Not to Soon to Think About 2009 Football Cards

Perish the thought. SA-GE plans on releasing its first series of draft pick cards in March, and Donruss, Topps and Upper Deck will all be cranking up the presses just a few weeks after that.

It is a tad early to do a top 10 list of rookies to collect this year as I did for 2008 and 2007, simply because the NFL Draft plays such a big part in helping to shape that list. The opportunity for early playing time and the market a rookie ends up in both play big parts in his collectibility.

Still, it's not out of the question to point out some names to watch now that the scouting combine is underway. Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez will try to emulate Matt Ryan, with intriguing and athletic Pat White also turning a lot of heads in Indianapolis.

There doesn't appear to be an Adrian Peterson in this year's crop of running backs, but there is depth led by the likes of Chris "Beanie" Wells and Knowshon Moreno. All-everything (but currently injured) Michael Crabtree, lightning-fast Darrius Heyward-Bey and super playmaker Percy Harvin are at the front of a speedy group of receivers, and linebacker Aaron Curry is talented enough to be the No. 1 overall pick.

There's no guarantee this season's top rookie will come from this group of names, but they're a good starting point to have in mind when opening packs of new football cards in the next few months.