X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Rookies to Watch - Devin Singletary, Benny Snell, N'Keal Harry

Which fantasy football rookies are risers and fallers for Week 12? Jake Trowbridge looks at Devin Singletary, Benny Snell, N'Keal Harry, and others as potential starts.

Two more weeks left in the regular season, Rotoballers. Two more weeks to fight for a spot in the playoffs. Or if you're lucky and sitting at a 9-2 record (or thereabouts), two more weeks to rub your opponents' faces in your complete and utter dominance of the league. As always, I'm here to shift your focus onto the impact the 2019 rookie class will have this weekend. I'll try to determine whether they should fit into your plans of total fantasy football domination.

In case you are new to this column, each week we highlight a few first-year players who are worth keeping your eye on. Not all of the players listed below are must-starts, but all of them are in a position to be viable fantasy options.

If any of these names are sitting out on your waiver wire, you should strongly consider picking them up to play this week or stash for your fantasy playoffs if you have space. Ideally, some of these names will help fantasy players get some roster depth which can minimize the negative impact of injuries and bye weeks.

Editor's Note: Explore RotoBaller’s Dynasty Fantasy Football hub for year-round dynasty rankings, trade tips, rookie analysis, and long-term player outlooks. Dominate your league with our sleepers, stash targets, and dynasty draft advice. Click here for Dynasty rankings and strategy.

 

The Breakout Psych-Out

Devin Singletary (RB, BUF)

The Bills' third-round pick appeared to have finally broken out in Week 9 after a dominant showing against Washington in which he accumulated 140 total yards and a touchdown on 23 touches. In that same game, Frank Gore touched the ball 11 times and scraped together just 15 yards for a paltry 1.4 yards per attempt. It looked as if the backfield had finally shifted toward youth. And sure, Singletary has played substantially more offensive snaps than Gore since then, but the touch count remains much closer than it should at this point (Singletary's 27 vs Gore's 18).

Singletary's efficiency has remained impressive, however, averaging 5.10 yards per carry in his games against Cleveland and Miami. He was also targeted seven times in that stretch, adding to the narrative that Singletary doesn't have to rely on game script to get you fantasy points. That last part will be helpful against Denver this week, whose defense has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to running backs, but who have also give up the 11th-most receptions to the position. This game should require much heavier utilization of the rookie than last week's matchup with Miami.

 

The Semi-Resurgent Receiver

Terry McLaurin (WR, WAS)

Remember back in Week 3 when the fantasy community was arguing over the best nickname for this game-wrecking rookie? This was after averaging 86 yards per game and 16 yards per reception, and putting up a touchdown in each of his first three games. Since then, McLaurin has dealt with injuries, a quarterback carousel, and the inevitable attention from defenses that comes with balling out as a true No. 1 wide receiver. Despite some relatively mediocre performances since then, McLaurin still sits at WR29 on the season in PPR formats. Part of that is still because of those overwhelming first three performances, but part of it is because McLaurin can still ball out against middling defenses.

He proved that in Week 6 against Miami (obviously) when he torched them for 100 yards and two touchdowns, but he eased some worries that he'd have a tougher go with Dwayne Haskins under center, posting three catches for 69 yards in Week 11 against the Jets. The man has the burners to make middling defenses pay. Unfortunately, while Detroit has given up the 7th-most receiving yards to the position, McLaurin will have to face off against All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay. He could still put up reasonable stats, as he did against the Patriots' Stephon Gilmore (3-for-51), but don't expect to see McLaurin in his most dominant form.

 

The Last Man Standing

Benny Snell Jr. (RB, PIT)

At this point in the season, is it fair to suggest the Steelers were cursed by a witch that specializes in injuries to skill position players? Big Ben, Mason Rudolph, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Conner, Benny Snell...essentially anyone who's job is to touch the ball on offense has been injured at some point. Snell, luckily, is recovered from his knee surgery and will be available for the Steelers this weekend after missing the last three games. That's good news for the backfield, as Conner will be sidelined with a shoulder injury once more.

The last time Snell played in Conner's absence, he amassed 17 carries and 89 total yards. And Conner only missed one quarter of that game. In a full four quarters, expect Snell to be leaned on heavily in a matchup against the Bengals, whose defense allows the 3rd-most rushing yards to opposing rushers. He's an obvious RB2 this week, even with Jaylen Samuels handling 99% of the receiving work out of the backfield.

 

The Super Secret Weapon 

Jace Sternberger (TE, GB)

Drafted in the third round as a much-needed weapon for the Packers at a position that's been underwhelming in recent years (to say the least), Sternberger missed the first nine weeks of the season due to an ankle injury. After an important bye week, he now travels to San Francisco for a matchup with a stifling 49ers Defense. He could see some valuable targets, however, as outside of Davante Adams and Aaron Jones, Green Bay lacks legitimate threats in the receiving game.

Jimmy Graham has been relatively ineffectual in his age-32 season, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Matt LaFleur figure out ways to get Sternberger involved early on.

 

The Return of the Top-Rated Rookie

N'Keal Harry (WR, NE)

Okay, it's official: We can all stop talking about whether or not Antonio Brown will resign with the Patriots. Despite rumors that New England was so desperate for pass-catching weapons that they would add the 31-year-old time bomb back into the mix, nothing transpired in their transactions log. Instead, Tom Brady will rely on Julian Edelman, James White, and a handful of promising-but-raw receivers that includes newly-cleared N'Keal Harry.

Harry, who was activated off IR last week against Philadelphia, looked like a rookie trying to shake the rust off after missing 10 weeks of game action. Which...ya know...was exactly the case. This week against Dallas, expect the rust to be shaken but don't look for Harry to drop a monster stat line on a defense that's allowing the 5th-fewest yards per completion to quarterbacks. Jeff Driskel may have thrown for nearly 14 yards per completion, but he only completed 15 passes in total, many of which were desperation heaves. Harry should still be involved quite a bit, but Brady's right elbow injury only adds to the concern that there will be minimal yardage to be had though the air.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
Corey Heim

Does Not Qualify for Cup Race at Chicago Street Course
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF