The top rookies in this standout class have established themselves at this point, so it will be hard for newcomers to crack this list without some serious fantasy dominance in the coming weeks. So much for my Tim Hightower prediction …

Regardless of missing the boat on Hightower — as most of us have — the guys on this list have been doing it week-in and week-out in 2008, and it will be interesting to see how the Rookie Report shakes out during the stretch. I will be pulling for the pride of Slidell High, my alma mater, Mr. Matt Forte.

With the stretch run to the playoffs coming up, rookies play a vital part in a team’s run to the Super Bowl. The Giants proved that last year by using all of their rookies in key roles during the championship run. Keep reading for the updated rookie rankings after week 11.

Honorable Mention: Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos - Eddie Royal didn’t have the greatest of games against the Falcons this past Sunday, but his body of work througout the season has earned him honorable mention this week.

5. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles - Eagles star rookie wideout is having consistant numbers each week. I’m waiting for that blow up game to come soon. I like the fact that he is the guy running the wild cat because he should start to get a few rushing touchdowns as well.

4. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans - Back to back weeks where Johnson has failed to score a touchdown or rush for 100 yards. I thought maybe it was because he was playing tough run defenses, but Ryan Grant ran all over a Bears defense that shut Johnson down the previous week. Is he starting to hit that rookie wall?

3. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons - Maybe I was a little premature last week in annointing Ryan the next Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. I mean he did put up those number up against a weak and injured Saints secondary. He followed that up with a no touchdown and 1 interception effort against the Broncos defense, one of the worst in the league.

2. Matt Forte, RB, Bears - Forte was facing a rather inspired Packers defense Sunday and still managed 64 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving. This is a team first guy that just goes out each Sunday and does his job to the best of his abilities. He seems to be pretty good at doing that.

1. Steve Slaton, RB, Texans - All Slaton needed was a little R & R and he comes back refreshed in the form of 156 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown. That an average just over ten yards per carry. Slaton reclaims the top spot of The Hazean’s Rookie Fantasy Player of the Year rankings.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!