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 10 of the 2017 season.
Rookies Worth Your Attention
The Stud Youngster
Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants
With at least 60 yards and three touchdowns in his last four games, Evan Engram is breaking the norm for rookie tight ends, producing TE1 numbers week in and week out in a season where there are few quality options at his position. Engram has been one of the few bright spots this season for the Giants and has shown no signs of slowing down any time soon as the team looks to get him involved early and often as part of their offensive plan. Not only should Engram be rostered in all leagues, but he should be considered a plug-and-play option due to his high weekly receiving floor and touchdown upside as one of the few steady redzone targets for aging quarterback Eli Manning.
The One-Week Wonder
Corey Clement, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
I know, three touchdowns is a lot to be excited about, but expectations should be tempered on Cory Clement for the rest of the season. It will be difficult to predict his future breakout performances as most of his yards and scores were gained after the game had already been won by the Eagles. With new signing Jay Ajayi heading a backfield composed of veterans LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, and Kenjon Barner, there are several mouths to feed. Clement seems unlikely to be the recipient of too much of an increase in his workload, as the Eagles will look to make a playoff push using Ajayi and Blount out of the backfield while rotating Smallwood and Clement in relief. Unless Clement can make it a habit of making big plays, fantasy owners should not put him in their lineups as anything more than a dart throw.
The Locked-In Starter
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
The X factor for the Panthers offense, Christian McCaffrey is providing life when little else is working. Even though his rushing yards have been sub-par for much of the season, McCaffrey's use as a receiver has given him a stable floor and high upside in PPR leagues. With McCaffrey expected to inherit the majority of the team's workload following Jonathan Stewart's continued poor play, fantasy owners should feel more confident putting him in their lineups as he has shown the ability to make plays and get touchdowns, especially once his team gets ahead. The Panthers will hope to ride McCaffrey to the playoffs, making him an excellent addition in PPR leagues and high-upside flex play in other formats.
The Under-The-Radar Sleeper
Zay Jones, WR, Buffalo Bills
Zay Jones finally had a breakout performance, gaining 53 yards on six receptions and scoring a touchdown in the Bills' Thursday night loss to the New York Jets. Although the yardage total leaves much to be desired, Jones will no longer be the only option in the Bills air attack, with new signing Kelvin Benjamin figuring to work with Jones and Jordan Matthews as the top three receivers for the rest of the season. Although Jones is nothing more than a speculative add in most formats, he could carve out an increased role for himself as he continues to get acclimated to the league, making him an interesting waiver wire pickup and potential late season league winner.
The One To Stash
Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans
Despite only having two receptions for 28 yards in his return, do not immediately discount wide receiver Corey Davis for the rest of the season. Marcus Mariota is slowly finding his stride this season and Davis is the only receiver on the team capable of making the big plays that the offense needs. Davis will likely need to take a few weeks to get back to speed with the team, but he could provide solid WR2 numbers with potential WR1 upside once he gets healthy, making him a premium add in waiver wires this week if he is still unavailable. You should not slot Davis into your lineups until you are more convinced that he has carved a decent role for himself in the offense, but keep an eye on how he plays. He may be the ultimate league winning lottery ticket if things work out for the first round pick.
