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 11 of the 2017 season.
Rookies Worth Your Attention
The Stud Youngster
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
Despite only mustering 50 yards from scrimmage in last week's game, Christian McCaffrey was able to score twice for the first time all season. Already an outstanding option in PPR leagues, McCaffrey's new touchdown upside gives him more value in standard leagues and potentially elevates him to stud status if he is able to continue to get work in both the running and receiving games. Although McCaffrey has not been a very dynamic runner this year and he shares a backfield with Jonathan Stewart, he should still be considered a trustworthy weekly option with the upside to be a game winner at a position filled with scarcity. Fire up Christian McCaffrey for the rest of the season; with a favorable slate of matchups coming up, he should be able to continue to produce for fantasy owners in all formats.
The One-Week Wonder
Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Two receiving touchdowns in his last game has made Austin Ekeler, the undrafted free agent from Western Colorado State a popular waiver wire add before Week 11. However, the addition of Ekeler to rosters must be taken with a word of warning. It is clear that Melvin Gordon is the lead back for the team despite his extremely poor game in Week 10. Just because of one game, fantasy owners will be nervous about Gordon in the coming weeks due to his less-than-stellar production, but he is clearly a fantasy stud and should be treated as such. Therefore, outside of deeper PPR leagues, Ekeler should be considered nothing more than a high-end handcuff with lottery ticket upside should Gordon's poor performances continue.
The Locked-In Starter
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Although his yardage total the past few weeks have been less than ideal, Bengals running back Joe Mixon has found pay dirt in each game and has been given consistently the most touches out of anyone in the Bengals backfield. Although it is hard to trust the Bengals offensive line this season, Mixon has still been able to create some room for himself and has made some big plays throughout the season. Given the drought at skill positions for consistent weekly performers, Mixon has elevated himself to consistent starter status in an offense searching for an identity. Although he may not always have the highest yardage totals, he is worth the start due to his ability to produce regardless of the situation and in negative game scripts.
The Under-The-Radar Sleeper
Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers
Given the uncertainty of the Packers running back situation following injuries to Ty Montgomery and Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams once again has surfaced in a lottery ticket role after producing over 70 yards from scrimmage in last weeks game. Although the extent of the injuries to the Packers running backs is unknown, it is safe to say that Williams will figure into the rotation for the foreseeable future as both Montgomery and Jones try to get healthy again. Therefore, Williams may be able to carve himself a more sizable role and potentially take over the backfield if he is able to become an outlet for a team struggling following the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Keep Williams on your radar; he's a must add from waivers this week.
The One To Stash
Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers
I know. We've talked enough about Matt Breida. The rollercoaster ride of watching the 49ers backfield has truly been exhausting this season. Just as it looked like Carlos Hyde was going to run away with the job, Breida has to score a 33 yard touchdown. Breida has continued to make a case for more work out of the backfield at the expense of Hyde, much to the frustration of fantasy owners. However, Hyde's presence and lead back role limits the value of Breida to nothing more than a high-upside handcuff. At this point in the season, however, that makes him an excellent stash candidate. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has been known to ride the hot hand, making Breida a small injury or breakout performance away from potentially receiving the majority of the workload in the 49ers offense. Keep an eye on Breida and make sure he isn't on your waiver wire - if he is, snap him up immediately.
