When the 2010 NFL Draft rolled around, it was all about defense. Although the Rams were in desperate need of a QB, many of the other teams were slated to take defensive players with the top picks of the first round. Now that the season has shaken out and the rookies have fallen into place with their teams, it seems as though this year has turned out to be just as much about the offensive guys as it has about the defensive. I have paid very close attention to many of the rookies on the offensive side of the ball, and although I think its obvious who is going to win the hardware when all is said and done, there are some surprising players on this list of potential candidates as well as NOT on this list. The main thing is that hobby value rises and falls with the potential collectors see in the players, and for many of these guys, even being on a list like this has done wonders for them.

Sam Bradford (On the List)

Bradford is the rookie of the year. End of discussion. He has been tremendous, turning a HORRID team like the Rams into a division contender in a weak NFC west. In fact, he is even out performing guys who had some high expectations for the year. The bottom line here is that investing early in QBs may not be as bad of a move as it was previously, as it seems as though more often than not, they come through. Look at Ryan, Flacco, Sanchez and Freeman to see what I mean.

CJ Spiller (Off the List)

Spiller has had a year to forget, but it is mainly the result of the team he plays for and being a reach at the 9 pick. Spiller seems to be turning into a glorified return man, and could end up more like Reggie Bush than Chris Johnson if he continues down this path. Hopefully once Buffalo drafts a better QB or an Offensive lineman, things will change for him.

Ryan Mathews (Off the List)

Although I am still high on this kid, he has had a terrible year, mainly due to the injuries to his legs and Phillip Rivers having an MVP caliber performance week after week. Mathews may bounce back next year, but right now things are a rough go for one of my favorite guys coming out of the draft. Sadly, his hobby value went from one of the best before the season to now quite low, things are not looking good for the people like me who collect him.

Dez Bryant (On the List)

Bryant has developed into a quite explosive player and has had a pretty good season for a bad team. He is great in both the passing and return game, and has shown that he is a freakish athlete. His values were already high because of where he plays, and they have held now that he is performing at a level fit for a rookie of his value position.

Jimmy Clausen (Off the List)

I still think Clausen will develop into a solid QB, but he is one guy who was screwed by the team he plays for. If I had known that his top receiving target would be David Gettis and he would be handing off to guys like Mike Goodson, my strategy with him would have been VERY different. Clausen still holds hobby value as a starting QB, and it looks like he will continue to hold as long as he gets to keep playing.

Tim Tebow (Off the List)

You all know my feelings on Tebow, and this year he is one of the only rookie QBs to NOT get a start. Even Brian St. Pierre and Max Hall (undrafted free agents) have been tossed into a starting role, and Tebow has been relegated to running balls in from the 1 yard line in a support role. As long as Orton plays well, Tebow will be on the bench, but that still hasnt affected much as collectors still shockingly want to buy his crap.

Chris Ivory (On the List)

New Orleans was in a very tough position and Ivory bailed them out. He has played VERY well and is one of the better rookie RBs this year. He doesnt have many cards because he wasnt drafted, but he looks to be a guy that a few people will buy because he got on the field. He wont be close to where Bradford is in the voting, but he definitely deserves consideration.

Mike Williams (On the List)

If there is a guy who has had a tremendous year, Williams is that guy. He is one of the main reasons that Freeman has looked as good as he has, and looks to be on track to become their legit starter. Considering how many receivers were drafted ahead of him, the Bucs should be incredibly happy.

Toby Gerhart (Off the List)

Gerhart had high values because he played in Minnesota, but even I avoided spending a lot of money on him because it was obvious his role would never be big with AD taking most of the spotlight. Now that Peterson is banged up, Gerhart has gotten some looks and his status on the ROY candidates list may change as well as his hobby value.

Jahvid Best (On the List)

Best had a GREAT first few weeks of the year before hurting his toe, and that could be enough to get him some consideration. I think because the final numbers will look better than they actually were, collectors will still buy, but he definitely missed out on a big season playing in Detroit.

Colt McCoy (On the List)

An unlikely success story, McCoy has proved his critics wrong. He has managed the team well in their impressive wins over top AFC contenders, and may actually end up in second place. McCoy isnt going to win, but he has had a season that has well eclipsed his value when the season started. He was popular because of where he went to school, and now he has proven that he has NFL potential as well.

Im interested to see how everything shakes out, and I assume many people out there are in a similar way. Its still early enough that more rookies could emerge, and I know that Ill be watching for new targets to chase in the meantime.