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 7 of the 2017 season.
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Rookies Worth Your Attention
The Stud Youngster
Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants
While the receiving corps around him has been depleted by injury, Giants rookie tight end Evan Engram has risen to the occasion, propelling his team to their first victory over the Broncos last weekend. Engram snagged five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown and appears to be the new focal point for the offense. Engram now has the most targets on the team for the season at 41 and looks to continue to help quarterback Eli Manning move the chains. Consider Engram a locked in TE1 for the rest of the season, as his floor of receptions is week is enough to keep him in the upper tier of players at the position. Watch out for this kid. He has a bright future in the league, and that could continue this weekend against the Seahawks.
The One-Week Wonder
Samaje Perine, RB, Washington Redskins
The Redskins rookie running back Samaje Perine recorded his first touchdown of his professional career in last week's game against the 49ers. However, he was rather unproductive with his carries on the night, and ceded much of the running and receiving work in the backfield to teammate Chris Thompson. With Rob Kelley expected to be back in the fold in the near future and Perine continuing his trend of being generally unproductive with his touches, expect his impact this week to be infrequently repeated throughout the rest of the season. Perine is a speculative bench stash at this point due to the presence of Kelley and Thompson in the backfield and is a difficult player to put in lineups except in the deepest of leagues.
The Locked-In Starter
George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Another rookie tight end? I know, it's crazy, but this is a historic year for rookies at the position and already has some standout performers for their teams. Kittle is one of those players; after drawing repeated looks in the last two weeks, Kittle is now one of the most consistently targeted players on a 49ers team that has stayed in every game this season despite being 0-6. To add to this, Kittle's former teammate in college C.J. Beathard is now the starting quarterback for the team. Beathard will need a safety blanket as he adjusts to the pro game and Kittle has been very consistent on short and intermediate routes. Look for Kittle to remain a streamable option at a position that does not have many players with decent floors.
The Under-The-Radar Sleeper
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
In a crowded receiving room consisting of new acquisitions Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods, rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp continues to be a safety blanket for young quarterback Jared Goff early in the season. Kupp only recorded two catches last game on three targets, yet this was most likely due to the games script against the Jaguars. Kupp will look to bounce back after the poor performance and presents a higher upside for scoring touchdowns than outside receiver Robert Woods as well as a better connection to his quarterback than Sammy Watkins. Keep Kupp stashed; he may well be a reliable bye-week fill in and has legitimate upside in a high-powered offense.
The One To (Continue to) Stash
Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans
Corey Davis will miss his fifth straight game this week as he looks to recover from his hamstring injury and get on the field for the Titans this year. He will most likely be back after the team's Week 8 bye, and his talent is unquestionable. He is exactly what the Titans need if they want to progress to the playoffs in a contested AFC South division. Davis should instantly become one of the top targets for quarterback Marcus Mariota and should be a high-upside stash. You won't be able to find players with the upside that Davis has on the waiver wire this late in the season; if you can hold him, continue to do so. He may be a league-winning player at the position come the end of the season.
