Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Jacksonville Jaguars extensive receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had spectacular NFL debuts, however a number of different highly-touted rookies did not stay as much as lofty expectations.
What statistical tidbits do you have to bear in mind from the primary week of motion of and which rookies do you have to watch carefully from right here on out?
Let’s check out the most important takeaways from the rookies of their NFL debuts.
Quarterbacks
Prime performer
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (86.3% rostered, 30.1% began)
Daniels’ 28.1 fantasy factors in his debut had been spectacular, largely due to his speeding skill. He ended up with the second most speeding yards by a quarterback in an NFL debut since 1950 and have become the primary QB ever to hurry for 80 yards and two touchdowns in his debut. Nevertheless, he did have some bother as a passer in opposition to the Buccaneers, which was sudden given his spectacular faculty stats. He is the one participant in FBS historical past with 12,000 profession passing yards and three,000 speeding yards. He not often tried deep throws, averaging simply 2.0 air yards per completion, in comparison with 8.4 air yards per completion at LSU final season. For Week 2 in opposition to the Giants, he is trying like a low-end QB1.
Maintain ’em rostered
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (82.8% rostered, 23.3% began)
This wasn’t the debut fantasy managers had been hoping for from Williams. He did not throw a landing and his 3.2 yards per try had been the second-lowest by a first-round choose of their debut (minimal 15 makes an attempt) in NFL historical past. Plus, 31% of his throws had been off course in opposition to the Titans. For context, that is the worst by a Bears QB since Mitchell Trubisky’s 39% off-target fee in Week 1 of the 2020 season. Whereas he did present enchancment because the second half went on, the Bears’ offense completed with simply 148 complete yards. That is the fewest by any staff in a season-opening win because the 1999 Giants. Williams will doubtless enhance with every recreation, however for now, he is extra of a QB2 than the QB1 we hoped for. The Bears journey to Houston to tackle the Texans in Week 2, which ought to show to be a troublesome matchup.
Others to observe
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (13.4% rostered)
Nix had a tough outing in opposition to the Seahawks, along with his fantasy efficiency salvaged solely by his speeding yards. He averaged a poor 6.2 air yards per try and simply 2.7 air yards per completion. Certain, the Seahawks have a gifted secondary, however Nix’s worth is increased in deeper superflex leagues proper now. For Week 2 in opposition to the Steelers, he is trying like a low-end QB2.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (3.3% rostered)
Maye watched from the sidelines because the Patriots pulled off an upset in opposition to the Bengals. Jacoby Brissett was a recreation supervisor and completed with 8.0 fantasy factors. The Patriots’ longest play was simply 17 yards. Maintain Maye in your watch listing as New England takes on the Seahawks in Week 2.
Operating backs
Prime performer
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20.8% rostered, 0.5% began)
Irving had 11 touches in opposition to the Commanders on Sunday, whereas Rachaad White noticed 21. The rookie out of Oregon’s 31-yard run actually showcased his explosiveness. White’s sturdy go well with is his receiving skill, and he ran 19 routes in comparison with Irving’s seven. It will be fascinating to observe how the rookie’s function evolves within the coming weeks, as each Irving and White eclipsed 75 yards from scrimmage in opposition to Washington.
Maintain ’em rostered
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (53.8% rostered, 0.7% began)
Benson had solely three speeding makes an attempt in opposition to the Payments. It is also price noting that Emari Demarcardo operated because the Cardinals’ third-down again. Nevertheless, there is a silver lining. James Conner completed with 19 touches. If Conner misses time, Benson would instantly soar onto the RB2 radar. We’ll see if the rookie will get extra touches in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2.
Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers (74.7% rostered)
Brooks is beginning the season on the PUP/NFI listing as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered final November at Texas. This implies he’ll be out for at the very least the primary 4 video games. The Panthers had a tough outing in opposition to the Saints on Sunday, dropping by 37 factors, the fifth largest margin of victory in a season opener between division rivals within the final 50 years. Chuba Hubbard had solely six speeding makes an attempt in that recreation. With the offense trying dreadful, it is not nice information for these stashing Brooks on IR.
Others to observe
Ray Davis, Buffalo Payments (14.2% rostered)
Davis had simply 4 touches in opposition to the Cardinals. He isn’t a giant a part of the Payments’ offense but. But when James Prepare dinner, who had 22 touches, misses time, Davis might turn into extra related in fantasy. The Payments face the Dolphins in Week 2. Maintain Davis in your watch listing.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (22.5% rostered)
Wright was inactive (coach’s choice) for the Dolphins’ Week 1 recreation in opposition to the Jaguars. De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert shared backfield duties. Achane ended the sport with 17 touches and 23.0 fantasy factors. For Wright to turn into fantasy related, he’d want both Achane or Mostert to overlook time. We’ll see if he makes his NFL debut on Thursday evening in opposition to the Buffalo Payments.
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (59.9% rostered)
It is shocking to see Ronnie Rivers forward of Corum on the Rams’ depth chart. Many thought the Rams drafted Corum 83rd general to assist lighten Kyren Williams’ load, particularly since they’ve comparable talent units. Corum dealt with 505 speeding makes an attempt in his final two seasons at Michigan, proving he can handle a heavy workload. Positively a state of affairs price maintaining a tally of, nevertheless it’s secure to say this wasn’t a Week 1 that Corum managers had been hoping to see.
MarShawn Lloyd, Inexperienced Bay Packers (22.4% rostered)
Lloyd went into Friday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Eagles listed as questionable. He missed Tuesday’s apply and was restricted on Wednesday and Thursday because of that nagging hamstring harm. Except Josh Jacobs, who had 18 touches in opposition to the Eagles, misses time, Lloyd most likely will not have a lot fantasy relevance. I am additionally involved concerning the Packers’ offensive line. Jacobs was getting hit at or behind the road of scrimmage manner too usually on Friday evening. Maintain Lloyd in your watch listing because the Packers put together for the Colts in Week 2.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (3.2% rostered)
J.Ok. Dobbins’ 135 speeding yards are essentially the most by a Chargers participant since Austin Ekeler’s 173 yards in Week 5 of the 2022 season in opposition to the Browns. And he did it on simply 10 makes an attempt! This actually highlights the potential of what Vidal might deliver to the desk if both Dobbins or Gus Edwards miss time in Greg Roman’s run-heavy offense. He sixth-rounder out of Troy was inactive within the season-opener in opposition to the Raiders.
Large receivers
Prime performers
Xavier Worthy, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (89.0% rostered, 16.1% began)
Worthy made essentially the most of his three touches, ending with 20.8 fantasy factors in opposition to the Ravens final Thursday. It is comprehensible to query whether or not such manufacturing may be sustained with simply three touches. Whereas it is unlikely, there are some encouraging indicators. Worthy ran 23 routes, primarily hitches, and performed 36 snaps, that are numbers not too far off from Rashee Rice. Most of his snaps got here from 11 personnel, displaying he was concerned within the offense. Worthy could possibly be thought of a WR4 with WR3 upside till Marquise Brown returns from his shoulder harm. The Chiefs are set to face the Bengals in Week 2, so control how concerned Worthy is in that matchup.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (78.2% rostered, 4.3% began)
Gabe Davis led the Jaguars in snaps, routes run and receiving yards. however Thomas wasn’t far behind. He delivered a stellar debut with 14.7 fantasy factors, together with his first NFL landing. Final season at LSU, he led the FBS with 17 receiving touchdowns. That is the third-most at school historical past, proper behind Ja’Marr Chase (20) and Justin Jefferson (18) from 2019. Thomas regarded so good, he might finally surpass Christian Kirk within the pecking order. He is firmly on the flex radar heading into Week 2 in opposition to the Browns.
Malik Nabers, New York Giants (97.4% rostered, 71.8% began)
Wan’Dale Robinson shocked many by ending with extra targets (12) and receptions (6) than Nabers, who had simply 5 targets. Nabers did handle to edge out Robinson in receiving yards, ending with 66. In reality, this was essentially the most receiving yards by a Giants participant making his debut since Darius Slayton in 2019. Nevertheless, the larger concern is quarterback Daniel Jones, who averaged simply 4.4 yards per go try and had his twentieth recreation with a number of turnovers. This might damage the rookie’s potential. For Week 2, Nabers may be considered as a flex choice in opposition to a weak Commanders secondary.
Maintain ’em rostered
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (99.5% rostered, 92.1% began)
This is not the debut fantasy managers had been hoping for from the highest-drafted rookie extensive receiver in ESPN leagues over the previous 20 years. Harrison ended the sport with simply 4 receiving yards, the fewest in a debut by a large receiver taken within the high 5 since Desmond Howard in 1992. The brilliant facet? Harrison led the Cardinals talent place gamers in each snaps and routes run. Nevertheless, Kyler Murray had an unusually robust recreation, averaging simply 2.9 air yards per completion. It is also price noting Harrison ran solely 11 routes in opposition to man protection and was not focused. Higher days are on the horizon for this gifted receiver. Harrison is firmly on the WR2 radar for Week 2 in opposition to the Rams.
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (84.3% rostered, 5.9% began)
Williams had a troublesome time connecting with the Bears’ much-hyped extensive receiver group. Odunze had solely 4 targets, which was a letdown in comparison with Keenan Allen’s 11 and DJ Moore’s 8. However let’s dig a bit of deeper. Allen (41), Moore (52), and Odunze (45) had been truly fairly shut in snaps performed. The identical goes for routes run: Allen (23), Moore (28), and Odunze (26). So, whereas Odunze did not get as many seems this time, he is nonetheless on the flex radar in opposition to the Texans.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Payments (84.8% rostered, 10.2% began)
Despite the fact that Coleman did not rating a landing like Khalil Shakir or Mack Hollins, he nonetheless made a robust impression. The rookie led the staff in snaps, routes run, targets, receptions, and receiving yards in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals. One other factor to notice is that when the Payments had been in 11 personnel, Coleman, Hollins, and Shakir had been on the sector collectively so much. In 12 personnel, it was primarily Coleman and Hollins. That is undoubtedly promising for many who have Coleman on their fantasy groups. He is a strong flex choice in Week 2 in opposition to the Dolphins.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (82.4% rostered, 5.5% began)
McConkey led the Chargers with 7 targets and 39 receiving yards in opposition to the Raiders on Sunday. He managed to salvage his fantasy day with a late landing in Los Angeles’ run-heavy offense. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert wasn’t requested to do a lot, averaging simply 5.5 yards per go try. If this pattern continues, it might restrict McConkey’s fantasy ceiling. Nevertheless, he is nonetheless on the flex radar for Week 2, particularly because the Panthers’ protection simply acquired torched by the Saints.
Others to observe
Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3.1% rostered)
McMillan led the Buccaneers in snaps and routes run, but he had solely three targets. On the intense facet, he scored a 32-yard receiving landing. McMillan has solidified his spot because the Buccaneers’ No. 3 receiver, and he might turn into much more fantasy related if Mike Evans or Chris Godwin miss time.
Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots (32.5% rostered)
The Patriots’ extensive receiver rotation is fairly fluid, with everybody seeing an analogous variety of snaps in opposition to the Bengals on Sunday. Nevertheless, Polk had just one goal. Maintain him in your watch listing, however he should not be in your lineups in opposition to the Seahawks in Week 2.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (29.1% rostered)
There weren’t many positives for the Panthers on Sunday, however one was Legette main the staff in targets. He additionally performed vital snaps. The Panthers’ extensive receiver rotation is 5 deep proper now, so it is robust to really feel assured in any of them, particularly given how Bryce Younger carried out in opposition to the Saints.
Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts (33.5% rostered)
Mitchell’s snaps performed and routes run present he had a restricted function, regardless of getting 5 targets. Michael Pittman Jr. is more likely to maintain a excessive goal share. Mitchell’s function may shrink when Josh Downs returns from harm, so he ought to keep in your watch listing. Keep in mind, the Colts aren’t anticipated to be a pass-heavy offense.
Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders (6.0% rostered)
Jahan Dotson’s commerce gave fantasy managers hope that McCaffrey might step up because the Commanders’ No. 2 receiver. Week 1 confirmed that this would possibly not be the case. The snaps and routes have been unfold out between McCaffrey, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus. It is not an excellent state of affairs, and it is robust to see Daniels supporting multiple fantasy-relevant receiver.
Tight finish
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (85.0% rostered, 31.8% began)
Bowers led the Raiders in targets (8), hinting at a major function in Las Vegas’ offense this 12 months. Nevertheless, he is nonetheless splitting snaps with fellow tight finish Michael Mayer. The good information is that Bowers is working practically as many routes (26) as Davante Adams (34) and Jakobi Meyers (31). The rookie may be considered as a low-end TE1 in Week 2 in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.
