Long before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell emerged from the left side of the television screen (Radio City Music Hall if you were there) we knew that Jake Long was Miami's top selection, and the first overall pick in the draft. But who, besides the Falcons, expected Matt Ryan to go at No. 3, or that the under-card to Mr. Irrelevant would hold so many heavy weight phone battles that involved 11 first-round trades?

The Redskins did the earliest damage to the player pool of receivers on Saturday, taking three receivers (in their case, two wideouts and a pass-catching tight end) and did so in the first two rounds. Not since the NFL and AFL held their first common draft in 1966 has a team dedicated their first three picks -- in the first two rounds -- on building a "good-hands" team.

We're just a few days removed from the 2008 NFL Draft and fantasy fans are already buzzing about what impact the group will have as rookies.

There are always surprises during the draft, but my top five facts of interest are as follows:

5. From the 252 picks, 179 came from BCS schools, with the Pac-10 and SEC leading the way with 34 players each.
4. The University of Miami had a player selected (S Kenny Phillips, NYG) in the first round for the 14th consecutive year.
3. Lions president and GM Matt Millen didn't take a wide receiver in the first-round for the first time during his tenure in Detroit.
2. DeSean Jackson, projected to go as a middle-to-late first-rounder fell all the way to the 49th pick.

1. For the first time since 1990, there were no wide receivers taken in round-one.

We will be offering a plethora of rookie information in the coming months and by no means should this early evaluation of virgin receivers be mistaken for a draft-day guide. But player values, ignited by Combine performances and junior and senior stat lines, eventually metamorphose into fantasy value. So it's never too early to take a sneak peak at what impact the rookie wideout troupe could have.

2 (33). St Louis Rams: Donnie Avery, Houston
Vitals: 5-11, 186 pounds
2007 stats: 91 receptions, 1,456 yards, 7 TD

Avery was named to the All-Conference USA First Team in 2007. He finished third overall in the nation in receiving yards (1,456), and also excelled as a kick returner. He should immediately be a special teams contributor for the Rams. The question mark surrounding the talented receiver envelops his physicality. Avery's 5-11 frame will never make him an imposing figure over the middle, and he was by all accounts a liability as a blocker in college. That said, if he can bulk up without losing speed, nothing is out of the question when attempting to improve technique.

The departure of Isaac Bruce to San Francisco gives the rookie wide out a chance to play right away. He's a downfield threat and might soon be a complement to the aging Torry Holt. It's rare that a first year receiver makes a fantasy impact, but Avery will be given every opportunity to earn snaps for a receiving corps filled with durability issues.

With Holt, Drew Bennett and Reche Caldwell ahead of the rookie on the depth chart, he becomes more a keeper and dynasty asset than that of a re-draft attraction.

2 (34). Washington Redskins: Devin Thomas, Michigan State
Vitals: 6-2, 215 pounds
2007 stats: 79 receptions, 1,260 yards, 8 TD

An All-Big Ten Second-Teamer in 2007, Thomas had more than one eye-opening performance during his senior season. As a junior college transfer, Thomas didn't do much in his first full season with Michigan State. But in 2007 he exploded, leading the conference in receiving yards (with 1,260). He brings special team talents to the NFL, and impressed the 'Skins with efforts at the Combine (4.4 in the 40-yard dash).

Thomas joins a team in desperate need of size, speed and playmaking ability at the wide receiver position. At 6-2, 220 and 4.4 speed -- he brings just that to the Capital City.

The rookie gives the Redskins a big, physical receiver to complement Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. Thomas figures to battle rookie Malcolm Kelly for time as the No. 3 receiver.


2 (36). Green Bay Packers: Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
Vitals: 6-3, 217 pounds
2007 stats: 122 receptions, 1,606 yards, 11 TD

An Associated Press All-America First-Teamer, Nelson had a monster senior season. At 133.4 receiving yards per contest and11 total receiving touchdowns, Nelson was the Wildcats' gamer. His impressive combination of size (6-3) and speed (4.5 40-yard dash) puts him in the mold of ex-Packer Javon Walker.

Green Bay, who is already wide receiver rich, used their early second-round pick on what they believed was the "best player available", which speaks volumes to how much the front office liked his skillset. The Packers get another weapon for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and a big wideout who will also make an impact as a returner.

The fact that the team is receiver-heavy won't allow Nelson to make an impact as a rookie. In dynasty and keeper leagues, however, he will be one of the first wideouts taken in early summer rookie drafts.


2 (41). Buffalo Bills: James Hardy, Indiana
Vitals: 6-6, 220 pounds
2007 stats: 79 receptions, 1,125 yards, 16 TD

An All-Big Ten First-Teamer in 2007, Hardy comes with immense athleticism. In 2004-05 he was an occasional starter for the Hoosier basketball team, and has only been fully committed to football for the last two campaigns.

At 6-6, he has tremendous leaping ability and good speed. He is the perfect compliment to veteran Lee Evans and has a terrific chance to contribute as a rookie. The Bills wanted and needed a large possession receiver and they got that in Hardy, but the ultra-talented player comes with some off-field baggage.

His touchdown-to-reception ratio offers evidence of just how valuable he was to the Hoosiers; and without a true go-to receiver or tight end in Buffalo, quarterback Trent Edwards has his red zone target. Hardy will have an opportunity to lead all rookie receivers in touchdown catches if he proves to be NFL-ready this summer.


2 (42). Denver Broncos: Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech
Vitals: 5-10, 184 pounds
2007 stats: 33 receptions, 496 yards, 4 TD

Royal was quietly productive for the Hokies, and a key special teamer as the kick-and punt-returner. He has outstanding speed, terrific hands and is a threat to take it to the house each time he touches the ball. As a receiver he is underrated, and should continue to develop under the tutelage of Mike Shannan and his staff. With Javon Walker sporting his possession skills in Oakland, and Brandon Marshall a durability risk after a breakout 2007 campaign, Royal has big-play ability as the team's primary returner and third receiver.

Royal will fills a multitude of depth issues the Broncos currently have, and provides insurance in case Marshall's injury limits him at all this season. How much fantasy value the undersized receiver garners depends solely on who Shanahan keeps and whether Marshall can make a full recovery.

For now, expect Royal to fall in behind Brandon Stokley in the slot.


2 (46). Cincinnati Bengals: Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina
Vitals: 6-2, 190 pounds
2007 stats: 37 receptions, 613 yards, 10 TD

While not exactly prolific during his senior season, one of every four passes Simpson caught was for a touchdown. An athlete by every sense of the word, his combination of leaping ability, size, above average speed and great hands makes him a terrific fit in the Bengals aerial game. Simpson's skillset makes him a potential top-tiered possession receiver at the highest level, but his small-school status and somewhat unproven numbers make him a work in progress.

Simpson immediately becomes the team's No. 3 receiver behind Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh as Chris Henry's replacement, and could be the No. 2 if in fact Johnson holds true to his word of not playing this year.


2 (49). Philadelphia Eagles: DeSean Jackson, Cal
Vitals: 6-0, 178 pounds
2007 stats: 65 receptions, 762 yards, 6 TD

An All-Pac Ten second-teamer as both a wideout and a punt returner, and arguably the fastest college football player in the nation. His 4.35 time in the 40-yard dash at the Combine was expected to vault him into the first round. In his three years at Cal he scored a total of 29 offensive and special team touchdowns.

A thumb injury slowed him down in his junior season, but the kid has a huge "P" for potential, dead-square in the middle of his chest. He is a first-round talent, drafted by a pass-happy Andy Reid offense, and fills multiple needs for the Eagles.

If the rookie can steer clear of previous off-field issues, and pick up the thick Eagles playbook, he has a chance to be threat for Donovan McNabb right out of the gate. Considering how bad the Eagles' receiving corps is, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jackson start as a rookie.


2 (51). Washington Redskins: Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
Vitals: 6-4, 218 pounds
2007 stats: 49 receptions, 821 yards, 9 TD

A member of the All-Big Twelve second team in both 2006 and 2007, Kelly is exactly the type of receiver that fits the term "NFL-ready." He has size, runs terrific routes, and has that receiver savvy that made him valuable in a run-first offense. His minor durability issues in college become a major concern at the highest level, but overall Kelly is the classic big receiver that organizations crave.

Kelly figures to battle rookie Devin Thomas for time as the No. 3 receiver.


2 (53). Pittsburgh Steelers: Limas Sweed, Texas
Vitals: 6-4, 212 pounds
2007 stats: 19 receptions, 306 yards, 3 TD

The Steelers waited until the second round to address Big Ben's offseason request, to obtain a big possession receiver. Sweed has the size and athletic ability to become a top-tiered NFL possession target, but health is an issue with the ex-Longhorn.

A two-time All-Big Twelve First-Teamer, a lingering wrist injury retarded his 2007 senior season. Sweed is a first-round talent and by some accounts, the top receiving prospect in the 2008 draft. Steelers coaches had Sweed ranked as one of the top 25 players overall, and he was their top rated receiver target. He will begin the season as the No. 4 wideout behind Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington, but will end the season as the team's first choice when the Steelers offense goes to a three receiver set.

Sweed is an interesting fantasy prospect -- and with an injury to either Ward or Holmes -- he could become a starting option as a rookie.


2 (58). Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dexter M. Jackson, Appalachian State
Vitals: 5-10, 180 pounds
2007 stats: 30 receptions, 688 yards, 8 TD

The Bucs needed help at receiver -- and while Jackson didn't put up huge numbers at small school Appalachian State -- he showed big-play potential. Jackson fills the team's need for speed and a receiver that can fill in for the aging Joey Galloway. He also doubles as a returner.

The Bucs will lean on him as a punt and kick returner, while he grabs on to the coattail of Galloway and learns the art of receiving.


3 (70). Chicago Bears: Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
Vitals: 6-0, 209 pounds
2007 stats: 75 receptions, 830 yards, 5 TD

All-SEC First-Team in his junior season, Bennett is polished underclassman and by many scout testimonials, NFL-ready. The Bears got a playmaker that will have an instant impact.


3 (81). Arizona Cardinals: Early Doucet, LSU
Vitals: 6-0, 212 pounds
2007 stats: 57 receptions, 525 yards, 5 TD

Sidelined for five games in his senior campaign, Doucet still managed to earn All-SEC Second-Team honors. Cardinals' officials said his selection had nothing to do with the trade rumors surrounding Anquan Boldin, but he will compete for the No. 3 receiver role with the departure of Bryant Johnson.


3 (84). Atlanta Falcons: Harry Douglas, Louisville
Vitals: 5-11, 176 pounds
2007 stats: 71 receptions, 1,159 yards, 7 TD

First-Team All-Big East two years running, Douglas capped a stellar college career with a solid senior campaign, despite playing in only 10 games. The Falcons didn't get Brian Brohm (as was projected at this time last year) but did nab his No. 1 target at Louisville. His 2,924 yards receiving rank him second in both school and Big East history.

He will compete for the No. 3 receiver role with Michael Jenkins.


The rest of the wide receivers
3 (95). New York Giants: Mario Manningham, Michigan
3 (97). Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Caldwell, Florida
4 (105). Kansas City Chiefs: Will Franklin, Missouri
4 (106). Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Smith, New Mexico
4 (125). Oakland Raiders: Arman Shields, Richmond
4 (126). Tennessee Titans: Lavelle Hawkins, Cal
4 (128). St. Louis Rams: Keenan Burton, Kentucky
5 (136). Detroit Lions: Kenneth Moore, Wake Forest
5 (153). New England Patriots: Matthew Slater, UCLA
6 (171). New York Jets: Marcus Henry, Kansas
6 (174). San Francisco 49ers: Josh Morgan, Virginia Tech
6 (182). Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin Robinson, Utah State
6 (191). Cleveland Browns: Paul Hubbard, Wisconsin
6 (193) Minnesota Vikings: Jaymar Johnson, Jackson State
6 (205). Indianapolis Colts: Pierre Garcon, Mount Union
7 (215). Baltimore Ravens: Justin Harper, Virginia Tech
7 (217). Green Bay Packers: Brett Swain, San Diego State
7 (224). Buffalo Bills: Steve Johnson, Kentucky
7 (226). Oakland Raiders: Chaz Schilens, San Diego State
7 (237). New Orleans Saints: Adrian Arrington, Michigan