In last week's Perfect Draft midseason update column, four of the "perfect" fantasy draft selections were rookies: Matt Forte (a seventh-round fantasy pick), Chris Johnson (ninth round), DeSean Jackson (14th) and Steve Slaton (15th). By the time we put the finishing touches on our end-of-season list, two or three more first-year players could make a legitimate case for joining them.

By contrast, only Adrian Peterson made last year's midseason list, with Mason Crosby joining him in the season finale.

In 2006, the rookie class was represented by just Maurice Jones-Drew and Marques Colston.

No rookies made the 2005 lineup.

In other words, the Class of 2008 is truly special. On Sunday, Johnson joined the top five elite running backs in Fantasyland, after posting 161 total yards and a touchdown against the Packers. Forte, arguably the most unsung star of his class, slipped to sixth place, just a notch below Johnson. Then there's Slaton, another dual-threat back who has consistently delivered excellent fantasy production and has now cracked the top ten.

You read that right ... after nine weeks of play, three of the ten best fantasy tailbacks are rookies.

Not to be forgotten, three players are defying the age-old adage that rookies rarely make reliable fantasy receivers. Philly's Jackson made our midseason list, but he'll have to turn it up a notch to keep a couple of his classmates from taking his spot. Denver's Eddie Royal leapfrogged him in the rankings after Sunday's games, and the Rams' Donnie Avery has been steadily closing the gap as well.

Even Matt Ryan has put up decent passing numbers while helping to resurrect Atlanta's franchise. He's no fantasy star just yet, but he ranks ahead of Derek Anderson, Marc Bulger, Trent Edwards and Ben Roethlisberger as a fantasy passer after his first nine starts. That's pretty impressive stuff.

But the newcomer that intrigues me most is the one who just earned his first start Sunday: Tim Hightower. He had already made a name for himself as a goal-line specialist, poaching the short scoring runs that Edgerrin James often set up. But he proved to be just as explosive between the twenties, regularly reeling off big chunks of yardage against the Rams and giving Arizona the rushing threat they've craved to balance out their high-octane passing attack. Hightower is my leading candidate to become this year's Ryan Grant -- a late-season pickup who can provide stellar production at the running back position heading into the fantasy playoffs.

Still other youngsters -- including Ray Rice, Kevin Smith, Ryan Torain, Jonathan Stewart and Jamaal Charles -- are poised to help fantasy teams down the stretch, provided they get sufficient opportunities to perform. And if Darren McFadden and Felix Jones can shake the injury bug, they'll be factors again, too.

That's some draft class. Not just for the NFL, but for fantasy leagues as well.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, you need to start with a good draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at two players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's line-up.

Catch 'em while you can

Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals -- After watching the rookie power through the Rams for 109 yards and a score, it's difficult to imagine that he won't remain the starter from here on out. Hightower brought a burst to the Arizona running game that Edgerrin James no longer has. With opposing defenses forced to respect Kurt Warner and his outstanding receivers, Hightower will have a chance to run wild down the stretch. If he's still available, grab him pronto.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs -- I've been searching for someone from Kansas City who merits a recommendation, now that their offense has shifted out of neutral. Sorry, Tyler Thigpen, it's not going to be you. Rather, following his 106-yard coming-out party against the Bucs, Charles gets the nod. With Larry Johnson out at least another week due to his off-field transgressions, and Kolby Smith lost for the season with a knee injury, another rookie finds himself in the right place at the right time. If he can produce well against the Chargers next weekend, he could conceivably remain the featured back even when the troubled Johnson returns from the gulag.

Greg Camarillo, WR, Dolphins -- Now that Ted Ginn has returned to his underachieving ways, as expected, we can focus on Miami's only reliable receiving threat. Camarillo's 11-catch, 111-yard effort in Denver firmly establishes his role as Chad Pennington's most consistent and favorite target. With matchups coming against Seattle, Oakland and St. Louis over the next four weeks, Camarillo has a chance to excel, especially in point-per-reception leagues.

Don't be fooled

Rex Grossman, QB, Bears -- Can he pick up where Kyle Orton left off? Don't count on it. Orton, who suffered an ankle injury that is expected to sideline him for roughly a month, was one of Fantasyland's biggest surprises of the season. We've seen enough of Good Rex/Bad Rex over the years -- not to mention against Detroit on Sunday -- to feel confident predicting that he won't be a worthy proxy for Orton. That's bad news for Chicago's receivers, too.

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Lions -- No! No! No! No! Never! Never! Never! Never!

Peyton Hillis, FB, Broncos -- This week's "Unexpected Breakout Performance by a Fullback Award" goes to Hillis, whose seven-catch, 116-yard, one-touchdown outburst puts him in the company of the great Patrick Cobbs and Leonard Weaver. You remember them, right? The guys that completely disappeared following their one-week splurge?

Michael Jenkins, WR, Falcons -- Give him props for turning his only two receptions into touchdowns, but don't give him a spot on your roster. Jenkins is a notoriously inconsistent receiver who rarely stands out from Roddy White's shadow. Matt Ryan has been impressive to date, but he's not so good that he can turn Jenkins into a reliable fantasy wideout.