Ultimate Rookie Report Week 18

Guys, I have some bad news. Technically, I have been lying to you all year. I didn’t know that I was lying, but I need to get it off my chest, because ignorance isn’t an excuse in the high profile fantasy football biz. Brandon Aubrey is not a rookie according to the NFL. Brandon Aubrey started his professional sports career as a Toronto FC soccer player in the MLS. After 2 years of soccer, he became a software engineer and a fan of the NFL. Legend has it that while watching a game with his wife, the kicker missed and she said “you could do that.” For three years, he worked with a kicking coach (Brian Egan). In 2022, the Birmingham Stallions drafted Aubrey into the USFL. This is where he lost rookie eligibility in the eyes of the National Football League. As soon as he was paid to be a kicker, he was technically no longer a rookie. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)

Aubrey has exploded onto the scene and has had an absurdly amazing season. This year, he hasn’t missed any of his 35 field goal attempts and has had a total of 149 real (not fantasy) points scored. In fantasy, he has gotten 171 points and is the number one overall by 20 points. I will continue to consider him one of my rookie darlings because it’s his first season in the big leagues, but technically he is not.

These players may have helped you win a football championship last week.

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5. Zay Flowers (19.6)

Three catches for 106 yards and a touchdown from the heavily favored to win MVP Lamar Jackson. I really like this kid, but it took a long time for him to catch on. Will he be the best wide rookie wide receiver? Of course not, Puka Nacua was insane. My prediction may not have come true, but it has been a solid season for Zay.

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4. Aidan O’Connell (20.26)

O’Connell threw 47 passes, 30 of which were caught. His receivers got him 299 yards and two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts. He has had a quietly decent end to his season. He’ll probably be replaced, but the Raiders brass may have to think about it for a minute first.

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3. Jake Browning (21.08)

Jake Browning couldn’t keep the Bengals good fortunes in Kansas City, but he did the best that he could. Browning threw 19/33 for 197 yards and a touchdown, and had another 32 yards and a touchdown running it himself. He is the type of backup that could be traded and overpaid and under produce next season. I have to personally thank him for getting me into the playoffs and winning me third place and getting me my money back. 

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2. De’Von Achane (23.7)

The Miami Dolphins got steamrolled this week,but it wasn’t Achane’s fault. With 14 carries, Achane ran for 107 yards. He also caught four passes for 30 yards and a touchdown. This guy was a monster any time he touched the field. It’s too bad that he wasn’t healthy for a large chunk of the year.

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1. Jayden Reed (26.9)

Jayden Reed won the week and only played in half of the game. A chest injury he sustained during a fair catch made him miss the whole second half. Reed managed six catches on eight targets, 89 yards and two touchdowns in his short time on the field though. He was another late season riser and is worth a look next year.

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS. Sorry losers. Good luck… uh..Still players? I feel like the playoffs have been weird but if you managed to win anyway, good job! I’d love to see some championship teams with rookies on it if you want to send them my way via X. I’d even like to see those sophomores too. I still have a soft spot for my first batch of guys.

Like I said, I will have an article up next week, even though it doesn’t affect the majority of  fantasy managers. I just have to see where everyone shakes out in the end. I will also have an analysis of the top players of the year and maybe, just maybe, a comparison to how the rookies did in 2022.

Love you guys,

@MeLlamoMoron

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