Fantasy soccer rookie watch: Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers escape

The performances of Arizona Cardinals broad receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (29.0 PPR factors) and New York Giants broad receiver Malik Nabers (28.7) gave fantasy managers a giant enhance of their Week 2 matchups. However issues did not go as easily for different rookies.

So, what statistical tidbits ought to you already know about, and which rookies deserve your consideration shifting ahead?

Let’s dive into the most important takeaways from the rookies in Week 2.

---

Quarterbacks

High performer

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (90.0% rostered, 53.3% began)

Daniels earned his first NFL win, although all of us held our breath when the rookie was shaken up on a run within the first half. Regardless of the scare, he completed the sport with 13.4 fantasy factors, which was fairly a drop from the 28.1 he scored in Week 1. Nonetheless, Daniels stays on the QB1 radar due to his dashing capability. It is also promising to see enhancements in his move makes an attempt, completions, completion share and passing yards in Week 2 towards the Giants. The Commanders face the Bengals in Week 3.

Preserve ’em rostered

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (70.7% rostered, 12.6% began)

It has been a troublesome begin to Williams’ rookie season, with lower than 10 fantasy factors in each of his first two video games. On Sunday evening towards the Texans, Williams struggled when blitzed. And he solely accomplished two of 9 passes for 20 yards with two interceptions and 7 sacks when pressured. Regardless of having playmakers like DJ Moore and Rome Odunze round him, Williams wants time to regulate to the NFL. Preserve him in your roster, however maintain off on beginning him for now.

Others to observe

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (10.1% rostered, 0.8% began)

Do not get too caught up in Nix’s dashing potential. He put up simply 11.0 fantasy factors in Week 1 and eight.3 in Week 2, and he has thrown two interceptions in every recreation. The rookie is clearly struggling beneath stress, finishing solely 35% of his passes, with zero touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Heading into Week 3 towards the Buccaneers, Nix remains to be a low-end QB3.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots (2.5% rostered)

Maye continued to observe from the sidelines because the Patriots misplaced to the Seahawks in extra time. Jacoby Brissett continues to function as a recreation supervisor after scoring 8.0 fantasy factors in Week 1 and 10.5 in Week 2. He continues to maintain the soccer and leverage his offensive playmakers. Preserve Maye in your watch checklist because the Patriots journey to face the Jets in Week 3.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons (1.3% rostered)

There are some issues about Kirk Cousins‘ well being as he returns from damage this season. In Week 1 towards the Steelers, the Falcons used shotgun or pistol units on 96% of their performs. It is going to be fascinating to see if this adjustments on “Monday Night time Soccer” towards the Philadelphia Eagles. With playmakers resembling Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts doubtlessly at his disposal, keep watch over Penix if Cousins would not regain his kind.

---

Working backs

High performer

Braelon Allen, New York Jets (7.4% rostered, 0.3% began)

Allen made a notable affect towards the Titans on Sunday, scoring 19.6 fantasy factors on simply 9 touches (20 offensive snaps, 12 routes run). As compared, Breece Hall had 21 touches and 24.4 factors (40 offensive snaps, 19 routes run). Allen’s capability to interrupt via defenders was notably spectacular. This can be a working again with 3,494 profession dashing yards in school, rating ninth in Wisconsin college historical past. Anticipate him to tackle a bigger position within the Jets’ offense and be a key participant to focus on on the waiver wire this week.

Preserve ’em rostered

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29.6% rostered, 1.4% began)

The Buccaneers have been restricted to only 70 dashing yards by the Lions protection, with most of that coming from Baker Mayfield. Irving had solely seven touches, in contrast with White’s 11, and neither was very productive from a fantasy standpoint — Irving scored 2.2 factors whereas White managed simply 3.3. The Buccaneers’ offensive line and backs struggled to ascertain the working recreation. From a fantasy perspective, the important thing takeaway is that offensive coordinator Liam Coen appears dedicated to utilizing each Irving and White. Irving is price stashing in your bench as a possible late-season difference-maker.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (43.5% rostered, 0.8% began)

It was encouraging to see Benson end with 11 touches, whereas Emari Demercado managed simply two. Nonetheless, James Conner stays the elephant within the room in terms of Benson’s fantasy outlook. If Conner misses time, Benson might take over a big chunk of his workload, placing him firmly on the RB2 radar. Conner has accrued 19 or extra touches in two straight video games. Benson is price protecting in your roster.

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers (69.4% rostered)

Brooks stays on the PUP/NFI checklist as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered final November at Texas, so he’ll be out for a minimum of the primary 4 video games. The Panthers’ offense has struggled this season, getting outscored 73-13. Whereas Chuba Hubbard had 14 touches and 11.6 fantasy factors towards the Chargers on Sunday, it is laborious to seek out a lot consolation in these numbers for those who’re stashing Brooks on IR, particularly given Bryce Young‘s tough efficiency.

Others to observe

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (11.5% rostered)

Though Davis completed Thursday evening’s recreation towards the Dolphins with 10 touches, in contrast with James Cook‘s 12, most of his got here within the fourth quarter when the Payments have been up by three touchdowns. Except Prepare dinner, who has 34 touches this season, misses time, Davis is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant. The Payments host the Jaguars in Week 3, so hold Davis in your watch checklist.

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (25.2% rostered)

Even earlier than Tua Tagovailoa‘s exit, De’Von Achane was the focus of the Dolphins’ offense, regardless of being questionable with an ankle damage. He logged 62% of snaps, ending with 29 touches and 29.5 fantasy factors. In the meantime, Wright noticed simply 23% of snaps and 5 carries, even with Raheem Mostert out because of a chest damage. Mostert’s damage is not anticipated to be long-term. For Wright to turn out to be fantasy related, he’d want both Achane or Mostert to overlook time.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (42.2% rostered)

It was shocking that Corum did not get extra snaps within the second half Sunday towards the Cardinals, particularly with the sport out of hand. It appeared like the proper time to ease Kyren Williams‘ workload. Corum’s roster share continues to drop. Preserve him in your watch checklist, however not in your fantasy roster.

MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers (17.9% rostered)

Lloyd made his NFL debut towards the Colts on Sunday, ending with seven touches and a couple of.8 fantasy factors. He performed just a few snaps and is now coping with an ankle damage. Regardless of this, Lloyd must be in your watch checklist. If starter Josh Jacobs have been to get injured, the rookie would inherit a few of that quantity. Jacobs had 32 dashing makes an attempt in Week 2 and 18 touches in Week 1, so if something occurs to him, Lloyd might assist fill the hole. Control Lloyd as a possible asset.

Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (1.9% rostered)

Vidal has been inactive for 2 straight video games (coach’s resolution), however there’s nonetheless potential for the rookie within the Chargers’ run-heavy offense. The best path to fantasy relevancy can be if J.K. Dobbins or Gus Edwards misses time. Dobbins has already racked up 266 dashing yards within the first two video games — probably the most by any Chargers participant over that span in franchise historical past. This simply highlights the potential Vidal might deliver to the desk. Preserve him in your watch checklist.

---

Broad receivers

High performers

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (98.7% rostered, 75.7% began)

That is precisely the sort of efficiency fantasy managers have been hoping for from the highest-drafted rookie broad receiver in ESPN leagues over the previous 20 years. Harrison racked up eight targets and 29.0 fantasy factors. The one draw back? His numbers may need been much more spectacular if the sport had been nearer, as Arizona led by 21 factors at halftime. In actual fact, Harrison had extra receiving yards within the opening quarter (130) than his father, Marvin Sr., had in any recreation throughout his rookie season in 1996. Harrison is now firmly on the WR1 radar for Week 3 towards the Lions.

Malik Nabers, New York Giants (96.3% rostered, 63.3% began)

This was the efficiency we have been hoping for from Nabers in Week 1. He delivered with 10 receptions and 28.7 fantasy factors in a good matchup towards the Commanders’ secondary. His 18 targets have been probably the most for a rookie in a recreation since Puka Nacua had 20 in Week 2 of final season. Nabers additionally led the Giants with 26 routes run and topped all New York receivers with a mean of three.11 yards of separation on the time of move arrival. The Giants have a more difficult matchup subsequent week towards a Browns protection that dominated the Jaguars on Sunday. For now, hold deploying Nabers as a stable midrange WR2.

Preserve ’em rostered

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (92.6% rostered, 44.5% began)

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hollywood Brown “shouldn’t be anticipated to play” till January, which solidified Worthy as one of many Chiefs’ prime two receivers for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, Worthy ended up with simply 4 targets and 4.2 fantasy factors in a recreation the place QB Patrick Mahomes had solely 25 move makes an attempt. The one gamers who noticed extra targets have been Rashee Rice (6) and Isiah Pacheco (5). Whereas Worthy hasn’t fairly turn out to be the high-end flex choice I hoped for, that is OK. He is greatest seen as an upside WR4 towards the Falcons in Week 3. Preserve Worthy in your roster.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (79.0% rostered, 13.9% began)

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence continues to battle, with 11.2 fantasy factors in Week 1 and 13.3 in Week 2. Nevertheless, Thomas continues to benefit from his targets. The rookie has scored 10 or extra fantasy factors in two consecutive video games. Thomas is third in snaps and routes on Jacksonville, behind Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk. The rookie does lead the group with 3.2 yards of separation on his targets. The Jaguars journey to Buffalo to face the Payments in Week 3. Thomas is greatest seen as a flex choice in deeper leagues.

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (74.2% rostered, 2.0% began)

Odunze was coping with an MCL sprain heading into Sunday evening’s recreation towards the Texans. It was disappointing to see him get solely 4 targets, particularly with teammate WR Keenan Allen unavailable. Till Williams reveals enchancment at quarterback, it is robust to believe in beginning Odunze. Maintain on to him for now, however hold him in your bench.

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (83.0% rostered, 13.4% began)

After a powerful Week 1 towards the Cardinals, the place Coleman led the group in snaps, routes run, targets, receptions and receiving yards, he adopted it up with zero fantasy factors in Week 2. Regardless of main in snaps and routes once more, Coleman had no targets as Josh Allen threw solely 19 passes within the Payments’ blowout win. Allen is taking part in nicely, with solely 12.2% of his throws off course this season. Fantasy managers ought to keep affected person, as it’d take time for Allen to construct chemistry with the rookie. For now, hold Coleman in your bench.

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (83.0% rostered, 19.3% began)

The Chargers leaned closely on the working recreation of their 44 makes an attempt towards the struggling Carolina Panthers on Sunday. After a promising Week 1 with seven targets and 14.9 fantasy factors, the rookie noticed a pointy drop in Week 2, ending with solely 4 targets and 4.6 fantasy factors. Whereas the Chargers’ general passing recreation was restricted, with simply 20 makes an attempt, Quentin Johnston‘s efficiency raises a number of issues. He led Los Angeles in snaps, routes run, targets and fantasy factors (22.1). Week 3 will reveal whether or not this efficiency marks the start of a development.

Others to observe

Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4.9% rostered)

McMillan led all Buccaneers receivers in snaps and routes run in Week 1 however noticed simply three targets. In Week 2 towards the Lions, he ran an identical variety of routes and performed as many snaps as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but acquired solely two targets. With Evans and Godwin commanding such a excessive goal share, it is robust for McMillan to be fantasy-relevant except considered one of them misses time. Preserve him in your watch checklist.

Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots (21.9% rostered)

Polk scored 9.2 fantasy factors towards the Seahawks on Sunday, however he had simply three targets. The Patriots’ broad receiver rotation is sort of fluid, with everybody working an identical variety of routes. TE Hunter Henry led the group with 10 targets and clearly has QB Jacoby Brissett‘s belief, although Brissett has thrown for lower than 150 yards in every recreation this season. Polk ought to undoubtedly be in your watch checklist.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (25.3% rostered)

Legette noticed fewer snaps and ran fewer routes than Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo towards the Chargers, ending with zero targets. His fantasy ceiling stays low, particularly with Bryce Young, who has continued to battle as a lot as he did as a rookie final season. In actual fact, Younger is the third participant prior to now 20 seasons to common 4 or fewer yards per dropback in 4 consecutive begins (with a minimal of 20 dropbacks per recreation). The opposite two are David Carr and JaMarcus Russell.

Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts (27.9% rostered)

Mitchell did make a powerful on a protracted reception from Anthony Richardson towards the Packers, however he is not seeing sufficient snaps or working sufficient routes in contrast with different receivers within the room to be thought of fantasy related. Plus, with Josh Downs set to return sooner moderately than later, it is going to be troublesome for Richardson to assist a number of fantasy-relevant receivers, particularly with the Colts’ run-heavy strategy.

Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders (4.8% rostered)

The largest takeaway about McCaffrey is that he completed with zero targets. The Commanders aren’t a pass-heavy offense with rookie Jayden Daniels beneath heart, and Noah Brown being lively for Sunday’s recreation would not assist McCaffrey’s fantasy outlook. He must be in your watch checklist, nevertheless it is robust to believe in any receiver on this group outdoors of Terry McLaurin.

---

Tight finish

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (87.2% rostered, 45.6% began)

Despite the fact that Bowers remains to be splitting snaps and routes with TE Michael Mayer, it is clear Bowers is the higher participant. His eight targets and 11.8 fantasy factors in Week 1 towards the Chargers hinted at a much bigger position, and that got here to fruition in Week 2. Bowers completed with 9 targets and 18.8 fantasy factors. He and WR Davante Adams made historical past as the primary Raiders teammates to every have 9 receptions and 90 receiving yards in the identical recreation. Heading into Week 3 towards the Panthers, you may view the rookie as a low-end TE1.