new head coach Pat Shurmur.

Green should have no problem getting open against a Browns defense that is still trying to learn the ropes early on in the season.

3) WR Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons)

The Atlanta Falcons knew that there was something special about Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones and they proved it when they traded up to the take the former Crimson Tide player at No. 6.

The Falcons gave up five total picks to take the receiver, including their first round pick in next year's draft, but still came out a winner in this deal.

Jones is a tremendous talent at wide receiver and has good size and speed.

Paired alongside Roddy White, these two will quickly become one of the league's top receiving tandems, especially with quarterback Matt Ryan at the helm.

In Jones' first week in his rookie season, they take on the tough Chicago Bears defense.

It will be tough for Jones to put up big numbers, but with his raw talent, he should be able to get some looks.

Jones will have some favorable matchups, as the Bears will most likely be focusing most of their attention on White.

Another help for Jones is tight end Tony Gonzalez, who has shown that he has yet to lose a step in his game in his 15-year career.

Jones will have the toughest assignment of all the rookie wide receivers today, but I feel that he is the right man for the job.

Look for him to impress the way Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin did in his rookie season, when he played behind the talented Desean Jackson.

4) QB Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals)

Like I mentioned earlier, TCU quarterback Andy Dalton was thrown into the starting role for the Cincinnati Bengals after Carson Palmer threatened retirement if the team did not trade him.

When the Bengals refused to trade the USC graduate, the team shifted their attention to Dalton in the draft.

Dalton's preseason started a little rough, but ended well finishing 17-of-26 and throwing a touchdown in his last two games.

Dalton had no problems earning the starting job for Cincy in front of career backup Bruce Gradkowski and will most likely lead all rookie QBs in games played.

The 23-year-old gets a favorable matchup in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns.

Like I stated earlier, the Browns are trying to figure out defensive coordinator Dick Jauron's new 4-3 defense and were hurt by the long layoff from the lockout.

Dalton will not be perfect in his first game in the NFL, but he will no doubt be able to put up some big numbers.

Look for he and AJ Green to hook up several times over the course of the game as the Bengals try to start the post-Palmer-era on the right foot.

The Bengals will not overload Dalton early on with too many plays in new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden's west coast offense and will look to stick with only a few different plays.

Look for running back Cedric Benson to get a lot of carries, as Cincinnati will try and slowly get Dalton accustomed to the speed of the NFL.

If Dalton can see the Browns glaring weaknesses, he should be one of the better Week 1 quarterbacks.

5) WR Titus Young (Detroit Lions)

Boise State wide receiver Titus Young is my sleeper pick for this weekend.

The second-round pick for the Detroit Lions should be an immediate help alongside wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

A hamstring injury cost Young most of the team's training camp, but he was able to play in the Lions' last two preseason games.

Young has told Detroit media that his hamstring will not be an issue in the team's first game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Young will most likely start out on special teams, but could quickly become an impact slot or second receiver.

According to ESPN.com, the Lions are hoping, "Young develops quickly as an outside receiver, allowing them to put Nate Burleson in the slot, which would in turn give Detroit a speed-laden three-receiver set."

The Buccaneers improving defense will put most of their attention on Johnson, as most teams have done in the past, leaving one-on-one coverage against Young.

If he can take advantage of single coverage, Matt Stafford could spread the field nicely.

6) TE Lance Kendricks (St. Louis Rams)

One of the most impressive rookies this preseason was Wisconsin Badgers tight end Lance Kendricks.

Kendricks was selected 47th overall by the St. Louis Rams and will quickly become one of quarterback Sam Bradford's favorite targets.

Kendricks, however, has his work cut out for him in Week 1 against the "Dream Team" that is the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kendricks' time to shine will come when the team goes to a two tight end set and he is paired alongside Mike Hoomanawanui.

Hoomanawanui had an impressive year for the Rams last year and has been one of the team's best red-zone options. The Eagles will be prepared for it, which could allow Kendricks to slip past and into the open field.

The 23-year-old was known as a down field tight end in his time at Wisconsin and will give linebackers fits, creating some obvious mismatches.

If Bradford can spread the field throughout the game, it will give Kendricks some openings to make an impact in his first week in the NFL.

7) WR Greg Little (Cleveland Browns)

As much as I have talked about the struggling defense of the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, there have been some bright spots for the Browns defense during the preseason.

Second-year quarterback Colt McCoy has seem to have found a fit in the team's new west coast offense and had an impressive preseason with his mobility and his ability to throw outside of the pocket.

One of the reasons McCoy had such an impressive preseason was rookie receiver Greg Little, who was named the team's top rookie performer in training camp.

The North Carolina alum has been known to play above his 6'2" size and was rumored to be the team's number one receiver for Week 1.

Little is a converted running back from his days as a Tar Heel and still has a lot of work to do. But, if he can take advantage of his opportunities, he should bolster a young and inexperienced Browns receiving core.

Little will get plenty of opportunities in Week 1, as the Browns face a weak Bengals secondary.

The Bengals' biggest loss this offseason was not being able to re-sign cornerback Jonathan Joseph and allowing him to walk in free agency.

Joseph was clearly the team's top corner and paired with Leon Hall, allowed defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to open up his blitz packages.

Now, without Joseph, the Bengals have a huge void to fill and it will be difficult to do so as both Kelly Jennings and Adam Jones are out for Week 1, leaving the team only four corners against the Browns.

The newly re-signed Hall will still be a factor against Cleveland, but there is a chance he will line up against Mohamed Massaquoi instead of Little.

Little will get plenty of looks from McCoy against Cincinnati and could have one of the top performances in Week 1.