Rookies to Watch: WR's + TE's + K

WIDE RECEIVERS Calvin Johnson - Detroit Lions Perhaps the best wide receiver to come into the NFL since Jerry Rice, Johnson is one rookie who will start producing right away. There will be an adjustment period, but Johnson's is simply too good not to put up numbers this season. Playing in Detroit, Johnson will be in the Mike Martz offense and is a perfect fit and complement to Roy Williams. Realistically, all rookie receivers struggle as professional cornerbacks are so much better than those in college, but Johnson will produce and will likely get better as the season goes on. He can be targeted as a WR3 in most leagues. Ted Ginn Jr. - Miami Dolphins As a receiver, Ginn is extremely raw. He improved as a route runner and pass catcher a lot at Ohio State, but still needs some work. What makes Ginn a fantasy option this year is the same thing that made Devin Hester one last year – the return game. Ginn is very fast and is dangerous on kick and punt returns. Ginn was a better kick and punt return man than Hester in college and could easily find the endzone five or six times this year. Anthony Gonzalez - Indianapolis Colts Gonzalez takes over for Brandon Stokley at the slot where he is a perfect fit. Gonzalez is a much better player than Stokley, and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is excellent at using the slot receiver. Gonzalez may not get a lot of receptions this season, but could score five or six touchdowns. James Jones - Green Bay Packers The rookie wide receiver from little known San Jose State University is already making a name for himself in Packer land. No team in football threw the ball more than the Packers did in 2006, and Brett Favre is already targeting him on consistent basis. He might not be a factor every week, but he is worthy of drafting as your 4th-5th receiver towards the end of your draft. Dwayne Jarrett - Carolina Panthers The Panthers traded one USC possession receiver for another in selecting Jarrett and then releasing now retired Keyshawn Johnson. Jarrett catches pretty much everything thrown his direction and is faster than Johnson so he has the potential to put up some decent numbers this season. However, Jarrett is likely a year away from becoming a good fantasy option. Robert Meachem - New Orleans Saints The Saints didn't really need to take a receiver in the first round, but adding Meachem sure won't hurt. In Meachem, the Saints got a receiver who is ready to play right away, and if he steals the No. 2 spot from Devery Henderson, he could put big numbers as teams focus on Marques Colston. The Saints plan to slowly factor Meachem into the mix and even if he is the third or fourth receiver, he's still good for at least three touchdowns. ___________________________ TIGHT ENDS Greg Olsen - Chicago Bears The Bears finally got the tight end they so need to open up the offense. Olsen is another athletic tight end out of Miami (Fla.) and will be a valuable fantasy option starting right away. In Olsen, quarterback Rex Grossman finally has a good checkdown target to go to when receivers Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad are covered or aren't playing well. Olsen has a chance to become an elite tight end but will need a year or two to get there so avoid picking him over guys in the range Chris Cooley and Heath Miller. Zach Miller - Oakland Raiders Adding Miller will help the Raiders offense considerably. Regardless of who plays quarterback, Miller will get balls thrown to him and he immediately becomes one of the Raiders best receiving options. Still, the Raiders need to prove they can actually play offense before Miller can become a legit fantasy option. ___________________________ KICKERS Justin Medlock - Kansas City Chiefs Medlock was given the Chiefs starting job when the team traded last year's kicker, Lawrence Tynes, to the New York Giants. Medlock is an upgrade over Tynes but if the Chiefs offense remains stagnant, so will Medlock. Mason Crosby - Green Bay Packers Once considered to be a top pick along the lines of Mike Nugent, Crosby's draft stock fell as he endured a tumultuous season at Colorado last year. Crosby is a good kicker though and if he's able to wrangle the field goal and point after duties away from Dave Rayner, who is just a glorified kickoff specialist himself, Crosby could put up some good numbers this season.