Who are the top 5 players that are really surprising you as rookies? Mine are:
1. Joe Flacco - Wasn't he supposed to sit for a year before he'd be effective. Well that didn't happen.
2. Chris Johnson - People criticized the Titans for picking him, well it looks like it worked out pretty well.
3. Matt Forte - He's done me proud when I said he was the best RB in the draft class last season.(2nd in rushing and 3rd in receiving in all rookies)
4. Matt Ryan - He was a high pick but he worked out better than anyone expected and Mike Smith has really turned ATL into a contender...congrats Falcon fans.
5. Eddie Royal - Has really played great in Denver and surprised a lot of people.(#1 in rookie receiving yards, receiving TDs and receptions)
5. Chris Horton - Chris Horton is 5th in rookie tackles and tied for first in rookie ints when he was just expected to be a special teamer.

I got a couple of 4th rounders to add to that list...Tim Hightower out of Richmond and Dwight Lowery from San Jose State. Regular listeners to CDS Radio will remember Brett interviewed Lowery not long before the draft, so we're pleased to see him doing so well.

Bryan Kehl from BYU is having a nice year for the Giants too. Josh Morgan at San Fran has come on well lately too.

Oh, and my honorable mention has to go to Tyler Mehlhaff just for hitting the post on his first PAT at Wembley right in front of me!

I dont think anyone thought Slaton would be this productive.

Lavelle Hawkins is doing solid with Collins.

Derek Fine has been better than I thought.

Torain was solid before he got hurt

Okam has played well.(I loved him out of college)

Jamey Richard has filled in on the Colts OL and has done solid.

Alex Hall for the Browns has been a decent 3/4 rush 'backer. Might be the best selection for the Browns this draft.

I did think Slaton would be this good I was a fan of all the guys below. I have to admit I was wrong on Matt Ryan. I was right on DeSean Jackson and Eddie Royal. I underestimated Chris Johnson. I was a big Fan of Torain. Richard is a very athletic C and when get gets stronger he might be a very good starter. I wrote Hall's profile, he is a good young talent. I said that the VPI trio pf WRs: Hyman, Morgan and Royal would all be pros. Chevis Jackson has looked good.

How about Ray Rice. I know he isn't setting the world on fire, but when they have needed him to step in for McGahee he has done a good job.

Terrell Thomas for the Giants has played well.

Don't forget about Donnie Avery. He has stepped in as their number two.

Even Zach Bowman who in the only game he played, recorded an interception and a defensive touchdown before getting hurt and put on the IR.

Peyton Hillis...only one good game, but with injuries he might be starting this weekend.


When the Texans draft Slaton I thought that he could provide them with some big plays, but no where near what he has done so far.

But Matt Ryan has impressed me the most this year.

I also thought that Jonathan Stewart was going to have a big rookie season, but he can't seem to fully heal or beat out DeAngelo Williams.