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

NFL Rookies to Watch in Week 3: Fantasy Football Dynasty and Redraft Leagues

Treylon Burks - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

NFL rookie outlooks for fantasy football Week 3 (2022). Hayden looks at promising fantasy rookies at RB and WR to identify potential sleepers and busts.

Plenty of first-year players have begun making their marks across the NFL. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London has been the most impressive so far. The USC product put up eight catches, 86 yards, and his first professional touchdown last week. Jets receiver Garrett Wilson had a great game last week as well, totaling eight grabs for 102 yards and two scores.

The party has already continued in Week 3. Pittsburgh's newest wideout, George Pickens, had an insane catch that made plenty of highlight reels. This came just days after the former Georgia Bulldog expressed his displeasure with his lack of targets, claiming he was open "99 percent of the time."

Whether you're a redraft manager or a dynasty manager, being ahead of the curve with rookie players is vital to your team's success. For that reason, each week I will be breaking down which rookies you should be watching out for. This column will be split into two parts: one pertaining to players most relevant in redraft leagues, and the other for rookies particularly worth watching in dynasty formats.

 

NFL Rookies to Watch in Fantasy Football Redraft Leagues

Tyler Allgeier (RB, ATL)

Tyler Allgeier was drafted in the fifth round out of BYU this April. The former Cougar had a productive college career, but he really stood out in his final season in 2021. With 1,800 scrimmage yards and 23 total touchdowns, Allgeier stood among the top running backs in the country. He doesn't possess elite speed (4.60-second 40-yard dash) or great agility (37th-percentile agility score), but he was still able to put up an 85th-percentile college dominator and 10% college target share.

Allgeier is now with the Falcons and was a healthy scratch in Week 1. However, fellow tailback Damien Williams suffered a rib injury in the opener and was placed on IR last weekend. That opened the door for Allgeier to play against the Rams. He finished his professional debut with 10 carries for 30 yards. These numbers are unimpressive, but starter Cordarrelle Patterson also toted the ball just 10 times. Allgeier's respectable workload in his first game is certainly notable.

Allgeier and the Falcons will take on Seattle this week. Something to keep an eye on is, again, the balance in carries between Patterson and Allgeier. If the two backs see similar volume again, Allgeier would be a great waiver wire addition. He should improve as the season goes on, so if he's already being utilized, he would have a chance to surpass Patterson by the end of the season. A one-game sample size is difficult to draw conclusions from though, so watching the rookie this week is important to ensure his Week 2 workload was no fluke.

Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC)

Seventh-round rookie Isiah Pacheco received a lot of hype this offseason. With a 4.37-second 40-yard dash time, the Rutgers product boasts elite speed at the running back position. Moreover, by posting 27 bench press reps of 225 pounds at the Scouting Combine, Pacheco displayed that he possesses a lot of strength as well. His promising showings in his preseason appearances, as well as the glowing reports that came out about him from training camp, further contributed to the massive amount of buzz surrounding him in August.

His Week 1 performance seemed to confirm what his proponents were claiming. With 12 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, Pacheco finished as the RB22 for the week in PPR leagues and the RB16 in standard formats. His Week 2 outing was much less impressive, though. He had just two carries for six yards in the game against the Chargers. At this point, it's difficult to tell which type of showing is more likely out of Pacheco, but the game script was much less favorable for him last week than in the opener.

The rookie has had two breakaway runs on his 14 carries on the year, which is fairly impressive for the small workload. However, to establish that he can keep that up, we will need to check out his game against the Colts on Sunday. Another thing to watch is if his volume goes counter to the game script at all. If the matchup is close and he still gets 10+ touches, that would be a promising sign. If it's a blowout and the team keeps using Clyde Edwards-Helaire, that would be concerning. There is a lot of intrigue surrounding Pacheco's performance this weekend.

Treylon Burks (WR, TEN)

Treylon Burks was a standout receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks for three seasons. The best year of his college career was last season when he had 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 14 rushing attempts for 112 yards and a score, displaying his versatility within the Arkansas offense. His 45.9 percent college dominator and 31.3 percent target share both ranked at the 93rd percentile.

Burks's impressive college output contributed to the Tennessee Titans selecting him 18th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. At 6'2" and 224 pounds, Burks has a large body to use against defenders. He caught three passes for 55 yards in his professional debut, and last week he made four grabs for 47 yards. His 37.9 percent target rate is eighth among wideouts on the year, and 3.52 yards per route run ranks seventh at the position. With this efficiency, his involvement in the offense will only increase.

Burks will face the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The Raiders have allowed the 14th-most half-PPR points to WRs this year, so it is essentially an average matchup from what we've seen. The Tennessee offense had relied on Derrick Henry in recent seasons, but he has averaged a lackluster 3.2 true yards per carry in 2022. With the Titans being forced to pass more often, Burks will be the main beneficiary. The rookie is worth an add if he is still on your league's waiver wire, and may even be worth a start this Sunday depending on your league's size and starting lineup depth.

 

NFL Rookies to Watch in Fantasy Football Dynasty Leagues

James Cook (RB, BUF)

Second-round rookie James Cook had a season opener to forget. On his lone touch in the contest, the Georgia product fumbled. Cook finished the game with one carry, two yards, and -1.8 fantasy points. However, he had a great bounce-back performance this past Monday against Tennessee. With 11 carries for 53 yards, Cook flashed the potential that made him a sought-after commodity in rookie drafts. While his increased workload was due in large part to the blowout nature of Buffalo's victory, it was still good to see what he can do.

Cook, the younger brother of Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook, is an electric athlete. His 4.42-second 40-yard dash time at the combine was quite strong, and he also averaged 6.4 yards per carry as a senior last year at Georgia. The downsides to his profile are that he never had much usage in college and that his frame is slight for the position. Cook never averaged more than 10 touches per game as a Bulldog, and his 27.8 BMI is at just the 10th percentile among RBs.

The Buffalo offense is inarguably among the best in the league. That should remain the case for as long as Josh Allen is quarterbacking there, which ideally will be a long time. If Cook can show the coaching staff enough to surpass Devin Singletary on the depth chart, he would step right into a lucrative role for fantasy managers. The fruits of that shift would last for quite some time, making Cook a strong dynasty asset. Keep an eye on his performance this week versus Miami.

Hassan Haskins (RB, TEN)

Like James Cook, Hassan Haskins followed up a weak showing in Week 1 with a much-improved effort in Week 2. In his debut, Haskins played just 10 percent of the Titans' offensive snaps and had zero touches. Last week, though, Haskins played 49.1 percent of the team's snaps and totaled 10 touches for 37 scrimmage yards. Dontrell Hilliard's absence from the lineup contributed to Haskins's higher volume, but nonetheless, it was enlightening to get a glimpse of the rookie.

Haskins is a strong player. His 27 bench press reps of 225 pounds at the Scouting Combine was a 93rd-percentile performance for a running back, and his power translates onto the playing field as well. As a senior at Michigan, Haskins broke out with 1,458 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns.

Hilliard is returning to the field this weekend after being removed from the team's injury report. It will be interesting to see if Haskins's snap share against Las Vegas is closer to his Week 1 or Week 2 involvement. With starter Derrick Henry showing signs of slowing down this season, dynasty managers would be wise to be proactive and investigate Haskins as an option for the future. The results of that investigation will be influenced by how Haskins looks this Sunday.

Khalil Shakir (WR, BUF)

Unlike both Cook and Haskins, fifth-round rookie receiver Khalil Shakir didn't have a quiet game in Week 1. That's only technically true, though, because Shakir didn't play at all; he was a healthy scratch. With rising talent Gabe Davis injured for last week's bout with Tennessee, Shakir was able to get some playing time. It wasn't a whole lot, however. Shakir ran just six routes, had merely two targets, and made no catches.

Shakir's profile looks fairly strong as a prospect. With a 4.43-second 40-yard dash time, Shakir possesses 85th-percentile speed at the receiver position. His 82nd-percentile burst score is also impressive. He was also very productive at Boise State. His 32.2 percent target share last year was massive, amounting to 77 catches for 1,117 yards and seven scores. He also showed his versatility throughout his four-year college career with 71 attempts for 414 yards and four scores on the ground.

With Davis questionable for this week's contest versus Miami, we may get a longer look at Shakir. Miami's suddenly explosive offense could help produce a shootout, in which case Shakir could have an unexpected breakout showing. With Stefon Diggs, Jamison Crowder, Isaiah McKenzie, and Dawson Knox all getting targets, Shakir has a lot of competition within the offense. However, as mentioned in Cook's outlook, Josh Allen isn't going anywhere, and for dynasty managers, all that matters is seeing that Shakir has the talent to be productive in the future.

UPDATE: Gabriel Davis is expected to play versus Miami.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

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
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Baltimore Ravens

Emery Jones to Start Training Camp on NFI List
Von Miller

Signs With Commanders
Alfred Collins

Agrees to Four-Year Rookie Deal
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Rashawn Slater

Likely Practicing During Extension Talks
Stefon Diggs

Trending Towards Being Available Week 1
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Cleveland Browns

Elerson Smith Retires From Football
Justyn Ross

Chiefs Waive Justyn Ross
Tre Harris

Chargers Hope to Get Tre Harris on the Field Soon
Najee Harris

Likely to Begin Training Camp on NFI List
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Darren Waller

Signs $2 Million Deal With Dolphins
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
C.J. Stroud

Working on Speed, Pocket Mobility Entering Year 3
Daiyan Henley

Daiyan Henley Full-Go for Training Camp
Bradley Beal

Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Kurtis Rourke

Starting Training Camp on NFI List
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
Micah Parsons

Not Worried About Extension Talks
Jahdae Barron

Broncos Agree to Terms With Jahdae Barron on Rookie Deal
Tyrone Broden

Seahawks Place Tyrone Broden, Montorie Foster on NFI List
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Landon Jackson

Lands on PUP List
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Ja'Kobe Walter

Produces Big Numbers at Both Ends Against Nuggets
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Ajay Mitchell

Outstanding Against Magic Tuesday
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
VJ Edgecombe

Busy in Las Vegas Summer League Debut
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Dominick Barlow

to Sit Out Rest of Summer League
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
NBA

Oshae Brissett Links Up with Maccabi Tel Aviv
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Charlotte Hornets

Josh Okogie Waived by Hornets
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hit In Pinky In All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
MLB

NL All-Stars Win On Tie-Breaker Home Run Swing-Off
Junior Colson

Competing for Starting Job
Isaiah Likely

Ravens Looking to Extend Isaiah Likely
Kyle Pitts

Not in Falcons' Long-Term Plans?
Quinshon Judkins

Browns in "No Rush" to Sign Quinshon Judkins to Rookie Deal
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
Dereck Lively II

Undergoes Right-Foot Surgery Tuesday
Isaiah Collier

Logs a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Monday
Devin Carter

Posts 17 Points Versus Suns
Bronny James Jr.

Scores 17 Points in Summer League Loss
Harrison Ingram

has Impressive Outing Against Jazz
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Kyle Filipowski

Records 35-Point Double-Double Against Spurs
Kel'el Ware

Dominates Against Celtics
Oneil Cruz

Ties Home Run Derby Distance Record
Cal Raleigh

Wins 2025 Home Run Derby
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Michael Lorenzen

Royals Put Michael Lorenzen on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Junior Tafa

Unsuccessful in his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Tosses Gem Against Giants
Shota Imanaga

Shuts Down Yankees on Sunday
Nathan Eovaldi

Dominant Again in Seventh Win
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Chicago White Sox

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Miami Marlins

Marlins Select Aiva Arquette With Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Kyle Stowers

Punishes Former Team with Three-Homer Game
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Select Liam Doyle with Fifth Overall Pick
Colorado Rockies

Rockies Select Ethan Holliday Fourth Overall
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers