It was a very strange quarterback week. Jahmyr Gibbs is back, and the wide receiver group goes off. We are back to a massive week for the Rookies.
QUARTERBACKS
Both Bryce Young and CJ Stroud were off this week, but Tyson Bagent got the start, Aiden O’Connell played, and Clayton Tune got the first completion of his career.
Tyson Bagent, Bears
Week 7: 21-29, 162 yards, 1 TD | 24 yards
2023: 31-43, 245 yards, 1 TD, 1 int | 28 yards, 1 TD
The Bears get their second win of the year, and Tyson Bagent is 1-0 as a starter. While his story is interesting, it’s probably not meaningful in fantasy. The Bears are Justin Fields or a top draft pick for the foreseeable future.
The Rest of Week 7
- O’Connell-Raiders – 10-13, 75 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Tune-Cardinals – 1-1, 4 yards
RUNNING BACKS
Only eight rookie running backs even got a touch in week seven. Four of them were undrafted.
Jahmyr Gibbs-Lions
Week 7: 11 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD| 9 catches, 58 yards
2023: 50 carries, 247 yards, 1 TD| 23 catches, 128 yards
Gibbs was a focal point in a game that got away from the Lions. Having to pass this much will likely always be a benefit for Jahmyr Gibbs touch number. This was his best game of the season and the first time he reached 20 touches. He also scored his first touchdown.
Emari Demercado, Cardinals
Week 7: 13 carries, 58 yards| 4 catches, 17 yards
2023: 29 carries, 117 yards 1TD | 11 catches, 63 yards
Emari Demercado led the Cardinals rushing attack in the loss to the Seahawks. He doesn’t seem explosive so far, but he is steady, averaging 4 yards a carry and 5.7 per catch.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos
Week 7: 5 carries, 45 yards | 1 catch, 1 yard
2023: 34 carries, 235 yards, 1TD | 10 catches, 59 yards, 2TDs
McLaughlin is settling into his role as a sidekick to Javonte Williams. Williams had 15 carries and four targets to Javonte McLaughlin’s five and two.
The Rest of Week 7
- Rodriguez, Commanders – 7 carries, 31 yards
- Wilson, Packers – 2 carries, 19 yards | 2 catches, 8 yards
- Mitchell, Ravens – 1 catch, 9 yards
- Robinson, Falcons – 1 carry, 3 yards
- Tank Bigsby, Jaguars – 2 carries, 2 yards
WIDE RECEIVERS
The top four wide receivers already have 400 yards. Four more have over 300. This has the makings of a truly great WR class.
Puka Nacua, Rams
Week 7: 8 catches, 154 yards
2023: 58 catches, 752 yards, 2 TDs
Puka Nacua is back. He needs 25 yards a game the rest of the season to reach 1000 yards. He is on pace for the most receiving yards and catches ever for a rookie. An incredible season.
Josh Downs, Colts
Week 7: 5 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD
2023: 33 catches, 401 yards, 2 TDs
Josh Downs led the Colts in yards, catches, and targets, keeping them in the game with the Browns until the last minute. He has become, at the very least, option number two in Indianapolis and has had success with both Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson.
Jordan Addison, Vikings
Week 7: 7 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs
2023: 29 catches, 401 yards, 6 TDs
Addison is embracing his role as WR1 in the Vikings Offense. When Justin Jefferson returns, Jordan Addison will return to his supportive role, but teams will struggle to guard them both. The Vikings have won the last two games without Jefferson.
Zay Flowers, Ravens
Week 7: 4 catches, 75 yards
2023: 39 catches, 442 yards, 1 TD
If not for Nacua, Zay Flowers would be leading this class. The Ravens offense is cooking, and he is a big part of it.
Jalin Hyatt, Giants
Week 7: 2 catches, 75 yards
2023: 9 catches, 195 yards
Hyatt is as inconsistent as the top four are consistent. There isn’t much between him and a future significant role in New York, but he hasn’t put it together yet. Jalin Hyatt has just nine catches but is averaging 21.7 yards per catch already.
The Rest of Week 7
- Smith-Ngiba, Seahawks – 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD
- Bobo, Seahawks – 4 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
- Rice, Chiefs – 5 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
- Douglas, Patriots – 4 catches, 45 yards
- Wilson, Cardinals – 3 catches, 26 yards
- Reed, Packers – 3 catches, 21 yards, 1 TD
- Johnston, Chargers – 1 catch, 20 yards
- Scott, Bears – 2 catches, 19 yards
- Wicks, Packers – 1 catch, 17 yards
- Tucker, Raiders – 2 catches, 16 yards
- Davis, Chargers – 1 catch, 10 yards
- Palmer, Bucs – 1 catch, 4 yards
TIGHT ENDS
The big four will rotate through the lead at this position all year. Kincaid had the big game this week.
Dalton Kincaid-Bills
Week 7: 8 catches, 75 yards
2023: 25 catches, 193 yards
Kincaid led the Bills in receiving yards and catches. He is settling in as the second option in the Bills passing game and should only improve in fantasy.
Sam LaPorta-Lions
Week 7: 6 catches, 52 yards
2023: 35 catches, 376 yards, 3 TDs
Sam LaPorta had an efficient six catches for 52 yards on seven targets. The Lions got crushed by the Ravens and were playing catch-up. Gibbs had ten targets in the process, competing for short-area targets.
Luke Musgrave-Packers
Week 7: 4 catches, 30 yards
2023: 22 catches, 189 yards
I have no idea what the Packers are. Is Jordan Love good or bad? Who of their rookie and second-year skill players will have staying power? Luke Musgrave is the only one who seems settled. He should be the starter at that tight end spot for the next five years and give whoever is playing QB a weapon and safety net.
The Rest of Week 7
- Mayer-Raiders – 2 catches, 13 yards
- Adkins-Broncos – 1 catch, 3 yards
- Sims-Packers – 1 catch, 2 yards
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