RADIO
Which rookies deserve your attention in Week 7 of the 2018 fantasy football season? Corey Johnson looks at first-year players at QB, RB, WR, and TE to determine what role they should play on your fantasy team.
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.
Ideally, some of these names will help fantasy players get some roster depth which can minimizes the negative impact of injuries and bye- weeks.
For Week 7, we have included a couple of players that may be immediate fantasy help and some players that could be fantasy help later this season or in seasons to come.
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Rookies To Watch
The One To Wait On
Mason Rudolph, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
In a draft littered with talented quarterbacks, Mason Rudolph, who was selected in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, has gone well under everybody's radar. Rudolph was a stand-out quarterback at Oklahoma State University but says he is comfortable with learning about the NFL as the 3rd string back-up to veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Rudolph has also mention that he believes he is the future franchise quarterback for the Steelers. At the end of last season, there was some speculation that Roethlisberger may be retiring at some point soon but early indications this year make it seem that he should be around for at least a year or two more. Regardless, Rudolph is a talented young player who certainly has the potential to learn and grow into an elite quarterback. If reports later this season indicate that Roethlisberger may be retiring, Rudolph will become an interesting option in dynasty leagues.
The One of Many
Jordan Akins, TE, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans selected Jordan Akins late in the third round of the 2018 draft and he has proven to be a reliable pass-catcher for quarterback Deshaun Watson. On 11 targets this season, Akins has hauled in nine catches for 89 yards. Akins is one of three tight ends on the Texans depth chart and doesn't have the target volume to be a viable fantasy option yet; with an expanded role he could become playable in deeper fantasy leagues. Watson has done a fairly good job of spreading offensive production around but with an injury or two to key weapons, Akins could see an increase in targets.
The Super Sleeper
Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have one of the most elite receiving cores in the NFL and Russell Gage has been on the outside, looking in, at all of the fantasy production that comes from the Falcons offense. Gage has one reception for nine yards this season as wide receivers Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Calvin Ridley continue to dominate targets. However, Ridley went down with an ankle injury in Week 6 so there is a chance that Gage may be more of a factor in Week 7 if Ridley does not play. Regardless, Gage should be avoided for now as his snaps will be extremely limited. In future seasons, if the Falcons receiving core losses some depth, Gage has the potential of busting onto the scene like Ridley did early this season.
The One To Watch
J'mon Moore, WR, Green Bay Packers
Recently, it seems as though the Green Bay Packers have been breeding talented wide receivers. Whether it's Aaron Rodgers, the coaching staff, and/or the system, wide receivers in Green Bay always seem to outperform expectations. J'Mon Moore was selected by the Packers in the fourth round and fits the build to become the next Devante Adams or Randall Cobb. Moore has only been active for two games this season and has yet to be targeted but if the Packers receiving core thins out in future seasons, Moore will certainly have an opportunity to become an impactful player. For now, Moore remains the "One To Watch" as he hold no fantasy value.
