Rookies Worth Your Attention in Week 3

September 21, 2018

Which rookies deserve your attention in Week 3 of the 2018 fantasy football season? Corey Johnson looks at first-year players at QB, RB, WR, and TE to determine what role they should play on your fantasy team.

In this column, 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.

Ideally, some of these names will help fantasy players get some roster depth which can minimize the negative impact of injuries and bye weeks.

For Week 3, we have included a couple of players that may be immediate fantasy help and some players that could be fantasy help later this season or in seasons to come.

Rookies to Watch

The Undrafted Breakout

Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos

Phillip Lindsay has taken the NFL and fantasy football world by storm over his first two games. The undrafted rookie has over 100 yards from scrimmage with a touchdown in both games. At the beginning of the season, Lindsay was presumably an extremely low-end fantasy play because he had running backs Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker ahead of him. However, over the first two weeks, Lindsay has out-touched and out-performed them both. There is a slim chance that Lindsay is still available in your fantasy league - if so add him as fast as you can. By Sunday, Lindsay will be owned in almost every competitive league. If Lindsay continues to out-play Booker and Freeman, he has RB1 potential in PPR leagues and is a lock for an RB2. For this week, he is an excellent flex option.

The Deep Threat

Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Dante Pettis was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 44th overall in the 2018 draft and has proven to be a solid choice early in the season. Pettis has three receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown over the first two weeks. He is averaging 32 yards per reception- a clear indication that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo loves him as a deep threat. Although he has not been getting numerous targets throughout games, Garoppolo is certainly looking downfield for Pettis. Pettis fits the definition of boom-or-bust perfectly, as any given week he could haul in two touchdowns and 100+ yards or could be held to nothing. Pettis is extremely low-owned in fantasy leagues and could make for a good add despite the return of Marquise Goodwin. He could become a solid option at flex as injuries continue and bye-weeks begin shortly.

The Super Sleeper

Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts

The fourth-round speedster from North Carolina State ran for his first NFL touchdown in Week 2. Hines had the fastest 40-yard dash out of the 2018 running back draft class and is as athletic as any developed NFL playmaker- there’s no doubt that there should be more performances like that Week 2 rushing touchdown in his future. Unfortunately, Hines is competing with running backs Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins for touches. Hines has the least amount of touches amongst those three but is the only one with a rushing touchdown. There’s no need to add Hines at this point but if Mack or Wilkins go down with an injury there is certainly an argument to add Hines. For the long-term, there is a strong possibility that Hines will develop into an Alvin Kamara-type player, albeit it to a lesser extent. Hines has the ability- he just needs the opportunity.

The One To Watch

Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton, the Denver Broncos pick at 40th overall has some big shoes to fill; he is the favorite of many to become the best wide receiver of the 2018 draft class. Early in the season, Sutton has shown potential but only has three catches for 54 yards. Sutton is comparable to a Kenny Britt type player but has combine numbers and attributes that way exceed Britt. Sutton will continue to get snaps behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders for the remainder of the season. However, if Thomas or Sanders go down with an injury he could be an interesting addition to any fantasy team. Sutton is owned in about 15% of fantasy leagues; there is not a need hold onto him in 10-man leagues or lower but could a viable depth option in larger leagues.

The One Of Many

Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots

The New England running game... let's try to figure this one out. The Patriots, almost out of nowhere, selected Sony Michel at 31st overall despite already having four solid running backs. Over the offseason the Patriots parted ways with Mike Gillislee, dropping the total (including Michel) down to four running backs. And now, they are down to three with Jeremy Hill going down with a season-ending knee injury. Michel suffered his own knee injury during training camp that kept him out of preseason and Week 1 but returned with a solid outing in Week 2. Reports indicate that the Patriots will continue to feed Michel the ball; they really want to see what Michel is capable of. Regardless, Michel is still competing with James White and Rex Burkhead for snaps. It appears that Michel will lead the charge in rushing and White and Burkhead will be the pass-catchers. Michel is a solid Week 3 option at flex or RB2 in deeper leagues. Upside exists with a relatively high floor.

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