RADIO
Every week, this column will spotlight the first-year players who are ripe for a breakout performance. Oftentimes, rookies can provide some of the most value as under-the-radar options.
With the league now entering the back half of the season, many of this year's top rookies have already been identified. It is no longer particularly noteworthy when players like Ja'Marr Chase or Najee Harris dominate in a given week. However, every year some rookies don't emerge until the latter part of the season. One of the best things you can do in fantasy football is identify these players before any of your league-mates.
For dynasty leagues, this column should help identify ideal trade targets and prized stashes. For redraft managers, this column could provide the edge necessary for a championship run. Read on to find out which players could be on the verge of fantasy greatness.
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The Waiting Weapon
Trey Lance (QB, SF)
San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo started for the team last week in a game where the 49ers were dispatched by a hobbled Cardinals squad. That loss, in which we saw Garoppolo take five sacks, has resulted in renewed calls for the franchise to instead start their third-overall pick, Trey Lance.
Between some special offensive packages and a Garoppolo injury, Lance has already seen some playing time as a rookie. His passing production in his lone start was uninspiring, as he threw for just 192 yards without a touchdown. By running for 89 yards on 16 carries, though, Lance demonstrated his fantasy value. The North Dakota State product will be fantasy-relevant as soon he takes over for Garoppolo given that his rushing ability provides for a higher fantasy floor than most rookies have. With a Monday night game against the uber-talented Rams looming, the 49ers may need to switch to Lance at QB to give the team a spark at some point. If they do, be prepared to act accordingly.
The Punishing Patriot
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE)
After fumbling in his first game as a professional, Patriots rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson was in coach Bill Belichick's doghouse for several weeks. Last week showed observers that Stevenson had regained the trust of the coaching staff. By compiling 106 scrimmage yards on 12 touches, the fourth-round pick had an efficient day that also included several highlight-reel plays.
Rhamondre Stevenson is a playmaker pic.twitter.com/zAW3fCjfsC
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) November 7, 2021
Stevenson is questionable to play for Week 10 after sustaining a concussion last Sunday. However, with teammate Damien Harris also in the concussion protocol, the Oklahoma product could have a large role in the offense if he's able to suit up. The Patriots run the ball the 10th-most times per game, so Stevenson would be a lucrative option fantasy-wise. Keep an eye on his availability versus Cleveland this weekend.
The Backup Back
Jaret Patterson (RB, WAS)
Washington's starting running back, Antonio Gibson, was viewed as a low-end RB1 in fantasy during the preseason. Unfortunately, a stress fracture in his shin has derailed those hopes to this point, but it seems his misfortune is Jaret Patterson's gain. Despite Gibson being active in Week 8, it was Patterson that led the team in both rushing attempts (11) and yards (46) against Denver. Both of these marks were career-highs for him.
Gibson is in a strange situation where he's healthy enough to play, but not healthy enough to be a full workhorse. For as long as this remains the case, Patterson, an undrafted rookie from Buffalo, will be worth watching. How the usage between the two players is split this week against Tampa Bay will be enlightening.
The Explosive Breakout
Elijah Moore (WR, NYJ)
Through the first seven weeks of the season, Jets rookie wideout Elijah Moore had no games with more than four catches. By contrast, Moore has now totaled at least six catches in each of the past two weeks. This includes his breakout outing versus Indianapolis last week when the rookie out of Ole Miss had seven receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
Elijah Moore with his first career receiving TD ✈️ pic.twitter.com/3Y5wbdugRW
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 5, 2021
Moore ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at his pro day, and he possesses a 98th percentile agility score on PlayerProfiler.com. Clearly, he has the athletic profile to be successful at the highest level. The Jets have also thrown the ball the sixth-most times per game in the league this year. With a difficult matchup against the Bills defense this Sunday, Moore, a second-round pick, will be really put to the test. The Bills have the best defense in the league against opposing receivers, fantasy-wise.
The Sudden Promotion
Anthony Schwartz (WR, CLE)
One of the many big storylines in the NFL recently was the saga involving WR Odell Beckham Jr.'s status on the Browns. With Beckham now joining the Rams, Cleveland's receiving room will undergo some changes. A potential beneficiary is first-year receiver Anthony Schwartz. The rookie from Auburn has world-class speed, having put up a 4.27 40-yard-dash time at his pro day. He can use that speed to get quite open, as he did in Week 1.
Anthony Schwartz making PLAYS @AuburnFootball ⚡️⚡️⚡️
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 12, 2021
Schwartz's best game was that opener against Kansas City; he had four touches for 86 yards but has not approached those numbers since. Perhaps OBJ departing will be the move that Schwartz needed? The Browns take on New England this week, a team that is approximately average at defending receivers. Schwartz will be aiming to make more catches than the one he made last Sunday during Beckham's absence.
The Cruising Producer
Pat Freiermuth (TE, PIT)
Don't look now, but Steelers rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth has posted back-to-back TE1 finishes in standard leagues. Actually do look, as he might be on your league's waiver wire; he is rostered in fewer than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Somehow the second-rounder out of Penn State is still being underrated despite his awesome two-game span.
Pat Freiermuth is a beast ? pic.twitter.com/TbjQgdq4Wz
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 9, 2021
Freiermuth's production premium, a measure of efficiency, is the sixth-best in the league at the tight end position through Week 9. With wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster injured for Pittsburgh, Freiermuth's target counts have gone up recently, which has led in turn to his increased ability to shine. Expect another rise in Freiermuth's involvement now that Steelers receiver Chase Claypool will also be unavailable against Detroit. While you shouldn't expect a third straight TE1 finish out of Freiermuth, consider him a low-end TE1 this week.
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