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We are almost halfway through the NFL regular season. Let’s take a look at how some rookies are performing so far.
Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans was the first pick in the draft. The hope was that he would elevate the play of the franchise. However, it is extremely difficult for a rookie QB to step in and be successful. Part of the problem is that the Titans’ roster needs a major overhaul and upgrade in talent around him. His future is bright but not this season.
Meanwhile, Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants has stepped in and has been a spark this team needed. He may not be an every week starter but is a competent backup to have.
Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders and Omarion Hampton of the Los Angeles Chargers have been as good as advertised and are worthy starters when healthy.
Treveyon Henderson of the New England Patriots and Kaleb Johnson of the Pittsburgh Steelers were both expected to be major contributors this season. That hasn’t happened and both are huge disappointments.
Meanwhile, Cam Skattebo of the New York Giants has taken over as the lead RB and is a decent #2 fantasy RB. Other RBs starting to work their way into more prominent roles include Jacory Croskey-Merritt of the Washington Commanders, Woody Marks of the Houston Texans, and RJ Harvey of the Denver Broncos.
Travis Hunter of the Jacksonville Jaguars was the first WR drafted but he still plays defense part time. The Jaguars are committed to getting him more involved on offense and he just had his best game as a WR against the Los Angeles Rams. His value is on the upswing.
Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the crown jewel of rookie WRs. He is a #1 WR for a team that loves to throw the ball. He finds himself in a perfect situation plus it helps that veteran WRs on this team can’t stay healthy.
Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers and Matthew Golden of the Green Bay Packers are still trying to make their impact. They are both backup WRs at this time.
Tyler Warren of the Indianapolis Colts is a beast. He is dominating the position just like he did at Penn State. Colston Loveland, who was drafted ahead of Warren, is still looking to make his mark with the Chicago Bears.
Three TEs who are making regular contributions and can be used as suitable replacements due to byes and injuries include Harold Fannin Jr. of the Cleveland Browns, Mason Taylor of the New York Jets, and Oronde Gadsden III of the Los Angeles Chargers.
QB: Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers): 451 total yards, 3 TDs, 2 Int
Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers): 201 total yards, 1 TD, 0 Int
RB: Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland Browns): 0 receptions, 84 total yards, 3 TDs
Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints): 3 receptions, 29 total yards, 0 TDs
WR: DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers): 3 receptions, 50 total yards, 0 TDs
Deep Sleeper – Sterling Shepard (T.B. Buccaneers): 7 receptions, 25 total yards, 0 TDs
TE: Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): 7 receptions, 65 total yards, 0 TDs
Tucker Kraft (Green Bay Packers): 5 receptions, 58 total yards, 1 TD
PK: Matt Gay (Washington Commanders): 2 points, 2 PATs, 0 FGs
Sleeper – Ryan Fitzgerald (Carolina Panthers): 7 points, 1 PAT, 2 FGs
DF: Cleveland Browns: 6 points against, 219 total yards allowed, 4 sacks, 4 takeaways, 1 TD
Seattle Seahawks: 19 points against, 254 total yards allowed, 3 sacks, 1 takeaway
QB: Joe Flacco (Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets)
Michael Penix (Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins)
RB: JK Dobbins (Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys)
Jordan Mason (Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers)
WR: Michael Pittman (Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans)
Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears)
TE: Oronde Gadsden III (Los Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Commanders)
PK: Evan McPherson (Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets)
John Parker Romo (Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins)
DF: Atlanta Falcons (vs. Miami Dolphins)
Indianapolis Colts (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Cincinnati Bengals (+5.5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Final Score: Cin. 33 Pitt. 31
Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) at San Francisco 49ers Final Score: SF 20 Atl. 10
Seattle Seahawks (-3.0) vs. Houston Texans Final Score: Sea. 27 Hou. 19
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.0) vs. Minnesota Vikings
A matchup of two good teams both desperately needing a win. For the Vikings, it’s tough to play on a short week and having to travel to the west coast. The Chargers defense is under-performing but they have a huge advantage at the QB position. Take the home team and lay the points.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5) vs. Green Bay Packers
It probably isn’t too often that the Steelers are underdogs at home. The Packers aren’t as good on the road as they are at home. A revenge game for Aaron Rodgers? Can the Steelers slow down Micah Parsons? This should be a close game, and the Packers may indeed win but I’ll take the home team with the points.
Kansas City Chiefs (-10.0) vs. Washington Commanders
Will QB Jayden Daniels play? I don’t think it matters. The Chiefs defense is coming off of a shutout, and the offense is hitting on all cylinders with healthy WRs Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice back. Ten points is a lot to spot but the Chiefs are playing like Super Bowl favorites. Give the points.
