Fantasy soccer rookie watch: Irving operating away as prime rookie RB

Eric Moody, ESPNNov 24, 2024, 08:30 PM ET
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Tampa Bay’s backfield mixture of Rachaad White and rookie Bucky Irving continues to supply, however figuring how which goes to have an even bigger recreation week to week is subsequent to unattainable at this level. Each backs carried the ball 12 instances in Sunday’s lopsided win over the New York Giants, and third-stringer Sean Tucker even added a 1-yard landing within the first quarter.

One factor that is very clear at this level, nonetheless, is the expertise Irving has each as a rusher and a pass-catcher, a job that seems to solely be rising every week. The Oregon product– rostered in 79% of ESPN leagues however began in solely 49.8% this week, completed with a formidable 27.1 fantasy factors behind 87 yards and a landing on the bottom, and 6 catches for 64 yards via the air.

Fantasy managers who trusted Irving sufficient to start out him had been rewarded together with his finest fantasy efficiency of the season.

The Buccaneers’ offensive line, ranked ninth in run block win price, utterly overpowered the Giants’ protection on this recreation, and Irving’s manufacturing stands out — this was his seventh recreation with 10 or extra fantasy factors and his fifth with 15-plus.

What’s much more attractive is the street forward; the Bucs have the second-most favorable schedule for operating backs the remainder of the season, in line with Mike Clay’s power of schedule matrix. With matchups towards the Carolina and Las Vegas arising, Irving is firmly within the RB2 dialog, even whereas sharing touches with White. He is taking full benefit of each alternative.

Different rookie notes to know

Jayden Daniels had his finest fantasy efficiency of the season on Sunday, racking up 30.4 factors towards the Dallas Cowboys. After coping with some ups and downs following a rib harm in Week 7, Daniels reminded everybody of his dual-threat potential. He grew to become simply the sixth rookie in NFL historical past to hit 2,000 passing yards and 500 dashing yards in a season, becoming a member of Kyler Murray, Josh Allen, Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton and Vince Younger. All however Allen went on to win Rookie of the 12 months.
Caleb Williams was excellent towards the Vikings, posting 26.9 fantasy factors — his finest outing since Week 6 when he scored 28.6 towards the Jaguars. He recorded his first profession multi-touchdown recreation towards the blitz and had his most completions on throws of 15+ air yards. He additionally averaged simply 2.42 seconds to throw, tied for the quickest in his profession. Wanting forward, he is a stable QB2 possibility subsequent week towards a Lions protection that is giving up the sixth-most passing yards per recreation coming into Week 12.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. struggled with simply 13 touches and 9.0 fantasy factors towards a Buccaneers protection that allowed the fifth-most factors to operating backs coming into Week 12. The Giants’ offense, regardless of a positive fantasy schedule in line with Clay’s SOS matrix, has been too ineffective to capitalize. Tracy led the backfield in snaps, however Devin Singletary and Eric Grey rotated in as nicely. Even worse, he completed third in routes run — a priority for a operating again who’s a former receiver.
Xavier Legette caught 4 of six targets for 56 yards on Sunday towards the Chiefs, and has hauled in at the very least 4 receptions in three of the final 4 video games. He ought to be firmly on the flex radar for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. That is very true towards a Buccaneers protection subsequent week that provides up the sixth-most fantasy factors per recreation to broad receivers (coming into Week 12). In response to Clay’s power of schedule matrix, the Panthers have the ninth-most favorable ROS schedule for receivers
Bo Nix scored 19.4 fantasy factors towards the Raiders on Sunday, changing into simply the third Broncos rookie to report three straight video games with a number of passing touchdowns. He struggled towards the Raiders’ blitz within the first half, however made some key changes and was far more productive within the second half. Nix stays a low-end QB1, and with the sixth-best rest-of-season schedule for fantasy quarterbacks, I’ve a sense he’ll be on quite a lot of playoff groups.
Malik Nabers completed with a disappointing 12.4 fantasy factors, catching six of 9 targets for 64 yards in a tough Sunday for the Giants. However here is the silver lining: Nabers was shut out within the first half with no targets, however he bounced again with 9 after halftime. He additionally led the Giants’ talent gamers in snaps and routes run, which is spectacular, particularly contemplating he was coping with a groin harm.
Audric Estime led the Broncos’ backfield in snaps, touches (14) and fantasy factors (5.3) towards the Chiefs in Week 10. However throughout the previous two video games, he is had simply 9 touches and seven.0 fantasy factors. Javonte Williams has taken over the backfield, dealing with 12+ touches in every of these video games. Estime is now third within the rotation, behind Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. At this level within the season, he is not a must-hold.
Devaughn Vele had a season-high 9 targets and 80 receiving yards towards the Raiders on Sunday, and he is now posted 10 or extra fantasy factors in three straight video games. Vele’s carving out a stable function behind No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton. He is a dependable goal for Nix and nice discover by the Broncos within the seventh spherical. Vele is on the flex radar for fantasy managers in deeper codecs.