This pre-season holds more importance than usual for the NFL, mainly because of the way the off season unfolded due to the lockout. Without any time for the rookies and new players to get into playing form with OTAs and other team events, the pre-season and training camp is it. That being said, many of the rookies have had a lot of action, which means that prospectors have had lots of looks at who will be the top performers, and top under-performers for 2011. This may be games that dont matter, but without action during the summer, there has been some moments that have already made and broken some collector dreams for this year. Here is a quick run through of the top impact guys from this year.

Cam Newton

Everyone knew that the job in Carolina would eventually be his to take over, as you dont take a player number one and put him on the bench. However, because rookie quarterbacks have a hard enough time as it is, many of the experts thought Cam would have a few weeks to wait before he was annointed the starter. Mainly due to the ineptitude of other QBs on the squad, Newton has already started 1 pre-season game, and despite a less than mediocre performance, has been named started for the next one as well. His values have held at the peak that they started to reach, and though the Panthers will not be a very good team this year, collectors havent cared.

2011 Inception Cam Newton NFL Logo Shield 1/1

2011 Leaf Cam Newton Auto Inscription BGS 10

2011 Inception Cam Newton Auto Letter 1/1

Mark Ingram

When the Saints drafted Ingram, a lot of people could not see a better fit for a hard nose runner with Ingram’s skill set. New Orleans is a pass happy team that doesnt rely much on the running game, if not only because there has never been one to count on. Now that the former Crimson Tide back is there to stay, it may change. Brees will always be on the cover of the Saints magazine, but Ingram has shown flashes of brilliance that have displayed that he could end up on page two some day. His values have gotten even higher than normal, all as a result of good play, and a few touchdowns during the Saints few games so far.

2011 Elite Mark Ingram Status Auto 1/1

2011 Panini National Mark Ingram Auto 2/5

Jake Locker

Locker has seen high highs and low lows this pre-season, including an impressive opening performance against the Vikings. He threw a long TD pass after a fumbled snap, and definitely looked like he was worthy of the top pick the Titans spent on him. This past weekend, things were a bit different, throwing a pick and not doing as well during the game. Locker was one of the highest valued QBs in the draft, hobby wise, and that has not changed one bit over the last few weeks.

2011 Inception Jake Locker Silver Auto /25

Christian Ponder

Its becoming clear that the Minnesota Vikings are a collector favorite, even more so than a lot of better teams out there. Ponder hasnt been great during the pre-season, but he hasnt been bad either. His values have been very high because of the team he plays for and that is about the extent of where his prices come from. Ponder will play behind McNabb the whole season, but looks to be a serviceable starter in the NFL after that. At least, all the Vikings fans hope so.

2011 Inception Christian Ponder Auto Patch 1/1

Blaine Gabbert

Gabbert was widely considered to be the top QB in the draft by many of the draft gurus, but ended up playing third fiddle to Newton and Locker. Gabbert has been less than impressive for both of his two games, doing very little during his time on the field. The Jags have NO ONE for him to throw to, and his awareness has been less than expected.

Ryan Williams and Mikel LeShoure

Ingram was the top RB in the draft, but many collectors thought one of the two aforementioned backs would be the ones to open some eyes during the 2011 season. Instead, both are on the shelf for the season with debilitating injuries, and neither may be the same when they return. There were some big investments in these guys this off season, and their prices have dropped like a rock.

2011 Inception Mikel Leshoure 3 color Patch Auto

Andy Dalton

Like Gabbert, Dalton has had a rough few games in a Bengals’ uniform, including being tossed around like a rag doll by Ndamukong Suh. Cincy is looking like it may be drafting at the top of 2012 draft again, and with Carson Palmer holding stout on his retirement, Dalton has no mentor to guide him through a league that has chewed up and spit out a number of guys just like him, drafted much higher than he was. He has already been given the starting job due to lack of options, but who knows.

Julio Jones and AJ Green

Because 2011 is a QB laden year, no news might as well be good news on these guys. Jones looks to be primed for a great year, and Green may just end up as the next Cincy draft pick to be lost to a team that has no where to go but down.

With as many injuries as are likely to happen this year, I assume that the 2011 class may be on track for some significant impact or lack of impact this year on both sides of the trainer table. We have seen two top guys go down already, but that also means that more of the usually benched rookies may get some significant time on the field when the games actually count.