With the regular season set to open this weekend, there are a number of rookie running backs who have been penciled in as starters.

	The Vikings are expecting big things from Michael Bennett this season.

The retirement of Robert Smith had many predicting doom for the Vikings. However, the emergence of Michael Bennett has eased those fears and thrust Minnesota right back into the playoff picture. In four preseason games, the former Wisconsin running back has carried the ball 25 times for 139 yards (5.56 per carry) and scored three touchdowns.

In Buffalo, second-round pick Travis Henry seems to have fought his way into the starting lineup. After Buffalo's final preseason game against the Steelers, coach Gregg Williams all but announced Henry would start the Bills' opener against the Saints. Henry finished the preseason with 27 carries for 148 yards, a 5.48-yard average.

LaDainian Tomlinson, the first running back selected in the draft, should see the bulk of the carries in San Diego. While a contract holdout limited Tomlinson to just one unspectacular preseason game, he is clearly the No. 1 guy.

While some running backs have earned starting jobs, a number of other backs turned in impressive efforts in the preseason. In New York, LaMont Jordan has given the Jets a reason to be optimistic about life after Curtis Martin. The second-round pick from Maryland has rushed for 194 yards on 50 carries in four preseason games and scored two touchdowns. Kevan Barlow has shown flashes in San Francisco, where he will provide valuable depth behind Garrison Hearst.

Another running back to keep an eye on is Deuce McAllister in New Orleans. Drafted to provide depth behind the injury-prone Ricky Williams, McAllister had his best performance of the preseason this past week against the Seahawks, rushing for 108 yards on 19 carries and returning a punt 36 yards.

Each Tuesday from now until the end of the regular season, ESPN.com will hand out its report card on how the new kids are doing. Here's a look at how some of the league's most intriguing rookies fared during the final weekend of preseason action:

PLAYER, STATS	THE SKINNY
Quincy Carter, QB, Cowboys vs. Jaguars 5-for-13, 107 yds.	Expect plenty of ups and downs when Carter opens the season as the Cowboys' starting quarterback. He showed flashes of brilliance throughout the preseason, but also plenty of the inexperience that will make it a long season in Dallas. The Cowboys plan to incorporate the option into the offense, which should give Carter plenty of opportunities to make plays. However, it will also open him up to some bone-crunching hits.
Marvin Minnis, WR, Chiefs vs. Rams 4 rec., 58 yds.	With a second straight impressive performance, Minnis appears to have solidified a spot in the starting lineup in Kansas City. The third-round pick from Florida State caught 10 passes for 159 yards in the Chiefs final two preseason games. Minnis doesn't possess blazing speed, however, he has shown a knack for finding open space and getting open.
Koren Robinson, WR, Seahawks vs. Saints 1 rec., 20 yds.	After a slow start to the preseason that was caused by injuries to both hamstrings, Robinson is finally getting up to speed. The first-round pick from N.C. State is expected to start the opener against the Browns, opposite second-year receiver Darrell Jackson.
Justin Smith , DE, Bengals	Jim Steiner, the agent for Justin Smith, said over the weekend that Smith might not play at all this season for the Bengals. "He has two options," Steiner told the Cincinnati Enquirer on Friday. "He waits until we reach the right deal with the Bengals. Or his second option is to take a pass and re-enter the draft next year." Nov. 13 is the deadline for clubs to sign their draft picks. If a drafted player remains unsigned as of 4 p.m. on that date, they can't play in the NFL in 2001.
Fred Smoot, CB, Redskins vs. Patriots	The Redskins announced Tuesday that Smoot, Washington's second-round pick, will start at cornerback for the Redskins ahead of Darrell Green on Sunday in the opener against the Chargers. Smoot made his first start of the preseason Thursday night.
David Terrell , WR, Bears	With Bobby Engram gone, Terrell should see plenty of balls thrown in his direction. The rookie from Michigan, who was hampered by a balky hamstring through much of the preseason, appears healthy and ready to make an impact. In the Bears final preseason game, Terrell caught six passes for 49 yards against the Cardinals. Terrell is not projected to start Chicago's opener against the Ravens, with Marty Booker and Dez White getting the starting call.
Chris Weinke, QB, Panthers vs. Browns 11-for-18, 109 yds., 1 INT	Weinke, who will be Carolina's opening-day starter, was respectable in Carolina's final preseason game. The 29-year-old rookie led the Panthers in two scoring drives. "I missed out on some early plays, but that's part of the growing process," Weinke said. "I'm still learning everytime I step out on the field and I feel like I made some progress."

Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com.