Top 10 2008 NFL Rookies to Collect

Even if the Falcons lose every game during the second half of the 2008 season, one would have to consider Matt Ryan's debut a smashing success. He's averaged about 200 yards a game and thrown more touchdowns than interceptions through eight games. More importantly, he's helped Atlanta look much better much faster than most people anticipated.

Any hand-wringing Falcons fans did over using a high pick on Ryan should be done. He has the look of a winner.

• Matt Ryan Rookie Card Checklist

Painful memories of the Cedric Benson experiment faded quickly thanks to this second-rounder from Tulane. Though he's not the fastest or strongest back in this class, he may be the most well-rounded, able to run, catch and pick up the blitz

Forte also plays in a great collecting market in Chicago, which gives him the edge over several other successful draft classmates. This is a guy the Bears fans hope they will be watching well into the next decade

The Titans have taken the NFL by storm, surprising everyone by sprinting to an 8-0 record through nine weeks. Johnson has been a big reason why, adding an extra element of speed to an already potent ground game.

Though he operates in a time-sharing arrangement with LenDale White, Johnson was fifth in the NFL in rushing after nine weeks and led all of the top 20 runners in average yards per carry. Only the low profile Tennessee market and his relative anonymity coming out of college keep him from ranking even higher on this list.

• Chris Johnson Rookie Card Checklist

Flacco got Baltimore's starting job at the beginning of the season almost by default, but he's showing no signs of letting it go. He hasn't exactly ignited an offensive explosion for the Ravens, but he's been heady and shown more athleticism than some expected - like when he caught a 43-yard pass against the Raiders.

With the Baltimore defense looking scary again and a strong running game (done by a committee that includes fellow rookie Ray Rice), all Flacco has to do is not kill his team's chances with mistakes. He's succeeded for the most part and looks like a good one to bet on in the long term.

• Joe Flacco Rookie Card Checklist

Not too many receivers, especially small ones, make significant contributions in their first NFL seasons. Jackson is bucking that trend with his performance, adding punch to the Philly return game and quickly earning the trust of Donovan McNabb.

He still has some maturing to do, as evidenced by the fact that he flipped the football away before he crossed the goal line for his first NFL touchdown. Jackson's physical skills are already at an NFL level though, and could be at an All-Pro level before too long.

McFadden has slipped a bit from his top spot on this list, but that's due in large part to nagging injuries and another dreadful season for the Raiders. He's delivered some bursts when called upon, averaging 5.1 yards on his first 77 carries.

So it hasn't been all bad for McFadden, and he remains a great pull to hold for the long haul. Still, you can't help but wonder if he looks enviously at the fun Ronnie Brown is having in the Wildcat in Miami since that was his baby in college.

• Darren McFadden Rookie Card Checklist

Jones used his speed to burst onto the scene like a bolt of lightning in the Cowboys' first few games, but an injury has him sidelined at the season's midway point. Marion Barber hasn't seemed quite as effective without Felix to provide a breather and has to be rooting for the rookie to return soon.

Out of sight can mean out of mind in the hobby, but making big plays in Big D is a good way to win back fans in a hurry. It will be interesting to see if Jones - and the Cowboys, for that matter - can salvage something from the second half of a season that started with so much promise.

It's not that Stewart has been bad, it's just that other rookie runners have been better. It hasn't helped that teammate DeAngelo Williams has been a top-10 back, making Stewart the change of pace instead of the other way around.

Media members covering the Panthers still expect Stewart to be a big part of the offense in the season's second half, and the team's playoff prospects are looking pretty good too. That may give Stewart the extra face time he needs to move back up this list.