We finally have a rookie QB race guys! It’s the one we all expected to see. In the red and blue corner, we have BAILEY ZAPPE! And in the black and yellow corner, we have KENNY PICKETT! Two contenders for rookie QB of the year! Who will win? Honestly, nobody, I just had to make it a little exciting. Zappe is overperforming and will be replaced as soon as Mac Jones gets healthy.
A couple of quick hits on some of our old friends who have fallen off our list:
Jahan Dotson has had a hamstring injury which has brought his great rookie season to a temporary halt. Things don’t look great for a return on the riveting Thursday night game of Commanders versus Bears. Hamstring injuries tend to linger, hopefully, he’ll be back soon.
Garrett Wilson’s production has fallen off a cliff with Zach Wilson’s return. He’s had 10 targets over the last two games. In the first three games of the season, he averaged 11 targets per game. It’s sad to see Garrett Wilson’s talent go to waste.
Drake London is having a monster target share percentage for the Atlanta Falcons. He’s top three in the league in this stat! The problem is, Mariota is only throwing the ball 24.6 times per game this season and he’s only completing 57.7% of those passes. Maybe the Falcons would be better off trying Desmond Ridder out to give this passing game some juice.
I haven’t talked about Daniel Bellinger and I feel terrible about it. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s been steady at a position that has been a roulette wheel at its best. He’s worth a look if you have any tight end not named Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews.
On to the weekly top 6 rookie countdown! Kenneth Walker III slipped through the cracks on the first writing and I like to hype Pickens whenever I can anyway. PPR points are in parentheses.
6. George Pickens (14.3)
Six catches for 83 yards isn’t the most exciting of fantasy days but I am pumped for what’s to come. Kenny Pickett likes to throw the ball. He had 52 attempts against a tough Buffalo secondary. The opportunities are there for both Steelers rookies going forward so there’s a good chance both put up monster points in the coming weeks.
5. Kenneth Walker III (14.8)
Kenneth Walker III had 8 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. Most of his yards came on a 69-yard scamper for a score. What was once limited opportunities in the Seahawks backfield will grow exponentially with the loss of Rashaad Penny. Rookie running backs have done well this year when given the chance. We’ll have to see if Walker continues this trend.
4. Alec Pierce (16.1)
Alec Pierce was a guy I had heard rumblings about during camp. The Colts really liked him and hyped him up to be the number 2 next to Michael Pittman Jr. He went 0 for 2 in Week 1 and missed Week 2. Since then, his usage and points have steadily increased up to number four on the countdown! 8 catches for 81 yards this week in the thriller that was Thursday night’s battle of horses.
3. Chris Olave (17.9)
While on vacation in London, Chris Olave scored a touchdown after catching 4 balls and racking up 54 yards. Unfortunately, on his touchdown catch, Olave suffered a concussion with most of the second half still on the clock. Fantasy owners will take the points and hope he makes a speedy recovery from a tricky and serious injury.
Fun fact: after trying to figure out why the math didn’t add up for Olave’s points I learned that apparently when a player forces a fumble you get 2. Who knew?
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2. Dameon Pierce (20.3)
Dameon Pierce had 26 rushing attempts on Sunday. TWENTY-SIX! I can’t really wrap my head around that number honestly. Although not terribly efficient (3.81 yards per attempt), he managed 99 yards and a touchdown and added another 3 catches for 14 yards and a second touchdown. I truly cannot believe he will have that many opportunities going forward. That’s just absurd. Use him while you can because typically people do not last long in the NFL with that many carries.
Embed from Getty Images1. Breece Hall (27.7)
Quick story time. I am in a terrible spot at RB in one league. The best option I had was Michael Carter. As I’m checking my fantasy scores I see 17.3 points from 2 touchdowns and I feel terrible for my stalwart Breece Hall. I’m sick because something horrible must have happened. At best, Michael Carter vultured two touchdowns from the leading point-getting rookie of the year. I look to see what happened and Breece Hall had 97 rushing yards with a touchdown and two catches for 100 yards. The moral of the story is, Breece Hall is officially a stud and this should have been an even bigger day for the kid.
Graphs are back. Back again. Graphs are back. Tell a friend. Sorry for the hiatus.
Pulled Pacheco and Burks for lack of production on the year chart. Added Bellinger and Pierce because why not?
Truly guys, thanks for reading this. I appreciate it more than you could know. Tweet me @MeLlamoMoron and say hi.
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