by Tim Delamatter

Created on: August 21, 2009   Last Updated: August 22, 2009

In most sports rookies are relegated to carrying the equipment, getting water for the veterans, singing songs half naked, or any other million things to break in the new guy they are made to do. It is a very small percentage which actually make an impact on the teams they are on.

Football however has been a sport where this low impact for rookies, isn't always the case. In football there are literally 33 places for a rookie to fit in. Granted most spots are specialized, and need elite talent before a rook can make any headway. There are still more opportunities for a young player to contribute. Look at Devin Hester's first year, who ever thought the Bears would be in the Superbowl. Or Houston's second round linebacker Demeco Ryans, who made over 120 tackles his first year, and has kept up the pace the past two as well establishing himself as a premier linebacker in the league.

The Draft is a crap-shoot, unless it comes down to who will make it in the NFL. Almost everyone knows who has the right tools and who doesn't. What many scouts do not know, is how those tools will be used. Will the player excel, or will he succumb to just being a player. The NFL is very competitive, as well as dangerous for the health. Running backs traditionally have a life span of 3-5 years, with the exceptionally few going longer, usually not productive however. Most GM's take these types of understandings into consideration when they draft certain positions. A GM would undoubtedly draft a skill position like running back, over a non-skill position like defensive back, linebacker, corner-back, tight-end or safety, because he knows he can get good quality, or develop a player into those positions in the later rounds. Where an elite running back is hard to find, and gambles are necessary when dealing with those players.

This year is a bit different than most I believe. There are the can't miss players, and then there are the ones who are intriguing and could become pro-bowl players out of the shoot. I will focus on the intriguing ones and let the you see the Aaron Curries and Jason Smith's alone.

1. Matt Stafford #1 Detroit Lions:

The Lions have again hitched their future to a Quarterback who has rave reviews from the scouts. They gave him a 6 year deal worth 78 million dollars, with 41.7 guaranteed. That is a lot of money for an unknown commodity. He has the proper attitude, arm strength, football IQ, and pedigree, but lets face it, many can't misses have missed big. I will not

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