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The NFL draft is over and now 256 players are all optimistic about starting their NFL career (at least for now). For untold dozens others, their chance for a pro career will begin as a rookie free agent. We had a huge fantasy year from 2008 when rookie runners were everywhere and throwing a rookie quarterback into the fire resulted in a Rookie of the Year honor and a remarkable turnaround in Atlanta. Not unlike every warroom out there, we're likely all far too optimistic about this newest batch of players and yet it cannot be denied that at least a few will have fantasy significance if not become actual difference makers in their first year.
Mini-camps and training camp will wash out the bad ones and showcase who is real, but for now let's take a quick stab at who seems most likely to matter.
Quarterbacks
 Matthew Stafford (1.01 DET) - The classic pocket passer with a big arm ends up in Detroit where a quarterback savior hasn't been seen since Bobby Layne (oddly enough also from Highland Park High School in Dallas). The ex-Bulldog is only 6-2 which is a little short according to standards that like to see a 6-4 or 6-5 quarterback but his rocket arm and success in a tough conference was enough to merit the first pick. There is no doubt that the success of Matt Ryan in Atlanta and Joe Flacco in Baltimore last year helped to make this decision. Stafford has a great chance at being the starter this year and even as early as week one. If Stafford can meet lofty expectations, you can expect he and Calvin Johnson to become one of the hottest connections in the NFL. Roddy White had no problem with his rookie QB last year and Stafford comes in no less heralded. And Calvin Johnson has already been an elite player without an elite quarterback.
Mark Sanchez (1.05 NYJ) - The Jets moved up to grab the ex-Trojan Sanchez and he fills a glaring need that Kellen Clemens could never hope to fill. Many had Sanchez ranked higher than Stafford and he'll need to be better if he hopes to match what Stafford will do. While the first overall pick will effectively play inside and play catch with Calvin Johnson, Sanchez gets to face the swirling winds of New York which annually drive down Eli Manning's numbers starting around November. And instead of arguably the most talented wideout, he currently has wideouts of David Clowney and Jerricho Cotchery (you figure out which one is really best). But Sanchez could get playing time this year and may even end up an early season starter since the management needs to show progress this year. And if Joe Flacco can do it in Baltimore, then by golly Sanchez should be fine in New York. Like Stafford, Sanchez is only 6-2 and not quite as big as standard.
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