Rookie Stock Market: Week 7

*Alexa, play the “Living On a Prayer” Remix by @RookieWhisper*

“We’ve got to hold on to most of the good rookies we’ve got

It doesn’t make a difference if they’re playing well or not

We’ve got each other and that’s a lot of love for rookies

We’ll give it a shot

Woah, we’re almost halfway through the season

Woah, some of my teams are livin’ on a prayer

Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear

Woah, livin’ on a prayer

Livin’ on a prayer!”

Please forgive my cheesiness. I hope you didn’t just pull a Grampa Abe on this article before it even really got started.

But for real, take my hand as we go through the seventh edition of the Rookie Stock Market.

Risers

Harrison Bryant – TE Browns

Week 7 Snap Shot

Mr. Bryant, my pre-draft TE1, has found himself in a pretty good situation, at least for the next couple of weeks. Before Week 7, Bryant was operating as the Browns’ TE2. Although not a flashy title, it still allowed Bryant to see around 50% of the offensive snaps. However, last Friday, October 23 it was announced that the Browns starting TE Austin Hooper would miss Sunday’s game after having his appendix surgically removed that Friday. The Browns later named Harrison Bryant the starting TE and he did not let them down. In Bryant’s first NFL start he eclipsed Hooper’s single-game high for touchdowns with two and nearly passed his single-game yardage high of 57 with 56 of his own.

With a performance like this is has surely impressed the coaching staff and with Hooper likely to be brought back slowly after surgery you could see Bryant with a significant role in the next couple of weeks. Even when Hooper is back and healthy, Bryant should still have a role in this offense, especially after losing Odell Beckham Jr. for the season. Before Odell’s injury, the Browns were already using 2TE sets at a high rate, and with Beckham out of the picture, it would not surprise me if their usage of TEs increased especially after Harrison Bryant’s explosive arrival. Until further notice, Harrison Bryant’s value is on the rise. 

Antonio Gibson – RB Washington Football Team

Week 7 Snap Shot

Washington finally unleashed Gibson? Yep, you could still question it if you wanted. Despite his 20 rushing attempts he still saw less than half of the offensive snaps and was hardly used in the passing game. Going into the season, I don’t think this is not a stat line anyone would have predicted. Gibson was an unproven runner with good receiving chops, and now he gets the bulk of the carries and just one target? Although no one saw this coming, it is very encouraging to see Washington’s faith in Gibson as a runner. But more importantly, is seeing Gibson being very efficient (6.4 YPC) with the large rushing workload. What this really means to me is that Gibson has an Alvin Kamara-type upside. Kamara doesn’t typically shoulder a huge portion of the workload, but he is extremely efficient with the work he is given. If Washington decides to give Antonio Gibson legitimately use as a pass-catcher, the sky is truly the limit for this exceptional athlete. 

Fallers

Chase Claypool – WR Steelers

Week 7 Snap Shot

I really, really hope you took my word on Claypool. As I expected with Diontae Johnson back in the picture Claypool has pushed down the totem pole in Pittsburgh. 64.6% snap rate is respectable, but when you are out targeted by Ray-Ray McCloud it is not a good look. You needed to sell Claypool while the getting was still good. The tweet below really sums up the ever quickly changing value in dynasty fantasy football: 

Last two weeks I advised selling Claypool while he was still perceived as the first or second option in this offense, knowing good and well Diontae Johnson would come back and demand targets. The good news is Diontae Johnson left the game Sunday with an injury so there is a chance Claypool has another good game if Johnson is out again this Sunday and your sell window opens again.

Buys

Darnell Mooney – WR Bears

Week 7 Snap Shot

I hope you have been keeping up with this fifth-round pick as I have. If so you know why I am high on him. Since Week 4 Mooney has clearly been the WR2 in the Chicago offense, overtaking Anthony Miller. Unfortunately, due to less than ideal QB play the rookie has yet to fill up the stat sheet. Via playerprofiler.com Mooney is #84 in catchable target rate and #7 in unrealized air yards. In short, Mooney is playing well but his QB play is holding him back from big production. Considering you have your dynasty players for their careers, and team situations are fluid this makes a Mooney a buy. He is very talented, and reminds me a lot of another fifth-round pick, Mr. Stefon Diggs, and the metrics back that up:

On top of the strong profile and unlocked potential, Darnell Mooney could be in a very favorable situation this Sunday. The Bears WR1 Allen Robinson left Week 7’s game early and is now in concussion protocol. If Robinson cannot go on Sunday, Darnell Mooney could be looking at a lot of targets. Make sure you try to scoop up Mooney before this Sunday. Darnell Mooney was going undrafted in some rookie drafts and after not having a breakout game, I think you could get an owner to bite for a quick profit of a third-rounder.

Sells

Kind of the same ole same ole here. I still don’t think James Robinson’s value will get much higher, so if you are not contending, sell him. If you didn’t already sell Claypool, hope for another big day and sell as he isn’t truly the top option in that offense as some think. If you are offered a first for Claypool I would accept with zero hesitation, as his profile does not suggest success. You can take a look back at my previous articles to see further reasoning on moving Robinson and Claypool while you still can.

Thanks for reading another week of me rambling about rookies, I truly appreciate it! You can follow me on @RookieWhisper for me fantasy content.

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Rookie Stock Market Week 4

Rookie Stock Market Week 3

Rookie Stock Market Week 2