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
Bryce Young (QB) - Carolina Panthers
I was tired of putting Young at the bottom of the rookie performances and I was tired of hearing all the hate surrounding him. I don’t know if he’s the quarterback of the future but he hasn’t had a chance to do anything, to no fault of his own. It seems he’s finally finding his rhythm, throwing for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in a heartbreaking 33-30 loss to the Packers. This was his best performance of the year and he did everything he could to keep the team in the game. It’s good to see that he can perform at a high level and I’m hoping that the Panthers can surround him with the talent he deserves over the next few years. All he needs is a fair shot.
Puka Nacua (WR) - Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua set a new personal-best mark for receiving yards in Week 16, catching nine of his 11 targets for 164 yards and one touchdown. The Rams rookie receiver has now finished as a top 5 WR on four separate occasions with eight weeks as a WR1. Nacua is currently averaging 17.7 PPR PPG as the WR7 on the season and draws a favorable matchup against a susceptible Giants secondary heading into the fantasy championships.
ROOKIE STANDOUTS
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) - Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs has put up consecutive performances with more than 20 PPR points, finishing as the RB3 overall in both of his past two games. Gibbs handled a team-high 15 rushing attempts as he usurped David Montgomery’s touches. The rookie totaled 80 rushing yards and two touchdowns while catching four of his seven targets for 20 yards. Gibbs has now scored five touchdowns in his last three games.
Zay Flowers (WR) - Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers caught nine passes for 72 yards, finding the endzone for the fifth time this season (4 Receiving/1 Rushing). Flowers’ 13 targets set a new career high for the first-round rookie while his nine receptions marked his highest total since Week 1 against the Texans.
Chris Rodriguez (RB) - Washington Commanders
Chris Rodriguez was thrust into an increased role after Brian Robinson was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Rodriguez has handled exactly ten carries in two consecutive games with Robinson out, levying those opportunities into two touchdowns in Week 16.
TOP ROOKIE PERFORMANCES
WR Puka Nacua: 33.0 Points - WR3
QB Bryce Young: 25.2 Points - QB9
RB Jahmyr Gibbs: 23.0 Points - RB4
WR Zay Flowers: 22.2 Points - WR13
RB Chris Rodriguez: 19.5 Points - RB8
RB Bijan Robinson: 19.2 Points - RB10
ROOKIE DISAPPOINTMENTS
Sam LaPorta (TE) - Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta has put up his two worst fantasy finishes in his career over the past three weeks. TE38 just isn’t going to cut it in the fantasy semifinals and he likely cost you your week. Overall, he is still one of the best rookie tight ends in history and should be a big part of the Lions offense for years to come. Unfortunately, it was just bad timing for a pedestrian week.
Dalton Kincaid (TE) - Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid has not scored more than 10.0 PPR points since Dawson Knox returned to the lineup and is averaging a mere 4.4 PPR points over his last three games. Kincaid struggled mightily in Week 16, earning just two targets with one reception for seven yards.
REMEDIAL ROOKIE PERFORMANCES
WR Quentin Johnston: 5.0 Points - WR76
TE Sam LaPorta: 4.8 Points - TE38
RB De’Von Achane: 4.1 Points - RB52
QB Tommy DeVito: 2.7 Points - QB34
QB Aiden O’Connell: 2.1 Points - QB35
TE Dalton Kincaid: 1.7 Points - TE50
WR Jordan Addison: 1.2 Points - WR119
RB Zach Charbonnet: 0.6 Points - RB69
HEATING UP
Chris Rodriguez (RB) - Washington Commanders
Despite the current state of the Commanders franchise, Chris Rodriguez appears to be a bright spot for their future depth. The rookie may not be able to carve out a relevant role in a crowded backfield but he certainly has the hot hand and appears to be the favorite option in the rushing game over Antonio Gibson.
NAMES TO WATCH
Will Mallory (TE) - Indianapolis Colts
The Colts seem to always be rotating through an ever-revolving door of replacement-level tight ends, grasping at straws and attempting to find a cornerstone starter. Will Mallory is the next in line to receive the opportunity to prove his mettle and had a decent game in Week 16 where the rookie caught four of four targets for 47 yards.
Much respect, thank you for reading. You can find our other works at Broto Fantasy Football.
The Fantasy Football by Broto app is now live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store! Download it today for a start sit tool, player cards, statistics, usage, rankings, interactive tools, coaching tendencies, and much, much more. FREE for a limited time.
Check out patreon.com/Brotofantasy to access extra episodes, join our community, win prizes, and help keep the app free.
By Matt Ward & Themi Michalakis
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.