The NFL is in full swing and the fantasy football playoffs are almost here. With 12 weeks in books, it's important to see how this year's class of rookies is doing. Below are the top 14 scoring IDP rookies from week 12. Who are the hot players and are they worth adding to your rosters? Let's take a look and see.
#1 Jack Sanborn, LB, Bears
Making his second appearance in the last two weeks as the top-scoring rookie and 4th appearance overall is Chicago Bears linebacker, Jack Sanborn. I have mentioned before that he’s one of the hottest names in fantasy football and if he can finish out the season at this level of play he’ll be a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The rookie from Wisconsin just continues to impress. Last week on the road versus the New York Jets, he played 63 defensive snaps (100%) and six special team snaps (24%). Sanborn had a box score consisting of 15 total tackles, five solo stops, and one TFL. That stat line would equate to 27.5 fantasy points for the week and his third straight game scoring over twenty points. I know we’ve seen a small sample size of his play, but right now he’s easily a tier-one linebacker play. A must start in all IDP formats.
#2 Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Bengals
At number two on this list is Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who is making back-to-back appearances and 2nd overall. Over the last two weeks, he has been on fire coming in 1st last week and 2nd this week. After missing the first part of the season, Taylor-Britt has really turned it on since his return. Last week on the road versus the Tennessee Titans he played 52 defensive snaps (91%) and five special team snaps (17%). Taylor-Britt would have a stat line consisting of eight total tackles, seven solo tackles, and one forced fumble. Added up that comes to a total of 23.6 fantasy points which would give 52.2 points in the past two weeks. No other IDP rookie has scored more than Taylor-Britt in those two weeks. He’s an excellent play for those that play position-specific leagues. Ride the hot streak!
#3 Martin Emerson, CB, Browns
Making his 6th appearance on this weekly list is cornerback, Martin Emerson, of the Cleveland Browns. If you have been following this list each week then you know that he has been consistently good this season. Last week versus the Tampa bay Buccaneers he played 69 defensive snaps (100%). His box score for the game was four total tackles, three solo tackles, and four PBUs. When you add that up, comes out to a total of 21.6 fantasy points. I mentioned above that he was consistent and his nine games of ten-plus fantasy points in eleven games back that up. Emerson is a player that I have acquired in trades or off waivers the past few weeks and has been so dependable for my teams. He’s a must-add and a terrific play for those that play position-specific leagues.
#4 Jalen Pitre, S, Texans
After a two-week absence from this list, the Houston Texans safety, Jalen Pitre, makes his return and 7th appearance of the year. He has been a fantasy IDP gem to this point and there are no signs of him slowing down. Last week on the road versus the Miami Dolphins he played 67 defensive snaps (88%) and produced seven total tackles, all solos, and one PBU. That would equal a 20.5 fantasy point week for fantasy managers. Pitre leads the Texans in interceptions (2) and third in both tackles (76) and solos tackles (48). Fantasy managers couldn’t ask for a better output from Pitre. He is a must-start in all IDP formats and a rising dynasty gem.
#5 Reed Blakenship, FS, Eagles
You’ve heard me say previously that patience is needed with rookies and that still holds true, but sometimes it takes an injury for a player to get his chance to shine. That was the case for Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blakenship, who is making his 1st appearance on this list. After starter Chauncey Gardner-Johnson went down with an injury Sunday night versus the Green Bay Packers, Blakenship got his shot. He played 35 defensive snaps (71%) and eleven special team snaps (35%). He would register six tackles, three solos, one interception, and one PBU. That box score would add up to 18.3 fantasy points for the week. If you have a need at the safety position Blakenship is definitely worth taking a flyer on. At the very least you can grab him and place him on your taxi squad.
#6 Quay Walker, LB, Packers
Coming in at number six this week is one of fantasy manager's favorite IDP rookies, Quay Walker of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers were already thin at linebacker and the recent loss of veteran DeVondre Campbell didn’t help. Walker who is making his 6th appearance on this weekly list has been huge for Green Bay. Last week on the road versus the Philadelphia Eagles he played 80 defensive snaps (100%) and nine special team snaps (29%). Walker had a stat line consisting of 11 tackles, four solo stops, and one fumble recovery that he returned 63 yards, which added up to a total of 18 fantasy points. This marked the second straight week and third overall that he’s had ten or more tackles. Walker leads the Packers in tackles (93), solo tackles (56), and forced fumbles (3). He’s quickly become a reliable fantasy option and is a must-start in all IDP formats. His dynasty value is only going to get higher.
#7 Damone Clark, LB, Cowboys
At the halfway point of this list, we have our second newcomer, Damone Clark, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. After missing the first seven games of the season being on IR, he returned and has hit the ground running. In fact, he has started the last two games for the Cowboys. Last week versus the New York Giants he played 46 defensive snaps (72%) and had a box score consisting of seven tackles, six solos, and one forced fumble. His fantasy point total for the week would be 16. Clark isn’t someone I am actively seeking out for my fantasy rosters but if I have a taxi squad spot or he can be a roster upgrade then I’ll give him a look. Super small sample size but is worth a flyer in deep dynasty leagues.
#8 James Houston, OLB, Lions
As we start the second half of this week’s list, we get our third newcomer, James Houston, linebacker for the Detroit Lions. Last week versus the Buffalo Bills he played just five defensive snaps (6%) and ten special team snaps (38%). He may have received limited reps but man was he ever efficient! He recorded two tackles, both were solos, TFLs, QB hits, and sacks, and he also had one fumble recovery. Houston is going to be the classic overreaction pickup and start by fantasy managers. A lot will just look at the stat line and roll him out there hoping for a 16 fantasy point repeat performance. I am not one of them, as that type of efficiency just isn’t sustainable. I will add his name to my watchlist and see how he does going forward.
#9 Damarri Mathis, CB, Broncos
Next on the list, we have the third cornerback Demarri Mathis of the Denver Broncos, who is making his 5th appearance. Mathis isn’t a top talent but the volume he gets as a starter on a bad team makes him fantasy relevant. Last week on the road versus the Carolina Panthers he played 66 defensive snaps (100%), which was his sixth straight game playing every snap. He tallied six total tackles, with five being solos for a 15.1 fantasy point week. Mathis is a solid option for position-specific leagues. As long as he continues to get the volume he’s worth starting.
#10 Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Lions
At number ten we have another Lions linebacker, Malcolm Rodriguez who has been a fantasy gem. This makes the 6th appearance on the list for Rodriguez which ties Quay Walker for the lead among rookie linebackers. Last week versus the Buffalo Bills he played 38 defensive snaps (59%) and two special team snaps (8%). His box score for the week was six tackles, four solos, one TFL, and one PBU. Rodriguez would score 14.5 fantasy points for the week. While not a flashy player, he is a workmanlike type of player that head coach Dan Campbell is and wants his team to be. Rodriguez is third on the team in total tackles (64) and has an average of 6.4 per game. There is some concern with Rodriguez as until last week he had started every game and his snap share has gone from 73% through the first eight weeks down to less than 50% over the last three. If that trend continues it could hurt his value. His dynasty value is still up for now.
#11 DaRon Bland, CB, Cowboys
Next on the list, we have our second Dallas Cowboys player, cornerback DaRon Bland, who is making his 3rd appearance. Bland has mostly been a special teams player but has picked up a lot of play on defense the past four weeks. He made his second start of the year last week versus the Green Bay Packers and played 58 defensive snaps (91%) and eight special team snaps (35%). Bland had a stat line of five total tackles that were all solos. He scored 13.8 fantasy points for the week. He’s a decent option in super deep position-specific leagues.
#12 Sam Webb, CB, Raiders
As we get close to the end, we get the fifth cornerback on the list. Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb is making his 2nd appearance of the year. Last week on the road versus the Seattle Seahawks, Webb played 47 defensive snaps (72%) and two special team snaps (6%). He registered five tackles, all of which were solo stops. His fantasy point total for the week was 13.8 points. This is a deep cornerback class and the position overall is deep, so Webb isn’t someone I am seeking to roster at this time.
#13 Chad Muma, LB, Jaguars
At number thirteen we have the fourth newcomer of the week and a name that we all would have guessed would have been on here sooner. Jaguar linebacker Chad Muma got his first career start and played 100% of the defensive snaps (72) and nine special team snaps (33%). His stat line for the week consisted of nine tackles, with four being solo stops. Muma’s fantasy point total for the week would add up to 13. Those of you who were patient and didn’t drop or trade Muma, are about to receive the payout on your investment. Until this week, Muma had been strictly a special teams player but it appears the Jaguars are interested to see what Muma can do as a defender. Muma’s stock had dropped over the first half of the season but this performance will send it soaring back upwards.
#14 Cordale Flott, CB, Giants
Our final player on this week’s list is our sixth cornerback, Cordale Flott of the New York Giants, who is making his 1st appearance. Flott has played in just four games but has made three starts including last week versus the Dallas Cowboys. He’s had mixed results in his four games played but this past week was his best. He played 40 defensive snaps (53%) and two special team snaps (9%) while producing five tackles, with four being solos. He would score 12.3 fantasy points for the week. It’s good to see Flott have fantasy value but being his first time on here, I’m just not interested in having him on my rosters at this time.
All stats provided by Pro Football Reference
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
