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Welcome back to the Rookie Report! With the NFL Combine completed, the offseason is in full swing. Trades are happening, vets are being released or retiring, and NFL front offices have got the media spin machine up and running ahead of the start of the league year next week. Despite the flurry of NFL news we’ve been seeing in recent weeks, there is still plenty more news to come before the NFL Draft. Since so much of a rookie's outlook can depend on landing spot and how early they're drafted, it would be premature to rank the rookies for fantasy purposes at this point. That doesn't mean we have nothing to talk about though. We've seen plenty of the top prospects take part in the Senior Bowl, and just about all of them took part in the Combine in some shape or form. This week, I wanted to take a look at which prospects have helped and hurt their stock the most so far this offseason. Let's dive in...

Quarterbacks:

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma – Stock Up: Mayfield backed up a strong week at the Senior Bowl with another strong week at the Combine. Questions will still abound about his size and his maturity level, but I think he's secured himself as a top-5 pick in the upcoming draft. Mayfield measured a little taller than expected at the Combine, and threw the ball well in drills and demonstrated solid arm strength. The film on Mayfield is solid, but there have been several questions about him that the film doesn't answer. He has at least started answering some of those questions based on the feedback being put out by some scouts and personnel people in Indy.

Josh Allen, Wyoming - Stock Down: Josh Allen has been talked about as a potential top overall pick in the draft for weeks now, but with the scrutiny that comes with scouting season, and the Senior Bowl and Combine weeks, more of the warts of his game have been showing through. Yes, he has a big arm and ran well in the 40-yard dash, but his inaccuracy has been on full display, often misfiring badly when he does miss a throw. People see the athleticism and the cannon and want to project him to be Andrew Luck or Carson Wentz, but more of the scouts are starting to see the possibility that he ends up closer to Kyle Boller. You'll hear about Allen in the top-5 a bunch between now and draft day, but don't be surprised if he slips out of the top-10.

Sam Darnold, USC – Stock Down: Darnold elected not to do any throwing at the Combine but elected to do the athletic testing, which he showed very poorly in. Sam tested in the 22nd percentile of SPARQ scores. His lack of mobility is a little troubling for a guy who can be kind of a gunslinger at times. If he can't escape the pocket, is he going to throw into to trouble when pressured? Darnold is still likely to be a first-round pick in the Draft and can still impress at USC's pro day, but as a guy who is being projected as a possible #1 overall pick, the Combine didn't do him any favors.

Running Backs:

Saquon Barkley, Penn State – Stock Up: Barkley was already pretty much a consensus for the 1.01 pick in rookie drafts before the Combine, but his performance in Indy should have converted any doubters. Barkley weighed in at 233 pounds, and ran a blistering 4.40 40-yard dash and posted the best vertical jump of any RB at the Combine (41”). To have that kind of explosion and athleticism at Barkley's size is special, and the work he put on film at Penn State already had him as the best back in this class. If you have the first pick in a rookie draft, you'd be a fool not to take Saquon. If you really don't want him, there is bound to be someone in your league who does and will pay a king's ransom for him.

Nick Chubb, Georgia – Stock Up: Chubb was overshadowed by the incredible numbers Barkley put up in Indy, but he had an impressive week himself. Chubb ran faster than expected at 4.52 in the 40 and showed more explosion than expected with a 38.5”vertical jump. He also showed his strength by matching the impressive 29 bench press reps that Barkley put up. While Saquon and Derrius Guice are widely considered to be the top 2 running backs in this class, there are a handful of backs behind them that are grouped very closely together, and Chubb did a great job of helping himself stand out among that group. He should go in the top half of the first round in most rookie drafts.

Ronald Jones II, USC – Stock Down: Jones saw his stock start to slip even before the combine as scouts started to point out his lack of prowess as a between-the-tackles runner, and his lack of receiving production in college. He also seemed undersized to be an every-down back in the NFL. He could have really helped himself with a strong showing at the Combine, but it was not to be. He weighed in at just 205 pounds. Only 7% of all running backs 5'11” or taller at the Combine in the past 15 years have weighed 205 or less (per @GrahamBarfield), and the list doesn't include much success outside of Jamaal Charles. Jones could have really helped himself with a fast 40 time, but he pulled up with a hamstring issue during his run and ran a 4.66. He can still help himself by running a quality time at his pro day, but as of now, it's hard not to view Jones as being towards the tail end of the top-10 rookie backs.

Bo Scarbrough, Alabama – Stock Up: There hasn't been a ton of buzz around Scarbrough so far this offseason, but he changed that at the Combine. Bo has mostly been viewed by the scouting community as a physical grinder who wasn't overly athletic, but he changed that perception in a big way last week. Bo ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, and also stunned with a 40”vertical (2nd only to Saquon) and a 10'9” broad jump (best among RBs). He also was better than expected in receiving drills in Indy. He went from being a guy that not many people were excited about to someone who may wind up a top-8 RB in this class.

Kamryn Pettway, Auburn – Stock Down: Like Scarbrough, Pettway also came into Indianapolis with a reputation of being a physical runner, but his measurable numbers didn't do him any favors. He weighed in at the same size as Saquon Barkley, but he ran just 4.75 in the 40-yard dash. That's basically fullback speed. He may wind up undrafted despite posting a 1,200-yard season in just 10 games in the bruising SEC a couple years ago. He shouldn't be on your fantasy radar.

Royce Freeman, Oregon – Stock Up: Freeman has long been viewed as one of the better backs in this class, and he tested better at the Combine than expected. Freeman ran a 4.55 40-yard dash and displayed some agility with a respectable 6.90 in the 3-cone drill. He also looked smoother than expected in receiving drills. Landing spot will be a big deal for Freeman, but if the fit is right, he could push for a spot in the top 5 or 6 backs in this class.

Chase Edmonds, Fordham – Stock Up: Edmonds probably isn't a guy that's been on your radar, but he posted some eye-opening numbers at the Combine that could make him a sneaky mid-round rookie pick in dynasty leagues. Edmonds stands just 5'9” and weighs 205, but he managed to bench press 225 lbs 19 times. He also had the best time in the 3-cone drill of all of the backs that participated and posted a respectable 4.55 40-yard dash. Edmonds will also get a boost from his versatility, as he worked out at wide receiver as well as running back. His skill set is reminiscent of Dion Lewis, and it wouldn't surprise me if he wound up in New England as a replacement for the free agent back on the Pats’ roster.

Wide Receivers:

DJ Moore, Maryland – Stock Up: Moore came into the Combine with some question marks about his size, and he actually measured in a little bigger than expected at 6’0” and 210 pounds. Even more importantly for DJ, he tested very well athletically and aced all of the on-field drills as well. His 4.42 40-yard dash was among the fastest WR times there, and he showed some explosion with a 39.5” vertical and an 11’ broad jump. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. called him the most impressive WR in Indy. He should have at least cemented himself as a top-3 WR in this class.

Auden Tate, Florida State – Stock Down: Tate is a big, physical WR with strong hands, but his athleticism at the Combine was a disappointment. Scouts were disappointed when fellow Seminole Kelvin Benjamin ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at the Combine a few years ago, and Tate was even slower than that, registering a 4.68. He also had a less than impressive 9’4” broad jump. He’ll still be a red zone weapon at the NFL level and will likely be drafted in your rookie drafts as a top-10  WR option, but his lack of athleticism certainly hurts what his pro ceiling may look like.

DJ Chark, LSU – Stock Up: Chark put on a show in Indianapolis, posting the best 40 time among the WRs (4.34), and also tallying a 40” vertical and 10’9” in the broad jump. Chark was a popular sleeper pick among some in the fantasy community, but he won’t be as much of a secret anymore. He may get a benefit out of coming from LSU, a school that has a reputation for their receivers ascending when they get to the NFL. The list of LSU receivers since the start of the Les Miles era to post more receiving yards in a season as a pro than they did in any college season includes Dwayne Bowe, Brandon LaFell, Rueben Randle, and Odell Beckham Jr. That list doesn’t even include Jarvis Landry, who has put up 400 receptions in his first 4 seasons in the NFL. Although Les Miles is gone from LSU, Chark’s career there started with him still there. Chark could be a top-5 WR in this class.

Calvin Ridley, Alabama – Stock Down: Ridley has been expected to be the first wide receiver taken in the NFL Draft pretty much since the Super Bowl ended, but that may be changing as the offseason process goes on. He tested very poorly in Indianapolis, He came in a little lighter than expected at 189 pounds, and while his 4.43 40-yard dash was strong, he tested so poorly in the jumping and agility drills that his SPARQ score puts him in just the 7th percentile of athletes, worse than any other WR at the Combine. His status as the WR1 in this class is in serious doubt based on what he did in Indy.

Deon Cain, Clemson – Stock Up: Cain has been a little bit of a polarizing prospect in some scouting circles. A lot of people look at Cain as just the next in the line of Clemson WRs to go to the NFL, following Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, DeAndre Hopkins, and Mike Williams (well, the jury’s still out on Williams). It’s not hard to see why. When a program has a track record like Clemson does, you see the size, production, and athleticism and it’s easy to project Cain as the next in line, but some scouts that have started breaking down Cain’s film are finding more holes in his game than those that preceded him. It’s because of those doubters that Cain actually helped himself in Indy. He didn’t blow the doors off the athletic testing (was just a 34th percentile SPARQ athlete despite a 4.43 40-yard dash), but he looked more polished as a receiver in the drills than a lot of scouts had been seeing on film. He drew praise from former star wide receiver Steve Smith, who spoke highly of the way he caught the ball and how smooth he looked in and out of breaks in the Combine drills. I think he helped himself enough that he should be a top-10 WR in this class.

Tavares Martin, Washington State – Stock Down: Martin was already looking like a 3rd-day pick due to off-field issues, but his Combine numbers confirmed that he’ll be an undrafted free agent. He was expected to push for a sub-4.5 40-yard dash but instead clocked in at a terrible 4.80. He also registered a less than impressive 31.5” vertical jump. Martin was supposed to be a troubled player with upside due to his athleticism. If he doesn’t have that athleticism, there isn’t really a place for him in the NFL.

Tight Ends:

Mike Gesicki, Penn State – Stock Up: While Saquon Barkley stole the show in Indy, his college teammate Gesicki may have been more impressive. Gesicki measured in at an imposing 6’5” and 247 pounds, and he performed historically well in the athletic testing, finishing in the 99th percentile in SPARQ scores. Only Vernon Davis and Dustin Keller have ever tested better at the Combine at the tight end position. South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert had been getting some traction as the top fantasy tight end in this class, but as Goedert sat out most of the Combine with a hamstring injury, Gesicki took advantage. The Penn State product has already shown that he can be a red zone threat and can make tough catches, but his testing numbers will push him into the conversation for the TE1 in this class.

Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin – Stock Down: Fumagalli wasn’t considered to be on the same level as Gesicki, Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst as a prospect before the Combine, but a strong showing could have really helped his stock. Instead, he posted the fewest bench reps for a tight end (14) and didn’t participate in any other drills. He’ll have a chance to improve how he’s viewed at Wisconsin’s pro day, but he’s got a tough act to follow after many of the top tight ends impressed in Indy. Fumagalli is at best the TE5 of this class right now.

Jaylen Samuels, NC State – Stock Up: Samuels is listed here because he tested with the tight ends in Indianapolis, but his best case scenario is that he will land with a creative coach and be used as a Swiss army knife, splitting time between TE, RB, WR, and H-Back. He’s undersized to play tight end, standing just 5’11”, but he performed well in the athletic testing. He matched Mike Gesicki’s 4.54 40-yard dash and managed to throw up 18 bench reps and a 10’1” broad jump. Samuels looks like he can be an x-factor kind of player in today’s NFL if he lands in the right spot. He could be a sneaky 2nd or 3rd round pick in rookie drafts if the landing spot is a good one.

That's all I've got for now. I'll be back after free agency is a little more settled to talk about ideal landing spots for some of the top rookies ahead of the draft. Things can still change for some of these rookies between now and draft day, but it doesn't hurt to take stock of where they are now. If you have any thoughts or feedback on the info above, don't be a stranger. Reach out on Twitter to let me know (@Shawn_Foss). Otherwise, sit back and enjoy one of the wildest NFL offseasons we’ve seen in years.

Welcome back to the Rookie Report! We've almost made it all the way through NFL Draft season, and Thursday night we can finally start to put all of the smokescreens, misinformation, and mock drafts behind us as we learn where these players are really going...but first, let's do just a little bit more speculating. The information you're about to read below isn't a mock draft. It isn't an indication of where these players are going to be drafted. It's simply me trying to fit the puzzle pieces together in a way that would be most beneficial to each of the players for their career development and long-term fantasy upside.

I will be posting breakdowns of the RB, WR and TE positions in the coming hours, but with the QBs in particular, a few of these landing spots have just about zero chance of actually happening without some really surprising trades. That's going to happen when a QB-needy team like Buffalo isn't a good landing spot for anyone. The Bills are going to draft a QB and will probably trade up to do it, but their weapons are so bad at this point I wouldn't want any QB saddled with that situation. With all of that in mind, here are my favorite landing spots for the top QBs in the 2018 draft.

(Player, College – Favorite Landing Spot)

Josh Rosen, UCLA - New York Giants: This landing spot would be a good one for Rosen, and for the Giants. New York is widely expected to draft Saquon Barkley at this point, but Rosen would be a better choice. The Giants don't plan on picking this high again any time soon, and Eli Manning is 37 years old and has led the team to just one winning season in the past 5 years. The time to put a succession plan in place is now.

Rosen is the safest QB in this draft, and the one who fits the Giants' offense best. He's a pure pocket passer who will play within the structure of the scheme, much like Eli, and he can throw with accuracy to all 3 levels of the field. He'll have exciting weapons in Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram that will give him QB1 upside as soon as he takes over as starter. There's been a lot of talk about Rosen's attitude and varied interests outside of football being an issue for him, but I think that's nonsense. His personality kind of reminds me of Aaron Rodgers, and that hasn't been a problem for Rodgers' game at the NFL level. As a passer, the more apt comparison is Matt Ryan. If the Giants select Rosen, I think their QB position will be secured for the next decade.

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma – Cleveland Browns: Mayfield's name has been popping up lately as a potential pick for the Browns at number 1, and that's who I hope they go with. If it isn't Mayfield, they should certainly go with Sam Darnold over Josh Allen. The reason I like Mayfield is because the Browns have the pieces to install more elements of a spread offense like the one Mayfield thrived in at Oklahoma.

Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, Jarvis Landry and David Njoku make for a formidable group of receiving threats, and Duke Johnson is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield as well. Gordon and Coleman each have experience in a spread offense from their time at Baylor. The Browns also have a veteran mobile QB on the roster in Tryod Taylor who can help Mayfield learn some of the nuance of the position at the NFL level. I would expect Tyrod to open the season as the starter, but Mayfield should take over at some point near midseason and never look back.

Sam Darnold, USC - Los Angeles Chargers: This pairing is highly unlikely to become reality unless the Chargers make a big trade up, but it's one that is fun to think about. The biggest strength of Darnold's game is his ability to make accurate throws from difficult angles when the defensive pressure causes him to throw without his usual mechanics. The two NFL QBs who do this best are Philip Rivers and Matt Stafford. Since Stafford is 30 and Rivers is going to turn 37 this year, LA is the team that will need a replacement sooner. It's hard to say how many more years Rivers will play before deciding to hang it up and spend more time with his 7 kids (seriously, he has 7 of them), but playing behind Rivers for a year or two could really help Darnold hit his ceiling as a QB.

Darnold has a ton of upside, but he has a tendency to be a bit of a gunslinger and makes some questionable decisions. Rivers would be a great mentor to help Darnold learn to rein that in a little bit, and the weapons in LA should be good for several years with Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry, Tyrell Williams and Mike Williams around. It's easy to see the Favre-ian upside in Darnold, but if he doesn't improve his decision making, he could just as easily be the next Jay Cutler or worse.

Lamar Jackson, Louisville - New Orleans Saints: Jackson has more fantasy upside than any other QB in this class thanks to his rushing ability. He has the speed and elusiveness of Michael Vick, and is far more advanced as a passer entering the league than Vick was after playing in a pro-style offense under Bobby Petrino at Louisville.

The best-case scenario for Jackson would be landing on a team with a creative offensive coach who will build an offense around him to best maximize his considerable talents. There are 3 teams with coaching staffs that I would trust to do that: New England, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. The Eagles have Carson Wentz and Nick Foles still, so they don't have enough need at QB to spend the draft capital it'll take to land Jackson.

The other two teams should both be looking to life beyond their current Hall of Fame QBs. Either one would be a good landing spot for Jackson, but I give the nod to New Orleans because of the weapons he'll have to work with. In New England, Amendola is gone, Cooks is gone, Julian Edelman will be 32 years old, and Gronk is already hinting at retirement. The Saints have young stars in Alvin Kamara and Mike Thomas, and added another promising youngster in Cam Meredith. Because of that edge in surrounding talent, New Orleans is the place I most want to see Lamar.

Josh Allen, Wyoming – Pittsburgh Steelers: If NFL Draft scouts weren't so in love with size and raw arm strength from QBs, Allen to Pittsburgh might actually be realistic. Instead, the consensus is that Allen will be off the board in the top 10 picks, possibly even at number one. The Steelers, who currently pick at 28, aren't moving up to get him. Still, I think this is the spot that would best serve him in making good on his potential. Ben Roethlisberger was already talking about retirement after the 2016 season, so it's not hard to envision him walking away in the next year or two. Similarly to Allen, Roethlisberger is a big, physical, strong-armed QB who played his college ball in a smaller conference. He'd be a great player for Allen to learn from while he works on his game as the number 2 QB.

Pittsburgh is also a landing spot that wouldn't have nearly as much pressure as the other places he could go...the pressure of being a savior in Cleveland, the pressure of the media scrutiny in New York, or the pressure of having the franchise's hero QB in the front office in Denver. Buffalo is another spot that would lack that pressure, but Buffalo doesn't have Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster or a winning culture. Although this landing spot won't happen, I think it would be ideal for Allen.

Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State – Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals' offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has said that they will tailor the offense to fit the quarterback they end up with, but McCoy's NFL roots trace back to the vertical passing 'Air Coryell' offense and Mason Rudolph has better accuracy on the deep ball than he does on short and intermediate throws.

The Cardinals could use an upgrade in weapons, but Larry Fitzgerald and a healthy David Johnson are a good starting point. With Sam Bradford slated to start, Rudolph likely will get some action this year when Bradford inevitably misses games. Rudolph is the best QB in the draft after the group of guys expected to go in the first round.

Kyle Lauletta, Richmond - New England Patriots: Lauletta is accurate and is a quick decision maker that really fits what the Patriots' offense does. His arm strength is questionable, but so was Brady's when he came into the league. The things Lauletta does well are a great fit for the scheme the Pats already run. He's also great in the play-action game, makes good decisions, and maneuvers the pocket very well while going through his progressions. I fully believe Brady will play out the two years remaining on his contract before he retires, and drafting Lauletta would allow for a seamless transition when that happens. He's got the upside to be a franchise QB.

Luke Falk, Washington State – Washington Redskins: Falk has a bit of a transition and learning curve ahead of him after playing his college career in Mike Leach's 'Air Raid' offense which is pretty much exclusively a shotgun spread offense. Playing under center and learning more pro concepts will be important parts of a successful transition. Falk lacks the arm strength to throw deep consistently, and current Washington starter Alex Smith is usually too risk averse to go deep himself, but has managed to put together a strong NFL career despite that. Smith is the ideal player for Falk to learn from as he makes the transition, and with Smith being almost 34 years old, he's a player Falk could supplant as starter in a couple years. He has the upside to be a similar game-managing starting QB who can win if surrounded with the right pieces and scheme.

That's all I've got for the QBs. I'm sure you'll disagree with at least some of what I've said above. Don't be a stranger; reach out on twitter and let me know (@Shawn_Foss). Be sure to check out the landing spot pieces on the RB, WR, and TE positions as well. They're sure to have just as many things you disagree with as this one. Enjoy the draft!

Welcome back to the Rookie Report! Week 3 was a wild one around the NFL with some stunning upsets, most of which involved the NFC North. More importantly, we finally started to see a bigger chunk of the rookie class making their presence felt. Calvin Ridley, Kerryon Johnson, Josh Allen, Christian Kirk, Dallas Goedert and Baker Mayfield all had breakout games, and Saquon Barkley and Royce Freeman stayed productive as well. We’ve also arrived at the Josh Rosen era in the desert. The rookie crop will continue to make a larger impact as the season rolls on, whether through improvement or attrition. It’s going to get harder each week to decide which rookies to take a chance on, so it’s a good thing I’m here to help sort it out. Let’s take a look at what to expect in week 4.

Rookies to Start:

RB Saquon Barkley, NYG (Wk. 4: vs. NO): Saquon continues to demonstrate week in and week out that he’s a must start every week. The Giants’ offense may not be great, but he’s part of a very select group when it comes to usage, and that isn’t going to change barring injury. He’s an RB1 until further notice, and the Saints’ D is nothing to be afraid of this week.

RB Royce Freeman, DEN (Wk. 4: vs. KC): The Chiefs have been really impressive through 3 games overall, but the defense has been less than stellar. While Freeman has been a bit touchdown-dependent, there should be plenty of chances for the Broncos to get into scoring territory. Don’t be stunned if Freeman finds the end zone more than once. Game script might have the Broncos throwing more than they’d like, but that kind of scoring upside makes Royce a solid RB2 option in 12-team leagues.

Borderline Rookies:

RB Kerryon Johnson, DET (Wk. 4: @Dal.): Kerryon became the first Lions’ running back since Reggie Bush to top 100 yards in a game last week, and while he’ll be hard-pressed to duplicate the feat this week, his performance should at least earn him more opportunities. The Cowboys, defense isn’t exactly stingy, but the offense slows the game down a ton and limits the number of plays for the opposing offense. The Lions are still a pass-happy offense at heart, so the slow down likely means limited work for Johnson. Still, the rookie should be a solid bet for 60-70 yards from scrimmage and a potential TD.

RB Sony Michel, NE (Wk. 4: vs. Mia.): Michel dominated the running back carries for New England on Sunday night as Rex Burkhead surprisingly didn’t have a single carry. The results were mixed, with Sony flashing solid skill on several runs and going nowhere on several others. At the end of the day, the usage was promising, and the production should get better as the Pats’ offense finds its footing. He’s worth taking a chance on again this week in a matchup with Miami, who has allowed the 8^th-most RB points per game (all rankings and point totals based on PPR scoring).

WR Calvin Ridley, ATL (Wk. 4: vs. Cin.): Ridley put on a show last Sunday, but don’t get too enamored with the TD barrage he unleashed on the Saints. The pendulum will eventually swing back to Julio as defenses start to pay more attention to Ridley. The Bengals have been a much better pass defense thus far than the Saints, and I’d be surprised if they let Ridley get going the way he did last week again. This might be a week to target Julio in DFS lineups. As for Ridley, it’ll be hard to sit a player with the upside he’s shown over the past couple weeks. If you believe in the talent, keep starting him. I’d at least pause and look at my other options if I had solid other choices. At the very least, Ridley has demonstrated that it is possible for a prominent 1^st round rookie WR to start his career fast.

WR Christian Kirk, ARI (Wk. 4: vs. Sea.): Kirk was heavily featured for the first time in week 3 posting a 7-90 line on 8 targets, and there is a decent chance it happens again this week as Larry Fitzgerald fights through a hamstring issue. There is some risk here with a new starting quarterback, but I believe the switch to Josh Rosen makes the Cardinals’ offense better, not worse, and Kirk was targeted 3 times in Rosen’s 2 possessions at QB. Kirk is a flex option in deeper PPR leagues.

Rookies to Sit:

QB Josh Allen, BUF (Wk. 4: @GB): Allen is coming off his best day as a pro, a dazzling performance against the vaunted Vikings’ defense where he scored twice on the ground and once through the air in an emphatic victory. The win, however, included a bit of good fortune and good defense early on that staked the Bills to an early lead. Minnesota extended Buffalo’s first scoring drive with a late hit penalty on a 3^rd-down sack. Then Kirk Cousins handed the Bills the ball deep in Vikes territory with two bad fumbles where he just didn’t feel the pressure coming. I don’t expect the same kind of perfect start at Lambeau. There is a chance that Allen does some stat-padding if the Bills fall behind in this one, but I wouldn’t trust him as more than a low-end QB2. The Packers will be playing angry coming off a disappointing loss last week, and they won’t sleep on the Bills like Minnesota did.

QB Josh Rosen, ARI (Wk. 4: vs. Sea.): Rosen has officially been announced as the starter moving forward, and it hopefully will jumpstart the Cards’ offense. I’m hesitant to put much faith in him this week against a Seahawks’ defense that has been playing surprisingly well despite a lot of roster turnover. The ‘Hawks rank 4^th in the league in Football Outsiders’ pass defense DVOA stat. I’ll be watching Rosen closely this week, but he should only be started if you’re desperate in a 2-QB league.

QB Sam Darnold, NYJ (Wk. 4: @Jax.): Darnold has posted back-to-back shaky performances after a strong NFL debut, and now he gets to face one of the most feared secondaries in the league. The Jaguars have allowed the 4^th-fewest QB points per game and will make it a long Sunday for Darnold.

RB Phillip Lindsay, DEN (Wk. 4: vs. KC): Lindsay was a disappointment last week after being ejected for throwing a punch on Sunday. It may have opened the door for Devontae Booker to push his way back into a role in the offense, and Lindsay might see some reduced playing time as a result of his transgression. There’s still a chance that the rookie goes right back to putting up 100 scrimmage yards this week, but I’d be cautious about trotting him out there in lineups this week.

RB Rashaad Penny, SEA (Wk. 4: @Ari.): Penny seemed to be working his way into a big role, but that all changed in week 3 as Chris Carson tallied over 30 carries. Penny is clearly relegated to the second string again, and until we know that’s changed you just can’t trust him in lineups.

RB Nick Chubb, CLE (Wk. 4: @Oak.): Chubb’s time seemed to be on the horizon as Carlos Hyde struggled with his efficiency in the first 2 weeks, but Hyde took a big step forward in week 3. The veteran back posted his best game as a Brown and likely bought himself at least a couple more weeks as Cleveland’s clear lead back. Chubb will continue to spell Hyde for the time being, but he isn’t getting enough work to be useful in fantasy right now.

RB Josh Adams, PHI (Wk. 4: @Ten.): Adams looks like the next man up in the Eagles’ backfield group with Jay Ajayi sidelined, but he’s not worth trusting in fantasy yet. He carried just 6 times in week 3 and wasn’t targeted. There’s a chance that Ajayi returns this week, which would render Adams totally useless. If Ajayi sits, 6-8 touches feels like the most you can hope for.

RB Ito Smith, ATL (Wk. 4: vs. Cin.): Smith will continue to see some work to keep Tevin Coleman fresh as long as Devonta Freeman is out, but not enough of it. Smith handled just 5 touches last week to 17 for Coleman. That kind of work gives him just enough opportunity to flash his skills without being useful in fantasy.

WR James Washington, PIT (Wk. 4: vs. Bal.): Washington has seen much more playing time over the last couple games than he did week 1, but it hasn’t resulted in big production. The Ravens aren’t likely to be the team he breaks out against. Baltimore ranks 6^th in the league in pass defense DVOA, and have allowed just 10 catches to WRs per game, and the vast majority of those will go to JuJu and Antonio Brown.

WR Michael Gallup, DAL (Wk. 4: vs. Det.): Gallup’s targets have climbed from 1 to 2 to 4 in the first 3 games of the year, but he’s caught just 1 pass each week. He also was on the wrong side of a highlight-reel interception by Earl Thomas after Gallup couldn’t hang on to the ball. His usage is trending up, but his production is not. Keep waiting on Gallup.

TE Will Dissly, SEA (Wk. 4: @Ari.): The Seahawks finally got a chance to play from ahead in week 3, and Will Dissly’s production disappeared as a result. Seattle is a 3-point favorite on the road this weekend, and it’s hard to count on him to return to productive ways if they do in fact play from in front. The TE position has been a bit desolate this year, but there are probably better options you can find this week.

TE Mike Gesicki, MIA (Wk. 4: @NE): Gesicki posted his best game as a pro last Sunday, but it’s going to take a bit more than 3 catches for 31 yards for me to buy into the Penn State alum. He was targeted just 3 times against Oakland and had just 1 catch prior to last Sunday.

TE Jordan Akins, HOU (Wk. 4: @Ind.): The Colts are an inviting tight end matchup, allowing the 4th-most points per game to the position and at least 57 yards each week, but Akins has totaled just 5-50-0 in 3 weeks.

Deep League Sleepers, Stashes, and Cheap DFS Options:

QB Baker Mayfield, CLE (Wk. 4: @Oak.): If you play in a 2-QB league and have Cam Newton or Alex Smith as one of your weekly starters, Baker could make for a nice bye week fill-in. He didn’t post a TD in his debut, but he looked fantastic in leading the Browns to just their second win since 2015. The Raiders rank just 31^st in pass defense DVOA, and I don’t think they have quite enough film on Baker to be able to shut him down this week. I’m excited to see what he does for an encore.

RB Nyheim Hines, IND (Wk. 4: vs. Hou.): Marlon Mack’s status is still up in the air for this week, and Hines has shown himself to be the only other Colts’ back worth considering. Jordan Wilkins hasn’t really made much happen with his limited opportunity, but Hines has shown himself to be a useful receiver out of the backfield. It would help him if Andrew Luck gets back the ability to push the ball down the field to create more space for screens and other short passes, but Hines has the athleticism to make a big play happen at any time. That explosiveness makes him an intriguing punt option in DFS tournaments.

WR Antonio Callaway, CLE (Wk. 4: @Oak.): Callaway was a letdown last week, but he was a letdown that was targeted 10 times. If that volume continues, it’s only a matter of time until he has that breakout game. Baker Mayfield’s accuracy and quick decision-making should open up the Cleveland offense a bit, and make Callaway even more of a threat. If he’s still available in your league, you should rectify that. He has solid upside in week 4 against a poor Oakland secondary.

WR Courtland Sutton, DEN (Wk. 4: vs. KC): This week is a good one to take a chance on Sutton in DFS tournaments or if you’re desperate for a flex option in deeper leagues. The Chiefs are heavy favorites and lack much of a pass defense. If Denver is chasing points, Sutton is going to see a solid number of targets against the defense. KC is allowing the 7^th-most WR points per game so far.

WR Anthony Miller, CHI (Wk. 4: vs. TB): Much like Sutton above, Miller is going to face a team with a lackluster defense and explosive offense. The Bears aren’t a team that’s likely to be involved in a shootout, but if you expect Fitzmagic to continue this week, Miller will have a chance to put up a solid day as the Bears try to keep pace. He’s worth a dice roll as a cheap DFS tournament play. He left last Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, but posted that he was fine on twitter afterward.

TE Dallas Goedert, PHI (Wk. 4: @Ten.): Goedert may have been the most surprising rookie performance of last weekend. He managed to out-target and out-produce Zach Ertz in the return of QB Carson Wentz. Wentz’s affinity for his tight ends is well known, so I’d look for Goedert to remain a big part of the offense at least until Alshon Jeffery returns. The Titans have allowed the fewest TE points per game, but they have yet to face a decent tight end. Goedert is an interesting DFS tournament option this week.

TE Mark Andrews, BAL (Wk. 4: @Pit.): The Steelers have been absolutely shredded by tight ends each of the last 2 weeks, and Andrews is averaging just over 8 points per game (PPR). He’s still splitting work with Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams (at least until Hayden Hurst returns), but he is a decent DFS dart throw again this week.

That’s all I’ve got for this week, hopefully it helps you with some of your tougher lineup decisions involving rookies. Keep a close eye on the injury report throughout the week and make sure you aren’t starting any injured players come game day. If you have any questions or want to yell at me about anything written above, feel free to hit me up on twitter (@Shawn_Foss) and let me know. As always: Good luck, trust your gut, and have fun. It’s just a game.

Welcome back to the Rookie Report! We’re 5 weeks in to the season now, so you should have a pretty good idea what your team’s strengths and weaknesses are…but things aren’t always so clear with the rookie class at this point. There are almost certainly some rookies that have been non-factors so far that will make a difference before season’s end. Ronald Jones, Nick Chubb, Rashaad Penny, James Washington, and Anthony Miller haven’t had much of an impact so far, but it doesn’t mean they won’t before season’s end. With that in mind, most of this week’s sleepers are guys that are likely better as stashes for later in the year than players you should be using this week. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any usable rookies this week. Quite the contrary. Let’s dive in and see what to expect in week 6…

Rookies to Start:

RB Saquon Barkley, NYG (Wk. 6: vs. Phi.): Barkley remains an every week starter, even in tougher matchups like this one. The Eagles have allowed the 3^rd-fewest RB fantasy points per game (all scoring and ranks are in PPR format), but Barkley has tallied at least 16 touches and 100 scrimmage yards every week, and has found the end zone in 4 of 5 games.

RB Sony Michel, NE (Wk. 6: vs. KC): The Chiefs rank 32^nd in Football Outsiders’ run defense DVOA stat and have allowed the 2^nd-most RB fantasy points per game, including over 140 rushing yards allowed in 2 of the past 3 games. Michel owns the early down work in New England with Burkhead on IR, and he’s safely a top-15 option this week.

WR Calvin Ridley, ATL (Wk. 6: vs. TB): There is some risk here after Ridley posted just 4-38 on 5 targets last week, but Tampa’s pass defense is miserable (ranks dead last in pass defense DVOA) and Ridley has scored more than half of Atlanta’s receiving TDs this season. If you don’t have 3 studs to start over him, you can’t keep Ridley’s upside benched this week.

Borderline Rookies:

RB Phillip Lindsay, DEN (Wk. 6 vs. LAR): Lindsay’s usage makes him the safer weekly play of he and Royce Freeman, and game script this week should certainly favor him with the Rams favored by 7 on the road in this one. Freeman has had very little impact as a receiver, and Lindsay’s use as a pass-catcher makes him a reasonable flex play in all formats this week.

RB Nyheim Hines, IND (Wk. 6: @NYJ): Hines remains a PPR flex option this week. He’s been averaging 7 catches a game in his past 3 contests, and his receiving floor should be safe even if Marlon Mack manages to return this week. His explosive speed makes him a constant threat to break a bit play, even if we haven’t seen that big play on the field yet.

WR Keke Coutee, HOU (Wk. 6: vs. Buf.): Will Fuller’s health has been a big factor in Coutee’s breakout over the past 2 weeks, but I like the chances that Coutee continues to impress even if Fuller is closer to full strength. The Bills have been very strong defending perimeter receivers, but they rank just 25^th in pass defense DVOA on passes thrown to WRs that aren’t the #1 or 2 guy on their team. Tre’Davious White should be shadowing DeAndre Hopkins, and Coutee should be a great outlet for Deshaun Watson this week. He’s a little riskier this week than he’s been in the past 2, but I like him as a PPR flex play.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB (Wk. 6: vs. SF): There’s always value in being a starting WR playing with Aaron Rodgers. Randall Cobb is almost certain to sit again this week, and there’s no guarantee that Geronimo Allison returns either. That means Valdes-Scantling has a chance to be the team’s WR2 again this week. That’s a role that earned him a 97% snap share last weekend, and he’ll be a viable WR3 in all formats again this week if G-Mo is out again.

Rookies to Sit:

QB Sam Darnold, NYJ (Wk. 6: vs. Ind.): This is a matchup that looks more inviting on paper than it really is. The Colts have given up the 5^th-most passing yards per game, but they haven’t been beaten deep, and Darnold has thrived on the long ball. Of his 8 touchdown throws, 3 of them went for 40+ yards, and 4 of the other 5 went for 20+. The Colts are one of just 2 teams that have given up zero passes that went 40 yards. Indy can be thrown on, but this doesn’t project to be a ceiling game for Darnold. He’s no more than a low-end QB2 this week.

QB Josh Rosen, ARI (Wk. 6: @Min.): The Vikings’ pass defense hasn’t lived up to their reputation in the first 5 weeks, allowing the 6^th-most QB fantasy points per game and ranking 26^th in pass defense DVOA, but Rosen failed to come through in a similarly inviting spot a week ago. The Vikings talent is better than the numbers would suggest, and Rosen could be in for a long day with Larry Fitzgerald ailing.

QB Josh Allen, BUF (Wk. 6: @Hou.): There isn’t enough upside to roll the dice on Allen in DFS tournaments, and his floor is too low to feel great about using him in season-long leagues of any format. He remains a boom-or-bust QB2 if you’re desperate.

RB Royce Freeman, DEN (Wk. 6: vs. LAR): Freeman saw as little work as he has all year in week 5 after head coach Vance Joseph claimed they were going to get him more involved. The Rams haven’t been shutting down the run game, ranking just 28^th in run defense DVOA, but game script could really work against Freeman here with LA a touchdown favorite. I’d be hesitant to play Freeman if I had other strong options. He’s a contrarian play in DFS tournaments. It’s within the range of outcomes that Denver leans on Freeman and the run game to keep the ball away from the Rams’ offense and has success, but it’s not the most likely outcome.

RB Nick Chubb, CLE (Wk. 6: vs. LAC): Sorry if you have Chubb shares, but like him you get to keep waiting for Hue Jackson to get a clue or for something to happen to Carlos Hyde. Chubb hasn’t seen more than 3 carries in any game, and the Chargers have allowed fewer than 55 rushing yards to opposing RBs in 3 of their 5 games. There’s no reason to bank on this being the week when Chubb sees increased opportunity.

RB Jordan Wilkins, IND (Wk. 6: @NYJ): Marlon Mack is practicing in full this week, and if he plays it’s Wilkins who will lose the most work of the two Colts’ rookies. Wilkins’ role has already been shrinking and he’s yet to reach 10 fantasy points in any game this year.

WR Antonio Callaway, CLE (Wk. 6: vs. LAC): The Chargers are not great against wide receivers – they allow the 7^th-most points per game to the position, but Callaway has been unable to get out of his own way. He’s struggled with drops and mental mistakes, and he’s seen his targets scaled back as Hue Jackson promised. He saw just 5 targets in week 5 after drawing 10+ in each of the previous 2 contests. I’m not sure you can bank on more than 5 targets this week, and Callaway has been inefficient with the targets he’s seen.

WR Courtland Sutton, DEN (Wk. 6: vs. LAR): The Rams have allowed 8 touchdowns to wide receivers in the past 3 weeks, but they’ve also allowed fewer than 10 catches to the position in 4 out of 5 games. Sutton is still 3^rd banana in the Broncos’ passing game, and that makes him just a TD dart throw this week.

WR Anthony Miller, CHI (Wk. 6: @Mia.): There’s a decent chance that Miller returns from his shoulder injury this week, but he will likely be limited and Taylor Gabriel really emerged in his absence. The Dolphins allow just the 6^th-fewest WR points per game, so even if Miller gets a decent snap share, the chances he produces are slim.

WR DJ Chark, JAX (Wk. 6: @Dal.): Chark had his best game as a pro last weekend, but that’ll happen when your QB throws the ball 61 times in comeback mode. The Jaguars are a 3-point road favorite this week, so it’s unlikely that the game script repeats itself. Chark will likely go back to being a spectator this weekend.

WR Michael Gallup, DAL (Wk. 6: vs. Jax.): Gallup has just 6 catches in 5 weeks, and faces a Jaguars’ defense that has lived up to its reputation – they’ve allowed the 2^nd-fewest points per game to wide receivers on the year. This isn’t a tough call to sit Gallup.

TE Dallas Goedert, PHI (Wk. 6: @NYG): The G-Men are allowing just the 3^rd-fewest tight end points per game, and the return of Alshon Jeffery has made Goedert a forgotten man in the Eagles’ passing attack.

TE Mike Gesicki, MIA (Wk. 6: vs. Chi.): The Bears have allowed a tight end score in 3 straight games, but Gesicki’s last red zone target came in week one, and he’s yet to hit paydirt all season long.

Rookies on Byes: RB Kerryon Johnson, DET, TE Hayden Hurst, BAL, TE Mark Andrews, BAL

Deep League Sleepers, Stashes, and Cheap DFS Options:

QB Baker Mayfield, CLE (Wk. 6: @LAC): The turnovers from Mayfield over the past 2 weeks have been troubling, but he’s averaged over 300 yards per game in his 2 starts, and the 2 teams he faced have been less giving to QBs than the Chargers have been on the year. Los Angeles is allowing 284 passing yards per game and nearly 3 touchdowns per game. Mayfield is an intriguing play in DFS and a solid QB2 option.

RB Ito Smith, ATL (Wk. 6: vs. TB): It looks like Devonta Freeman is going back on the shelf this week, which means Ito is back in play as a cheap DFS option and flex option in the deepest of leagues. The Bucs allow the 6^th-most RB points per game, and this game has the highest over/under of the week. It’s always wise to target players in a shootout in DFS tournaments. Tevin Coleman will still be the main cog in the backfield, but Ito has shown that he can be productive as the number 2 guy.

RB Ronald Jones II, TB (Wk. 6: @Atl.): Peyton Barber has continued to be wildly inefficient, and Jones dressed for the first time in week 4 ahead of the bye week. It’s only a matter of time before the Bucs see what they have in the rookie. He’s worth a stash in deep leagues, and he might start to show what he can do as soon as this week. Atlanta allows the 3^rd-most RB points per game and ranks 31^st in run defense DVOA, and there isn’t much else to speak of in the Bucs backfield. Things could be lining up for a surprising day from Jones. He is at the very least a cheap punt option for DFS tournaments.

WR Christian Kirk, ARI (Wk. 6: @Min.): Kirk clearly has the best connection with Rosen of any Arizona wide receiver, and there should be plenty of garbage time in this game with the Vikings a double-digit favorite. Kirk will gain value as the year goes on and Rosen gains experience. He’s a player to target in DFS leagues if there are any impatient owners out there.

WR DJ Moore, CAR (Wk. 6: @Was.): Moore is close to being a stash in all formats. He was finally utilized a bit last week, and he showed why people have been itching to see more of him. Moore caught all 4 of his targets for 49 yards, and took one rushing attempt for 18. He’s not quite start-able yet, but it’s coming.

WR James Washington, PIT (Wk. 6: @Cin.): Most people are going to be off Washington this week after he put up a goose egg and played limited snaps last Sunday, but it was more the result on an unexpected blowout rather than his role being diminished. Washington is still more of a stash in deep leagues and dynasty formats, but it’s possible that we get the shootout here that the Falcons-Steelers game was supposed to be. The Bengals-Steelers game has the 3^rd-highest over/under of the week, and Washington should be more utilized than he was last Sunday. He’s only worth consideration in DFS tournaments as a punt option, but his talent will start to show through eventually.

WR Equanimeous St. Brown, GB (Wk. 6: vs. SF): St. Brown made a few plays last week and finished with 3 catches for 89 yards with Cobb and Allison both out. There’s a chance that we have the same situation again this week, and if that’s the case, ESB becomes a shoot the moon DFS tournament option. Valdes-Scantling is the higher percentage play this week, but St. Brown should be on the radar if Allison sits.

TE Ian Thomas, CAR (Wk. 6: @Was.): Thomas was quietly being more utilized over the past couple weeks and isn’t far from being a name to know in deeper dynasty leagues. It looks like Greg Olsen will be back this week, but Thomas has made huge strides this year after playing just 2 years of college ball. Olsen has had a hard time staying on the field in the last 2 years, and he may be rushing back from his current injury that will require surgery at some point. Thomas has seen 11 targets in the past 2 weeks, and that type of usage will become the norm again if something happens to Olsen. The production hasn’t been impressive so far, but it’ll come.

That’s all I’ve got for this week. Hopefully it helps with your tougher lineup decisions that involve rookies. Keep a close eye on the injury report this week, and don’t forget to double check and make sure your players are all active before kickoff. If you have any questions or want to yell at me about anything written above, feel free to hit me up on twitter and let me know (@Shawn_Foss). As always: Good luck, trust your gut, and have fun. It’s just a game.