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
De’Von Achane was the highest-scoring player of the week with a 49.3 Half-PPR outing against the Broncos. Achane converted his 18 rushes and 4 targets into 233 scrimmage yards and 4 TDs, showcasing sensational athleticism with his top running speed clocked at 21.93 MPH, the second highest of any ball carrier this season (Tyreek Hill - 22.03 MPH), per NextGen Statistics. Raheem Mostert just so happened to be the second-highest-scoring player of the week and may continue to lead the backfield as the starter in a committee approach. Nevertheless, this is still the best offense in football with an MVP frontrunner at quarterback, creating plenty of scoring opportunities for the talent around him. Achane likely won’t recreate his phenomenal Week 2 outing anytime soon but he is worth a starting spot in your flex position for his big-play propensity and has quickly entered the discussion as an RB1 in Dynasty leagues. The rookie running back now ranks first in the NFL with 8.08 Rushing Yards Over Expected per Attempt (RYOE/Att) and first in total RYOE despite missing the first week of the NFL season. Only five running backs in NFL history have produced more than 38.0 PPR points in their first two games combined. Achane surpassed that high water mark in one single contest.
Sam LaPorta (TE) - Detroit Lions
The Lions are operating without a legitimate WR2 threat to accompany Amon-Ra St. Brown, propelling rookie tight end Sam LaPorta into a prominent role. LaPorta is on a historic run to begin his NFL career, becoming the first rookie tight end in NFL history to secure five or more receptions in their first three games. Whether or not Jameson Williams can carve out a significant role for himself has yet to be seen. Until the second-year wideout’s suspension is over, LaPorta will continue to develop rapidly as the de facto secondary option and one of the brightest young stars in the NFL. LaPorta is coming off a scintillating performance against the Falcons where he hauled in eight of 11 targets for 84 yards and one touchdown, falling just one target and one reception shy of St. Brown for team lead. Only four total players tallied receptions for the Lions in Week 3, of which LaPorta more than doubled their opportunity share and reception totals. Of all of the players to draw a target for Detroit this past week, only St. Brown, LaPorta, and Raymond saw more than three, further cementing the rookie tight end as a high-quality receiving threat in the eyes of the coaching staff. Through three games this season, LaPorta is averaging 1.81 Yards Per Team Pass Attempt (2nd), and 2.0 Yards Per Route Run (5th), with a 22.9% target share (12th) and 21.6% target rate (10th). The pace LaPorta is currently on is nothing short of elite. The rookie tight end has swiftly climbed his way up the Dynasty ladder as a top-5 positional asset.
ROOKIE STANDOUTS
C.J. Stroud (QB) - Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud joined Cam Newton and Justin Herbert as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to produce more than 300 combined yards (Rushing + Passing) in the first three starts of their career. The Texans coaching staff has allowed Stroud to pass at a frenetic pace this season, opening up the offense to support multiple pass-catchers.
Nathaniel “Tank” Dell (WR) - Houston Texans
Tank Dell has quietly been one of the best rookie wideouts in the NFL this year, posting back-to-back performances as the team leader in targets including a WR6 outing in Week 3. Dell currently sits as the WR10 overall in Half-PPR scoring and his rapport with Stroud is only growing stronger as the season progresses.
TOP ROOKIE PERFORMANCES
RB De’Von Achane: 49.3 Points - RB1
WR Tank Dell: 23 Points - WR6
TE Sam LaPorta: 18.4 Points - TE1
QB C.J. Stroud: 20.6 Points - QB12
WR Marvin Mims: 15.1 Points - WR21
TE Luke Musgrave: 7.9 Points - TE10
ROOKIE DISAPPOINTMENTS
Kendre Miller (RB) - New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara’s final week of his suspension coupled with Jamaal Williams' unfortunate placement on injured reserve opened the door for Kendre Miller to lead the Saints backfield in Week 3. Furthermore, The Packers presented an excellent matchup as a defense susceptible to monstrous rushing outings. The game script was even in Miller’s favor for much of the contest as the Saints went up 17-0 before losing Derek Carr and the lead. Alas, Miller was nowhere to be found as the rookie struggled to find rushing lanes. Miller's nine carries for 34 yards left much to be desired as he barely edged teammate Tony Jones Jr. who posted 31 yards on eight carries. Miller drew only one target while Jones caught all 4 of his opportunities as the clear favorite in the passing game. There’s still plenty of time in the season but with Kamara set to return next week, you’re not going to get many chances to start Miller again outside of further injuries on the depth chart. Even if Kamara gets hurt down the line, Williams could still return and Jones will be there to get his share of carries. Miller appears droppable in redraft.
Bijan Robinson (RB) - Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson received his highest snap share of the young season, playing 81.0% of the Falcons' offensive snaps in Week 3. Unfortunately, an increased timeshare also led to Robinson’s lowest point total of his three-game career. Robinson managed just 33 rushing yards on 10 carries and 27 receiving yards on four receptions, good for 8.0 Half-PPR points. The horizon is bright for the star running back but outings like this are undeniably disappointing.
Dalton Kincaid (TE) - Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid has far been surpassed by Sam LaPorta as the number one tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Kincaid has yet to live up to his first-round price tag, catching just 11 passes for 72 yards with no touchdowns in his first three games as a pro. Kincaid had the worst outing of his young career in Week 3, hauling in two of two targets for three yards while posting his lowest snap share of the season (51.0%).
Jalin Hyatt (WR) - New York Giants
119 active NFL wide receivers recorded at least 0.1 fantasy points in Week 3. Jalin Hyatt was not one of them. The Giants speedster appears to be far behind his peers in development and will need several weeks, if not seasons, to acclimate to the pro level.
REMEDIAL ROOKIE PERFORMANCES
RB Jahmyr Gibbs: 8.7 Points - RB24
RB Kendre Miller: 3.9 Points - RB50
WR Quentin Johnston: 2.0 Points - WR95
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 1.5 Points - WR102
TE Dalton Kincaid: 1.3 Points - TE42
WR Jalin Hyatt: 0.0 Points - <WR120
HEATING UP
CJ Stroud (QB)/Tank Dell (WR) - Houston Texans
Stroud and Dell are rapidly rising up value boards after back-to-back positive performances. The rookie duo are vastly exceeding all expectations as the Texans were previously projected to be a bottom-feeding offense with a low-volume passing attack. The dispositions of the past have quickly dissipated as Stroud and Dell build a formidable rapport.
Tyjae Spears (RB) - Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry has had slow starts to the season before during his career. Now approaching 30 years of age with a rising rookie hot on his heels, things feel quite a bit different than the slow starts of years past. Henry is having some of his worst performances in a Titans offense that nobody can trust in their fantasy lineups. Tyjae Spears continues to steal valuable work and playing time from the veteran bruiser. Spears already has two games of four or more targets while playing >50.0% of the total offensive snaps. He has accounted for more than 90.0% of the team’s third-down snaps this season. Game-script has heavily influenced the Titans timeshare but a monumental shift in opportunity share does not appear apparent. Spears isn’t worth starting just yet but he’s beginning to offer a decent floor in full PPR leagues. Should Henry go down, Spears would immediately step into a massive role and in games where Titans are trailing, Spears is already favored. Preemptively stash Spears before any significant shake-ups occur.
Josh Downs (WR) - Indianapolis Colts
Downs has had a quiet start to his NFL career, posting 15 catches on 24 targets for 144 yards thus far this season. Week 3 was steeped in encouragement for the Colts rookie wideout as he led the team with 12 targets, catching eight for 57 yards. Downs does not have the size to dominate targets on the outside ala Michael Pittman but he has quickly established himself as the number two option alongside the Colts' top weapon.
Marvin Mims (WR) - Denver Broncos
Marvin Mims has been the Broncos' best wideout through three games, despite operating as the third name on the depth chart. Mims is an alchemist with his targets and on-field opportunity, turning a 25.0% snap share with just nine targets into seven receptions for 195 yards as the team leader in receiving yards. The Broncos need to make major adjustments to save a quickly sinking season. Expect an increase in playing time/targets for Mims to be one of many changes moving forward.
Luke Musgrave (TE) - Green Bay Packers
Musgrave has been quietly impressive as the Packers starting tight end this season. The rookie is sitting just outside of the top-12 players at the position as the TE13 on the season, hauling in 11 of 15 targets for 124 yards across three games. Musgrave’s opportunity share may dwindle upon the return of Christian Watson but his role as the starter is cemented for years to come.
NAMES TO WATCH
Jake Bobo (WR) - Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are operating with a clear and succinct receiving trio. Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba lead the team in targets while the team’s stable of running backs and tight ends feast on the leftovers. With that said, only one other wide receiver has been targeted on the Seahawks roster this season. Jake Bobo went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but continues to get a healthy amount of snaps despite the talent in front of him. His 31 snaps only trailed Smith-Njigba by two while earning two red zone targets, including one that he translated into his first NFL touchdown. Bobo is still a ways away from sniffing fantasy relevance but an injury to one of the starters would get him closer to that. He’s worth keeping an eye on in deep redraft leagues and Dynasty.
Brenton Strange (TE) - Jacksonville Jaguars
Strange received the first two targets of his career while the Jaguars were trailing the Texans for most of their Week 3 matchup. Strange was unable to translate those targets into much but it’s good to see the rookie get some work ahead of Evan Engram. The second-round pick out of Penn State has been on the field quite a bit along with fellow depth player Luke Farrell. According to PFF, both Farrell and Strange have played nine pass-blocking snaps while Engram has just one. Strange boasts the higher grade of the three with a 67.0 blocking grade. Engram remains entrenched as the clear receiving tight end on the offense but Strange appears to be the heir apparent should Engram need relief. If Engram were to go down, Strange would step up into the starting role but would likely concede targets to the remaining wide receivers and running backs on the roster. Strange’s encouraging pass block prowess could help him earn a faster path to development and increased playing time. Keep an eye out on Strange in Dynasty leagues as Engram could be off the team in a few years.
BIG ROOKIE MOMENTS
De’Von Achane and Sam LaPorta Make History
De’Von Achane and Sam LaPorta set historic records on separate fields in Week 3. The Dolphins running back posted the highest single-game scoring total for any rookie in NFL history through their first three games while LaPorta became the first tight end in NFL history to secure five or more receptions in their first three contests.
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By Matt Ward & Themi Michalakis
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.