RADIO
Which rookies deserve your attention in Week 4 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 minimize the negative impact of injuries and bye weeks.
For Week 4, 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 Of Many
D.J. Chark, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
D.J. Chark was selected by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2018 draft and was projected to be one of the best wide receivers in the entire class. Through three weeks, Chark only has one catch for 13 yards on four targets. The Jaguars are deep at wide receiver and Chark has remained well below Donte Moncrief, Dede Westbrook, and Keelan Cole in targets and receptions.
Chark’s fantasy relevance can grow significantly if Moncrief, Westbrook, or Cole go down with an injury. Quarterback Blake Bortles has shown that he wants to spread the ball around and if Chark sees more snap, he could be a viable flex option in PPR leagues. For now, Chark should not be considered in any fantasy format.
The Franchise Quarterback?
Josh Rosen, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Rosen was selected at 10th overall in the 2018 draft by the Arizona Cardinals who were ecstatic that Rosen fell into their laps; they have even mentioned that he could become their franchise quarterback. Rosen started the season at number two on the depth chart behind quarterback Sam Bradford. However, in Week 3 the Cardinals sat Bradford in the fourth quarter and allowed Rosen to get some action- the final drive in which they needed a field goal to win, to be exact. Rosen completed four of seven pass attempts for 36 yards and had an interception during his brief outing.
The Cardinals have released that Rosen will start Week 4 but he should not be considered as a fantasy option. The Cardinals offense has been terrible and there isn’t much indication that Rosen will be able to get them out of the gutter.
The Super Sleeper
Hayden Hurst, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Hayden Hurst was selected by the Ravens at 25th overall and was expected to become quarterback Joe Flacco’s new security blanket. However, Hurst stress fractured his foot in late August and hasn’t seen the field at all. At the time of the injury, he was expected to be out three to four weeks and the Ravens have released that he should be returning to practice this week— a good indication that his injury is healing as planned.
If Hurst returns to practice this week, he could be an interesting pick-up who has the potential to be a TE2; early signs indicated that Flacco really wants to get him involved.
The One To Watch
Ito Smith, RB, Atlanta Falcons
With the injury to Devonta Freeman, fourth-round draft pick Ito Smith has been able to see some snaps. Running back Tevin Coleman is taking the majority of touches but Smith has been able to rush 11 times for 40 yards over the past two games. Smith seems to be seeing a significant amount of red-zone touches—it seems as though it is just a matter of time until he runs one into the end-zone. In addition, Smith has proved to be a solid pass-catcher; he totaled 41 yards on three catches in Week 3.
Smith is an option at flex in deep leagues but will not muster-up noteworthy points unless he scores. Once Freeman returns, Smith can be dropped in all formats, other than dynasty leagues, as Freeman and Coleman will resume locking down the backfield. Coleman is on the last year of his contract with the Falcons and if he goes elsewhere next season Smith could become a huge part of the Atlanta offense.
