QUARTERBACKS
The rookie QB room is full of questions with few answers. Namely, can Aidan O’Connell, Will Levis, and even Tommy Devito play their way into roles next season? Levis was the only QB to stand out in Week 14 after an injury sidelined CJ Stroud.
Will Levis, Titans
Week 14: 23-28, 327 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 15 yards
2023: 130-213, 1593 yards 8 TDs, 3 INTs | 32 yards
It seems like Levis is the closest of the non-first rounders to be playing themselves into a long-term starter role. The team seemed to rally around him in the late win against Miami. He has had four games of over 200 yards and an excellent TD to INT Ratio.
The Rest of Week 14
- Aidan O’Connell-Raiders – 21-32, 171 yards, 1 int | 15 yards
- Tommy Devito-Giants – 17-21, 158 yards, 1 TD | 71 yards
- Bryce Young-Panthers – 13-36, 137 yards | 40 yards
- CJ Stroud-Texans – 10-23, 91 yards
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson-Browns – 5 yards rushing
RUNNING BACKS
My top four running backs going into this year were Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Kendre Miller, and Chase Brown. I didn’t love Achane because of his size and Zach Charbonnet fell because of his landing spot. Robinson and Gibbs have settled in as one and two. However, Miller is still off the radar in a deep New Orleans backfield. And Brown is starting to show up.
Tyjae Spears, Titans
Week 14: 7 carries, 29 yards | 6 catches, 89 yards
2023: 72 carries, 338 yards, 1 TD | 39 catches, 281 yards
Spears will probably end with over 800 total yards this year. For a rookie whose touches were inconsistent, that’s great. I’m not sure he will ever be the primary back, but I’m not sure Jahmyr Gibbs either and I’m all in on him. Spears could see a huge jump next year.
Chase Brown, Bengals
Week 14: 8 carries, 25 yards | 3 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
2023: 19 carries, 92 yards | 6 catches, 87 yards
The Bengals offense is rolling, and Brown is a big piece of it. He’s turning plays where Joe Mixon would have gotten tripped up into first downs and more. He has solid size and great speed. On his touchdown, he went the second fastest of any player this season. It’s still early but he’s flashed everything that indicates he will be the primary back in Cincinnati when Mixon leaves.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons
Week 14: 10 carries, 34 yards 1 TD | 5 catches, 54 yards
2023: 166 carries, 790 yards, 4 TDs | 40 catches, 320 yards, 3 TDs
Robinson is ninth in rushing yards, twelfth in receiving yards, and eleventh in catches. He’s elite already and will only get better. His receiving numbers might be most surprising. He had 60 total catches at Texas and already has 40.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Week 14: 11 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD | 3 catches, 16 yards
2023: 128 carries, 692 yards, 6 TDs | 45 catches, 288 yards
Gibbs should surpass 1,000 total yards next week. He is a pretty clear RB2 in this class when you already factor in De’Von Achane’s size and lack of availability.
De’Von Achane, Dolphins
Week 14: 7 carries, 47 yards | 5 catches, 24 yards
2023: 62 carries, 580 yards, 7 TDs | 17 catches, 130 yards, 2 TDs
Achane has settled in as the RB3. He is averaging 9.3 yards a carry in an offense that will continue to be great for backs. The biggest issue will be McDaniel finding a way to keep him healthy.
The Rest of Week 14
- Keaton Mitchell-Ravens – 9 carries, 54 yards | 1 catch, 8 yards
- Zach Charbonnet-Seahawks – 9 carries, 44 yards | 1 catch, 4 yards
- Jaleel McLaughlin-Broncos – 5 carries, 25 yards | 1 catch, 7 yards
- Roschon Johnson-Bears – 1 carry, 6 yards
- Israel Abanikanda-Jets – 3 carries, -3 yards
WIDE RECEIVERS
Quentin Johnston showed up just in time to get a new quarterback. Puka Nacua is running away with the top rookie spot. The last four weeks should be an interesting battle between Rashee Rice, Jordan Addison, Josh Downs, and Zay Flowers.
Quentin Johnston, Chargers
Week 14: 3 catches, 91 yards
2023: 29 catches, 333 yards, 1 TD
Johnston had been disappointing this season, but in Week 14, he led all rookie WRs in yards. Easton Stick is taking over at QB for the rest of the season. We will see if he continues his success of the last two weeks with a new quarterback.
Puka Nacua, Rams
Week 14: 5 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD
2023: 82 catches, 1113 yards, 4 TDs
Nacua has quieted down a bit but he is still fifth in yards overall, tenth in catches, and tenth in fantasy points. He’s putting up the numbers as a rookie that few have and has four more weeks to go.
Rashee Rice, Chiefs
Week 14: 7 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
2023: 59 catches, 663 yards, 6 TDs
Rice has had at least nine targets in the last three games. The Chiefs receivers aren’t going to blow anyone away but he is the clear leader in that unit now, and they are going to pass the ball a ton as long as Mahomes is the quarterback.
Zay Flowers, Ravens
Week 14: 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
2023: 63 catches, 673 yards, 3 TDs
Like Rice, Flowers is now the top wide receiver of a passing offense. Unlike Rice, the Ravens typically focus on the run first. That wasn’t the case in Week 14, with Lamar Jackson tossing 43 balls.
The Rest of Week 14
- AT Perry-Saints – 1 catch, 44 yards
- Josh Downs-Colts – 3 catches, 32 yards
- Parker Washington-Jaguars – 2 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD
- Jayden Reed-Packers – 8 catches, 27 yards
- Jordan Addison-Vikings – 2 catches, 27 yards
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba-Seahawks – 4 catches, 25 yards
- Cedric Tillman-Browns – 2 catches, 23 yards
- Jonathan Mingo-Panthers – 2 catches, 22 yards
- Dontayvion Wicks-Packers – 2 catches, 20 yards
- Xavier Hutchinson-Texans – 2 catches, 15 yards
- Tyler Scott-Bears – 1 catch, 11 yards
- Malik Heath-Packers – 1 catch, 6 yards, 1 TD
- Josh Palmer-Bucs – 1 catch, 5 yards
- Xavier Gipson-Jets – 1 catch, 3 yards
TIGHT ENDS
Fresh faces are starting to show up in the tight-end group. There is talent beyond the big four but inconsistent opportunities and production.
Tucker Kraft, Packers
Week 14: 4 catches, 64 yards
2023: 12 catches, 154 yards, 1 TD
Kraft has become a real weapon with Luke Musgrave out. It’s tough to count on him having a role with a healthy Musgrave. But he will get his opportunities without him.
Davis Allen, Rams
Week 14: 4 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
2023: 5 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD
With Tyler Higbee out Allen stepped up. It was just his second game with a catch but he was productive and showed what he might be capable of with more snaps. Before this game, he had just 40 snaps total. In week 14 he totaled 55.
Will Mallory, Colts
Week 14: 5 catches, 46 yards
2023: 12 catches, 141 yards
Another tight end in a crowded room. He was productive catching five balls on just 20 snaps. All four Colts tight ends had between 17 and 24 snaps and Jelani Woods isn’t even in the mix yet. Mallory is interesting but hard to count on.
The Rest of Week 14
- Sam LaPorta-Lions – 2 catches, 23 yards
- Dalton Kincaid-Bills – 5 catches, 21 yards
- Michael Mayer-Raiders – 1 catch, 14 yards
- Darnell Washington-Steelers – 1 catch, 12 yards
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