The Rookie Report: Week 8 Oct 23, 2008 | More

Welcome everyone to the Week 8 installment to the 2008 Rookie Report. Each week during the regular season, the report will cover trends, news items and analysis of notable performances by the NFL’s 2008 Rookie Class to assist in your pursuit of dynasty championship gold.

In this week's edition we will cover and analyze various news and notes items pertaining to this year's rookie class. So let's begin ...

LB Keith Rivers, Cincinnati Bengals

Rivers was welcomed to the NFL with a crack back block delivered by Hines Ward. Rivers fractured his jaw in two places and he was subsequently placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season. Rivers showed a lot of promise early on this season playing on the weak-side position, and he is definitely someone who will be a force when he returns healthy in 2009.

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots

With Laurence Maroney placed on injured reserve, Lamont Jordan slow return from injury and Sammy Morris leaving early with an undisclosed knee injury, undrafted

free agent Green-Ellis received the majority of the carries in the second half against the Broncos. He finished the game with 13 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, it will be near impossible to get an accurate read on the injury status of Morris and Jordan this coming week due to the Patriots’ secretiveness on disclosing injuries to know whether to start Green-Ellis; however, he is someone to keep on your fantasy radar as the Patriots do not appear hesitant to go with him in a pinch.

WR Eddie Royal, Denver Broncos

Royal returned from injury in Week 7 and looked just as impressive as earlier this year. As Brandon Marshall attracted double coverage throughout the game, Royal continues to find holes in the defense and use his explosive burst to get separation from defenders. Against the Patriots in Week 7, Royal finished with nine catches for 71 yards and will get an extra week of rest during his bye to get fully healthy.

RB Steve Slaton, Houston Texans

Slaton continues to impress this week despite splitting time with Ahman Green. Slaton finished his Week 7 game against the Lions with 89 total yards, three catches and a touchdown. He has another attractive matchup against the Bengals in Week 8 in which he should put up Top 10 numbers, especially in league scoring systems that reward points per reception. Continue to start him with confidence.

RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Who would have thought you could start two running backs from the same team and get the results that the Titans backfield put out in Week 7's matchup against the Chiefs? Johnson busted a 66-yard touchdown run and totaled 172 yards on 20 touches. Johnson continues to be one of the most impressive rookies and this is unlikely to change as he will continue to receive the touches in the Titans’ run heavy offense.

WR Donnie Avery, St. Louis Rams

Avery turned in another solid performance against the Cowboys’ weak secondary in Week 7 as he finished the game with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown as the Rams routed the Cowboys. Since returning from nagging injuries early in the season, Avery has increasingly been involved in the team's offense. He is someone to keep an eye on for the second half of 2008 and the future with his blazing speed and quickness in the open field.

WR Josh Morgan, San Francisco 49ers

Morgan received his first career start in Week 7 and did not disappoint. Although making several minor mistakes on the field this past week, Morgan finished the game with an impressive five catches for 86 yards. Morgan should continue to receive significant looks in the second half of 2008 as he is in Mike Martz pass happy system.


Well that wraps up this week’s edition of the Rookie Report. If you have any comments on this week’s article, please see the Article Discussions forum in the Shark Tank.