Ultimate Rookie Report Week 15
Fantasy Playoffs Edition
Fantasy football is so much fun until you run into three of the top five players in absolutely disgusting performances for the start of playoffs. Oh well. Se la football d’imagination.
These were the top five rookie fantasy performances of the week as voted for by point in a PPR format.
Embed from Getty Images5. Cam Ward (15)
I truly did not understand how bad the pass catchers in Tennessee were until I looked today. Rookies Chimere Dike led the wide receivers in catches with four for 17 yards and Elic Ayomanor matched that yardage on only one catch. They are WR55 and WR62 . Another rookie, Gunnar Helm led the team in yards with 49 and a touchdown and is currently ranked TE28. Cam Ward deserves better. For what it’s worth, Ward completed 18/29 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee gets Kansas City’s 14th ranked pass defense in week 16.
Embed from Getty Images4. Bill (15.6)
I remember when I thought Jacory Croskey-Merritt was the next big thing in running backs. I wasn’t the only one. He hasn’t had over 6 fantasy points since week 5. The man called Bill had 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. The Philadelphia Eagles and their shockingly poor run defense (22nd in the league) come to town, but who really knows what Dan Quinn is going to do about running backs this week.
Embed from Getty Images3. Tyler Shough (18.1)
As a Panthers fan, this one really hurts to write about. Shough personally swept his division rival this year. This time around, Shough completed 75% of his passes (24/32) for 272 yards and a touchdown. He also had eight carries for another 32 yards. I know it’s a weird year, but for what it’s worth, Shough has been QB8 for the past three weeks. He beats fantasy stalwarts such as Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts. I’m starting to talk myself into thinking that New Orleans should keep him as their starting QB next year. The Saints have the New York Jets on their schedule for week 16, so let’s keep this momentum going!
Embed from Getty Images2. Jaxson Dart (23.1)
Jaxson Dart is doing all he can without any of his best pieces. Dart never had the chance to play with Malik Nabers. His RB, Cam Skattebo, went down in week 8 against a division rival in the most brutal fashion. Dart keeps pushing on. In a losing effort against the Washington Commanders, Dart completed 20 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns (with a cool -2 in there for an interception). He also ran the ball nine times for 63 yards. I really want to see what Dart looks like with a full complement of weapons and a new coaching staff. We’ll have to wait until next season though. Vikings are ranked 5th in passing defense, so you may want to look elsewhere for a quarterback in your playoffs this coming weekend.
1. TreVeyon Henderson (30.1)
Against the Buffalo Bills, Henderson put on an absolute show. It only took 14 carries for Henderson to amass 148 yards and two touchdowns. The touchdown runs were absolute monsters as he went for 52 and 65 yards respectively. He also added two catches for 13 yards (every point counts!). Henderson has quietly been RB7 since week 9 of the fantasy football season, despite having a bye week in that time. If you went by average points, he becomes RB4. New England travels to Baltimore for Sunday Night Football. The Ravens are not the defense we remember over the past 20 years, as they sit at 15th in the league in run defense. Don’t even think about sitting this beast in your semifinal matchup.
If you’re still in the playoffs, congrats! I’m happy for you. If you’re a loser like me, there’s always next year.
Sincerely,
@MeLlamoMoron
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