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There were plenty of rookies that were highly touted heading into the 2013 NFL season, but some of the biggest fantasy factors at this point are players who weren’t on anybody’s radar back in September.
Unexpected Rookies
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Terrance Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys: Williams has taken advantage of the oft-injured Miles Austin and is on a hot streak, with three touchdowns in three games. He has good hands, has failed to complete just four of his 28 targets this season, and is often in a position to take advantage of the additional coverage that Dez Bryant draws. Williams is in the perfect position to be an open target for Tony Romo, who has expressed confidence in his young receiver. While Austin remains injured, Williams will continue to reap the benefits and build rapport with his quarterback. His matchups the next two weeks against Detroit and Minnesota are going to be great opportunities for Williams to continue to impress.
Joseph Fauria, TE, Detroit Lions: He was undrafted and un-talked-about. Now he has five touchdowns, more than any other rookie in the league. His height is one of his greatest assets and it has helped make him a viable target for Matt Stafford. Playing on a team with Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew, Fauria is hardly the number one focus of opposing defenses, and his height and strength give him an incredible advantage in single coverage. The biggest news here, though, is the release of TE Tony Scheffler, for whom Fauria stepped in when he sustained a concussion in Week Five. This move by the Lions is a clear statement about their confidence in Fauria, and when a team shows this much confidence in a young player, you should too.
Mike James, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike James has yet to start an NFL game and he is already one of the most-added fantasy players of the week. There are fewer bigger opportunities granted to rookies in the NFL than the one offered when a top-tier player goes down with a long-term injury. James was a sixth-round pick from Miami, and on a team that runs the ball a ton, he is going to immediately get plenty of carries now that Doug Martin is out indefinitely. He is also likely to see some targets from Mike Glennon, as he’s proven his talent as a receiver as well. A concern here is the struggles that Martin faced before he left. The Muscle Hamster had an incredible amount of hype heading into the season, and while he has been productive, he certainly hasn’t be the star many had hoped. The instability at quarterback hasn't helped him at all, as the Tampa Bay offense has been a bit one-dimensional at times. Sunday will be a big day for fantasy owners, and for James, as we see what he can do.
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In case you missed them, here are some other RotoBaller Week 8 articles. Let’s win some leagues!
- Waiver Wire Pickups Recap – Wide Receivers (WR)
- Week 8 Waiver Wire – Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)
- Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups – Quarterbacks (QBs)
- Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs (RB) – Deep Leagues
- Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 8 Tight Ends (TE)
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As always, you can find all of our weekly waiver wire recommendations on our famous waiver wire pickupslist. And if you haven’t joined the best and largest fantasy football chat room community on the web, check out the RotoBaller.com Fantasy Football chat room for live fantasy advice, sit/start questions, and more.
