Top 10 2008 NFL Rookies to Collect

1. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders

McFadden wasn't the first player taken, but he was the first offensive skill position player taken. He brings speed and explosiveness to a Raiders organization that remains popular despite some lean years.

Though the man some have nicknamed "Run-DMc" may not quite run through defenses in the same manner as last year's top back, Adrian Peterson, he should make an immediate impact in an Oakland backfield in search of playmakers. McFadden made plays running, receiving and even passing in college, and his rookie cards should be the most sought after in this class in the early going.

2. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

The last time the Falcons used a high first-round draft pick on a quarterback, he redefined the values people could expect from modern rookie cards. No one's expecting anything that dramatic from Ryan, but he provides hope to a franchise that's recently found it in short supply.

Along with the status of being the first player taken at a position that always gets plenty of hobby love, Ryan should get every chance to win the starting job in Atlanta from day one. That will keep him in the hearts and minds of collectors, and as long as they don't mind him taking some lumps while the Falcons develop, he should remain at or near the top of this list.

3. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins

Henne fell a bit further than he probably would have liked on draft day, but he ended up in what looks like a pretty good situation in Miami. The Dolphins are in definite rebuilding mode under the watchful eye of Bill Parcells, and they can afford to be patient with their young players.

Miami took quarterback John Beck in the second round in 2007, but if Henne has more natural talent and should prevail as the starter sooner or later. He also has the advantage of a built-in fan base from his days at Michigan, and many of those fans will become Henne collectors now that he's in the NFL.

4. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Of all the running backs in the 2008 draft, Stewart looks the most like the prototypical workhorse. He's got size and speed, plus soft hands to haul in passes out of the backfield. If he hadn't been slowed by a turf toe injury leading up to the draft, he would have been carrying even more buzz.

Carolina isn't exactly a hobby hotbed, and Stewart may have to vie for carries with DeAngelo Williams at the start of his career. Despite those factors, he's going to attract some interest right away, and it will only grow if he turns out to be the franchise back the Panthers have been lacking for quite some time.

5. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Flacco certainly looks the part of a Pro Bowl quarterback, with height and arm strength to spare. The Ravens thought highly enough of him to trade back up into the first round to grab him, a move that became more of a priority after Steve McNair retired.

Not all scouts agree on Flacco's pro potential because of questions surrounding his mobility and the lack of top-flight competition he faced while playing at Delaware. He also will probably start his pro career backing up Kyle Boller. His rookie cards should be popular, but he has strong boom-or-bust potential and is just as likely to be at the top of this list in three years as he is to be off of it altogether.

6. Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys rarely use first round picks on offensive skill players, but they made an exception for the man who played alongside Darren McFadden in the Arkansas backfield. Jones provides big play potential in the running game and can also be a threat returning kicks. With Marion Barber in the fold, Jones won't be carrying as large a load as some others on this list. That shouldn't make his rookie cards any less hot, because the Cowboys have a large following that always makes its presence felt in the football card market.

7. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers look like they got themselves a flat-out steal when Mendenhall was still around for the 23rd overall pick. Rated by many as the second-best runner in the draft, he ran roughshod over the Big Ten in 2007 Mendenhall can pound it between the tackles but still has enough speed to break big runs.

Pittsburgh already has a pretty good back in Willie Parker, which may be the only thing keeping Mendenhall from appearing even higher up on this list. Expect Pittsburgh fans to take to this guy and keep his cards in demand even if he's serving in a part-time role for his first few seasons.

8. Brian Brohm, QB, Green Bay Packers

Is Aaron Rodgers good enough to be the heir apparent to Brett Favre? If he stumbles, the Packers got themselves one heck of an insurance policy in Brohm, who looked like the top quarterback in the country before a disappointing 2007 Louisville team sent his draft stock into a spiral.

As a result, Brohm's cards may start off a little soft, even with the fanatical Green Bay fans hunting for them. All that means is that they will have plenty of room for future growth if Brohm proves that he is indeed the future of the franchise.

9. Limas Sweed, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

An injury during his senior year limited Sweed's production and hurt him on draft day, allowing him to slip to the Steelers in the second round. Before that, Sweed was widely thought to be the top receiver in his class in the entire country.

Ben Roethlisberger had been publicly campaigning for a big target to compliment Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, and Sweed fits the bill. In a year when no wide receivers went in the first round, joining an established playoff team like the Steelers may give Sweed's cards a boost past those of wideouts taken before him like Donnie Avery, Malcolm Kelly and DeSean Jackson.

10. Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, New York Jets

Defensive players are always fighting for respect with collectors, but one or two usually manage to crash the party during their rookie seasons. In 2007, Patrick Willis of the 49ers managed to do it, making the Pro Bowl in his very first season.

The 2008 candidates include Chris Long of the Rams (son of Hall of Famer Howie Long) and Keith Rivers of the Bengals, but I'm giving the now to Ohio State product Gholston. He can flat out get after the quarterback, and playing in the largest media market in the U.S. can only help his collectibility.