2020 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JUSTIN HERBERT
QB, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Justin Herbert completed 27-of-43 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns in the Chargers' Week 7 win over the Jaguars, adding 65 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Herbert continues to operate at high levels aside from the occasional rookie mistake. Today, he used his legs to pick up multiple first downs and a touchdown, and spread the defense vertically with the deep ball. He made two perfect passes down the field to no-namers Virgil Green and Jalen Guyton for scores. All this despite missing his starting center, right guard, and right tackle. The Chargers' ceiling is higher than expected with Herbert pacing for Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration. He's leaped into the low-end QB1 conversation in fantasy circles, too. A tougher challenge awaits in Denver next week, however.

Oct 25, 2020, 7:29 PM ET

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BRANDON AIYUK
WR, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Brandon Aiyuk caught 6-of-7 targets for 115 yards in the 49ers' Week 7 win against the Patriots.

The Niners again used Aiyuk on toss sweeps that appear to be unstoppable. With long strides and tough running, Aiyuk went over 100 yards with ease. In a more competitive game, we might've seen him eclipse 150 yards. If Deebo Samuel -- who left in the second half of Week 7's game with a hamstring injury -- is inactive next week against the Seahawks, Aiyuk becomes a sneaky WR2 option with upside.

Oct 25, 2020, 7:26 PM ET

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DENZEL MIMS
WR, NEW YORK JETS

Denzel Mims caught 4-of-7 targets for 42 yards in Week 7 against Buffalo.

Mims was making his debut after he missed the first six weeks on IR. He tied Braxton Berrios with a team-high seven targets and was the Jets' leading receiver. Mims benefitted from Jamison Crowder sitting out this week but looks to have a role moving forward. The second-round rookie should be one of this week's top waiver pickups.

Oct 25, 2020, 5:13 PM ET

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TEE HIGGINS
WR, CINCINNATI BENGALS

Tee Higgins caught 5-of-5 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' Week 7 loss to the Browns.

Higgins has emerged as a weekly threat because of his role in one of the most pass-friendly offenses in the league. Higgins has caught at least four passes in every game since Week 2. He has hit double-digit fantasy points in five consecutive games. A.J. Green has out-targeted Higgins in the past two games but Cincinnati is averaging 41.9 passes per game. Higgins is a WR3 versus the Titans next week.

Oct 25, 2020, 5:10 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

GABRIEL DAVIS
WR, BUFFALO BILLS

Gabriel Davis caught 1-of-3 targets for 11 yards in Week 7 against the Jets.

Davis started with John Brown sidelined. He had a touchdown overturned on a penalty for the second time this season. The entire Bills offense was held scoreless, settling for six field goals to beat the Jets. Davis will be on the streaming radar if Brown misses another game.

Oct 25, 2020, 4:58 PM ET

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ZACK MOSS
RB, BUFFALO BILLS

Zack Moss rushed seven times for 47 yards in Week 7 against the Jets.

Moss was involved in the pass game this week, catching all three of his targets for 25 yards. He saw the same amount of touches and was more effective than Devin Singletary, who hasn't had more than 40 yards the last three weeks. The strong outing could earn Moss a larger share of the Bills' committee moving forward. Buffalo has a matchup with the Patriots in Week 8.

Oct 25, 2020, 4:41 PM ET

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CHASE CLAYPOOL
WR, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Chase Claypool caught his lone target for -2 yards in the Steelers' Week 7 win over the Titans.

To be honest, Claypool didn't even catch his target. It was a catch and fumble that ended with negative yardage. It was a disaster for the emerging rookie, outside of the confirmation that he is a starter over James Washington. Diontae Johnson (15 targets) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (13 targets) easily paced the team in targets with Ben Roethlisberger setting a new season high with 49 attempts. Claypool did get shadowed by the Titans' top corner, however. Claypool's ceiling is the highest given his athleticism, but rookies can be inconsistent, especially when playing on the outside. Expect Claypool to have many booms and busts as a WR3/flex play. It's worth tracking Diontae Johnson, who left Week 7 in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

Oct 25, 2020, 4:36 PM ET

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JOE BURROW
QB, CINCINNATI BENGALS

Joe Burrow completed 35-of-47 passes for 406 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in the Bengals' Week 7 loss to the Browns, adding six carries for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Outside of one interception, Burrow did everything needed to come away from this game with a win. He was sacked four times while his offensive line dealt with a slew of injuries and still stayed in the pocket long enough to connect with Tee Higgins and A.J. Green on multiple deep passes. He also scored on the ground for the third time this year. Cincinnati's defense simply couldn't stop Baker Mayfield once he got hot. Cincinnati ultimately lost 37-34. The Bengals continued to rely on Burrow's arm instead of opting for a balanced approach. Burrow is on pace for 670 throws in his rookie campaign. That mark would be eighth-most for an NFL passer, rookie or not. Burrow remains a fringe QB1 because of his passing volume and rushing production.

Oct 25, 2020, 4:30 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

D'ANDRE SWIFT
RB, DETROIT LIONS

D'Andre Swift rushed nine times for 27 yards and one touchdown in the Lions' Week 7 win over the Falcons, catching 4-of-5 targets for 21 yards.

Despite his huge Week 6, Swift's role wasn't very different in this one, even after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the rookie was expected to see expanded opportunities against Atlanta. Adrian Peterson out-carried Swift 11-9, but Swift had the slight edge in touches 13-12. That's about how things have been going for weeks. Swift is obviously the better player, but the Lions remain committed to Peterson as the starter for whatever reason. Swift's TD was a three-yard run in the first quarter. Until his role starts to shift a bit more, Swift will remain a risk-reward RB2/FLEX. The Lions get the Colts in Week 8.

Oct 25, 2020, 4:29 PM ET

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ANTONIO GIBSON
RB, WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Antonio Gibson rushed 20 times for 128 yards and a touchdown in Washington's Week 7 win against the Cowboys.

Gibson ran through gaping holes in the Dallas defensive line early in the game, showing off his speed-power combo on a handful of impressive runs. Gibson, who didn't see a target against Dallas, looks like a game script-sensitive running back for now. But when Washington gets a lead, he'll always have a chance to post impressive stats. Gibson will be a mid-range RB2 in Week 8 against the Giants.

Oct 25, 2020, 4:26 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

MARQUEZ CALLAWAY
WR, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Marquez Callaway caught 8-of-10 targets for 75 yards in the Saints' Week 7 win over the Panthers before departing with an ankle injury.

With Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID-19) sidelined, the UDFA out of Tennessee led the Saints in catches, yards and targets before getting his left ankle rolled up late. He was having trouble putting weight on it before being helped to the locker room. With neither Thomas nor Sanders a guarantee to return for Week 8 against the Bears, Callaway would be a sensible waiver wire addition if his ankle checks out alright. Unfortunately, the Saints are one of the league's least transparent teams with injury information, so you may be flying blind when FAAB bids are due.

Oct 25, 2020, 3:48 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JAKE LUTON
QB, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Sports Illustrated's John Shipley expects Jake Luton to start Week 9 against the Texans.

The Jaguars have yet to rule out Gardner Minshew (thumb), but the signs point to them making a change. Minshew was already at risk of getting benched before his injury. Jacksonville likely wants to see what they have in Luton — the most efficient quarterback in the Pac-12 last year. Luton (6'6/224) has prototype size and could open up the offense more than Minshew (6.9 YPA). Jacksonville turning to Luton would potentially be a boost to D.J. Chark's value.
SOURCE: Sports Illustrated

Oct 30, 2020, 10:17 AM ET

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JAKE LUTON
QB, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said Jake Luton is "likely" to start again in Week 10 against the Packers.

Marrone already mentioned last week that there's "no guarantee" Gardner Minshew (thumb) would start again even if he's able to return. Luton impressively hit D.J. Chark in stride for a 73-yard touchdown on Sunday's opening play but averaged 6.2 yards per attempt with a pick on 37 other throws. The Packers also offer a much tougher challenge than the Texans, which has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to enemy quarterbacks. Perhaps Luton will flash more rushing upside in Week 10, giving him a higher floor moving forward.
SOURCE: John Oehser on Twitter

Nov 9, 2020, 1:36 PM ET

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JONATHAN TAYLOR
RB, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Colts coach Frank Reich said he still has "a level of confidence" in Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor touched the ball one time over the final two quarters but Reich attributed that to the team's six second-half carries in negative game script. Even if Reich is speaking the truth, the fact is Jordan Wilkins has out-snapped (62-47) and out-touched (34-21) Taylor in the team's last two games. Indianapolis fortuitously faces the Titans (twice), Packers, Texans (twice), and Raiders over its next six games, but this backfield remains a three-headed timeshare for the foreseeable future. Wilkins is trending towards breaking out well before Taylor for the stretch run.
SOURCE: Jim Ayello on Twitter

Nov 9, 2020, 1:17 PM ET

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ALBERT OKWUEGBUNAM
TE, DENVER BRONCOS

Broncos TE Albert Okwuegbunam (knee) suffered a torn ACL in Week 9 against the Falcons.

Okwuegbunam is the fourth tight end to land on injured reserve for the Broncos this year, joining Jake Butt, Austin Fort, and Andrew Beck. The team will reportedly swoop in and sign Troy Fumagalli, but odds are Noah Fant and Nick Vannett are the only active players at that position for Denver down the stretch. Okwuegbunam's absence creates even more opportunity for Fant since the rookie led the team in red zone (4) and end zone (5) targets since being activated from injured reserve.
SOURCE: Troy Renck on Twitter

Nov 9, 2020, 1:12 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TYLER BIADASZ
G, DALLAS COWBOYS

Cowboys C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) is out "at least" 2-3 weeks.

Biadasz reportedly "popped" his hamstring during warmups Sunday. He'll be replaced by Joe Looney, who has already been asked to play 198 more snaps (298) in six appearances than his number of snaps (100) across 16 games last year. Dallas currently ranks as Pro Football Focus' 23rd-overall pass-blocking unit heading into the bye.
SOURCE: Jon Machota on Twitter

Nov 9, 2020, 1:11 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE
RB, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has 19 carries in the three games since the Chiefs activated Le'Veon Bell.

The rookie had a measly five carries in Week 9 against Carolina, salvaging his day with a receiving touchdown while catching three of five targets for 20 yards. Edwards-Helaire retaining his goal line usage hasn't translated to fantasy success, and Darrell Williams playing on some passing downs has destroyed CEH's upside. Edwards-Helaire is a RB3 going forward.

Nov 9, 2020, 12:17 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

SALVON AHMED
RB, MIAMI DOLPHINS

Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed led the backfield in snaps and yardage in Week 9 against the Cardinals.

The rookie gained 38 yards on seven carries, appearing far more explosive than the plodding Jordan Howard, who had 10 carries. Coming into the NFL as a pass-catching specialist, it's hard to see Ahmed becoming an every-down option for Miami. A spate of backfield injuries could force him into a more well rounded role though. Deep league fantasy managers might want to scoop him up this week, just in case.
SOURCE: Cameron Wolfe on Twitter

Nov 9, 2020, 8:37 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

HENRY RUGGS
WR, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Henry Ruggs didn't catch any of his three targets in the Raiders' Week 9 win over the Chargers.

Ruggs is averaging fewer than two catches per game this season with a total of 10-220-1 across six games. At this point, he shouldn't even be rostered in 12-team leagues because Derek Carr doesn't throw to him. Carr prefers safer targets to Hunter Renfrow, Nelson Agholor, and Darren Waller in the short areas of the field.

Nov 8, 2020, 8:54 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

CEEDEE LAMB
WR, DALLAS COWBOYS

CeeDee Lamb caught 4-of-7 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' Week 9 loss to the Steelers.

This was as good of an outcome as one could have dreamed of heading into the week for Lamb. Dallas was only projected for 14 points as a team with Garrett Gilbert at quarterback. Even with backups, Lamb has enough skills to make things happen from the slot, and it looks like Andy Dalton could return following the upcoming bye. Lamb's consistency will be problematic in the second half of the year, but he has flex appeal despite the chaos in plus matchups. The Vikings are on schedule in Week 11.

Nov 8, 2020, 8:22 PM ET