NFL fantasy rookie report

By Jon Stulberg, Fanball.com, Special to SI.com

With the Broncos' running game unable to remain healthy, Eddie Royal should see plenty of passes his way down the stretch. Marc Piscotty/Icon SMI

Trading etiquette. Is it something that exists or is it a fiction of our imagination? Sort of like Business Ethics (yeah Wall Street, I'm talking to you). A trade went down in my big league: Thomas Jones, Antonio Bryant and Ben Roethlisberger for Adrian Peterson and Kevin Curtis. Seems pretty bad, right? Well, get this, the guy who traded Peterson was 2-7, Antonio Bryant was on bye, leaving him with no third receiver for the week, and he also had Brett Favre and Jason Campbell already (two QBs with more points and higher scoring averages than Roethlisberger). In addition, he'd publicly admitted to not really paying attention this year since he has a newborn at home. My league only vetoes trades if collusion is involved and there was none here.

At some point, personal integrity must take over, especially in a league among friends. At the very least, it would have been decent if somewhere in the trade discussion it was revealed that Bryant was on bye. That's the absolute minimum. However, the question becomes whether that offer should even have been sent. It's one thing to take from the poor. It's quite another to leave them naked in the cold. If you're going to make a quantity for quality trade, at least attempt to improve the depth of the poor man's roster. We all know what Thomas Jones did in Week 10, so for one week, it's at least digestible. However, take away Weeks 1, 6 and 10 from Jones and his year has been poor. Certainly not in the same ballpark as Peterson. Sell high, buy low; we all know the drill, but at some point, isn't a championship tainted?

OK, enough of my rant. Let's get down to business of analyzing where this year's rookies stand.

Quarterback

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

As expected, Ryan performed very well against a weak Saints defense. Completing 16-of-23 for 248 yards and two touchdowns isn't a surprise anymore from this amazing rookie quarterback. Don't believe me? Well one of his touchdowns was an audible that resulted in a bomb to Michael Jenkins. Ryan recognized the single coverage and changed the play. The Falcons coaches trust him enough to allow him to audible and Ryan is smart enough to call the right play. He's arrived. The horrible Denver Broncos defense is up next, so Ryan is a recommended start even in 12-team, one quarterback leagues.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

So Mr. Suggs, still want Troy Smith as your starter? Flacco completed 15-of-23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. With a strong rushing attack and phenomenal defense, Flacco could end up being the new Trent Dilfer in Baltimore. However, beware. The Giants defense is up next and they've humbled much more experienced quarterbacks. Flacco is not a recommended starter this week.

Running back

Benjarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots

Move over, Kevin Faulk. Green-Ellis carried the ball 26 times for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Bills on Sunday. New England is playing a ball control offense, trying to keep Matt Cassel at bay. Unfortunately for Green-Ellis owners, the fifth-ranked Jets rushing defense is up in a Thursday night game. Between the tough defense and the fact that Green-Ellis has a short week after a big workload, he's actually not a great start for this week. Look for the Patriots to use quick passes to Wes Welker as their form of running game.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Like most figured, and we mentioned, Forte found the running difficult against a brutal Titans defense. He still finished with a respectable 72 yards on 20 carries. However, like we mentioned, he was terrific for PPR owners by catching seven passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Green Bay's 28th-ranked rushing defense is up next, so make sure Forte stays in your active lineup.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Ouch! Eight yards on 14 carries? The Bears put eight and even nine men in the box to stop Johnson and dared Kerry Collins to beat them. Guess what, he did. Hopefully the Jacksonville Jaguars saw that, and that Collins' ability to spread the ball around will open up running lanes for Johnson. He's simply too good and too fast to be kept at bay. We're not down on him. This happens.

Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos

He got the start and ran for 68 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and then boom. Torn ACL, done for the year. That hurts.

Steve Slaton, Houston Texans

Another ouch! Four carries? What the heck is that about? Head coach Gary Kubiak said that Slaton was given fewer carries because the running back was "worn down." ROOKIE WALL. We've talked about that, we just wish coaches realized how important fantasy football is to us and would reveal these tidbits of information BEFORE THE GAME! Look for the rejuvenated Slaton to abuse the Colts 24th -anked rushing defense.

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Nothing to see here. Move along, folks. Between the injuries and lack of a quarterback, it's almost OK to drop McFadden in redraft leagues.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

The season is a failure. With 21 yards on seven carries, Stewart is doing nothing. The rhetoric coming out of Carolina indicates they haven't lost confidence in him, but the heel injury combined with the effectiveness of DeAngelo Williams kills Stewart's value. He's a hold in keeper leagues, but at this point, he'll need an injury to Williams to have value in redraft formats.

Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys

Still not ready to return. Marion Barber owners rejoice.

Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions

Smith has passed Rudi Johnson on the depth chart. Yippee! It's about time. Smith ran 23 times for 96 yards and a touchdown against a tough Jaguars defense. He added one catch for 27 yards. It's funny that the Detroit Lions are the only ones surprised by this. At least now, head coach Rod Marinelli is indicating the ball belongs to Smith. Carolina and their 17th-ranked rush defense is up next. With Daunte Culpepper at quarterback, there will be a continued emphasis on the run. You could do worse than Smith.