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. Let’s dive in!
ROOKIE(S) OF THE WEEK
De’Von Achane (RB) - Miami Dolphins
It almost feels disingenuous to continuously highlight De’Von Achane as the “Rookie of the Week.” The Dolphins speedster has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most talented big-play threats. Mike McDaniel's unstoppable offensive scheme could limit Achane to only five touches and he would likely still find a way to yield an RB1 outing. Achane is just 50 yards shy of Christian McCaffrey in leading the league in rushing yards despite missing the first game of the season. Achane ranks first in rushing yards per game (115.0) and first in yards per carry (12.1), needing just 38 attempts (37th) and a 35.9% opportunity share (45th) to achieve his incredible heights. Achane handled a mere 12 touches against the Giants, producing 165 rushing yards and one touchdown. An unfortunate knee injury shortened Achane’s stellar day and will undeniably affect his production and availability in the near future.
Sam LaPorta (TE) - Detroit Lions
The Lions operated a highly functioning offense against the Panthers despite absences from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. No Lions wide receiver or tight end drew more than five targets with David Montgomery dominating touches in a one-sided affair. LaPorta caught three of his four targets for 47 yards but supplemented his production with two touchdown receptions, lifting his total to three on the season. The Lions rookie is currently leading all tight ends in total points, ranking 3rd on the season in PPG. The rarest of tight end rookie breakouts is upon us. Not only does LaPorta provide a rock-solid floor of consistent top-end production but also boasts the ability to put up high-end TE1 numbers as a week-winning asset in any matchup.
ROOKIE STANDOUTS
Byrce Young (QB) - Carolina Panthers
Week 5 yielded the Panthers with their fifth consecutive loss of the 2023 season, and the fourth of Bryce Young’s career. The rookie quarterback remains the only first-round selection that has yet to secure a win on their record this season (regardless of position). Fortunately for his fantasy managers, Young also supplied his first QB1 finish of the year in the Panthers' loss. The first overall selection of the 2023 draft threw for his first three-touchdown game, completing 25/41 attempts for 247 yards and three scores. Young’s ceiling could have reached even greater heights if the rookie signal-caller limited his turnover-worthy plays, walking away with 26.3 points despite tossing two interceptions.
Puka Nacua (WR) - Los Angeles Rams
The return of Cooper Kupp has done little to stop the tidal wave of historic production provided by rookie receiver Puka Nacua. The Rams offense, and by association Matthew Stafford, has enough firing power to support high-end fantasy output from Kupp (WR11) and Nacua (WR12) as both players finished inside the WR1 tier in Week 5. The duo combined for 23 targets (Kupp:12, Nacua:11), further lending evidence to Stafford’s incredible ability to uphold historically elite wide receiver production despite consistently finishing below the QB1 tier himself. Nacua’s 19.1 PPR Points and WR12 positional finish mark the fourth time in five outings that the young receiver has seen double-digit targets with at least 19.0(+) PPR Points.
Jordan Addison (WR) - Minnesota Vikings
The gut-wrenching loss of Justin Jefferson in Week 5 opened up the door for Jordan Addison to slot in as the Vikings WR1 and most productive pass-catcher. Addison took his increased role in stride, catching six of nine targets for 64 yards and one touchdown as the WR15 (18.4 PPR Points). The rookie wideout has stood tall as a sensational route-runner against one-on-one coverage, lending further evidence of the success to come as the rookie fills in for his superstar teammate. Addison currently ranks seventh amongst all wideouts in target separation vs man coverage (2.29 YDS) while also ranking 12th amongst his positional peers in fantasy points per target against man coverage (2.34 PTS/TGT) and ninth in yards per route run against man coverage (2.87), all per ReceptionPerception. More performances like this are on the immediate horizon for the Vikings' newly minted WR1.
Jaleel McLaughlin (RB) - Denver Broncos
Jaleel McLaughlin has made an impact for the Broncos every time his number is called, scoring two touchdowns on 13 touches during his first four weeks as an NFL pro. McLaughlin turned in an RB10 performance in Week 4, needing just seven carries and three receptions for 104 scrimmage yards and one score. The loss of Javonte Williams in Week 5 (and beyond) has paved the way for McLaughlin to turn his incredible per-touch efficiency into consistent fantasy production. The undrafted rookie running back handled nine carries for 68 yards and three receptions for 21 yards with another touchdown in Week 5. His back-to-back RB1 performances trail only Bijan Robinson for most positional finishes within the top 12 from a rookie.
Josh Downs (WR) - Indianapolis Colts
Gardner Minshew has been FEEDING Josh Downs. During Mishew’s last start against Baltimore in Week 3, Downs led the team in targets with 12 and was only one reception and 20 yards shy of tying Michael Pittman Jr. for team leader in all categories. Anthony Richardson is now expected to miss several weeks as the Colts placed their rookie franchise quarterback on Injured Reserve with an AC-joint sprain. In Week 5, Downs caught all six of his targets for 97 yards as the WR18 (15.7 PPR Points). Still waiting to score his first touchdown, Downs is undeniably trending up as his sensational peripheral metrics begin to produce startable fantasy numbers.
TOP ROOKIE PERFORMANCES
QB Bryce Young: 26.3 Points - QB9
RB De’Von Achane: 20.5 Points - RB5
TE Sam LaPorta: 19.7 Points - TE5
WR Puka Nacua: 19.7 Points - WR12
WR Jordan Addison: 18.4 Points - WR15
RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 17.9 Points - RB8
RB Tyjae Spears: 16.9 RB8
WR Josh Downs: 15.7 Points - WR18
K Blake Grupe: 14.7 Points - K4
WR Rashee Rice: 13.3 Points - WR22
RB Kendre Miller : 13.0 Points - RB15
RB Emari Demercado: 12.7 Points - RB18
ROOKIE DISAPPOINTMENTS
Bijan Robinson (RB) - Atlanta Falcons
Finishing as the RB24 overall in any given week should not be viewed as a stunning disappointment for any rookie. Bijan Robinson’s placement on this list is moreover a praise of the sensational start to his NFL career. Robinson has produced three top-10 positional finishes in his first five games, leading managers to expect consistent week-winning production from the generational talent. Robinson fell just shy of his high-water mark in Week 5, leaving several managers to adjust the impossibly high expectations laid out for the first-year running back.
Dalton Kincaid (TE) - Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid has produced zero finishes in the TE1 tier this season. For context, Sam LaPorta has produced four such finishes in his first five games. In fact, Kincaid’s highest positional finish came in Week 2 where he ended as the TE16 in PPR scoring. A concussion forced the Bills rookie to exit their Week 5 loss to the Jaguars early but his consistent lack of production during healthy games is a major cause for concern when projecting Kincaid’s range of outcomes for the remainder of the season.
Jalin Hyatt (WR) - New York Giants
110 different wide receivers scored at least 0.1 PPR points in Week 5. Jalin Hyatt was not one of them. Hyatt will continue to find his name on the disappointment list until he can scrounge together any semblance of talent that proves he is capable of existing in the NFL.
Roschon Johnson (RB) - Chicago Bears
A significant injury to Khalil Herbert thrust Roshcon Johnson into an increased role in the Bears' dominant win over the Commanders on Thursday Night Football. Johnson managed just 1.9 fantasy points before exiting, ultimately being outscored by Bears fullback Khari Blasingame. Herbert is expected to miss extended time, giving Johnson plenty of opportunity to bounce back as the Bears leading running back if he can clear concussion protocol in time for their Week 6 outing.
Anthony Richardson (QB) - Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson’s lowly QB29 outing in Week 5 was no fault of his own. Unfortunately, Richardson’s injury was a major source of disappointment for managers as the rookie had become a must-start asset after missing one game with a concussion. The silver lining is managers will not have to struggle with start/sit decisions surrounding the rookie as the Colts elected to place him on Injured Reserve, shutting the dual-threat dynamo down for at least four games.
Michael Wilson (WR) - Arizona Cardinals
One week removed from a WR6 overall outing, Michael Wilson reverted to his meaningless role as the Cardinals' best run-blocking wideout. Wilson’s targets will remain inconsistent for as long as Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, and Rondale Moore remain healthy. That said, Wilson has shown significant upside when targeted and could continue to dispel the aforementioned weapons as he grows into a true WR2 role alongside Brown.
REMEDIAL ROOKIE PERFORMANCES
QB C.J. Stroud: 16.2 Points - QB16
RB Bijan Robinson: 10.8 Points - RB24
QB Anthony Richardson (INJ): 3.4 Points - QB29
WR Michael Wilson: 2.8 Points - WR78
RB Roschon Johnson: 1.9 Points - RB55
WR Jayden Reed: 1.7 Points - WR96
RB Tank Bigsby: 0.8 Points - RB65
WR Jaylin Hyatt: 0.0 Points - <WR110
HEATING UP
Kendre Miller (RB) - New Orleans Saints
The return of Alvin Kamara could be a great thing for Kendre Miller. While last week’s blowout didn’t provide meaningful results, Week 5 presented a positive outlook for the Saints rookie running back. Miller saw a career-high in rush attempts, rushing yards, targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Miller’s heightened production led to a career-high 13.0 PPR Points, finishing as the RB15 overall in Week 5. While game script played a major part in his stats for both games, Miller has been quietly carving out a role with increased usage as a pass-catcher. The thumping rookie running back is worth rostering in the majority of leagues if you’re looking for a clear backup with mild standalone value.
Michael Mayer (TE) - Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Mayer went from the most hyped tight end in the draft class to the third one selected and one of the least fantasy-relevant players to start the season. Mayer has played at least 40% of offensive snaps in all five of his games to start the season but has earned just five total targets, catching three for 41 yards. In Week 5, Mayer matched his entire season of production, collecting two of three targets for 39 yards against a formidable Packers defense. The rookie tight end saw a career-high 66.0% of the offensive snaps in Week 5, lending hope that the once-promising player could continue a linear climb to positive production.
NAMES TO WATCH
Emari Demercado (RB) - Arizona Cardinals
Kaeontay Ingram was inactive in Week 5 leaving James Conner, Corey Clement, and Emari Demercado as the only RBs on the team against the Bengals. When James Conner went down with a knee injury, Demercado assumed the starting role and led the team in rushing attempts. If Conner misses time, Demercado is an obvious add this week for a desperate team. Ingram’s looming return would put a damper on things but Demercado can prove he deserves the backup role with a good performance against the Rams.
Jonathan Mingo (WR) - Carolina Panthers
Adam Thielen has turned back time, reveling in his long-lost role as a target-hogging WR1 for rookie quarterback Byrce Young. Although Thielen’s production has been welcoming, rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is flying under the radar as a name to watch in the coming weeks. Mingo is currently second on the team in total targets despite missing one game. The Panthers are one of the worst offenses in the league and average 222.2 passing yards and 1.4 passing TDs per game. No one outside of Thielen has stepped up, leaving the doors wide open for the rookie to continue his development. Mingo should eventually become a more consistent fantasy option as the weeks go on.
BIG ROOKIE MOMENTS
Jaleel McLaughlin Making House Calls
The Broncos may have accidentally found a new RB1 sans Javonte Williams. Jaleel McLaughlin has turned an unfathomable amount of his touches into big plays for six points, doing so once again in Week 5 as the Broncos relied heavily on the rookie running back. Williams' injury is not expected to be significant but McLaughlin’s utility has become undeniable within this offense.
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By Matt Ward & Themi Michalakis
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.