Rookie Report 2021 – Week 9
By Steve Uetz
For the purposes of this season-long article series, I will take you through how all the fantasy-relevant rookies from the 2021 class are performing on a week-to-week basis. I will break down their weekly statistics and offensive role regarding their real-life development and fantasy football outlook.
Let’s look at how the most notable players from the 2021 rookie class fared in the 9th week of NFL action!
Chuba Hubbard, Khalil Herbert, and Davis Mills were all relegated back to minor workloads or the bench (in Mills’ case) as their veteran counterparts returned to action. We are relieved to have Christian McCaffrey and David Montgomery back in action for the purposes of this article, I will sparingly be discussing Hubbard or Herbert.
One thing that made me mad during the week 9 slate was the fact that Kadarius Toney only saw one target! One. Target. I hope his involvement starts to increase after the Giants’ week 10 bye week.
Breakout Performance of the Week
WR Elijah Moore, New York Jets
Moore exploded onto the scene in Thursday Night Football loss to the Colts as he led the Jets in receptions and receiving yards. Moore caught 7 of 8 targets for 84 yards and 2 TDs: making the most of his opportunity with veteran WR Corey Davis inactive. He now has a total of 22 receptions on 40 targets for 230 receiving yards. He has also handled two designed rushing attempts for a total of 23 yards and 1 TD. My player comparison for Elijah Moore in the pre-season was Antonio Brown. I’m encouraged by this performance but want more consistent usage in the offense (as well as a more stable offense out of the New York Jets).
QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence and the Jaguars faced a tough foe in week 9 as they faced the Buffalo Bills. Shockingly the Jaguars ended up with a win as they were only able to score 9 points! Lawrence struggled against the stout Buffalo defense and ended up missing some time due to sustaining an ankle injury. Lawrence completed 15 of 26 pass attempts for 118 yards, he took 2 sacks
and gained 4 yards on 3 rushing attempts. Lawrence should not be given starter consideration for the rest of the season.
QB Mac Jones, New England Patriots
Jones once again did not have to do much to be able to secure a victory as the Patriots completely dominated the Panthers. Jones completed 12 of 18 pass attempts for 139 yards, with 1 TD and 1 INT, he took 2 sacks and gained 4 yards on 2 rushing attempts. Jones remains a floor play for deep Super Flex leagues, but he shouldn’t be considered a starter unless you are desperate in a deep league.
QB Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Fields had a strong performance for both his professional development and his FF outlook. For the second week in a row Fields had a 20+ point output. He had his most prolific passing performance yet as he passed for just under 300 yards. Fields completed 17 of 29 pass attempts for 291 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT, he took 3 sacks and gained 45 yards on 8 rushing attempts. The Bears enter the Bye week in week 10.
RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Harris continues to handle an elite workshare in the Steelers offense. Harris totaled 25 touches as he caught all 3 of his targets for 16 yards and gained 62 yards with 1 TD on 22 rushing attempts! Harris remains a weekly strong RB1 option!
RB Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
In the lob-sided loss to the Cardinals, Mitchell still handled the majority of the 49ers’ rushing attack. He 36 yards on 8 rushing attempts and was more involved in the passing game as he caught all 5 of his targets for 43 yards. He remains a solid RB2 option!
RB Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Williams had a strong game against the Cowboys in a contest that was completely one-sided in the Broncos’ favor. Williams handled 17 carries and gained 111 for an astounding 6.5 yards per carry! Williams did not see a target in the passing game but continues to be efficient with his opportunities. Williams remains a Flex option for the rest of the season.
RB Michael Carter, New York Jets
After two studly performances in a row, Michael Carter, unfortunately, crashed back down to earth. Carter gained 49 yards on 14 rushing attempts and caught 1 of his 2 targets for a 37 yards gain. I would still feel comfortable with Carter as a Flex option moving forward.
RB Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles totaled 39 rushing attempts in the losing effort against the Chargers. Gainwell only handled 2 rushing attempts as he gained 3 yards and scored a TD! The recent surging usage of veterans Jordan Howard and Boston Scott can’t be considered shocking anymore. However, what is shocking is the lack of passing attack in the Eagles offense, especially the lack of Gainwell in the passing game. Gainwell simply can’t be trusted as a starter at this point but should be considered a Buy Low candidate.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Stevenson had a strong performance as he led the Patriots in both rushing and receiving yards in the dominant victory over the struggling Panthers. Stevenson gained 62 yards on 10 rushing attempts for an impressive 6.5 yards per carry and caught both of his targets for 44 yards! Stevenson’s status is uncertain for week 10, but he should be considered a bench stash in all league types.
WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
For his standards, Chase had a below-average outing. He caught 6 of his 13 (!) targets for 49 yards. His 13 targets were good enough for a 32.5% target share! No TD and not a high yardage total but it is obvious that he is a major part of this offense; he will remain a WR1 option for the rest of the season when the Bengals return from the bye week in week 10.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Waddle once again performed well and led the Dolphins in receptions, targets, and receiving yards. Waddle totaled 8 catches on 10 targets for 83 yards as his teammate veteran WRs continue to miss time. Waddle will face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football in week 10; at worst he should be considered a weekly Flex option rest of season!
WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith once again led the Eagles in receptions and yards! Smith totaled 5 catches of targets for 116 yards and a TD! Smith made up nearly 75% of Philadelphia’s passing offense as the Eagles drastically shifted their offense to a run-heavy approach. Smith remains a WR2 option for the rest of the season!
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Bateman had another week of strong offensive involvement! He was third on the Ravens in targets as he caught 5 of 8 targets for 52 yards. Bateman and the Ravens face the Miami Dolphins in the Thursday Night Football contest of week 10. He holds borderline starter consideration in deep leagues.
WR Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Moore was involved in an extremely balanced offensive target distributed game with DeAndre Hopkins and Kyler Murray inactive. Four Cardinal pass-catchers received 5 or more targets; Moore included. Moore caught all 5 of his targets for 25 yards. He remains a strong bench stash but at this point, he is a desperation PPR Flex option.
WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans
With the return of veteran QB Tyrod Taylor to the lineup Collins caught all 3 of his targets for 25 yards. Taylor had an awful showing in his first game back as he relieved rookie Davis Mills of his temporary starting duties. Collins and the Texans enter the bye week in week 10; he remains a bench stash in deep leagues.
TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts adds another solid game to his rookie season resume as he caught 3 of his 7 targets for 63 yards, including one catch for 39 yards! Pitts is the real deal and remains a TE1 option for the rest of the season!
TE Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pat Freiermuth breakout is among us, and I am here for it! Freiermuth had himself a game in the Monday Night Football victory over the Chicago Bears. Freiermuth caught 5 of 6 targets for 43 yards and 2 TDs! This is his 2nd week in a row finding paydirt and his 3rd week in a row of earned 6 or more targets! Already past the bye week, Freiermuth should now be considered a TE1 level starting option until further notice!
Bring on Week 10!
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Steve Uetz has over 15 years of experience in fantasy football. He enjoys writing fantasy football content and articles. He is very passionate about Auction Leagues. Other than his own fantasy football teams, Steve is a huge fan of the Philadelphia Eagles & Penn State! Steve (@FantasyLadder on Twitter) is very accessible and involved in the Fantasy Football Twitter community! Reach out to him anytime for questions or advice! His primary goal is to help you win your leagues.