As players get ready for training camp, Fantasy Football Owners should be doing the same. What do I mean?  Well, you as the General Manager of your Fantasy Football team should be getting ready for the upcoming season by starting your research now.  Reading this Rookie Report is just your first step towards formulating your draft strategy for the 2008 season.

The 2008 Draft produced a handful of great running backs, all of which could end up as starters by seasons end. But who will have the biggest impact for your Fantasy team?

The one knock on this years class, NO wide receivers were drafted in the first round.  Don't look for an impact player at this position early in the season. A few may emerge half way through the season, but no rookie wide receiver should start the season in your lineup.

Here are the Top Five players at the skilled position (QB, RB, WR) that could help your Fantasy Football team in 2008:

QB :

1) Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons : The third overall pick has a great shot at starting the season as the Falcons starting quarterback.  Ryan has a take charge attitude and as already worked out with the first team offense in their two-minute drill. Atlanta's two tight end system should help Ryan eliminate many mistakes, as the O-line tries to keep the opposing defense from pressuring him.  The addition of running back Michael Turner should also allow Ryan to be more comfortable. Turner a decent pass blocker, will provide Ryan a little more time to look down field and show off that rocket arm of his.

2) Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens : When your main competition in Ravens camp is Kyle Boller and Troy Smith, you have to have the confidence that you could win the quarterback job out of training camp.  Flacco posses a strong arm who had no problems picking apart I-AA teams his final year of college, but the question is, can he operate at the next level?  Cam Cameron will give him the opportunity with the Ravens looking to incorporate more shot guns plays, a system Flacco ran while at Delaware.  The Ravens didn't trade up to get Flacco for no reason.  They see a future for Flacco, but will his career start this year?

3) Brian Brohm – Green Bay Packers : Brohm's collegiate numbers speak for themselves while leading the University of Louisville.  Selected by the Green Bay Packers, Brohm will compete against Aaron Rogers for the starting job.  Brohm has a huge mountain to climb if he's looking to overtake Rogers on the depth chart.  The book on Brohm is that his lack of arm strength and injury risk hurt his overall draft position, but to me Brohm is the most NFL ready quarterback in my Top Five.  He sits at three because I believe the Packers have already made up their minds to go with Rogers to start the season.

4) Chad Henne – Miami Dolphins : Henne has the skills to be a decent NFL quarterback, but the fenior out of Michigan makes to many mistakes to be worth any Fantasy value.  Henne does posses a strong arm, but will serve as the backup in Miami for at least a year or two.

5) John David Booty – Minnesota Vikings : Tarvaris Jackson is a sleeper pick of mine at quarterback so I don't see where Booty will fit in this year.  Jackson has more athletic ability and better foot work than Booty, as noted by several NFL scouts.  Booty is a long shot to have any Fantasy value this year.

RB :

1) Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders : He was suppose to slip down to my Jets, but as Al Davis does each and every year, he had to pick a player that has a shady background.  Off field problems aside, McFadden posses the great skills at the running back position.  There are some concerns that he doesn't like to get hit, and that the number of single player tackles were to high over his college career.  I think he'll be a player who'll get you 875 yards and six rushing touchdowns.  The number could be higher, but the Raiders have a plethora of running backs in camp.

2) Matt Forte – Chicago Bears : Forte falls into a great opportunity in Chicago.  With the recent release of problem running back Cedric Benson, Bears Head Coach Lover Smith has named Forte the starter.   Forte is built for 20+ carries a game and has great durability.  Forte will be a decent RB2 or flex player.

3)  Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers : Stewart is another running back that should have a significant impact on his owners Fantasy team. Unlike McFadden, Stewart's low-center of gravity running style make him hard to tackle. The major concern for Stewart going into camp is the off-season toe surgery he had.  Although he should be ready for full work outs during training camp, this is a situation you should monitor closely.

4) Kevin Smith – Detroit Lions : Smith's major competition in Detroit is Tatum Bell, which isn't saying much.  Coming off an NCAA record for careers in a season (450), Smith has shown he's durable and take a beating.  In your Points Per Reception (PPR) leagues, Smith has the highest selling for rookie running backs. With great hands out of the back field, if Smith doesn't win the job right away in Detroit, he'll be handling passing and third down situations. 

5) Rashard Mendenhall – Pittsburgh Steelers : Willie Parker owners are already cringing at the fact that Mendenhall is in camp.  Look for Mendenhall to steal carries from Parker, which to me makes Parker nothing more than a decent RB2.  Mendenhall has some power and can change directions quickly, but as a reserve he's no better than a flex player for your Fantasy team to start the season.

WR :

1) Devin Thomas – Washington Redskins : Although Thomas' route running has often been the topic of discussion, it's Thomas' size (6-2) that really has Fantasy owners in the know drilling over his potential. Currently listed as the Redskins #3 wide receiver, over taking Antwaan Randle El isn't out of the question.  Thomas should have Fantasy value this year, and is a wide out that could help your Fantasy team the second half of the season.

2) James Hardy – Buffalo Bills : You thought Thomas was tall?  Well, Hardy stands 6'6” and is a player that can go up and get it with great athletic ability.  The Bills now add size to their speed at wide receiver.  Hardy is currently a third down and red zone wide receiver, but who cares, touchdowns is what really counts.  Hardy should finish the season with at least six touchdowns and is a decent flex player in deep leagues.

3) Donnie Avery – St. Louis Rams : Taken as the first wide receiver in the draft, Avery doesn't posses the size Thomas and Hardy do, but where he lacks in size he makes up in speed.  Perfectly suited for the fast paced Rams offense, Avery will fill in at the slot and make LB's and safety knees buckle as he jolts and jooks his way to the end zone.

4) Limas Sweed – Pittsburgh Steelers : After a spectacular junior season, Sweed suffered a serious wrist injury his senior year which caused him to drop in the draft.  Luck for the Steelers, Sweed will fit in nicely into what already is a potent offense. Look for Sweed to steal touchdowns from Heath Miller in the red zone, a big target with soft hands, Sweed will become quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's best option on the fade route.

5) Earl Bennett – Chicago Bears : A durable wide receiver, Bennett, come mid-season should be the Bears top receiver.  Bennett is a player who can separate well from DB's and can catch in traffic.  Although Bennett may become the Bears best receiver, he still plays for the Bears which means Rex Grossman is throwing the ball.  Bennett might become a decent flex player, but nothing more.

Remember RotoHog Football is right around the corner.  Make sure you're doing your homework and look for BlogTalkRadio's #1 Fantasy Football Show, The RotoHog Market Minute, to start up Sunday, July 13th at 7pm.  It's time to get ready!!!