Rookie Focus: Week Ten
This is a weekly installment dedicated solely to the rookie class of 2012. The goal is to provide everyone with a list of rookie players who should be on your dynasty roster or radar and track their progress throughout the season. You won’t typically find weekly updates on players like Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. We already know their significance in the offense. Rather, this weekly article will focus on the players who are working to carve out a role for themselves.
While updating the progress of certain players and highlighting the emergence of others, you can expect this article to cover players with big weeks, value rises and declines, depth chart movements, waiver wire suggestions and other recommendations.
Here is the rookie report from week ten:
AFC East
Brandon Bolden, RB NE
Bolden was suspended for four games after failing a drug test for a performance enhancing substance. It has not yet been released what the substance was, but what is for certain is he will be missing some critical time down the stretch. Shane Vereen had already passed him on the depth chart in recent weeks and now he won’t have much of a chance to contribute for the remainder of the season. He wasn’t a fantasy option this year as it was, so if you have him on your roster you are most likely hoping something shakes out for next year anyways.
AFC North
Mohamed Sanu, WR CIN
Mohamed Sanu contributed a whole stat line of career highs in week ten. He totaled four receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown on six targets. He was actually second on the team in receiving and targets to only A.J. Green. Over the last two weeks, Sanu has been starting to see an increase in snaps and is finally getting a chance to prove himself.
AFC South
Vick Ballard, RB IND
Ballard has officially been named the starter for the Colts. It’s not a huge surprise considering Donald Brown’s lack of big play potential (paired with his recent lingering injuries), though Ballard still has yet to show he can offer something much different in the running game. Despite being the official starter, he still split playing time and touches with Brown.
NFC East
Nick Foles, QB PHI
The biggest news concerning rookie values this week was Nick Foles being under center for the Eagles. Following a “significant” concussion, Michael Vick could be out for several weeks. Foles showed a great preseason, and so many were calling for pulling Vick as it was, so Andy Reid will likely use this as an opportunity for developing their third round rookie selection. Keep in mind playing second and third string players in the preseason is quite different than coming into the mix against mid-season form defenses. The Eagles are likely facing a lost season as it is, and there have been reports Reid is willing to ride Foles for the remainder of the 2012 campaign. Foles could quite possibly remain the starter for the foreseeable future, and has the opportunity to play for the full-time position going into the off-season. Following up on my previous advice, it’s probably too late for any waiver move, but keep in mind he is still cheap considering he has the opportunity to fight for the starting position of a talented offense.
NFC North
Ryan Broyles, WR DET
A brief update on his situation following the acquisition of Mike Thomas before the trade deadline: Broyles has been getting limited looks, but it appears to be irrelevant of Thomas’s presence. Thomas has yet to have any impact. Broyles’ snaps may be somewhat limited, but he remains solidified as the third wide receiver in Detroit right now. Although the trade deadline has likely passed in your league, he remains one of my top targets to acquire in this off-season as his role has the potential to grow exponentially.
Jarius Wright, WR MIN
In the absence of Percy Harvin, the Vikings’ 2012 fourth round pick had his first extended looks in week ten. He totaled three receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown, which was good enough to lead all of the Vikings receivers. While he definitely made a good first impression, it is important to note the Vikings are confident Harvin will return in week twelve following a bye. Coach Leslie Frazier has not confirmed Wright will be active in the next matchup, but even if he did earn himself a spot in week twelve, the offense runs through Harvin and Adrian Peterson. These two playmakers demand a great number of touches, so Wright’s looks would be extremely limited as long as they are healthy. Wright remains a stash in deeper leagues.
Note: Chris Rohrer can be found @ChrisR124 on twitter.
