DFS: Deal or No Deal - Rookie Surprises

Other than Amari Cooper and Marcus Mariota, it hasn't exactly been a banner start to the season DFS-wise for 2015's crop of highly-touted rookies. That's not to say there haven't been some unlikely successes, though, from players who were either undrafted or mid-round picks. Let's take a look at three such players and evaluate their prospects going forward.

Karlos Williams, RB, Bills

The fifth-round pick out of Florida State has managed to outperform Buffalo's prized offseason acquisition, LeSean McCoy. Suffering from a lingering hamstring injury, McCoy has struggled, averaging 3.4 yards per carry on 43 attempts, with only one receiving touchdown through the Bills' first three games. By comparison, Williams runs as if he's been shot out of a cannon, with an NFL-high 7.8 YPC (among qualified leaders) on 24 carries, while scoring a TD in each game so far.

With the news that McCoy is considering sitting out Week 4 against the New York Giants in order to give his hamstring time to heal, Williams represents great value at his current backup-level price in most DFS games. Even if McCoy plays, Williams has been making the most of his touches, and with QB Tyrod Taylor getting more and more comfortable throwing downfield, defenses can't stay home against the run. Williams is a viable FLEX or RB2 option.

Verdict: DEAL

Matt Jones, RB, Redskins

Jones, a third-rounder out of Florida, has managed to out-touch Alfred Morris since Week 2, with that game also featuring 146 total yards and two TDs from the rookie in a win over the Rams. With Morris entering the final year of his contract, Washington may be trying to phase out the veteran.

Still, despite Jones being priced higher than Morris in some DFS games, the Washington backfield doesn't have a clear-cut number one option. With only three receptions so far this season, Jones hasn't offered much as a receiver, which was long a complaint of Morris. Chris Thompson emerged in Washington's loss to the Giants as the team's preferred passing-down back, but he can only be considered in games where Washington is likely to be down and forced to abandon the run.

Jones has showed a lot of promise so far this season, but at a relatively high price and with a crowded backfield, he's best avoided this week against the Eagles.

Verdict: NO DEAL

Seth Roberts, WR, Raiders

The undrafted Roberts has seemingly carved out the third receiver role in Oakland, behind Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Roberts has seven catches in three games, but he has scored touchdowns in each of the last two - coinciding with sophomore QB Derek Carr's return from a Week 1 injury.

It's likely too early to bank on Roberts as a consistent fantasy option, but Oakland's passing game has looked better than expected. A major reason for that has been its own awful secondary, which has let opponents score at will, forcing the Raiders to throw to keep up.

As long as Roberts can maintain his rock-bottom price, he's worth taking a flier on as a FLEX or WR3 when the expected game flow would indicate a pass-heavy Raiders' attack.

Verdict: DEAL