RADIO
Each week, we will look at rookies who have either performed well the previous few weeks or who have a favorable matchup in the upcoming week. These may be high-profile names or under-the-radar depth players; the only thing that matters is that they are first-year pros ready to make a name for themselves.
Hopefully, by the time the season ends, many of them will be household fantasy names and be remembered for their performances in the 2017 season.
Without further ado, here are some NFL rookies to watch in Week 17 of the 2017 season.
Rookies Worth Your Attention
The Stud Youngster
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City have gone back to winning ways in large part due to the performances of rookie running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the last three week's and has four touchdowns through this time period. While it is unknown how much Hunt will play in Week 17 against the Broncos, if he does get significant time he should have several opportunities to generate fantasy points for those who still play in Week 17. Watch the news regarding rookie rotation in the upcoming week; if there is silence around Hunt's involvement, expect him to continue his role as the workhorse on this team's offense for the foreseeable future.
The One-Week Wonder
Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers
It's been a few weeks since we have seen a good performance from 49ers rookie running back Matt Breida. However, Breida was able to find the end-zone in last week's matchup against Jacksonville as well as rush for 74 yards, outpacing fellow running back Carlos Hyde. Despite Breida's promising performance, Carlos Hyde still had 21 carries and looks to maintain his role as a workhorse through Week 17, limiting Breida's upside. It is likely best to keep Breida on your bench this week unless other options have already been selected. Breida is nothing more than a low-end flex play; however, he does possess big-play upside and could take advantage of a relatively insignificant matchup against the Rams.
The Locked-In Starter
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Leonard Fournette scored his tenth touchdown of the season last week despite playing in a losing game script against the 49ers for much of the game. Fournette has proven to be one of the most reliable fantasy assets when healthy this season, rushing for over 100 yards in five games and seeing one of the largest workloads in the league despite running against stacked defensive fronts for most of the season. If you have Fournette, you are starting him regardless of the matchup. In a divisional game against the Titans, Fournette should receive his customary bellcow workload and has just as high of a chance to score as anyone else in the game. Keep Fournette in your lineups - he is sure to deliver for you and the Jaguars.
The Under-The-Radar Sleeper
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
This one is a bit of a hot take. Rookie quarterback Pat Mahomes will line up for the first time under center as the Chiefs take on the Broncos in a meaningless divisional matchup. The Chiefs are already through to the playoffs and are resting starting quarterback Alex Smith. Mahomes would likely be a desperation play at best; however, with the way the Chiefs offense has been running and Mahomes's ability to throw a deep ball, it wouldn't be a surprise if we see some big plays generated by the Chiefs this weekend. They will likely try to test Mahomes and run some risky plays, making the rookie quarterback a low-end QB2 with high upside. If you are streaming quarterbacks and need one that has likely not been picked, Mahomes is an enticing option in what is probably going to be a thin waiver pool at the quarterback position.
The One To Stash
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
With back-to-back standout performances, rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will look to take advantage of an enticing matchup with the Browns and continue off of his 75 yard and a touchdown performance last week. The former USC wide receiver has been electric this season and has replaced Martavis Bryant as the secondary option in this offense behind Antonio Brown. With the Steelers offense playing very well in recent weeks, it wouldn't be a surprise if Smith-Schuster has another standout performance that warrants at least putting him in your flex spot for the upcoming week. Give Smith-Schuster a chance - he has shown that he can deliver when it counts for fantasy owners this season.
