Sometimes it can be hard to keep up with all the new rookies rolling around the league. In my weekly Rookie Review, I hope to give you a peek into all your fresh new dynasty fantasy football assets. In an extra layer of dynasty fantasy football goodness, I’ve ordered the players below by importance.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs
Edwards-Helaire was outstanding, carrying the rock 25 times for 138 yards and a score. He was involved in two targets but did not bring down a reception. It will be challenging to account for 25 carries in the present game of football, and Edwards-Helaire will need to get better in short-yardage situations. However, he should continue to produce in the high-octane offense of Kansas City.
JK Dobbins, Running Back, Baltimore Ravens
Dobbins had three fewer carries than Mark Ingram, but he made the most out of them by scoring twice and gaining 22 yards on seven attempts. Dobbins’ touchdowns came from the two and three-yard lines. It appears that the Ravens smartly want Dobbins over Ingram at the goal-line.
D’Andre Swift, Running Back, Detroit Lions
Swift was involved in three carries, which he turned into eight yards and a one-yard one touchdown. Swift also dropped a touchdown opportunity late in the game, which would have given the Lions the lead late in the contest. He should have more chances as the season progresses. Still, Adrian Peterson (14-93), Kerryon Johnson (7-14), and even Matthew Stafford (5-23) had more carries and yards. Swift had a long of six and added three receptions for 15 yards on five targets.
Jonathan Taylor, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor didn’t get the start and didn’t even get into the game until late in the second quarter. His first action was a short pass that he took to the Jaguars’ two-yard line on a 35-yard scamper. Taylor will be more involved in the offense since Mack is out for the season with a torn ACL. Taylor finished the game with nine carries for 22 yards. He was much more productive in the passing game catching six balls for 67 yards on six targets.
Joe Burrow, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow completed 23 passes on 36 attempts for 193 yards and an interception. He did rush for 46 yards and a score from 23-yards away. The Chargers defense gave him a gaping hole up the middle, and Burrow ran it in untouched. He almost had his first throwing score as A.J. Green caught the ball in-bounds but was penalized for pushing off the defender, nullifying the touchdown.
Antonio Gibson, Running Back, Washington Football Team
Gibson had nine carries for 36-yards with a long of 20. He also contributed in the passing game with two receptions for eight yards on two targets. Peyton Barber was the main feature in the running department as Gibson had 17 attempts and ran for two scores. Bryce Love was a late scratch, and it is uncertain how much effect he will have on Gibson when he returns.
Cam Akers, Running Back, Los Angeles Rams
Akers and Malcolm Brown split duties as Akers carried the rock 14 times, comparable to Brown’s 18. Brown looked much better as he gained 79-yards and scored twice to the 39 yards Akers put up. It was more Brown in the passing game as well. Brown caught three balls for 31 yards while Akers only brought in his lone target for four additional yards. The question looms if this is the pattern we will see throughout the season, or will Akers be given a larger role? As for now, Brown looks to be the better back.
Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Jeudy looked excellent in his rookie debut outside of his two easy drops. Jeudy has sure hands, so don’t expect that trend to continue. By the end of the night, he brought in four balls on eight targets for 56 yards. When Courtland Sutton returns, it will be harder for him to get the targets, and Noah Fant (5-81-1) is a permanent fixture in the passing game.
CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
When the Dallas Cowboys drafted CeeDee Lamb, it appeared there may not be enough cabinet space for him to thrive. However, he caught five passes on six targets for 59-yards. Lamb was the second leading receiver behind Amari Cooper (10-81) and brought in two more passes than Michael Gallup (3-50).
Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
Ruggs would catch three of his five targets for 55 yards. He had a long of 45 and was tied for third in receptions (Devontae Booker) and behind Darren Waller (6-45) and Josh Jacobs (4-46). Ruggs was third on the team with five targets behind both Waller (8) and Jacobs (6).
Michael Pittman, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts
Pittman was not in heavy use with only two targets, but he caught them both for ten yards. He was clearly the number three receiver behind T.Y. Hilton (4-53) and Parris Campbell (6-71). Both Hilton and Campbell received an equal amount of targets (9). Still, Campbell is the receiver Pittman will need to beat out for volume opportunities.
Jalen Reagor, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Reagor was targeted four times and brought in one reception for 55 yards. Dallas Goedert was the big man on campus (8-101-1), while Greg Ward (5-31) and Zach Ertz were more heavily used in the passing game (3-18-1). DeSean Jackson (2-46) is the receiver Reagor will need to beat for more volume.
Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson was targeted three times and brought in two for 26-yards. He was behind Adam Thielen (6-110-2), Bisi Johnson (3-56), and Alexander Mattison (4-30). However, he had more receptions than Dalvin Cook, who had one catch for a loss of two yards. Jefferson’s longest reception went for 17 yards.
Laviska Shenault, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville
Shenault was impressive in his debut with the Jaguars. On four targets, Shenault brought down three receptions for 37 receptions and a score. He was second on the team for receptions and targets and also involved in the running game. Shenault rushed twice for ten yards.
James Robinson, Running Back, Jacksonville
Robinson carried the ball 16 times and had 62 yards and caught his one target for 28-yards. He was the lone ball carrier as only quarterback Gardner Minshew (5-19) and wide receiver Laviska Shenault (2-10) were involved on carries. Robinson should continue to be the bell-cow as long as Ryquell Armstead and Devine Ozigbo are out.
Joshua Kelley, Running Back, Los Angeles Chargers
Kelley was used extensively as he had 12 attempts for 60 yards and a score. He had a long of 26-yards and was the primary ball carrier near the goal line. He did not receive a target.
Van Jefferson, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams
Jefferson was targeted three times, and he brought down one for 31-yards. At this point, he is looking like the number four option behind Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Tyler Higbee. The Rams also have running back options in Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers. The volume is dire for Jefferson, but as a promising rookie, they will try to get him more involved in the passing game.
Zack Moss, Running Back, Buffalo Bills
Moss and Devin Singletary split the carries at nine, but Moss didn’t do much with his as he only put up 11-yards on his attempts while Singletary finished with 30. Moss had a long of seven yards, and all his carries came within the 25-yard line of the New York Jets. The rookie caught three balls on four targets and gained 16-yards with one going for a touchdown.
A.J. Dillon, Running Back, Green Bay Packers
Dillon only carried the rock twice but picked up 14-yards with a long of eight. Jamaal Williams (7-21) and Tyler Ervin (3-38) had more carries, but this should change as the season moves on.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vaughn was active but did not log a snap in the Buccaneers’ loss to the Saints. Vaughn appears to be the number four running back behind Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette, and LeSean McCoy. It is a long hill to climb for the rookie who at this point could be a healthy scratch for more games than active.
Denzel Mims, Wide Receiver, New York Jets
Mims was ruled out for Week 1 with a hamstring injury.
Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins did not receive a target.
Brandon Aiyuk, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
K.J. Hamler, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Hamler was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Bryan Edwards, Wide Receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
Edwards was involved in one target, which he caught and turned it into nine yards. There just isn’t much room on an offense that features Henry Ruggs, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow. Also, Josh Jacobs appears to be more involved in the passing game.
Quintez Cephus, Wide Redeiver, Detroit Lions
Cephus may have more playing time with the absence of Kenny Golladay, and he did make dependable use of his situation. The fifth-round selection caught three of ten targets for 43-yards. Cephus had the most targets on the team with ten.
Anthony McFarland, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
McFarland was not involved in the offense.
John Hightower, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Hightower’s one reception on his lone target netted him a negative two-yards.
La’Mical Perine, Running Back, New York Jets
Perine is out of the line-up with an ankle injury.
Antonio Gandy-Golden, Wide Receiver, Washington Football Team
Gandy-Golden did not receive a target.
Gabriel Davis, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills
Davis was involved in two targets and caught two passes for 16 yards. He had a long of 13-yards. Davis is currently the fourth wide receiver as Stefon Diggs (8-86), John Brown (6-70-1), and Cole Beasley are the top-three on the squad. He will also battle tight end Dawson Knox and running backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss for volume.
Chase Claypool, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Claypool caught both his targets for 39-yards. He currently is the third or fourth wide receiver depending on the offense. JuJu Smith-Schuster (6-69-2) and Diontae Johnson (6-57) are the primaries, while James Washington (2-34-1) will battle Claypool for the third option. He also added a run of eight yards.
DeeJay Dallas, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks
Dallas was a healthy scratch.
Lynn Bowden, Running Back/Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
Bowden was declared as inactive. It will take some time for the rookie to learn his new offense as he was traded from the Raiders on September 5th.
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