Fantasy football sizzlers, fizzlers: Rookie receivers appear to be hitting their stride
One of this past week's biggest mysteries − how will the Los Angeles Rams backfield shake out with starter Kyren Williams on injured reserve? − was finally solved on Sunday, even if there ended up being more than one correct answer.
Meanwhile, the age-old question of how long it takes rookie receivers to adapt to the pro game seemingly came into focus at the same time for a quartet of youngsters this past weekend.
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These players saw their fantasy values increase or decrease most based on their performances in Week 7:
Sizzlers
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: The former Tar Heel posted a career-high 125 yards and a touchdown vs. the Browns, and he appears to have developed quite the rapport with QB Gardner Minshew. The rookie has five or more catches in three straight games, emerging as a solid PPR option.
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WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: The wide receiver production has been rather scant in Kansas City, but Rice has emerged as one of Patrick Mahomes’ top non-Swiftie receivers. In addition to a pair of touchdowns, Rice has four or more receptions in three straight games, with 60 or more yards in the past two contests.
WR Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants: Hyatt showed off his big-play potential, posting catches of 42 and 33 yards in Week 7. The rookie has just nine catches in five games, but three of those receptions were good for 40 or more yards. The Giants are likely to try to get the ball in his hands more.
TE Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: The rookie first-rounder finally exploded for eight catches and 75 yards at New England. The tight end position is a wasteland behind the top five options or so, and if Kincaid continues to see consistent targets, he'll have low-end TE1 potential.
RB Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams: With both Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers on injured reserve, the Rams brought Henderson back. He paid instant dividends, rumbling for 61 yards and a touchdown. It appears he and Royce Freeman will divvy up the carries, with Henderson seeing about a 3-to-2 edge in touches in Week 7.
Fizzlers
WR Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders: This isn’t an indictment on Samuel, as much as it is the struggles of the Washington offense as a whole. The receiver was limited to just four touches in Week 7, and his 25 receiving yards were his second-fewest of the season. He remains a fringe fantasy option in leagues of 12 or more teams.
RB Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos: The undrafted rookie had some fantasy appeal when Javonte Williams was banged up. But now Williams is back to full health, and he assumed the RB1 job in the Mile High City, leaving McLaughlin only six touches. He's still worth keeping around as an insurance policy on Williams, but should no longer be a fantasy starter.
WR Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears: Mooney has been on a roller coaster ride most of the season, and it’s been more downhill than up. He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1, and with starting QB Justin Fields sidelined, Mooney’s arrow doesn’t appear to be headed up anytime soon.
WR Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers: The speedy wideout had a golden opportunity to shine when Diontae Johnson was on the shelf. With both Johnson and George Pickens sucking up most of the targets, Austin was almost invisible, seeing just one rushing attempt in Week 7.
QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: Fantasy managers are growing to not love Jordan, as he has tossed seven interceptions in the past four games, while throwing for 182 or fewer yards in the past two outings. He is just too mistake-prone to be trusted outside of leagues requiring two starting signal callers.
