We're still sorting through the miles of information and millions of words generated by NFL draft weekend, but it doesn't hurt to lay down some first impressions. We begin, of course, with running backs, the lifeblood of fantasy football. Five rushers had their names called in the first round and another seven backs joined them by the end of round three. These rookies now need to meet teammates, learn playbooks, carry bags, figure out how to pick up the blitz, and fight their way up the depth chart between now and the end of August. Their fantasy values will undoubtedly change in the coming months, but we offer up some initial thoughts.

1(4). Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, Arkansas
Vitals: 6-2, 210 pounds
2007 stats: 325 carries, 1,830 yards, 16 TD; 21 rec., 164 yards, 1 TD

Fantasy owners may be quick to peg McFadden as the next Reggie Bush due to the hype, the speed, and the Lane Kiffin connection. That is a little simplistic. McFadden is more physical than Bush and won't take as long to develop his between-the-tackles game. That being said, the Raiders want to get Darren on the edges, whether it be with a handoff or a pass, and he won't walk into a 20-carry role.

This offseason, the Raiders signed Justin Fargas to an extension and reworked Dominic Rhodes' deal. LaMont Jordan is likely gone, but they also have Michael Bush in the stable. Those backs won't stop Kiffin from finding a role for McFadden, but fantasy owners have to worry about Darren getting a limited workload early as he operates behind or alongside Fargas. The upside is enormous, and we have to believe Al Davis will make sure McFadden is the man before the season is over.

With visions of Adrian Peterson dancing in their head, some fantasy owners won't be able to help themselves and may try to push McFadden as a No. 1 caliber fantasy back. That's too aggressive, especially if (like me) you worry about the Raiders passing game and potential to keep games close. I'll probably start him around No. 20 in my rankings and move him up once if he dazzles in the preseason. Fargas slips down into the mid or low-30s.

1(13). Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
Vitals: 5-11, 235 pounds
2007 stats: 280 carries, 1,722 yards, 11 TD; 22 rec., 145 yards, 2 TD

It wasn't too long ago (2003) that John Fox's club rode Stephen Davis to the Super Bowl, and it's difficult not to make such a connection. Stewart is a well-built, strong back with good quickness and agility. He led all running backs at the combine by bench-pressing 225 pounds 28 times, and he also ran a 4.45 40-yard dash. Stewart also an Oregon record for single-season rushing yards last year, and he is an asset in the passing game and, potentially, as a kick returner.

Stewart underwent turf toe surgery on March 12, and the operation was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson, who works with the Panthers. Thus, we're pretty sure the club is confident about his recovery, and reports suggest he'll be ready for training camp. The Panthers used a first-round pick on DeAngelo Williams in 2006, and this situation smells strongly of a backfield-by-committee. Williams will be the starter heading into training camp and could lead the team in touches this year, but Stewart looks built for goal-line work. Prior to the draft, Williams was a No. 2 fantasy back, but he'll now fall down to the 25-30 range and Stewart may not be far behind.

1(22). Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, Arkansas
Vitals: 6-0, 200 pounds
2007 stats: 133 carries, 1,162 yards, 11 touchdowns; 16 rec., 176 yards, 0 TD

Jones moves out from McFadden's shadow only to fall into a time-share situation with Marion Barber. Felix is a home-run hitter (7.7 yards-per-carry for his college career) who should be able to fill a variety of roles right away. He can be a change-of-pace runner, a pass-catcher, and a kick returner. The Cowboys needed a speed complement to Barber's rugged style, and they certainly found that in Jones.

Felix will essentially be replacing Julius Jones, who ran for over 1,000 yards in 2006 but fell back to 588 yards last season. The difference is that Julius started, and the Cowboys will let Barber step into that gig this year. Barber will continue to do all the goal-line work, which limits Jones' upside. I can envision 150-175 carries with a shot at 750 rushing yards and a few scores, and Felix could blossom if Barber plows himself into an injury.

The most intriguing assessment comes in keeper leagues. Barber recently put his right pinkie up to his lips and demanded the Cowboys pay him a $100 billion contract extension. Or something ludicrous like that. Marion is entering the final year of his deal, and Jones stands to inherit the gig in 2009 if Barber continues to price himself out of the Cowboys pocketbook.

1(23). Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Vitals: 5-11, 225 pounds
2007 stats: 262 carries, 1,681 yards, 17 TD; 34 rec., 318 yards, 2 TD

Fantasy owners who owned Willie Parker last year weren't happy to see the starter outscored seven-to-two by backup Najeh Davenport. Get used to it. I'm not sure why Mendenhall slipped all the way to 23, but the Steelers should be giddy. Mendenhall has the look of an every-down NFL back as he is a big, powerful guy who can also beat defenses with his speed and as a pass-catcher.

Parker is coming off a broken leg, but he isn't in jeopardy of losing his starting job. Fantasy owners do have to wonder, though, if Fast Willie will sniff 300 carries or have to share work near the stripe. Parker still falls in the 10-to-15 range amongst fantasy backs, and Mendenhall looks like a must-have, high-upside handcuff.

1(24). Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson, East Carolina
Vitals: 5-11, 200 pounds
2007 stats: 236 carries, 1,423 yards, 17 TD; 37 rec., 528 yards, 6 TD

The Titans lost a lot of talent-evaluation points with us when they reached for Chris Henry last year. Why did they do it? Because Henry is really, really fast. Johnson posted the best 40 time at the combine (4.24), and the Titans jumped all over the guy who labeled himself a "faster Brian Westbrook."

It's easy to see the Titans pounding LenDale White up the middle and using Johnson as a change-of-pace back, receiver, and return man. The rookie doesn't profile to be an every-down guy, and the Titans are apparently banking on him being a multi-use weapon like Westbrook of old and Reggie Bush of now. Good luck with that. I didn't like the pick when it happened, and I don't like his fantasy value in year one, unless you are in PPR leagues. Which reminds me, what's Chris Perry up to these days?

2(44). Chicago Bears: Matt Forte, Tulane
Vitals: 6-2, 222 pounds
2007 stats: 361 carries, 2,127 yards, 23 TD; 32 rec., 282 yards, 0 TD

Are Forte and Wolfe jerseys currently available in the Bears shoppe? The franchise apparently loves big-number college backs, and the Forte pick is a clear signal that it's time for Cedric Benson to step it up. Some Chicago papers are seemingly ready to write Benson's obit, but I'm going to wait until this rookie actually puts on some pads. Forte is a bigger back capable of carrying the load and catching the ball out of the backfield, but he lacks an explosive first step. He seems more like a plowhorse, which can be fine for fantasy leagues but isn't the most exciting. I'm keeping both Forte and Benson in the mid-30s until the battle heats up in training camp.

2(55). Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice, Rutgers
Vitals: 5-8, 199 pounds
2007 stats: 380 carries, 2,012 yards, 24 TD; 25 rec., 239 yards, 1 TD

Willis McGahee has missed games each of the last two years due to injuries, and the Ravens no longer have Musa Smith and Mike Anderson. Thus, the team was smart to secure a reliable backup like Rice, even if the team had other needs (ahem, left tackle?). Rice immediately becomes the top backup and a fantasy handcuff for McGahee. The Rutgers product lacks size and high-end speed, but he's a dependable workhorse who can do a little bit of everything.

3(64). Detroit Lions: Kevin Smith, Central Florida
Vitals: 6-1, 215 pounds
2007 stats: 450 carries, 2,567 yards, 29 TD; 24 rec., 242 yards, 1 TD

Smith fell just short of breaking Barry Sanders' single-season NCAA rushing record, and I'm betting he falls just short of surpassing Sanders' legacy in Detroit. Joking aside, fantasy owners need to pay attention to this guy. Tatum Bell is the starter in Detroit, and Brian Calhoun is the backup. If Smith can acclimate to the team's new one-cut system, he could step into a pretty big role. The Lions jumped up the board on Sunday to get Smith, but given Matt Millen's history of talent evaluation, I'm hesitant to move the rookie much up the fantasy rankings. I'm keeping Bell as the best of the bunch (in the mid-30s) until at least minicamps.

3(69). San Diego Chargers: Jacob Hester, LSU
Vitals: 5-11, 225 pounds
2007 stats: 225 carries, 1,103 yards, 12 TD; 14 rec., 106 yards, 1 TD

There's no mystery here. The Chargers lost Michael Turner to free agency and needed a bigger back to sit behind LaDainian Tomlinson and keep Darren Sproles warm. Hester is a halfback/fullback tweener who can run between the tackles, catch a little bit, and contribute on special teams. The Chargers gave up a second-round pick (2009) and a fifth-round pick (2008) to get him in the third round, so they must really expect him to be the primary backup to Tomlinson.

3(73). Kansas City Chiefs: Jamaal Charles, Texas
Vitals: 5-11, 200 pounds
2007 stats: 258 carries, 1,619 yards, 18 TD; 17 rec., 199 yards, 0 TD

Somebody bump the Chiefs. They're on the clock again. I'm amazed by the fact they used only two of their 12 picks on offensive linemen. But this section is supposed to be about Charles, right? Jamaal may be a little undersized, but he claims that he was the fastest player on the Longhorns last year. He could contribute as a kick returner right away, and he'll team up with Kolby Smith to provide backup services to Larry Johnson. Smith fits more of a between-the-tackles mold and remains the better handcuff.

3(89). Houston Texans: Steve Slaton, West Virginia
Vitals: 5-9, 195 pounds
2007 stats: 211 carries, 1,051 yards, 17 TD; 26 rec., 350 yards, 1 TD

Hey, this guy is super fast, too. Why didn't you take him, Titans? Slaton's stock fell a bit when a wrist injury hampered his junior season. His size doesn't help, either. The Texans believe he can be a third-down back right away due to his home run speed. It sounds like Ahman Green and Chris Brown are safe atop the depth chart, but it also bears mentioning that the minds behind the Texans running game (Gary Kubiak, Kyle Shanahan, Alex Gibbs) have paved the way for smaller, speedy backs in the past.

The rest of the running backs
We apologize to this fine group of gentlemen, but we'll withhold from offering fantasy insight until these running backs or fullbacks appear to be anything more than depth chart fillers.

4(122). Dallas Cowboys: Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech
5(139). Denver Broncos: Ryan Torain, Arizona State
5(146). Detroit Lions: Jerome Felton, Furman
5(149). Arizona Cardinals: Timothy Hightower, Richmond
5(163). Seattle Seahawks: Owen Schmitt, West Virginia (FB)
5(166). San Diego Chargers: Marcus Thomas, UTEP
6(172). Atlanta Falcons: Thomas Brown, Georgia
6(176). Miami Dolphins: Jalen Parmele, Toledo
6(179). Buffalo Bills: Xavier Omon, NW Missouri State
6(202). Indianapolis Colts: Mike Hart, Michigan
6(204). Miami Dolphins: Lex Hilliard, Montana
7(213). Jacksonville Jaguars: Chauncey Washington, USC
7(227). Denver Broncos: Peyton Hillis, Arkansas (FB)
7(233). Seattle Seahawks: Justin Forsett, California
7(238). Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cory Boyd, South Carolina
7(240). Baltimore Ravens: Allen Patrick, Oklahoma