Mathews is ready to shine

Back by popular demand is our list of "Top 20s." These lists will include sleepers, busts, breakouts and rookies. We unveiled a new Top 20 list the past several weeks, getting you ready for the coming season.

Our last list is rookies, taking a closer look at some of the top rookies for the coming season. Rookies are tough to gauge in fantasy. They are as hit or miss as anyone, but if you hit, you can score big. The key is trying to find a guy that isn't on as many radars as others. So without further ado, here is our list of the Top 20 Rookies for the coming season.

ROOKIES

1. Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers. Mathews is our clear No. 1 rookie. He is setup for a big season, starting from day one in a great offense. He runs with power and speed, and also can catch the ball out of the backfield. He is a legit No. 1 fantasy back this season.
2. Jahvid Best, RB, Lions. Best should be the starter in Detroit and get plenty of work as the Lions try to utilize his big-play ability. Best has elite speed and great moves in the open field. He has good total yardage potential his rookie season.
3. C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills. Spiller sees his value go up with injuries to two Bills backs in the preseason. Spiller has a chance to be the starter and get most of the carries the first few games of the season. Either way, the Bills are going to get Spiller involved in the offense because he is a playmaker.
4. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos. Thomas will be the No. 1 receiver in Denver in due time, but maybe not to start this season. He has to work into that role, but he has the talent to grab a lot of playing time his rookie season, especially since the Broncos are looking for guys to step up at receiver.
5. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals. The Bengals don't have a history of using the tight end, but that could change with Gresham on board. He is a big target with good hands. Gresham has a lot of red-zone potential in what should be a pretty good Bengals offense.
6. Sam Bradford, QB, Rams. Bradford is having a great training camp. He has picked up the offense quickly and displaying the tools that made him the first overall draft pick this season. The Rams don't have a great offensive line, though, or top receivers, so Bradford is likely to have a lot of growing pains his rookie season.
7. Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns. Hardesty had a setback in camp because of sprained knee, but was running with the first-team offense before the injury. He should be back before the preseason is out, which gives him a good shot at grabbing the starting job in Cleveland. The Browns offense isn't going to be very good but Hardesty has some potential if he is the lead back.
8. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys. An ankle injury sidelined Bryant early in camp, which hurts his progress, but he still has a good chance to start once he gets healthy. Bryant is a very talented player that plays in a good passing attack. Expect good things.
9. Mike Williams, WR, Bucs . Williams might be the No. 1 receiver in Tampa this season. He has displayed his immense talent during OTAs and camp. The Bucs aren't going to have a great passing game, but Williams should lead the receivers in targets.
10. Dexter McCluster, WR, Chiefs. McCluster is going to get used in a variety of ways in the Chiefs offense. They are going to use him as a receiver and running back, getting him plenty of touches a game. He is an exciting talent with big-play ability.
11. Golden Tate, WR, Seahawks. Tate will at least be the No. 3 in Seattle this season. He could even be starting before the year is over. He is capable of turning a short pass into a big play, which makes him a good fit for the Seahawks offense.
12. Brandon LaFell, WR, Panthers. The Panthers are searching for a starter opposite Steve Smith. Right now, LaFell is the heavy favorite to get that gig. The Panthers aren't going to throw the ball much, but a starter in any offense has a chance to produce some big numbers on occasion.
13. Arrelious Benn, WR, Bucs. Benn isn't making waves like fellow rookie Mike Williams, but he still has a decent chance to start at some point this season. Benn has top speed and solid hands, but needs to pick up the offense better and run better routes to play a huge role his rookie season.
14. Mardy Gilyard, WR, Rams. Like others on this list, the Rams are looking for playmakers. Gilyard makes plays. He doesn't have blazing speed, but good moves and is tough bring down in the open field. He is going to get his chances in the Rams passing game.
15. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Panthers. Clausen has been pretty impressive for the Panthers thus far. If Matt Moore falters at all, don't be surprise if Clausen gets a chance before his rookie season is over, especially if the Panthers fall out of playoff contention.
16. Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings. Gerhart has value because he is the likely top backup in Minnesota. If Adrian Peterson gets hurt, Gerhart gets a chance to run behind one of the best lines in the league.
17. Joe McKnight, RB, Jets. McKnight isn't going to get a ton of carries with two good backs ahead of him on the depth chart, but he'll get some chances. He is a playmaker. The Jets will use him as a third-down back on occasion and even split him out wide as a receiver because he is a solid pass catcher.
18. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Steelers. Dwyer has some ability and could do well in the Steelers scheme if given some chances. He won't play a huge role this season, but has some potential if Rashard Mendenhall were to get hurt. Dwyer runs with power and has some speed to make plays to the outside.
19. Ed Dickson, TE, Ravens. Dickson is the future at tight end for the Ravens. Todd Heap is nearing the end, so look for the Ravens to get Dickson involved his rookie season. He could be a solid red-zone target for an emerging passing game.
20. Colt McCoy, QB, Browns. McCoy hasn't been too great in training camp and preseason action, but he is the future at quarterback for the Browns, meaning he could get some chances this season if the Browns stink up the joint.

If you have any questions or comments, please email Jeff Paur at jeff@rtsports.com