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 details the top NFL rookie performances from Week 14.
Week 14 was the sort of week for which The Rookie Report was made. Each season, rookies come into volume and come into their own due to the chaos that unfolds over the course of an NFL season. Some rookie running backs fell into big opportunity in Week 14 while rookie wide receivers figured out the NFL game to produce at high levels in their offenses. On the eve of the fantasy playoffs, fantasy gamers should stay sharp and be prepared to take advantage of late-blooming rookies.
Rookie Performance of the Week
Isaac Guerendo | RB, San Francisco 49ers
15-78-2 rushing, 2/2-50 receiving
Isaac Guerendo did exactly what fantasy gamers dreamed he could do in the 49ers offense. It just was a long shot that he would ever get the opportunity. Well, both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason went on IR ahead of Week 14 and Guerendo got his chance. The uber-athletic Wisconsin/Louisville product took advantage of Kyle Shanahan’s scheme and logged some explosive plays. Unfortunately, the rookie RB exited Sunday with a foot injury. The Niners’ injury woes continue.
Other Notable Rookie Performances
Jalen McMillan | WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4/7-59-2 receiving
Jalen McMillan was an interesting prospect drafted at the end of the third round (3.28) of the NFL Draft. He entered a well-staffed Buccaneers wide receiver room without a real role, but it was thought McMillan could get run in three-receiver sets and be productive in a high-volume Bucs passing offense.
McMillan’s production, even with Chris Godwin out since Week 7, has left something to be desired. But he scored two touchdowns in this one – on seven targets.
Malik Nabers | WR, New York Giants
5/10-79 receiving
Another 10 targets for Malik Nabers. Perhaps the true test of an Alpha wide receiver is his ability to produce with a not-so-great quarterback under center. The Giants are intent on getting the LSU product the ball, but he has not scored a touchdown since Week 3. That’s the breaks in an anemic Giants’ offense with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito at the helm.
Rome Odunze | WR, Chicago Bears
4/5-42-2 receiving
Rome Odunze has ceded lead receiver duties to Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore prior to Week 14. Still, even as the third target in the offense, Odunze has averaged 7.75 targets over the last four games. Odunze has been targeted down the field (14.2 ADOT, No. 9), far deeper than both Allen and Moore.
The former Washington Husky has earned 11 ??? (No. 15) red zone targets this season. He and QB Caleb Williams connected on two red zone targets for touchdowns on Sunday.
Brian Thomas | WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
8/12-86 receiving
The rule about an Alpha WR being able to produce with less than stellar quarterback play goes for Brian Thomas Jr., too. Thomas has double-digit targets (10, 12) in two straight. He caught only four passes in Week 13, but scored a touchdown. In Week 14, the former LSU Tiger caught eight balls for 86. Like Nabers, Thomas is stuck in a bad offense, especially with Trevor Lawrence sidelined.
Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis | RB, New York Jets
Allen 10/40-1 rushing, 3/6-27 receiving; Davis 11-43 rushing, 4/5-38 receiving
Breece Hall’s absence Sunday left opportunity in the the New York Jets backfield. The problem was there were two men up for the job. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis split the work, partly because Allen fumbled in the second quarter (?). Both were efficient on the ground (Allen 4.0 YPC, Davis 3.9) and through the air (Allen 9.0 YPR, Davis 9.5).
Davis stole the show with a touchdown and is probably still available on waivers in many leagues.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. | RB, New York Giants
16-45-1 rushing, 5/10-38 receiving
Tyrone Tracy Jr. scored another touchdown Sunday, his fifth of the season. His efficiency suffered even while his workload increased. He got 16 carries in this one and 10 (!) targets. Somehow, he caught only five of them. In a better offense with a better quarterback, Tracy’s bell cow usage would matter more. Still, he could be a usable running back for those looking for a fill-in in the fantasy playoffs.
See all Joel’s PlayerProfiler articles here, including The Rookie Report from each week of the NFL season.
