Quarter two of the NFL season is the place the rookie haze burns off. A few of these first-year gamers are settling in as actual fantasy starters whereas others look extra like stashes for 2026. Roles have clarified, utilization tells the reality, and the splash performs lastly match the tape. The accidents harm, the bye weeks examined depth, however we realized who can assist proper now. Ive acquired the grades.
Heres the rookie report card on whos handed and whos failed from Weeks 5-9.
Dart has been every little thing you can have hoped for and extra. What began as a stream-level quarterback play has become a full-on fantasy soccer tank. Since Week 5, Dart ranks third within the NFL in complete fantasy factors scored on the quarterback place, trailing solely Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes. Hes averaging 22.9 factors per sport since changing into the starter, high 5 within the league, and hes doing it with out Malik Nabers and after dropping Cam Skattebo.
If the NFL Draft had been held once more immediately, Dart can be the No. 1 general decide. Since taking on because the starter, he hasnt completed exterior the highest 16 quarterbacks in any week. Hes scored a speeding landing in 5 of his final six video games and has saved turnovers to a minimal. His solely down efficiency got here in his second profession begin, on the street towards the Saints, and even then, the flashes of poise and confidence had been evident and he nonetheless completed with 17.6 fantasy factors.
Brian Daboll has leaned into Darts dual-threat ability set, utilizing him the way in which he as soon as used a sure quarterback up in Buffalo. The Giants offense appears utterly completely different with Dart underneath middle assured, bodily and inventive. Hes doing all this on a roster that also lacks a real No. 1 receiver (till Nabers returns subsequent season), has a median offensive line and a protection that hasnt held up its finish. Q2 has solidified Dart as probably the most spectacular offensive rookie within the NFL, a fantasy soccer star, and a real-life cornerstone for the Giants future.
This one is bittersweet. Skattebo’s second quarter is an A, and it doubles as his ultimate grade as a result of his rookie season resulted in Week 8 towards the Eagles on a play that got here proper after he punched in a landing. The damage doesnt erase how good he was. Even counting Week 9 scoring, he completed eighth amongst operating backs in half-PPR with 67.8 complete factors, and he carried out just like the RB8 at just below 17 factors per sport. Thats precisely the participant we thought we might get out of Arizona State. Is he the quickest? No. The most important or strongest? No. However no person runs angrier. He introduced juice to the Giants offense each snap ending runs, churning out robust yards between the tackles, catching the ball when known as on, setting a tone the workforce wanted.
Skattebo was greater than a task participant. He was a heartbeat man. The power was contagious, the fashion was excellent for a way Daboll needs to play, and he gave Dart a dependable outlet when the passing sport acquired tight. New York completely hit a house run taking him in Spherical 4, proper alongside what they did in Spherical 1 with Dart and Abdul Carter. Its a disgrace we wont see the total rookie arc, however the field is checked. He proved it.
Now its about therapeutic up and choosing up the place he left off in 2026. So long as the leg heals clear, theres each purpose to consider he returns to being a fantasy star. Last grade for the rookie season Skattebo will get an A.
Jeanty continues to be precisely what the Raiders drafted him to be: a gradual, bodily, every-down operating again. After incomes a B within the first quarter of the season, he holds that very same grade by way of quarter two. Hes averaged 12.6 half-PPR factors per sport since Week 5, good for RB18 over that stretch, and hes achieved it whereas dealing with greater than 80% of the operating again touches in Las Vegas. The workload has been there, the effectivity has been effective, and whereas the ceiling hasnt exploded but, hes been dependable week in and week out.
Jeanty had a bye in Week 8, however throughout his 4 video games on this stretch, hes discovered the top zone twice and crossed the 100-total-yard mark as soon as. Hes producing, even when it doesnt at all times really feel flashy. The expectations for Jeanty heading into the season might need been a bit lofty its simple to neglect how uncommon it’s for a rookie operating again to return in and instantly dominate touches and scoring alternatives however hes doing nearly every little thing you may ask.
The Raiders offense hasnt helped. With Brock Bowers sidelined for all of October, defenses keyed in on Jeanty, forcing Geno Smith to make performs he merely wasnt making. Getting Bowers again modifications every little thing, opens up the sphere and may assist Jeanty discover extra scoring probabilities shifting ahead. By way of two quarters, hes proven he belongs as a volume-driven, plug-and-play fantasy starter a low-end RB1 with strong weekly worth.
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Monangai used quarter two to make a reputation for himself. The Bears had been on bye in Week 5, then over Weeks 6-9 he stacked two top-12 finishes and confirmed why the drumbeat was regular all offseason. He has been the RB21 in half PPR over that four-game stretch at 11.3 factors per sport with 45 complete half PPR factors, good for RB25 within the Q2 window. The headline was Week 9. With DAndre Swift out, Monangai completed because the third-highest scoring again, ripping 198 complete yards on 26 rush makes an attempt with 3 receptions. He additionally cleared 16 factors in Week 7 towards New Orleans, which was the primary sign the function was rising.
Monangai dealt with about 50% of the Bears operating again touches in quarter two, a share that ranks twenty eighth league-wide and better than a number of rookie backs weve tracked. Hes a tackle-breaking machine who finishes runs with violence, and the Ben Johnsons model of David Montgomery comp that floated all summer season appears extra actual by the snap. The seventh-round select of Rutgers didnt put the ball on the bottom in school and performs like hes acquired one thing to show each carry.
An important half is what comes subsequent. Swift getting wholesome shouldnt put this genie again within the bottle. Monangai earned an actual piece of this backfield with how he ran in October and early November. He ought to settle in as a weekly flex with room to spike when sport scripts tilt his manner. Momentum is pointing up for the subsequent stretch.
This one is hard as a result of the floor appears nice whereas the utilization tells a special story. In half PPR for Weeks 5 -9, RJ Harvey is the RB22 on a per-game foundation and sits seventeenth in complete half PPR factors with 53.4. That makes him a weekly RB2 in twelve-team leagues. Hes doing that whereas rating fifty fifth in rush makes an attempt over the identical stretch. You learn that proper high 24 in fantasy output whereas not even high 50 in carries.
How is he pulling it off? Touchdowns and passing-game work. Harvey has scored in three straight and has 5 complete touchdowns on this five-week window. Hes topped 51 scrimmage yards solely as soon as, but Denver continues to dial him up by way of the air. Hes dealt with simply 18% of the Broncos RB rush makes an attempt and 26% of RB touches, however hes seen 15 targets and appears harmful once they flex him as a real receiving weapon. The function is slim, the manufacturing has been loud.
Context issues. J.Ok. Dobbins is operating properly, which caps Harveys speeding quantity, however this offense is above common with a second-year quarterback who stresses defenses, and Sean Payton is discovering methods to leverage Harvey within the crimson space. Whereas Harvey will get a B- for Q2, the hope for Q3 is regular utilization development within the passing sport and perhaps a couple of extra schemed touches between the tackles. If that occurs, he can maintain RB2 worth with no need to reside on touchdowns.
This one feels harsh as a result of the flashes had been actual. Weeks 7-8 had been precisely what you need from a rookie again carving out a task. In opposition to Seattle he turned 10 carries into regular chain-movers and added three catches for 35 yards with a landing. The following week versus San Francisco he stacked quantity and juice with 11 carries and 4 grabs for 111 complete yards. Thats a good two-week run. The bookends had been the issue. Week 5 towards Baltimore he barely factored in a sport Houston managed, then Week 9 at Denver the offense cratered after C.J. Stroud left and Marks by no means acquired rolling.
Zoom out and the utilization is quietly workable. In Q2 he logged 38 rush makes an attempt with 13 targets and performed roughly 47% of the snaps. His RB rush share sat round 40% with a 42% RB contact share. That alerts the workers trusts him as an actual a part of the plan when sport script cooperates. The offensive line hasnt helped and the entire unit has been uneven, however the function is there.
He lands on a C for the quarter as a result of the highs didnt absolutely steadiness the lows, but Im inspired. Not like some rookies dwelling off touchdowns, Marks path is utilization pushed. If Houston stabilizes with Stroud wholesome and the road holds up, his receiving involvement and contact share could make him a weekly flex. Maintain betting on the function rising reasonably than chasing short-term field scores.
I cant consider a extra irritating rookie proper now. The expertise pops the second he will get the ball, but the utilization has been all over. For Q2 he averaged 4.9 half PPR factors per sport. He had a begin with out Rhamondre Stevenson and the chance was there: 14 carries for 55 yards at 3.9 a tote with 6 targets, 4 receptions, 32 yards, no scores. Then New England turns round and palms Terrell Jennings 11 carries for 35 yards and a landing in the identical sport.
This isnt nearly final week both. Since Week 5 weve seen low quantity output from Henderson. The Browns sport in Week 8 confirmed the explosiveness we anticipated, the sort of burst that makes you suppose the job will naturally tilt his manner. As a substitute the Patriots hold slicing the backfield a number of methods with Jennings and Stevenson when wholesome.
Hendersons routes and touches havent spiked the way in which they need to due to this committee method. Im being beneficiant with the C- as a result of it isnt all on him. When he will get daylight, he appears extremely good, and I nonetheless consider the appropriate utilization can unlock him. However proper now hes a low-volume satellite tv for pc with sporadic alternatives, which leaves fantasy managers caught guessing. The hope for Q3 is straightforward manufacture house touches and let him work. Till then, hes a tough participant to belief.
Clevelands rookie tight finish has been one of the vital quietly dependable fantasy choices on the place this season. By way of Weeks 5-9, Fannin ranks because the TE12 in half PPR scoring per sport (10.5 factors), practically equivalent to teammate David Njoku. On a workforce outlined by erratic quarterback play, Fannin has been a stabilizing drive within the passing sport. Hes earned constant quantity already sitting at 51 targets for 352 yards on the 12 months and he continues to carve out significant crimson zone work.
Whereas the Browns offensive inconsistency caps his ceiling, Fannins flooring has confirmed to be as regular as they arrive. He commanded over 20% of the groups targets in Q2, displaying that hes not only a complementary piece however a reputable passing sport weapon. His large sport in Week 8 towards the Patriots eight catches for 62 yards and a landing underscores how useful he may be when given alternatives.
Fannins mix of dimension, palms and route fluidity make him a simple set-and-forget fantasy choice, notably in tight end-premium or deeper leagues. Even in a clunky offense led by Dillon Gabriel, Fannin is proving matchup-proof as a high-floor choice. Strong, reliable and ascending.
There have been solely going to be a choose few A+ grades on this report card. You needed to be on the head of the category, and few rookies not named Jaxson Dart had been extra on high of their sport than Gadsden. After going undrafted in practically each fantasy league, most of you scooped him off waivers, and hes been a league winner by way of Q2. On a per sport foundation, he sits because the TE6 in half PPR, averaging 12.3 factors. Hes functioning as a main large receiver whereas delivering tight finish eligibility lining up exterior, sliding into movement, profitable as a matchup piece everywhere in the formation.
The utilization backs it up. He owns roughly a 16% workforce goal share, proper in step with Jake Ferguson and T.J. Hockenson, only a tick behind Tyler Warren. He has produced true spike weeks already together with an general TE1 end and hes been a double-digit scorer at a place the place that’s a bonus each single week.
This rookie tight finish class is excellent, and Gadsden appears like one of many crown jewels. Hes a singular weapon for this offense, a weekly fixture in lineups, and a participant I anticipate to maintain rolling in Q3. When you discovered him early on waivers or paid up as he began taking off, thats fantasy soccer discover of the 12 months materials. He completely earned an A+.
Truthfully McMillan’s grade says much less about him and extra in regards to the state of affairs round him. The utilization has been every little thing you can ask for from a rookie wideout hes eleventh within the NFL in complete targets, seventh in routes run and high 10 in red-zone targets on the season. The chance is there in each attainable manner. Hes commanding an eighth-ranked goal share amongst all receivers in that very same span and functioning like a real alpha wideout by way of deployment.
The difficulty is that the Carolina offense simply isnt adequate proper now to completely capitalize on that workload. McMillan sits twenty eighth in half PPR factors per sport at 10.3 for Q2, which is extra a mirrored image of quarterback play and play-calling than his expertise or efficiency. Hes had flashes together with a multi-touchdown sport and he continues to be constant together with his route participation and separation metrics, however the offense has restricted his fantasy ceiling.
When you look past the uncooked manufacturing, McMillans doing every little thing proper. Hes getting open, incomes targets and enjoying each snap like a WR1. The one factor lacking is effectivity and scoring consistency each issues that include a functioning passing assault. Proper now hes extra of a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 who might simply spike with a single good sport from Bryce Younger. For Q3, McMillans grade would possibly rise if the quarterback play does, however till then, hes an excellent participant trapped in dangerous circumstances.
Quarter two was a tease. We acquired the blowup towards the Rams 8 catches, 101 yards, 1 landing on 14 targets with Brian Thomas Jr. sidelined and it regarded just like the breakout was lastly right here. The opposite two video games on this window, he was extra gadget than featured piece, movement snaps and fast hitters that by no means become a steady function. After the Week 8 bye we had been set to seek out out if Hunter may very well be that dude for Jacksonville, then the knee damage previous to Week 9 despatched him to injured reserve and shut the door.
Its disappointing as a result of the flashes had been actual. He gained downfield, he separated, he regarded just like the participant managers drafted. We simply didnt get the pattern we would have liked to grade him pretty. For now its incomplete. Effectively see in if theres something to revisit later within the 12 months, however the hope is straightforward get wholesome and are available again to an outlined function, not a bundle.
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