by Alex Marvez

Some first-round choices are zooming toward starting spots. Some have already shown signs that they will need more time to develop. And there already are some later picks who are proving they should have been drafted earlier.

Here are five early thoughts on the Class of 2009:

Pre-camp rookie take: The regular season could open with three rookie starting quarterbacks for the first time since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.

In 2008, Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco proved that inexperience can be overcome with smart decision-making, strong supporting casts and well-crafted game plans that don't put the entire offense on the quarterback's shoulders. Detroit, Tampa Bay and the New York Jets may decide to follow that same route with Matthew Stafford, Josh Freeman and Mark Sanchez, respectively.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz has declared an open training-camp competition between Stafford and veteran Daunte Culpepper. Culpepper entered minicamps with an advantage because of familiarity with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system from when both were in Minnesota. Knowing this is a make-or-break season in his 10-year NFL career, Culpepper also worked himself into much better physical condition after struggling with injury and weight issues in recent seasons.

The Lions, though, didn't draft Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick to sit for long. Stafford's quick release has turned heads and he is rapidly eating up the playbook.

While he has only 16 college starts at Southern Cal to his credit, Sanchez has a legitimate chance at besting Kellen Clemens in their training camp battle. Media reports indicate Sanchez has gotten markedly better in recent practices. And as Baltimore's defensive coordinator last year, new Jets head coach Rex Ryan saw firsthand how to groom a rookie quarterback for early success.

Freeman faces longer opening-game odds than Stafford and Sanchez, as Tampa Bay has split first-team practice reps between Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich. But neither veteran has looked particularly impressive. McCown is struggling to learn the new offensive terminology, while Leftwich still has the same slow feet and delivery that helped cost him his starting spot in Jacksonville. Another good sign for Freeman was his performance this week when replacing Leftwich in team drills.

"(Freeman) has responded well in live situations," Tampa Bay quarterbacks coach Greg Olson told Bucs media this week. "You hate to say he is a gamer, but he has made some big plays when he has been up with the veterans. That is very encouraging."

Just as encouraging for the Bucs would be getting Freeman under contract, something the Lions and Jets already have accomplished with Stafford and Sanchez. A training camp holdout would greatly torpedo Freeman's chance of contributing as a rookie a la Oakland's JaMarcus Russell and Cleveland's Brady Quinn in 2007.

Pre-camp rookie take: First-round wide receivers may initially be less productive than those chosen in later rounds.

Three of the top six wideouts drafted — Oakland's Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring), San Francisco's Michael Crabtree (foot) and Tennessee's Kenny Britt (hamstring) — missed most or all of their team's offseason practices because of injuries. All three are early-entry juniors at a position where most rookies struggle.

Minnesota's Percy Harvin seemed poised to contribute as both a receiver and Wildcat quarterback, but the Vikings may not use that formation much if/when Brett Favre is signed. Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin is being tried at all three wide receiver positions seeking a backup niche, while Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants is in competition with Sinorice Moss and Mario Manningham for snaps as a No. 3 receiver.

Percy Harvin has the tools to be an impact player for the Vikings. (Doug Benc / Getty Images)

Of the six first-round wideouts, the speedy Harvin seems most likely to make an immediate splash. But the bigger rookie contributions may come from a pair of second-round picks (Cleveland's Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi) and a third-rounder (Chicago's Juaquin Iglesias). Robiskie and Massaquoi have a chance for instant playing time with Donte' Stallworth indefinitely suspended by the NFL and Joe Jurevicius being released in the offseason. Iglesias already is forming a strong bond with new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who completed a staggering 91 passes to rookie Eddie Royal last season in Denver.

Other rookie receivers on the radar after minicamps include Tampa Bay's Sammy Stroughter (seventh round), Chicago's Johnny Knox (fifth), Seattle's Deon Butler (third) and Indianapolis' Austin Collie (fourth).

Pre-camp rookie take: Right tackle has become a glamour position.

As the second and sixth overall picks, St. Louis' Jason Smith and Cincinnati's Andre Smith will be receiving mega-contracts normally reserved for left tackles. But both players will at least start their NFL careers on the opposite side of the line.

Jason Smith's slotting was surprising, but the Rams believe Alex Barron's skill set makes him a solid choice to replace the departed Orlando Pace at left tackle. There also is logic in wanting a more proven option to protect quarterback Marc Bulger's blindside after the beating he has taken in recent seasons. Like with Carolina's Jordan Gross, right tackle could be a temporary home before Smith ultimately settles at left tackle.

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Considered the second coming of the now-retired Willie Anderson, Andre Smith already is penciled as Cincinnati's starting right tackle. Smith has the athleticism needed to play left tackle. But like with Anderson during his days with the Bengals, Smith may not be able to manage his weight well enough to man that spot.

Pre-camp rookie take: Quarterbacks have reason to worry.

The pass rushers selected in this year's draft could make a much quicker impression than the Class of 2008, which didn't have a single rookie finish with more than five sacks.

Seattle has tinkered with linebacker Aaron Curry as a pass-rush end in some packages. That is a wise move. On a roster already featuring Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, Seattle must find creative ways to keep what will be the NFL's highest-paid linebacker trio on the field in nickel packages. While he wasn't used much as a pass rusher at Wake Forest, Curry's potential in that role helped him become the draft's No. 4 overall pick. Washington first-round pick Brian Orakpo also will shift between linebacker and pass-rush end as the Redskins try to better a 24-sack season from 2008.

Houston coach Gary Kubiak said first-round choice Brian Cushing was the starting strong-side linebacker "since the day he stepped off the bus." The Texans are now hoping Cushing can step over offensive lineman to help take some of the double-team blocking away from end Mario Williams, whose 12 sacks in 2008 comprised almost half of the team's total.

San Diego outside linebacker Larry English has the luxury of learning under sack specialist Shawne Merriman. The same goes for Baltimore's Paul Kruger as he is groomed behind Terrell Suggs.

Two other players to watch are Carolina's Everette Brown (second round) and Cincinnati's Michael Johnson (third), both of whom slipped further than expected in the draft. Brown will benefit aligning opposite Julius Peppers, who could be playing his final season with the Panthers. The Bengals have had just one player with double-digit sacks since 1991. Johnson, who is being used as a strong-side linebacker in some Bengals defensive packages, has the athletic ability to break that drought.

Pre-camp rookie take: The frontrunners for NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year are Arizona running back Chris Wells and Miami cornerback Vontae Davis.

Just an early guess on my part, but both players have the opportunity to shine early. The bruising Wells is the frontrunner to replace departed starting running back Edgerrin James in one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Wells missed most of Arizona's offseason program because of a league rule prohibiting participation from non-graduates if their college is in session, but the Ohio State product shouldn't have a problem catching up.

Davis generated headlines this week when a college newspaper incorrectly reported that he was arrested for a noise violation and driving with a suspended license. Davis should soon be better known for his NFL exploits. He already is receiving some snaps with the first-team defense opposite Will Allen. He can secure the job by besting veteran Eric Green and fellow rookie Sean Smith in training camp.