DeSean Jackson is having a great start to his career.

Rookie Report: Week 2 Review (Top 10)

Once again, the NFL was blessed with outstanding rookie performances, as many of the rookies have continued to help their teams to 2-0 records. This week, Jordy Nelson and James Hardy exit the top ten, despite both scoring their first NFL touchdowns. Both receivers still hold upside, but are not used enough to warrant a starting spot on a fantasy roster. The two players moving into the top ten are Broncos receiver Eddie Royal, and Titans running back Chris Johnson. Both players have done more than their share in aiding their teams to 2-0 starts, as well as making fantasy owners who took a chance on them look very smart.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Season Stats: 22-46, 319 yds., 1 TD, 2 INT, 60.0 PR

Last Week: 13-33, 158 yds., 0 TD, 2 INT, 29.6 PR

Don’t give up on Ryan just yet. Not having Michael Turner run for 200 yards every game will aid in dropping your production a bit. The lone positive out of his performance against Tamp Bay is that Ryan threw 33 passes, meaning he could put up some numbers if he learns to settle down and stay calm in the pocket. He was facing the Buccaneers, after all.

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders

Season Stats: 30 car., 210 yds., 1 TD, 2 rec., 20 yds., 0 TD

Last Week: 21 car., 164 yds., 1 TD, 1 rec., 9 yds., 0 TD

So much for a timeshare. The Lane Kiffin situation leaves a lot of things in question, but as long as McFadden sees the desired 20 touches per game, he’s likely to put up numbers like this, more often than not. The Adrian Peterson comparisons, while dormant for about a week, are back and at full force. Mcfadden is a must-start as long as the Raiders commit to the run.

Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions

Season Stats: 26 car., 88 yds., 1 TD, 8 rec., 53 yds., 0 TD

Last Week: 10 car., 40 yds., 0 TD, 4 rec., 21 yds., 0 TD

Apparently the Lions lied about committing to the ground game. That, or they’re just that bad at it. Either way, Smith is still a threat to break out if the team can put some more effort into running the ball. Smith has averaged 17 touches a game through two weeks, so he’s still a guy that warrants keeping an eye on.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Season Stats: 46 car., 215 yds., 1 TD, 6 rec., 39 yds., 0 TD

Last Week: 23 car., 92 yds., 0 TD, 3 rec., 21 yds., 0 TD

It’s safe to say that Kyle Orton won’t be the source of most of Chicago’s points this season, which leaves Matt Forte as the guy to bank on. He’s already putting up workhorse carry numbers, and was still productive last week, in what would be considered a statistical down game. He’s a 25+ touch threat every game, and will score many more touchdowns as the season goes on.

Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Season Stats: 12 car., 72 yds., 1 TD, 0 rec., 7 KR, 173 yds., 1 TD

Last Week: 2 car., 10 yds., 0 TD, 0 rec., 6 KR, 247 yds., 1 TD

If you watch Marion Barber play, you realize immediately why he gets the bulk of the carries. As it stands, until Barber gets hurt, Jones is no more than a change-of-pace back. However, he is a stud kick returner, and still has the chance to break a big run as the third down back. He’s a good play in leagues that value return statistics.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats: 24 car., 130 yds., 2 TD, 0 rec., 5 KR, 102 yds., 0 TD

Last Week: 14 car., 77 yds., 2 TD, 0 rec., 1 KR, 18 yds., 0 TD

Stewart is a scary play, because he’s only a safe bet to get about 12-15 carries a game, and doesn’t catch the ball (zero this season). As the season wears on, you can expect to see his carries increase, and he’ll probably hold onto the goal-line carries. He should be owned in all leagues.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Season Stats: 12 rec., 216 yds., 0 TD, 10 PR, 109 yds., 0 TD

Last Week: 6 rec., 110 yds., 0 TD, 2 PR, 12 yds., 0 TD

What a way to start off a career. With starters Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown out with injuries, DeSean Jackson has quickly established himself as Donovan McNabb’s favorite target with two straight 100-yard efforts. If it wasn’t for Jackson’s immaturity, he’d have his first career touchdown, as well as aided in McNabb breaking the Eagles’ passing touchdown record. He should learn from this mistake quickly, and there’s no reason that Jackson shouldn’t be at least a WR3 right now. If he’s not owned, he should be.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

Season Stats: 34 car., 202 yds., 0 TD, 5 rec., 46 yds., 1 TD

Last Week: 19 car., 109 yds., 0 TD, 2 rec., 12 yds., 0 TD

For the second week in a row, Johnson tallied at least 15 carries, which keeps him as a bubble starter in all fantasy leagues. He is easily the biggest play-maker on the Titans’ roster, and should continue his rise ahead of Lendale White. With word out that Kerry Collins will likely stay the starter, even once Vince Young is healthy, Johnson will be used more and more with each passing week.

Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos

Season Stats: 14 rec., 183 yds., 2 TD, 1 KR, 11 yds., 0 TD, 3 PR, 25 yds., 0 TD

Last Week: 5 rec., 37 yds., 1 TD, 0 KR, 0 yds., 0 TD, 1 PR, 6 yds., 0 TD

Whoever thought Royal would fade off into the sunset, simply because of the return of Brandon Marshall, was dead wrong. Royal scored a touchdown and caught at least five balls for the second straight week, which makes him worthy of a WR3 spot. With his great athletic ability and his status as the Broncos’ main return man for kicks and punts, Royal is a busting at the seams with fantasy potential. His two-point conversion to beat the Chargers was just the cherry on top.

Keith Rivers, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

Season Stats: 13 solos, 5 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 PD

Last Week: 4 solos, 4 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 PD

Rivers has been by far the brightest spot on an otherwise suspect Bengals defense. He has yet to force any big plays, but has the ability to do so, and remains one of the better defensive rookies starting. There are a few solid rookies right behind him, though, so his stay in the top ten could be short. Regardless, he’s averaging nine tackles a game, which is more than you can ask out of a rookie.