RADIO
As the season wears on, many rookie players have their big breakouts and become much more difficult to acquire. However, there are still plenty of players who can be obtained for cheaper than their true season-long value.
The 2024 NFL Draft class was very deep at wide receiver and had quite a few underrated running back prospects, as well as plenty of quarterbacks and some tight ends flying completely under the radar.
With that in mind, let's get to it!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
How Can I Find Rookie League Winners?
Read this column. It's important to know which ones to target and when. Making trades with good timing and utilizing other managers' cold feet after poor performances can give your team a huge boost. Nearly all players have bad games during the season, and generally, rookies' value decreases more, regardless of skill.
There are still rookies that have yet to break out as well or freshmen that just had their best opportunity and were able to capitalize on it. It's not always easy to predict when a player will get his first big opportunity, but doing so can give you a huge boost. Often those players are available for pickup on waivers.
So who should you target and who should you fade?
Buy Window Possibly Open Again? Brian Thomas Jr.
Week 4's Rookie Report wanted you to buy Brian Thomas Jr. right before his breakout game. Now that he's faced the toughest defense for wide receivers in the league and had a terrible fantasy performance, you may have one last chance to try to buy him.
It might be tough because fantasy managers are well aware of his fantastic playmaking ability, but you may as well try to take the chance. He was close to making several big plays, but it was an uncharacteristic day for the whole offense. It was just "one of those days" that things weren't working out, and those happen.
Brian Thomas Jr. is currently the FASTEST player in the NFL at 22.15 MPH.
That is faster than names like Tyreek Hill, DK Metcalf, and De’Von Achane.
That also would’ve been the fastest speed of any player in 2022 AND 2021.
And Thomas stands at 6’4” 205 pounds.
The Jaguars… pic.twitter.com/yJ2uaZ0gqs
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 12, 2024
His upside is ridiculous, and even against the Bears, he was open for a long touchdown that quarterback Trevor Lawrence overthrew him on and dropped two more end-zone targets. It's not usually like him to drop passes, and it's something he'll probably clean up soon.
Can the Jaguars design one (1) play that doesn't require the most difficult throw and catch ever? Why make Trevor Lawrence boot here? Brian Thomas scores an easy TD with his speed if this is designed easier. pic.twitter.com/54umhBAjJ7
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) October 15, 2024
The play-calling is certainly holding him back, but at least that's helped you get another opportunity to buy him. This is a 45-yard touchdown if it's a well-designed play.
Buy Window Still Open: Jonathon Brooks
Previous versions of this column have elaborated at length about Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks' upside, and while it may take until Week 9 for him to see the field and Week 12 to get a big workload, it's worth noting that the Panthers offensive line has been opening up gaping holes in the run game.
there's no sugarcoating it. this is one of the worst run defenses in the league
- interior is soft, and the line is pushed around at will
- linebackers look lost and appear to be guessing
- the panthers had four runs over 10+ yards last night, gaining 64 in total pic.twitter.com/GdcT9BQzVH— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) October 14, 2024
They manhandled the Atlanta Falcons defensive line in Week 6. The moment Brooks breaks a huge run, his price will skyrocket, and NFL teams have shown that they believe he is more talented than current starter Chuba Hubbard. The rookie was drafted in the second round while the vet wasn't taken until the fourth.
It's probably better for teams with winning records to acquire the former Texas Longhorn, as he likely won't see significant action for a while. But as early as Week 9, he could cost much more to trade for.
Good Waiver Add: Ja'Tavion Sanders
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders set new career highs in targets, catches, and yards, catching five passes on seven targets for 49 yards. In a time where it's tough to find consistently good tight ends, he could be worth an add in deeper leagues.
Love the layering here from Andy Dalton to Ja’Tavion Sanders. Accurate throw down the seam against a void in the zone drops. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/W7nC4UhuhZ
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) October 15, 2024
He may not have value for long, though. When veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) returns, it's likely most of the passing offense will be funneled to him and fellow wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette.
There are trade rumors around Johnson, though, and if any of them miss more time with injury, Sanders could get a bump in passing-game work.
Once it clicks for Ja’Tavion Sanders he could be a beast for the #Panthers and I still think we got a steal where we drafted him.
He’s got all the tools needed to be a dominant pass catching TE. pic.twitter.com/Z6FTg1xB1I
— Keep Purring Podcast (Ben) (@KeepPurringBen) October 16, 2024
You should keep an eye on him either way.
Broke Out: Ray Davis
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis got his first chance to start against the New York Jets in Week 6 and showed that he belongs. He totaled 142 yards from scrimmage and had multiple highlight plays. He took on the role of lead running back, as James Cook (toe) wasn't able to play, and dominated the Jets defense.
All-22 of Ray Davis' Carries and Catches against the New York Jets.
This is what Ray Davis can do with an 85.2% opportunity share. He averaged 3.5 yards after contact per attempt with 71.1% of his yards being after contact.
He ran 14 routes leading to a 46.7% route… pic.twitter.com/H4E23QaMUB
— Bruce Matson (@MetricScout) October 17, 2024
The problem is, well, Cook. Everyone who owns him should probably have Davis on their roster, but when the lead back returns, it's likely his backfield again. In limited action over his first six games, the rookie wasn't able to do much with his opportunities. The offense likely wasn't calling its best plays for him.
He probably won't have a ton of standalone value, and as long as the vet is healthy, the rookie probably won't do much. But at least we know he's an excellent player now. He's a good lottery ticket to have if you picked him up off waivers and don't have Cook. If he can't go, Davis will be the guy and handle a big role.
You Still Have Time To Add: Drake Maye
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had a solid debut in Week 6, throwing for 243 yards and three passing touchdowns while rushing for 38 yards. While he did turn the ball over three times, he injected a spark of life into the Patriots offense and should be able to clean up his issues and improve his scoring.
No digas nada, solo dale RT a los highlights de Drake Maye 🙂pic.twitter.com/b1WUpcd1b6
— Jorge Flores (@joje_ff) October 13, 2024
He's also very creative and excels at making things happen when the play breaks down. Which is good since his offensive line hasn't been playing very well. His mobility helps with this, too. He's fast.
How effective are QBs at creating plays when they leave the pocket and operate out of structure?
The Josh Allen comp for Drake Maye is looking spot on at the moment. pic.twitter.com/oBEw40fh2O
— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) October 17, 2024
He should be rostered in all leagues. He has at least top-12 potential at the quarterback position.
Pick Up And Stash: Kimani Vidal
While Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins has a firm grip on his backfield, rookie Kimani Vidal impressed in Week 6 with a long receiving touchdown on the first NFL touch of his career. He could carve out a role as a receiver, and if the injury-prone Dobbins goes down, he could slot right into a workhorse role and be startable.
kimani vidal's first nfl touch is a td
📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/D8GD2ZOroo
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 13, 2024
If he does ever get that role, he could put up huge numbers. The Chargers have excellent run blocking, and Vidal has the size, speed, strength, and pass-catching ability to be a league winner, especially in full-PPR scoring. Dobbins managers should be stashing Vidal, but he's only rostered in 23% of Sleeper leagues.
Possibly Not Happening: Ja'Lynn Polk
Regrettably, last week's column recommended picking up New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk off waivers. He can probably be dropped. It's difficult to trust a player who struggles to create a lot of separation on plays from defensive backs and has stone hands. The guy in New England is Demario Douglas.
Demario Douglas appears to be Drake Maye's WR 1 😁 Start him this week against a Jaguars secondary that allows the 2nd Most Fantasy points to WRs this year 💀😳 pic.twitter.com/gZUNCqIFW2
— Upper Hand Fantasy (@upperhandffb) October 17, 2024
He's a stud against man coverage, had a 30% target share last week, scored a long touchdown, and is going against a horrible Jaguars defense. Polk, meanwhile, was an afterthought last week and likely will need time to fix his issues. His athleticism is questionable as well.
Ja’Lynn Polk’s breakout with Maye has been special 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hTviBgAkB3
— FF Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) October 13, 2024
Not a great start. There's the possibility he was just overdrafted as well. He was the third option after WRs Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan for the Washington Huskies offense. Not great, Bob.
So What Should I Do If I Want To Win My League?
At some point in the season, there won't be many more rookies who will break out. But there's still time to buy those who are undergoing slumps, and undoubtedly more rookies will get a chance to produce in their offenses. You should try your best to trade (with a reasonable offer) for the guys this piece urges you to get.
Those who picked up Thomas, the Jags rookie receiver, profited handsomely, and should in the future when he faces easier coverage teams (i.e., basically everyone else other than the Bears). Hopefully, more of the players mentioned here will be available for cheap and help you improve your teams markedly.
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