Fantasy managers, there isn’t any have to insult anybody’s intelligence by insisting on working into this Rookie Rundown any extra accolades for Bijan Robinson. The identical may be stated about Puka Nacua doing his greatest Cooper Kupp imitation on the outset of his NFL profession. Zay Flowers performs a lot greater than his measurement and expertise, and he has the belief of Lamar Jackson this early.
They’re all so good that throwing any extra flowers at them nearly appears lazy.
This Rookie Rundown will range week by week to maintain from turning into repetitive. Some gamers acquired a second write-up this week, possible as a result of they took an extra step of their improvement. A few gamers truly debuted right here with out enjoying in an NFL sport but. Should learn on to get the complete reasoning.
That’s sufficient of a lead-in. Time to get into the report.
The Colts quarterback has flashed his sensible dual-threat toolset in two video games, however he has additionally completed each video games on the bench because of accidents. Essentially the most critical was a concussion, which leaves his standing for this weekend unsure. After Week 1, James Boyd of The Athletic captured these phrases of recommendation that Trevor Lawrence had for Richardson:
“He made some unbelievable performs, however simply attempt to defend your self,” Lawrence stated. “The hits add up on this league, and they’re a little bit completely different than in faculty.”
Richardson is completely different and seemed to be on his solution to an enormous sport after scoring two touchdowns on simply three rush makes an attempt earlier than the concussion. With a lot of the Colts’ hopes using on Richardson, it is comprehensible that he is been dominated out for Week 3. He has put some good work on film, though.
With 384 yards and two touchdowns towards the Colts, Stroud introduced himself to the NFL as a quarterback to be taken severely in his rookie season in the correct matchup. A house sport towards the Colts was such a matchup.
With three receivers — Nico Collins, Tank Dell (extra on him later) and Robert Woods — getting both 9 or 10 targets in Week 2, Stroud made a number of superb performs. It’s arduous to anticipate consistency from a rookie quarterback, however one factor that was particularly encouraging was his strong 10.2 aDOT. That was third within the league final week.
Texans WR Nico Collins has a particular reference to rookie QB CJ Stroud.
Collins dominated the center of the sector Week-2. There’s a belief issue there with Stroud.
I’m feeling an enormous breakout incoming. pic.twitter.com/GsPZhPOmUJ
— Brett Whitefield (@BGWhitefield) September 19, 2023
Taking pictures downfield to 3 succesful receivers, Stroud is perhaps startable just a few extra occasions this season. Whereas he is perhaps higher left benched on the street in Jacksonville this weekend — its protection has 27 quarterback pressures in two video games, good for twelfth within the league — he’s removed from a complete zero for fantasy managers for the remainder of the season.
How does a participant who has but to see the sector in his rookie season warrant a write-up on this house? Effectively, when the highest two operating backs are suspended (Alvin Kamara) or damage (Jamaal Williams), that might imply extra than simply seeing the sector for Miller.
Miller is trending towards enjoying after logging a full apply for the Saints to start out the week. He has the scale (5-foot-11, 215 kilos) to be on the sector on each down and is competing for touches with a practice-squad participant in Tony Jones. A 3rd-round draft choose who rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns for a TCU group that performed within the nationwide championship sport, Miller might see the sector lots — at the very least, this weekend.
Inexperienced Bay is on the docket, and its protection was twenty sixth, with 139.5 dashing yards allowed per sport in 2022. The Packers are thirtieth this season, giving up 333 dashing yards by means of the primary two video games. Miller is price a stash if he’s activated Sunday.
With Cam Akers traded to the Vikings, Kyren Williams is clearly the lead again for the Rams. However head coach Sean McVay has not had a single again carry the first load for the Rams since Todd Gurley in 2018.
Evans is competing with Royce Freeman and Ronnie Rivers to be the No. 2 again for the Rams. Williams additionally measured 5-foot-9, 194 kilos, so it’s troublesome to examine him carrying a big load all season. Evans is a speculative choose for fantasy rosters that may afford to attend for a participant to develop.
When Russell Wilson throws a deep ball, it’s a factor of magnificence — nearly like an Aaron Decide residence run, with loads of cling time and an impressive arch. Wilson tossed up a pair of lengthy balls to Mims that totaled 113 yards in distance. One was a 60-yard landing:
Mims ran simply six routes in Week 2 after enjoying eight whole snaps in his debut. It’s arduous to think about head coach Sean Payton limiting Mims’ alternatives after a sport like this previous Sunday. Search for Mims’ routes and targets to proceed to ramp up.
Hyatt started to point out what he can do when focused on lengthy passes within the livid comeback towards the Cardinals on Sunday. He caught each targets and took them for 89 yards. His aDOT of 37.5 was borderline ridiculous, although Hyatt’s common would’ve actually gone down had he drawn extra targets.
And lest we overlook, quarterback Daniel Jones had a passer ranking of 119.3 on deep balls in 2022.
Hyatt must see the ball extra, and the chance is there for him to be greater than a participant operating fly routes to filter out the protection. Hyatt has particular velocity — 4.40 within the 40 — that no different participant on the Giants has. If Saquon Barkley’s ankle damage goes to sideline him greater than a few weeks, Jones will want different playmakers to step up. Hyatt ought to run to the entrance of that line as a result of the 49ers are on deck in Week 3. The one approach groups have competed with San Francisco is by passing the ball (see Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell final week).
Reed is making the most of Christian Watson’s absence, as he has turn out to be a full-fledged a part of the Inexperienced Bay offense. He ran the third-most routes amongst Packers huge receivers and simply led the group with seven targets, four receptions for 37 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even in a low-volume sport just like the Packers had towards the Falcons, that is spectacular for a rookie.
What occurs when Watson is again to full well being? Reed leads the group with 13 targets, whereas Romeo Doubs has eight. Doubs additionally scored a pair of touchdowns in Week 1. Will the Packers have sufficient cross quantity to assist a number of receivers, a lot much less three?
The Saints come marching into Lambeau Subject this weekend. They’ve allowed 351 passing yards, tied for sixth-best within the league. The Packers is perhaps the perfect passing offense the Saints have confronted to this point, so Reed is a flex play if wanted.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans
As already talked about within the Stroud writeup, Dell is creating rapidly. Slight by NFL requirements (5-foot-10, 165 kilos), Dell performs a lot bigger than his measurement and hardly shies from contact as he goes after additional yards. Hence the nickname “Tank.”
Dell’s 63 routes are respectably fourth on the group, behind Woods, Collins and tight finish Dalton Schultz. Being well-connected with Stroud goes to assist.
Dell won’t rise above being a flex play, however he’s proficient. Control the upcoming matchups, although. House video games towards the likes of Arizona, Tennessee and Tampa Bay may very well be video games the place Dell sneaks into fantasy lineups.
