We're halfway through, and both NFL and fantasy teams are hunting reinforcements. For rookies, that means it is time to take off the training wheels and let them shine. Our experts give names to watch.
Question Of The Week
We saw Omar Cooper Jr. and Germie Bernard emerge in Week 6. Rookies often emerge in the second half of the season and become fantasy difference-makers. Who is a rookie you see becoming a lineup regular?
QB Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas
Hicks - Let’s go a little bit left field, but obvious at the same time. The Raiders drafted Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, and Kirk Cousins has done his job by easing pressure on the rookie with professionalism and solid play. Now comes the question of when to ease Mendoza into the lineup. Looking at the schedule, November seems a good month to give him a start. So far, he's only seen the field when the Raiders were getting hammered by the Patriots. He didn’t look out of place, was prepared, and distributed the ball well. That will give him confidence once the Raiders fall out of contention, again sometime in November. By then, the Raiders may have traded for a wide receiver struggling on another team. Let’s say Brian Thomas Jr. The team's position is a glaring weakness as it looks to build weapons for its young quarterback. With Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer dominating targets, the Raiders need another weapon. Multiple friendly defenses in November and December will be a solid foundation for 2027. Fantasy success in leagues where you start 2 QB’s wouldn’t be unexpected, and borderline QB1 play is an optimistic outlook.
WR Carnell Tate, Tennessee
Tremblay - Tate's fantasy production has been limited by Tennessee's quarterback play. But Tate has been the Titans' best pass-catcher since the opener. Over the first four games, he drew nearly 30 percent of the team's targets, the sixth-highest in the league. He has consistently gotten separation against single coverage. In Week 6, in a matchup billed as Tate against Sauce Gardner, he caught all six of his targets, including the touchdown that sparked Tennessee's comeback for its first win of the season.
The problem has been getting him the ball when he's open. Cam Ward has missed him repeatedly, including a sure touchdown against the Giants. Even so, when Ward targets Tate, he averages 8.4 yards per attempt with a 94.3 passer rating, compared with 5.3 yards and a 76.7 rating on throws to anyone else.
WR Ja'Kobi Lane, Baltimore
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