As is usually the case, it hasn’t taken long for the values of this year’s crop of rookies to change. Injuries and preseason performances can quickly place a first-year player on the rising or falling lists, perhaps as we overreact to their first NFL action. We’ll take a quick look at seven players whose stock is on the rise in their respective training camps.

Familiar names at familiar positions highlight a short list of could-be fantasy contributors. Just three of the seven we mention were first round picks in June, and just two - Buffalo WR James Hardy and Atlanta QB Matt Ryan - were not running backs. In terms of reality to fantasy drafts, we get further proof that situations and early opportunities dictate success more than talent does.

While a second round pick like Chicago’s Matt Forte has an immediate opening in the Bears’ backfield, higher selections like Oakland’s Darren McFadden and Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall must work for everything they get. System and usage can also play a part. Ray Rice and Chris Johnson are perfect examples of how versatility and pass-catching skills can earn larger roles in their offenses.

The full list:

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Rice has impressed the Ravens coaching staff with his versatility and ability to quickly adapt to the NFL game. Starter Willis McGahee has a creaky left knee and is set to have arthroscopic surgery, which is said not to affect his status for opening day. Rice has value regardless of McGahee’s recovery, but if the knee is a recurring issue, Rice could be in line for significant carries.
Fantasy Spin: At the least, Rice makes for good insurance for McGahee. At the most, his stock should be elevated from Rounds 12-15 into Rounds 9-11. Early talk was that Rice was this year’s Maurice Jones-Drew, a possibility that makes him well worth a late pick.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has indicated that Johnson will have a hefty workload, either next to starter LenDale White in the backfield or in his place. Johnson has been the talk of Titans camp, and as this Nashville Tennesseean story points out, he is really pushing White for playing time. As an added bonus, Johnson is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, which is even better news for those in PPR leagues.
Fantasy Spin: There are plenty of carries to go around in Tennessee, and Johnson looks to have earned 15+ per game. While his stock rises, White, who has been bothered by an assortment of injuries during camp, takes a small hit. Don’t be shocked if a 60/40 or 50/50 split in carries plays out.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
The No. 3 pick in this year’s NFL Draft “passed the first test,” according to new coach Mike Smith, in his preseason debut on Saturday. He completed 9-of-15 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown, in the process proving himself worthy of starting consideration. The football results were good, but even more encouraging were Ryan’s poise and huddle presence, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Fantasy Spin: Ryan is still not fantasy worthy, but his maturity is a good sign of things to come. The pressure of hefty expectations hasn’t fazed him, so it’s only a matter of time before we’re talking about his bright prospects for fantasy contributions.

Jacob Hester, RB, San Diego Chargers
In his first preseason action, Hester carried 13 times for 49 yards and two touchdowns. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the third round pick out of LSU made an even bigger mark when he threw his first career block. If Hester proves to be a consistent threat at the goal-line, he will be in line for a handful of those touches throughout the season.
Fantasy Spin: Hester may be this year’s Brian Leonard, a hybrid halfback/fullback who can step in for an injured star and post respectable numbers. He should be on the radars of LaDainian Tomlinson as the best insurance plan if the star goes down with an injury.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
After the Bears signed veteran free agent Kevin Jones, Forte’s status in the Bears offense was up in the air. But, he was the focal point of the offense in Chicago’s preseason opener, and there should be no reason to expect otherwise come Week 1. This Chicago Sun-Times story made an early case for Forte to start and talked about his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Fantasy Spin: Forte is worth a sixth or seventh round draft choice because he appears to be the biggest threat on the Bears offense. That fact will likely bring eight defenders into the box as uneven quarterback play - either from Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton - will haunt Chicago once again.

Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
How Jones fits into the Dallas backfield with physical runner Marion Barber remains to be seen, but he’s having a good enough camp to force some of the action. This Dallas Morning News story talks about the kinds of possibilities Jones’ speed and Barber’s brute force open up for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Jones is making his presence felt at camp, but it will likely take regular season action to determine what exactly that means for his work load.
Fantasy Spin: Jones is on the rise because he has found a way to exceed early expectations, but his status hasn’t changed much in fantasy. Barber demands 15+ carries a game, and that Cowboys passing game will be airing it out, which may not leave double-digit carries left for Jones.

James Hardy, WR, Buffalo Bills
The early story on Hardy is that his physical skills have been impressive, but his inconsistency has been maddening. He’s a big, physical target who will draw red-zone looks from quarterback Trent Edwards, but miscommunication and missed assignments will prevent him from reaching his ceiling early. Like any wide receiver, he’s not likely to play a role in fantasy in his first season, but he makes this list for being the closest wideout to it.
Fantasy Spin: Hardy still makes for a nice 14th or 15th round draft pick for fantasy owners with a good core group of wideouts. If three or four established receivers are already on your roster, you could do worse than adding Hardy as an upside No. 5. Worst case scenario is that he’s your first casualty when better players become available on the waiver wire.