ROOKIE WATCH – WEEK 9

By Steve Uetz

Week 9 made us realize that distance only makes the heart grow fonder as Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow were on their BYE week…as was the rising star Jalen Reagor and opportunity seeking Cam Akers… week 10 will soon be here and all will be right in the world. Sorry not sorry that I have a man crush on Tee Higgins. Get over it!

We were unable to see AJ Dillon or Brandon Aiyuk suit up in the Thursday night contest due to COVID-19 concerns…

The big week 9 headline in the world of rookies was Tua Tagovailoa’s winning performance against the Arizona Cardinals. (*Joyous Screaming*) Tua is 2-0 ba-by!!! More on that below…

Rookie Quick Hits…

RB Salvon Ahmed: This new name to the series led the Dolphins in rushing as he gained 38 yards on 7 carries…This was interesting as the undrafted RB get his first bit of NFL action without Gaskin or Breida in the lineup…and Ahmed out-produced veteran Jordan Howard in terms of rushing efficiency…

RB Jamycal Hasty: Of course the week after I put some respect on Hasty’s name he magically disappeared…it was a pretty brutal turn of events as he entered the Thursday night contest as an interesting spot start but exited with only 6 touches gaining 13 yards...

RB La’Michal Perine: In the not-so-anticipated Monday night showdown against New England, Perine handled 6 carries gaining 19 yards and caught both of his targets for 19 yards. Perine was out worked and out produced by veteran Frank Gore…the eternal Frank Gore…

RB DeeJay Dallas: Dallas got another chance to shine in Carson and Hyde’s absence. In Seattle’s losing effort Dallas scored a TD and gained 31 yards on 7 carries while catching both of his targets for 8 yards…at this point he is a safe play if Carson/Hyde continue to miss time…

WR Darnell Mooney: Mooney led the Bears in targets but only caught 5 of his 11 (!) targets for 43 yards…

WR Gabriel Davis: it’s time to put some respect on his name…Davis scored his 3rd TD of the season in the fantasy friendly contest between Buffalo and Seattle in week 9. Davis caught 4 of 5 targets for 70 yards and 1 TD! He has been a bit up and down this season but has certainly had some nice outings so far!

WR Henry Ruggs: not a great day for Ruggs…no catches on 3 targets but did gain 10 yards on one rushing attempt…

WR Michael Pittman: In his 2nd game back from an extended IR stint, Pittman tied for the team lead in targets with 7 while catching 4 of them from 56 yards; which was good enough to lead the team! The offense looked lost against the stout Baltimore defense but this is still encouraging for the high upside prospect!

WR Denzel Mims: In the surprisingly exciting primetime contest Mims led the Jets in targets with 8 (!) and caught 4 of them for 62 yards! The offense showed some life with elite-ish Joe Flacco but ultimately fell short to the division rival Patriots! This was a positive step for Mims’ development, offensive signs of life is a step in the right direction for the Jets; we will take it!

Major rookies roles, stats, and development notes…

QB Justin Herbert: The Chargers lost ANOTHER close game but Herbert impresses AGAIN without committing any turnovers! Herbert completed 28/42 pass attempts for 326 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 24 yards on 5 carries! Herbert is the real deal but the Chargers lose another one score game; absolutely brutal!

QB Tua Tagovailoa: TUA TIME continues but this time in impressive fantasy fashion! Tua was very efficient as a passer and as a runner! He completed 20 of 28 attempts for 248 yards and 2 TDs while gaining 35 yards on 7 carries! What is most impressive is that not only did Tua lead the Dolphins to a win against a good Arizona team but he did it without any turnovers! I’m going to gush over Tua (and Higgins, duh) until he gives me a reason not to!

RB JK Dobbins: Dobbins was a bit of a disappointment in the potential spot start with Mark Ingram ruled Out. It was an inefficient day where he handled 12 carries for 30 yards and caught both of his targets for 5 yards. With Ingram likely to miss the next contest, Dobbins is still in line for a good workload in week 10 with Ingram likely remaining Out; Dobbins remains deep league FLEX play opportunity but with some tempered expectations based on the week 9 result.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire: CEH had strange usage in this game. This high scoring contest primarily featured the passing attack with the Mahomes-Kelce-Hill triangle with the rushing attack being nearly forgotten. CEH only handled 5 carries where he gained 14 yards but caught 3 of his 5 targets gaining 20 yards and 1 TD! The TD is nice but with RB1 expectations this result in production and usage is disappointing. I think he is still a low RB1-high RB2 moving forward but we will have to wait for more KC goodness as they enter the BYE in week 10…

RB Jonathon Taylor: The Colts struggled offensively against the tough Baltimore defense. Taylor only had 8 touches; handled 6 carries while gaining 27 yards with 1 TD and caught both of his targets for 7 yards. The TD saved his fantasy day but I’m confident better days are ahead.

RB D’Andre Swift: Swift quietly had a pretty day! Quietly because this game was the Dalvin Cook show as the Vikings steamrolled the Lions. Swift gained 64 yards on 13 carries and caught 3 of 5 targets for 33 yards! He remains a solid FLEX play!

RB Joshua Kelley: Kelley continues to get enough work to justify a FLEX play but he just isn’t producing enough to put us at ease placing him into our lineups. He gained 28 yards on 9 carries and caught all 5 of his targets for 31 yards. We will take 14 touches, but it is not ideal to get out-produced by Kalen Ballage who just seemingly appeared out of nowhere as Justin Jackson exited this contest early!

WR Jerry Jeudy: What a stud! Jeudy led the Broncos in targets with 14 (!!!) while catching 7 of them for 125 yards and a TD! Jeudy and the Broncos continue to be thrilled to have Drew Locke back! He remains a weekly FLEX play and should be a big ADP riser going into next season!

WR KJ Hamler: Hamler had a great day! He caught 6 of his 10 (!) targets for 75 and gained 15 yards on one rushing attempt. He continues to be utilized in creative ways but had a very encouraging showing as a pass catcher! Add him from free agency if he is still there!

WR Justin Jefferson: Despite the Vikings/Lions contest being the Dalvin Cook show; Jefferson led the Vikings in receiving as he caught 3 of his 4 targets and gained 64 yards! He remains a FLEX play!

WR CeeDee Lamb: Stud! Lamb caught 4 of his 7 targets for 71 yards and 1 TD! Dallas rolled out their 4th (!!) starting QB in week 9…as uncertain as the Cowboys’ season seems to be, one thing that is very certain is that Lamb is their present and future star WR!

WR: Chase Claypool: In the comeback victory against Dallas, Claypool led the Steelers in targets. He caught 8 of his 13 (!!!) targets for 69 yards and gained 4 yards on 1 carry! Claypool remains lineup cement and is looking to be one of the biggest ADP risers for next season…just think DK Metcalf…oh my…

IDP Notes

LBs Patrick Queen (Baltimore Ravens) and Kenneth Murray (Los Angeles Chargers): Queen and Murray each totaled 4 tackles for the 2nd week in row! These guys are still neck and neck in the tackle department…

Krys Barnes: Barnes has 2nd down week in a row as he totaled 3 tackles (1 solo) but he remains a solid piece of a tough defensive group!  

Antoine Winfield: Winfield had another solid outing as he totaled 7 tackles (3 solo) while the Buccaneers got embarrassed on the national stage by their division rival Saints.