The performances of Arizona Cardinals huge receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (29.0 PPR factors) and New York Giants huge receiver Malik Nabers (28.7) gave fantasy managers an enormous increase of their Week 2 matchups. However issues did not go as easily for different rookies.
So, what statistical tidbits ought to you recognize about, and which rookies deserve your consideration shifting ahead?
Let’s dive into the largest takeaways from the rookies in Week 2.
Quarterbacks
Prime performer
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (90.0% rostered, 53.3% began)
Daniels earned his first NFL win, although all of us held our breath when the rookie was shaken up on a run within the first half. Regardless of the scare, he completed the sport with 13.4 fantasy factors, which was fairly a drop from the 28.1 he scored in Week 1. Nonetheless, Daniels stays on the QB1 radar because of his dashing means. It is also promising to see enhancements in his go makes an attempt, completions, completion proportion and passing yards in Week 2 in opposition to the Giants. The Commanders face the Bengals in Week 3.
Maintain ’em rostered
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (70.7% rostered, 12.6% began)
It has been a tricky begin to Williams’ rookie season, with lower than 10 fantasy factors in each of his first two video games. On Sunday night time in opposition to the Texans, Williams struggled when blitzed. And he solely accomplished two of 9 passes for 20 yards with two interceptions and 7 sacks when pressured. Regardless of having playmakers like DJ Moore and Rome Odunze round him, Williams wants time to regulate to the NFL. Maintain him in your roster, however maintain off on beginning him for now.
Others to look at
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (10.1% rostered, 0.8% began)
Do not get too caught up in Nix’s dashing potential. He put up simply 11.0 fantasy factors in Week 1 and eight.3 in Week 2, and he has thrown two interceptions in every sport. The rookie is clearly struggling beneath strain, finishing solely 35% of his passes, with zero touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Heading into Week 3 in opposition to the Buccaneers, Nix continues to be a low-end QB3.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (2.5% rostered)
Maye continued to look at from the sidelines because the Patriots misplaced to the Seahawks in additional time. Jacoby Brissett continues to function as a sport supervisor after scoring 8.0 fantasy factors in Week 1 and 10.5 in Week 2. He continues to handle the soccer and leverage his offensive playmakers. Maintain Maye in your watch checklist because the Patriots journey to face the Jets in Week 3.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons (1.3% rostered)
There are some issues about Kirk Cousins’ well being as he returns from harm this season. In Week 1 in opposition to the Steelers, the Falcons used shotgun or pistol units on 96% of their performs. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if this modifications on “Monday Night time Soccer” in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. With playmakers comparable to Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts probably at his disposal, control Penix if Cousins would not regain his kind.
Operating backs
Prime performer
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (7.4% rostered, 0.3% began)
Allen made a notable affect in opposition to the Titans on Sunday, scoring 19.6 fantasy factors on simply 9 touches (20 offensive snaps, 12 routes run). Compared, Breece Corridor had 21 touches and 24.4 factors (40 offensive snaps, 19 routes run). Allen’s means to interrupt by way of defenders was notably spectacular. It is a working again with 3,494 profession dashing yards in faculty, rating ninth in Wisconsin college historical past. Count on him to tackle a bigger position within the Jets’ offense and be a key participant to focus on on the waiver wire this week.
Maintain ’em rostered
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29.6% rostered, 1.4% began)
The Buccaneers have been restricted to only 70 dashing yards by the Lions protection, with most of that coming from Baker Mayfield. Irving had solely seven touches, in contrast with White’s 11, and neither was very productive from a fantasy standpoint — Irving scored 2.2 factors whereas White managed simply 3.3. The Buccaneers’ offensive line and backs struggled to determine the working sport. From a fantasy perspective, the important thing takeaway is that offensive coordinator Liam Coen appears dedicated to utilizing each Irving and White. Irving is value stashing in your bench as a possible late-season difference-maker.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (43.5% rostered, 0.8% began)
It was encouraging to see Benson end with 11 touches, whereas Emari Demercado managed simply two. Nonetheless, James Conner stays the elephant within the room on the subject of Benson’s fantasy outlook. If Conner misses time, Benson might take over a big chunk of his workload, placing him firmly on the RB2 radar. Conner has collected 19 or extra touches in two straight video games. Benson is value holding in your roster.
Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers (69.4% rostered)
Brooks stays on the PUP/NFI checklist as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered final November at Texas, so he’ll be out for a minimum of the primary 4 video games. The Panthers’ offense has struggled this season, getting outscored 73-13. Whereas Chuba Hubbard had 14 touches and 11.6 fantasy factors in opposition to the Chargers on Sunday, it is laborious to search out a lot consolation in these numbers in the event you’re stashing Brooks on IR, particularly given Bryce Younger’s tough efficiency.
Others to look at
Ray Davis, Buffalo Payments (11.5% rostered)
Though Davis completed Thursday night time’s sport in opposition to the Dolphins with 10 touches, in contrast with James Cook dinner’s 12, most of his got here within the fourth quarter when the Payments have been up by three touchdowns. Until Cook dinner, who has 34 touches this season, misses time, Davis is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant. The Payments host the Jaguars in Week 3, so preserve Davis in your watch checklist.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (25.2% rostered)
Even earlier than Tua Tagovailoa’s exit, De’Von Achane was the point of interest of the Dolphins’ offense, regardless of being questionable with an ankle harm. He logged 62% of snaps, ending with 29 touches and 29.5 fantasy factors. In the meantime, Wright noticed simply 23% of snaps and 5 carries, even with Raheem Mostert out as a consequence of a chest harm. Mostert’s harm is not anticipated to be long-term. For Wright to change into fantasy related, he’d want both Achane or Mostert to overlook time.
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (42.2% rostered)
It was stunning that Corum did not get extra snaps within the second half Sunday in opposition to the Cardinals, particularly with the sport out of hand. It appeared like the proper time to ease Kyren Williams’ workload. Corum’s roster proportion continues to drop. Maintain him in your watch checklist, however not in your fantasy roster.
MarShawn Lloyd, Inexperienced Bay Packers (17.9% rostered)
Lloyd made his NFL debut in opposition to the Colts on Sunday, ending with seven touches and a pair of.8 fantasy factors. He performed just a few snaps and is now coping with an ankle harm. Regardless of this, Lloyd needs to be in your watch checklist. If starter Josh Jacobs have been to get injured, the rookie would inherit a few of that quantity. Jacobs had 32 dashing makes an attempt in Week 2 and 18 touches in Week 1, so if something occurs to him, Lloyd might assist fill the hole. Regulate Lloyd as a possible asset.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (1.9% rostered)
Vidal has been inactive for 2 straight video games (coach’s choice), however there’s nonetheless potential for the rookie within the Chargers’ run-heavy offense. The simplest path to fantasy relevancy can be if J.Okay. Dobbins or Gus Edwards misses time. Dobbins has already racked up 266 dashing yards within the first two video games — probably the most by any Chargers participant over that span in franchise historical past. This simply highlights the potential Vidal might deliver to the desk. Maintain him in your watch checklist.
Large receivers
Prime performers
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (98.7% rostered, 75.7% began)
That is precisely the form of efficiency fantasy managers have been hoping for from the highest-drafted rookie huge receiver in ESPN leagues over the previous 20 years. Harrison racked up eight targets and 29.0 fantasy factors. The one draw back? His numbers might need been much more spectacular if the sport had been nearer, as Arizona led by 21 factors at halftime. The truth is, Harrison had extra receiving yards within the opening quarter (130) than his father, Marvin Sr., had in any sport throughout his rookie season in 1996. Harrison is now firmly on the WR1 radar for Week 3 in opposition to the Lions.
0:41
Liz Loza: Malik Nabers is a fantasy begin in Week 3 vs. Browns
Liz Loza breaks down Malik Nabers’ nice fantasy efficiency vs. the Commanders.
Malik Nabers, New York Giants (96.3% rostered, 63.3% began)
This was the efficiency we have been hoping for from Nabers in Week 1. He delivered with 10 receptions and 28.7 fantasy factors in a good matchup in opposition to the Commanders’ secondary. His 18 targets have been probably the most for a rookie in a sport since Puka Nacua had 20 in Week 2 of final season. Nabers additionally led the Giants with 26 routes run and topped all New York receivers with a median of three.11 yards of separation on the time of go arrival. The Giants have a more difficult matchup subsequent week in opposition to a Browns protection that dominated the Jaguars on Sunday. For now, preserve deploying Nabers as a stable midrange WR2.
Maintain ’em rostered
Xavier Worthy, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (92.6% rostered, 44.5% began)
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hollywood Brown “will not be anticipated to play” till January, which solidified Worthy as one of many Chiefs’ prime two receivers for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, Worthy ended up with simply 4 targets and 4.2 fantasy factors in a sport the place QB Patrick Mahomes had solely 25 go makes an attempt. The one gamers who noticed extra targets have been Rashee Rice (6) and Isiah Pacheco (5). Whereas Worthy hasn’t fairly change into the high-end flex possibility I hoped for, that is OK. He is greatest considered as an upside WR4 in opposition to the Falcons in Week 3. Maintain Worthy in your roster.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (79.0% rostered, 13.9% began)
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence continues to wrestle, with 11.2 fantasy factors in Week 1 and 13.3 in Week 2. Nevertheless, Thomas continues to take advantage of his targets. The rookie has scored 10 or extra fantasy factors in two consecutive video games. Thomas is third in snaps and routes on Jacksonville, behind Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk. The rookie does lead the staff with 3.2 yards of separation on his targets. The Jaguars journey to Buffalo to face the Payments in Week 3. Thomas is greatest considered as a flex possibility in deeper leagues.
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (74.2% rostered, 2.0% began)
Odunze was coping with an MCL sprain heading into Sunday night time’s sport in opposition to the Texans. It was disappointing to see him get solely 4 targets, particularly with teammate WR Keenan Allen unavailable. Till Williams exhibits enchancment at quarterback, it is robust to have faith in beginning Odunze. Maintain on to him for now, however preserve him in your bench.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Payments (83.0% rostered, 13.4% began)
After a powerful Week 1 in opposition to the Cardinals, the place Coleman led the staff in snaps, routes run, targets, receptions and receiving yards, he adopted it up with zero fantasy factors in Week 2. Regardless of main in snaps and routes once more, Coleman had no targets as Josh Allen threw solely 19 passes within the Payments’ blowout win. Allen is enjoying properly, with solely 12.2% of his throws astray this season. Fantasy managers ought to keep affected person, as it’d take time for Allen to construct chemistry with the rookie. For now, preserve Coleman in your bench.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (83.0% rostered, 19.3% began)
The Chargers leaned closely on the working sport of their 44 makes an attempt in opposition to the struggling Carolina Panthers on Sunday. After a promising Week 1 with seven targets and 14.9 fantasy factors, the rookie noticed a pointy drop in Week 2, ending with solely 4 targets and 4.6 fantasy factors. Whereas the Chargers’ total passing sport was restricted, with simply 20 makes an attempt, Quentin Johnston’s efficiency raises a number of issues. He led Los Angeles in snaps, routes run, targets and fantasy factors (22.1). Week 3 will reveal whether or not this efficiency marks the start of a development.
Others to look at
Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4.9% rostered)
McMillan led all Buccaneers receivers in snaps and routes run in Week 1 however noticed simply three targets. In Week 2 in opposition to the Lions, he ran the same variety of routes and performed as many snaps as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but acquired solely two targets. With Evans and Godwin commanding such a excessive goal share, it is robust for McMillan to be fantasy-relevant except one in all them misses time. Maintain him in your watch checklist.
Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots (21.9% rostered)
Polk scored 9.2 fantasy factors in opposition to the Seahawks on Sunday, however he had simply three targets. The Patriots’ huge receiver rotation is sort of fluid, with everybody working the same variety of routes. TE Hunter Henry led the staff with 10 targets and clearly has QB Jacoby Brissett’s belief, although Brissett has thrown for lower than 150 yards in every sport this season. Polk ought to positively be in your watch checklist.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (25.3% rostered)
Legette noticed fewer snaps and ran fewer routes than Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo in opposition to the Chargers, ending with zero targets. His fantasy ceiling stays low, particularly with Bryce Younger, who has continued to wrestle as a lot as he did as a rookie final season. The truth is, Younger is the third participant prior to now 20 seasons to common 4 or fewer yards per dropback in 4 consecutive begins (with a minimal of 20 dropbacks per sport). The opposite two are David Carr and JaMarcus Russell.
Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts (27.9% rostered)
Mitchell did make a powerful on a protracted reception from Anthony Richardson in opposition to the Packers, however he isn’t seeing sufficient snaps or working sufficient routes in contrast with different receivers within the room to be thought-about fantasy related. Plus, with Josh Downs set to return sooner somewhat than later, it may be tough for Richardson to assist a number of fantasy-relevant receivers, particularly with the Colts’ run-heavy method.
Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders (4.8% rostered)
The largest takeaway about McCaffrey is that he completed with zero targets. The Commanders aren’t a pass-heavy offense with rookie Jayden Daniels beneath middle, and Noah Brown being lively for Sunday’s sport would not assist McCaffrey’s fantasy outlook. He needs to be in your watch checklist, nonetheless it is robust to have faith in any receiver on this staff exterior of Terry McLaurin.
Tight finish
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (87.2% rostered, 45.6% began)
Despite the fact that Bowers continues to be splitting snaps and routes with TE Michael Mayer, it is clear Bowers is the higher participant. His eight targets and 11.8 fantasy factors in Week 1 in opposition to the Chargers hinted at an even bigger position, and that got here to fruition in Week 2. Bowers completed with 9 targets and 18.8 fantasy factors. He and WR Davante Adams made historical past as the primary Raiders teammates to every have 9 receptions and 90 receiving yards in the identical sport. Heading into Week 3 in opposition to the Panthers, you possibly can view the rookie as a low-end TE1.
