My initial reaction?

Only idiots have their fantasy league drafts before the PRE-season begins.

No personal insults intended for those of you that have, but think about it: A) You’re drafting without vital information about which newcomers are looking up (ie: a T.Y. Hilton or Doug Martin) and which ones aren’t looking too good so far (ie: a Dontari Poe, Morris Claiborne) and B) You cannot account for injuries that invariably occur during the preseason (ie: Pat Angerer, Trent Richardson).

Also, as I write this, the breaking news of the day is that Giants DT Shaun Rogers is out for the season with a blood clot in his leg. While Rogers is hardly a fantasy stud even in fantasy leagues that have a DT position, this is just the latest setback in the Giants’ interior DL and will affect their ability to stop the run. Things like this have ripple effects.

May 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (95) takes a break during the Giants OTA at the their training facility. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

So, remember the Golden Rule for Fantasy Commissioners: Don’t draft your league too early! Nobody wants a league where one or more owners gives up due to multiple injuries to their “top players” before the season even begins.

In this article, let’s take a look at some rookies that could provide some good upside with a mid-to-late round draft choice:

Brian Quick before Stephen Hill

Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams – there are mixed ideas about this kid. He comes from small Appalachian State in Boone, NC, so conventional wisdom is that he should take some time to get up to speed with an NFL playbook. At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, he ran a 4.55 at the NFL Combine. These stats basically mirror those of Bears’ WR Brandon Marshall, who came from UCF (Central Florida).

Remember back in 2007 when App. St. won in Ann Arbor against the Michigan Wolverines? Quick wasn’t a part of that game, but players like Chad Henne and Mario Manningham were on Michigan’s side. Armanti Edwards was the game’s leading passer, and he’s now a starting safety for the Carolina Panthers. It demonstrates the strength of their program.

By contrast, Stephen Hill is probably the most physically gifted athlete in the entire WR class for 2012. The kid averaged – averaged – over 28 yards per catch in college at the much larger school, Georgia Tech. However, he’s even more raw than Quick is and has to learn the route tree besides posts and go patterns. Even though the Jets are thin at the position, Hill has a ton of work in front of him before he becomes a consistent threat in the passing game. He’s worth a late-round pick as a 4th WR perhaps but don’t look for much production from him early.

You also have to take into account the team’s offense and who exactly the quarterback is. Would you rather have your “sleeper” WR pick catching passes from Mark Sanchez or Sam Bradford?

Bradford had a bad year last year but he was hampered by injuries. Mark Sanchez has yet to prove he’s a franchise quarterback. Bradford showed he can be that guy in 2010 when he was a healthy rookie.

Aug 9, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) catches a pass against Denver Broncos cornerback Tony Carter (32) at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Alshon Jeffery before Rueben Randle

Randle is the better-known player as Jeffery had a dismal final season for the Gamecocks, so Randle will probably be headed off the board first. This is a case of perhaps TOO much talent – on the New York Giants’ WR roster. Randle will compete against Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz for targets. Alshon Jeffery likely will start the entire season opposite Brandon Marshall, making Jeffery the team’s no.2 option. While Randle may also start for his Giants, there’s more talent there to compete with. Both teams have strong quarterback play, with a sizable edge going to Eli, but again…Randle is one among many while Jeffery is one among two. The math favors Jeffery, but Randle should produce also. I just think Jeffery might be the better value of the two in terms of fantasy draft position vs. upside this year.

Some random notes:

RB David Wilson of the Giants could wind up being a fantasy points machine. He was drafted to be the “hammer” to Ahmad Bradshaw’s shifty style of running. Bradshaw has a history of getting dinged up with some injuries, and Wilson looks to be the more natural goal-line back of the two. Wilson not only has the potential to be a TD vulture, but will probably see at least a few games where Bradshaw’s either out or hurting, allowing Wilson to get more touches.

RB Lamar Miller of the Dolphins should be considered in PPR leagues. The Philbin regime has begun and he runs a West Coast style offense. With the lack of receiving experience on the team, I see a lot of different guys catching balls this fall. I’d be surprised if any single guy gets more than 60 catches and backs and TEs should see a higher percentage of total targets as a result. Reggie Bush may line up in the slot or run patterns out of the backfield and Miller should see his share as well with his speed. While I probably wouldn’t draft him in regular leagues, he might be worth a later pick in PPR leagues.

Don’t “reach” for Justin Blackmon – There are two good reasons NOT to draft Justin Blackmon high: Laurent Robinson and Blaine Gabbert. Having said that, if he does fall into the 6th round or beyond, which is highly doubtful, THEN you might take a flier on him. Just remember for WRs that half of it is about who is throwing the ball. With Blaine Gabbert looking marginally better so far than he did last year, he has a long way to go as well in his second year. When you add in Laurent Robinson on the other side, Blackmon’s opportunities look to be limited by circumstance – and especially if Pocket Hercules continues his holdout into the regular season.

The 2012 NFL season looks especially rich with untested skill-position rookies looking to make an immediate impact.

Jan 2, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver (81) Justin Blackmon scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Stanford 41-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

In all actuality, this may be one of the most talented Drafts at the position when we look back ten years from now. A few players are coming out a little early adding to the depth, but overall we may see up to three taken in the first round and no less than 12 total should hear their names called sometime during the Draft.

Only a handful of Pro-Days remain for those looking to make a jump up big boards and if your name wasn’t Stephen Hill, you really didn’t standout at the NFL Combine.

Below is my Top 7 and a few “Sleeper Names You May Hear”.

1.) Justin Blackmon   6’1″   207 LBS   OKLAHOMA ST    4.46  40-YD DASH    35 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Blackmon is very similar to former teammate and fellow Cowboy Dez Bryant in the comparison of production and down rite domination of College Football. After that, off the field and upstairs, Justin Blackmon has continued to separate himself from any comparisons between the two in either regard.

The Oklahoma native piled up 38 receiving touchdowns in two seasons, won two straight Biletnikoff Awards as the nations top receiver, and decided it was time to go pro after just his Junior season. Who can blame him? He is a natural receiver and has shown the ability to run routes like a pro already. His frame and run after catch makes him an all-around wide-out who should be a Bryant-Type, impact player and day one starter in the NFL.

A weakness some may point out is his average blocking.

2.) Michael Floyd   6’3″   22o LBS   NOTRE DAME    4.47 40-YD DASH    36.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP 

Floyd is a freakish athlete who is in the same category as Blackmon when it comes to showing consistent production, despite defenses knowing and most likely game-planning to stop them. If you haven’t watched the clip of Floyd on ESPN’s Sports Science, check it out and it will make you a believer in his athletic ability. His running vertical (Floyd’s 41.5)  is higher than reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose‘s (40 in.).

With his size and frame, combined with the ability to block well and catch the ball over the middle, I see no reason why the 22 year old from St. Paul, MN won’t be the second receiver off the board come draft day.

3.) Alshon Jeffery  6’3″   213 LBS   SOUTH CAROLINA   4.47 40-YD DASH   36.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP 

Jeffery has been one of several different players heading into the draft whose stock continues to fluctuate. His weight was down from 216 at his pro day (each of his numbers are from S.CAR pro day) and some speculated he ran his first clocked forty-yard dash at 4.38. This may all be true, well the weight is official at least, but can he keep this pace of hard work and determination heading into the league? Alshon’s size and high level of domination in the SEC without ever having a decent, full-time QB leads me to believe he can excel and be great with an NFL quarterback.

One interesting fact I learned heading into this 2012 Draft was both a positive and somewhat of a negative in the aspect of Steve Spurrier‘s track record with Wide Receivers. He has had 25 Drafted into the NFL, but only one has been a Pro Bowler (Sidney Rice).

4.) Kendall Wright  5’10″  196 LBS   BAYLOR   4.44 40-YD DASH (PRO DAY)  38.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Kendall Wright was on the other end of 14 touchdowns thrown from Heisman Trophy winning teammate RG3 in the Baylor Bears magnificent 2011 football season. After a head-scratching 40 yard dash time at the combine (4.61), Wright headed into his pro day wanting to improve on that.

Though he is not the tallest guy on the field, his quickness and burst off the line make him a deep threat anytime he is on the field. Wright could become a player who is used in several different offensive packages and even on Special Teams just to get the ball in his hands.

5.) Stephen Hill  6’4″   215 LBS  GEORGIA TECH  4.36 40-YD DASH   133.0 INCH BROAD JUMP

Hill finds himself in a situation where he may be punished for the system in which he comes from. As a Yellow Jacket, playing in an option attack, opportunities for him to showcase his receiving skills were not abundant.

Yet, with that Speedy Gonzalez forty time at the combine and perhaps, the breakout success of Demaryius Thomas now outside of the exact same system shows it can be done. Combine Hill’s speed with his size and he will be a number one target in time.

6.) Nick Toon  6’2″   215 LBS   WISCONSIN   4.54 40-YD DASH   37.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Here is another receiver who only found success after being blessed with an efficient quarterback. Toon was in an offense that epitomizes the ground and pound mentality. He runs strong routes and can contribute in the run game as a blocker and not become a liability. Being that he is the son of Wisconsin Hall of Famer and former New York Jet Pro Bowler Al Toon, I see him having the mind and ability to stick around for some time in the NFL.

7.) Rueben Randle  6’3″   210 LBS    LSU      4.55 40-YD DASH   31.0 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Randle is yet another receiver coming out this year who just didn’t have enough opportunities throughout his collegiate career based on the offense in which his team ran.

Though Randle is not as polished as some of the others ranked above him at the position, his ability to catch the ball anywhere combined with his overall understanding of zones, coverages, and what it takes to win makes his value through the roof later in the draft.

SLEEPER NAMES WHO YOU MAY HEAR:

Joe Adams  5’11″   179 LBS   ARKANSAS 

Adams broke out his Senior season and proved to be a major contributor on a Top Ten offense and Team. He could find himself having success in a situation where he can play both Special Teams and in the slot because of his play-making ability, good hands, and overall speed.

Juron Criner  6’3″  224 LBS   ARIZONA

His career has been up and down but at times he has been as dominate as any receiver in college football. Criner’s great size and powerful athleticism will land him in the NFL, but, can his attitude and occasional disappearing act on the field be a thing of Juron’s past.

Dwight Jones  6’3″  230 LBS   UNC      &       Brian Quick   6’4″   220 LBS   APPALACHIAN STATE

Both of these receivers have the size that NFL teams are always looking for at the WR position.

Jones is very similar in college production and size to former UNC WR , standout Greg Little, who is now with the Cleveland Browns. Quick has all the potential in the world and will have to be in a perfect situation with a coach who knows how to develop young wide-outs. It wouldn’t hurt if they were teamed up with a Pro Bowl quarterback either, in fact they both could be productive as Rookies if in a scenario like that.