We all want the next best thing when it comes to fantasy football, i.e. rookie stars. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s never liberating to select Laveranues Coles and rarely does your spine tingle when you grab Derrick Mason. We like young, promising talents that come out of nowhere and contribute. And I’m convinced that the universal appeal with rooks is that you can get them on the cheap in most drafts.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of the first-year players who jumped off the screen while I watched Week One of the preseason. Yes, I actually watched every snap played thus far. To an extent, it’s a waste of time because everything is so vanilla, but I do it to evaluate and get a feel for the players we’ve never seen operate at the NFL level. Away we go……

Felix Jones (RB, Dal) – Jones looked extremely quick and fleet-footed in his debut, as advertised. With Marion Barber ahead of him, his chances figure to be somewhat limited this season. But this guy could be very special in the not so distant future. He reminds me of a young Ahman Green. He’s shifty, but also capable of blowing by people for the home run.

Chris Johnson (RB, Ten) – We read all about his speed this off-season, but we got to see it in HD when he burst through the middle for his first long NFL TD run in Tennessee’s preseason opener. And it was glorious. I’m going to guess we’ll be seeing plenty of big plays from this kid for many years, provided he can take a beating. What great vision he has.

Mike Hart (RB, Ind) – He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient and very tough. He’s a gamer. I like the way he runs with a powerful forward lean. Hart’s got pretty sticky hands too. Being buried behind Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes puts him in a tough spot this year, but if injuries hit the Colt backfield, Hart could be money. He’s off to a very encouraging and productive start to the preseason.

Tim Hightower (RB, Ari) – This rook stood out in my Week One viewing because of his striking similarity in style to Steven Jackson. He’s a quick, violent cutter with a strong lower body. He’s got deceptive speed, too. Edgerrin James is past his prime and Hightower looks ready to take some carries off Edge’s plate.

Jacob Hester (RB, SD) – This guy’s a hard-nosed football player who should make the Charger ground game even better in 2008. Scary thought, huh? In the event of a LaDainian Tomlinson injury, Hester would be the guy I’d prefer over Darren Sproles simply for his TD upside. After all, he easily scored twice in his first NFL action this weekend.

Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Pit) – This first-year player exhibited nice outside speed and superb vision in his first NFL action. Willie Parker’s still the bell-cow in the Steel City, but the team will find a way to use this potential lead back. I believe 50 yards/week won’t be a problem for Mendenhall in 2008 in his complementary role.

Anthony Alridge (RB, Den) – His game is all about speed and he showed plenty of it in his first preseason action, not to mention some impressive pass-catching ability. Based on the perennially fickle nature of Shanahan’s backfields, Alridge has to be a guy you’re familiar with.

DeSean Jackson (WR, Phi) – He’s undersized and he’s facing a tough task in mastering Andy Reid’s complex offense, but Jackson looks like a natural to me. By that I mean, he’s got “it.” Wiggle, zuzu, juice, pizzazz, shimmy, moves. He’s going to become a favorite target of Donovan McNabb in no time. Mark my words.

Josh Morgan (WR, SF) – I watched Morgan closely because I’ve read some good things about him this summer. Frank Gore said recently that Morgan’s going to be a beast in the NFL and I believe him now after seeing his debut. This kid is an Anquan Boldin clone. I won’t be shocked if he’s a sturdy, dynamic possession receiver who Mike Martz relies on in 2008.

Will Franklin (WR, KC) – Brodie Croyle (who stinks IMHO) could easily hold him back this year, but Franklin showed me already that he has no fear, which intrigues me. He made some great catches in traffic in KC’s first preseason game and I’ve been reading all summer about how much the coaching staff and the fans love him. Barring injury, he’ll be the Chiefs’ #2 WR and Dwayne Bowe’s sidekick by the time October rolls around. Nobody else there can be a legit second wideout.

Limas Sweed (WR, Pit) – This guy just oozes confidence and he’s built for the NFL. Big Ben wanted a big weapon and Sweed figures to be that weapon as Pittsburgh’s #3 WR this year. I was pleased with his preseason debut and impressed mostly with his physicality and his sizeable frame. Not many corners will be able to match up body-to-body with this rook, who just happens to have some big, sticky paws to snatch the ball with.

Matt Ryan (QB, Atl) – I don’t want to make waves because Ryan doesn’t have his arm strength. But I thought Matty Ice had some Carson Palmer moments in his preseason debut. He was poised in the pocket, he stood tall, he was confident and composed, he knew where the ball was supposed to go, and most importantly he took control of the offense. He’ll be starting Week One. If not, the Falcons should be removed from the NFL.

Chad Henne (QB, Mia) – Never liked him at Michigan, but he caught my attention in his preseason debut. He made efficient, strong, well-timed throws, exhibited great footwork, and looked the part. Dare I say Henne’s got a little Jay Cutler in him?

Sorry folks, but I wasn’t impressed with Darren McFadden. He’s got an elite pedigree and his first-step quickness is remarkable. But John Hansen is all over this guy. He’s truly like a birthday candle. One blow and he’s out. I watched him carry the ball over the weekend, and as soon as he met contact or resistance, he folded like a cheap tent. Those type of players usually don’t take the speed-driven and hard-hitting NFL by storm. And they certainly don’t deserve to be compared to Adrian Peterson, who can probably run through a brick wall if he tried.

Hope these nuggets help. My eyes don’t usually deceive me, so you can rest assured these are the facts, Jack.