Fantasy Football: Rookie Power Rankings (Week 4)
Welcome to week 4 in the NFL. as we near the quarter mark for the season, we are beginning to see roles be defined for our 2020 rookie class. Some are in great situations, and others have stepped up due to injury to explode into fantasy relevance. As we move forward into the season, it will be interesting to see how far these rookies will progress. Let’s take a look at this week’s top 10.
1. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars Last Week: 5
Robinson ran the ball 11 times for 46 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching all six of his targets for 83 yards. Robinson enters Week 4 against the Bengals averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season, and is receiving over 90% of the carries in the backfield. A mild surprise as an UDFA RB heading into the season, Robinson could be the key for some owners in a pursuit of a fantasy title this season.
2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs Last Week: 1
Edwards-Helaire rushed 20 times for 64 yards and caught five of six targets for 70 yards in Monday night’s 34-20 win over the Ravens. CEH has been a useful weapon out of the backfield, able to both grind out tough yards and make awesome catches. He has reached 20 carries in 2 of the 3 games he has played. If CEH can stay healthy, he will have a large role in the best offense in the NFL.
3. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts Last Week: 2
Taylor carried the ball 13 times for 59 yards and a touchdown and caught a pass for three yards in Sunday’s 36-7 win over the Jets. JT has been able to gather the lions share of the carries through 3 games, even with Nyheim Hines sharing the backfield. As he acclamates into the NFL, he has a golden opportunity to literally run his way to Rookie of the Year.
4. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals Last Week: 3
Burrow completed 31 of 44 pass attempts for 312 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday’s 23-23 tie against the Eagles. Burrow has now had 2 solid games in a row, and seems to be getting more comfortable as the weeks progress. He will be facing tougher competition as the season goes on, but he should handle that in stride and continue putting out quality fantasy starts.
5. Laviska Shenault Jr, WR, Jaguars Last Week: 4
Laviska Shenault secured five of six targets for 33 yards and rushed once for one yard in the Jaguars’ 31-13 loss to the Dolphins on Thursday. Shenault seems to be getting involved as an offensive weapon for the Jags. The loss of WR D.J. Chark thrust Viska into a primary role, and he has handled that in stride. He looks to become a key cog in the Jags plan moving forward.
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6. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys Last Week: 7
Lamb caught five of six targets for 65 yards and gained one rushing yard on one carry in Sunday’s 38-31 loss to the Seahawks. The rookie wideout has looked good to begin his career, totaling 230 yards and a TD in an elite offense. As he develops, he should become at worst the #2 target in the passing game, especially with the loss of TE Blake Jarwin.
7. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings Last Week: Unranked
Welcome to the NFL, Justin Jefferson. Jefferson had seven catches on nine targets for 175 yards and a touchdown. That’s literally insane. The Vikings have been looking for JJ to step up as a complement to Adam Thielen, and he delivered in spades. If he can replicate even close to those numbers againar tougher competition, the future will be bright for the Vikings.
8. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers Last Week: Unranked
Herbert completed 35 of 49 passes for 330 yards and a touchdown along with an interception in the 21-16 loss Sunday to the Panthers. He also lost a fumble. Herbert has come in and performed admirably in relief of Tyrod Taylor. If he continues to have solid weeks, it will be hard to go back to the veteran QB. Herbert has some weapons to work with, and if he can become comfortable with them, look out.
9. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos Last Week: 9
Jeudy caught five of his nine targets for 55 receiving yards during Sunday’s 28-10 loss to the Buccaneers. Jeudy has been the go-to man in the Broncos offense ever since the injury to Courtland Sutton. He has already amassed 24 targets in the first 3 weeks of the season. If he can continue that pace, he will be a fantasy stud going forward, especially with positive TD regression.
10. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers Last Week: Unranked
Aiyuk caught five of eight targets for 70 yards and rushed three times for 31 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers’ 36-9 win over the Giants on Sunday. The 49ers are using Aiyuk the same way Jacksonville is using Shenault, as an offensive weapon. The return to health of Deebo Samuel should bode well for Aiyuk, as it will allow his single coverage. Look for him to grow into a solid #2 option for San Fransico.
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