Welcome to the rookie report series. This will be a recurring series that highlights fantasy relevant rookies, how they performed in the prior weeks, and what that means for the future—all done with fun categories! Let’s dive in!
Rookie of the Week:
Breece Hall, RB, Jets
Gang Green Nation
Breece Hall had a phenomenal week 5, destroying the Dolphins with 197 total yards (97 rush, 100 receiving) and a touchdown. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and was virtually unstoppable. This is the type of performance we saw when he was in college and it is good to see that it is translating to the NFL. As the season has gone on, Hall has looked more and more comfortable, so I would not be surprised to see more performances like this from him.
Other Impressive Rookies:
Alec Pierce - WR, Colts
Alec Pierce had a great game last Thursday night, totaling 8 receptions on 9 targets for 81 yards. He has become a go-to-target for Matt Ryan and has been entrusted as a key contributor late in games. With his game on Thursday, Pierce joins Stefon Diggs, Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf, DeSean Jackson, Anquan Boldin, Greg Jennings and Deion Branch as the only players to be drafted outside of the first round and put up 3 games of 60+ yards in their first 4 career games. Quite the company.
Dameon Pierce - RB, Texans
Dameon Pierce had another solid week for the Texans totaling 113 yards and a touchdown. He has been playing very well the past three weeks after struggling early on in the year. Pierce is playing solid football and has become a very good option as an RB2 in fantasy. He is seeing almost all of the rushing work and as long as he continues to receive the volume, he will be a good fantasy option.
Ken Walker - RB, Seahawks
Ken Walker only rushed the ball 8 times this week but that included an impressive 69 yard TD run. He finished with 88 yards and a touchdown. Walker was injured to start the year but has begun to find his rhythm at the right time, as Rashaad Penny is now expected to miss the season. Walker has the chance to be a major producer for the rest of the year.
Disappointing Rookie of the Week:
Garrett Wilson - WR, Jets
The Jets won this week, so the team certainly has no issue with Garrett Wilson’s final line, but fantasy managers sure do. Wilson finished with just 3 receptions and 27 yards. This is not what we have come to expect from rookie stud Wilson, but it was not entirely his fault, as the Jets only asked Zach Wilson to pass 21 times in what turned out to be a dominant defensive and rushing performance by the Jets. He certainly has the chance to bounce back next week against the Packers, in what should be a much closer game.
Honorable Mentions: Drake London - WR, Falcons, Romeo Doubs - WR, Packers
Keep An Eye On This Rookie:
Khalil Shakir, -WR, Bills
Khalil Shakir was a fifth round pick of the Bills and just saw a career high 70% of snaps with Crowder, McKenzie and Knox all out for Buffalo. Shakir finished with 3 receptions on 5 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. He looked very good with a couple impressive receptions. Shakir may have earned some extra playing team even when McKenzie and Knox return, and if Josh Allen starts to build a rapport with the rookie, we could see Shakir contribute to fantasy teams
Very Deep Sleeper:
Cade Otton - TE, Buccaneers
DK Nation
Tom Brady loves his tight ends and Cade Otton has seen an increase in snaps increase weekly, topping out at a whopping 94% snap rate this week. Otton was also very involved in the passing game as he caught 6 balls for 43 yards on 7 targets. If this trend continues, Otton could be an effective contributor at the TE position down the stretch.
Heartbreak of The Week:
Breece Hall Goal Line Carries vs Dolphins
Breece Hall had a fantastic game this week, however, it could have been even better. Hall had two goal line carries stolen from him by Michael Carter and in both circumstances Hall was taken down at the 1 yard line. I know the Jets want to get Carter involved too but they should know I have Hall on my home league team so come on! Pure heartbreak.
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By: Gianluca Martini
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.