PlayerProfiler is home to award winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out. Below, Joel Ybarra highlights NFL rookie performances from Week 7 of NFL action.
Rookie production was down in Week 7. With mounting injuries and NFL offenses struggling to function at high levels, fantasy production appeared to be down across the board. Still, some blue chip prospects produced and many others saw promising upticks in usage. Below, we highlight the best rookie performances from a wild week in fantasy, and the key usage trends for others.
Rookie Performance of the Week
Brian Thomas Jr. | WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Let’s face it: the Jags’ offense works better when Brian Thomas Jr. gets the ball more. Thomas Jr. is especially effective down the field and in the red zone. He caught a 58-yard bomb from Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter, scored a six-yard TD in the second and then converted on a two-point try later in the game. Thomas had five targets in all, and Pederson also gave him two rush attempts, as the team tries to get the ball to their most dynamic playmaker.
Other Notable Rookie Performances
Brock Bowers | TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers is not just the most dominant tight end in the league. He is one of the most dominant pass catchers. He ate against the Rams Sunday, earning another 14 targets and catching 10 of them for 93 yards. It was his third straight game with double-digit targets.
With Davante Adams in New York and Jakobi Meyers sidelined Sunday, Bowers is as valuable as they come, especially in tight end premium leagues. Can you imagine if he linked up with a good NFL quarterback who could lead scoring drives?
Keon Coleman | WR, Buffalo Bills
Even with Amari Cooper in town, Keon Coleman got his. He was the recipient of seven targets in Bills’ matchup with the Titans. He had four receptions for 125 yards. That’s 31.25 yards per reception. With Josh Allen‘s propensity to throw it deep and Coleman’s YAC ability (took a slant for 57 yards), these are the kind of days that are possible for the rookie from Florida State. What’s not in the box score was the touchdown catch he seemed to take across the end zone pylon in the fourth quarter. It was overturned and ruled an incompletion.
Drake Maye | QB, New England Patriots
Drake Maye was good at some points of the Patriots matchup with the Jaguars in London, and bad at others. At the end of the day, though, we’re talking about fantasy football.
Maye scored more fantasy points than quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud and Joe Burrow in his first two starts. He eliminated the turnovers Sunday, although it was against a bad Jags defense and he did throw a few interceptable passes. Still, Maye is going to be a valuable fantasy producer. He gets volume passing (276 yards and two TDs Sunday), he can convert in the red zone and get home rushing, too.
Other Key Usage Notes
Xavier Worthy | WR, Kansas City Chiefs – eight targets, three receptions, 19 yards, one carry for five yards rushing with Juju Smith-Schuster out
Ricky Pearsall | WR, San Francisco 49ers – five targets, three receptions for 21 yards with Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk out (Aiyuk may be out long-term)
Jacob Cowing | WR, San Francisco 49ers – three targets, two receptions, 50 yards with Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk out (Aiyuk may be out long-term)
Troy Franklin | WR, Denver Broncos – six targets, five receptions, 50 yards
Bo Nix | QB, Denver Broncos – 10 for 75 rushing, averaging 34 yards rushing and has three rushing TDs
Ray Davis | RB, Buffalo Bills – 5 carries for 41 yards, one target, one reception, six yards receiving
Ben Sinnott | QB, Washington Commanders – two targets, two receptions, six yards, one TD
Audric Estime | RB, Denver Broncos – five carries for 29 yards
Ja’Tavion Sanders | TE, Carolina Panthers – six targets, six receptions for 61 yards
Tyrone Tracy Jr. | RB, New York Giants – six carries for 23 yards, three targets, three receptions for 8 yards
Bub Means | WR, New Orleans Saints – 89-percent snaps, five targets, three receptions for 37 yards in a low-volume game environment
See all Joel’s PlayerProfiler articles here, including all the Rookie Reports from every week of NFL action
