This Year's Surprise RB, vol 2

Yesterday, I knew that Jonathan Stewart was highly thought of but the knock was that the coaching staff might not start a rookie, which matched my recollection of how they've handled every back in recent memory.

Today, I watched a lot of highlight material and read the scouting report on nfl.com. I have to admit, Stewart might be the best RB in this year's rookie class, with McFadden being the main competition for that honor. The most negative thing about him is that he seems to lack the shake and bake in the open field. He glides and accelerates and that's usually enough. He has good vision, good speed, excellent strength and balance. I could go on. Inside, outside, leaping for a poorly thrown ball and going the distance. I like him a lot. A final caveat -- he's had his share of injuries, most worrisome of which is at least three ankle sprains/breaks. I am not concerned about the toe injury he is recovering from. In fact, he was suffering from it at the combine and still did pretty well there.

What you and I have to decide is whether it's true Carolina wants to return to the days of Stephen Davis. If so, then Deangelo Williams is nothing more than a pretty good change of pace back and Stewart will get 250 or more touches. If not, maybe 200 touches? Either way, that's decent value and the upside makes Stewart a heck of a late-round pick.

Other than Stewart, Matt Forte is still the starter in Chicago, Kevin Smith is bound to start in Detroit and Run DMC is going to be the lead dog in an RBBC in Oakland.

It's only been 24 hours or so, but I still like Forte of that bunch.

Of the rookies, Forte and Stewart appear to be the best bets, followed by Smith/DMC (take your pick between them) and I think Slaton is a fine RB 4 gamble for the reasons previously mentioned.

I haven't forgotten Rashard Mendenhall. I think he will be a value because I think he's going to play the Bettis role to Willie Parker. I just think that he has a lower ceiling than the other rookie bound for RBBC, McFadden. Mendenhall is a bit more of a sure thing than Slaton with your RB4 slot, just nowhere near as likely in my opinion to crack the top 15 or so in running back rankings.