DFS: Week 8 Rookie Power Rankings
Rookie RBs T.J. Yeldon of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ameer Abdullah of the Detroit Lions, and WRs Nelson Agholor of the Philadelphia Eagles and DeVante Parker of the Miami Dolphins will be unavailable for the DFS main slate in Week 8.
Here's how the prospects stack up for the remaining rookies:
Quarterback
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers (at Falcons)
Winston had the best passing day of his young career in a Week 7 loss to the Washington Redskins, completing 21 of 29 pass attempts for 297 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. That's now back-to-back weeks without an interception for Winston.
The Falcons pass defense has given up more passing yards than Washington's, but they've allowed fewer yards per pass attempt, and fewer passing touchdowns.
The potential absence of WR Vincent Jackson could be a major loss for Winston, as that would leave WR Mike Evans under the coverage of ProFootballFocus' No. 5 ranked cornerback, Desmond Trufant.
Still, the Buccaneers will likely need to pass enough while on the road that Winston should pay off.
Running Back
Todd Gurley, Rams (vs. 49ers)
Gurley scored the first touchdown of his career in Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns. He scored his second career TD shortly after, and has rushed for 144.3 yards per game over his last three.
Gurley also added four receptions for 35 yards in Week 7, providing an unnecessary but welcome boost to his production.
The 49ers rank 24th in the league, having given up 793 rushing yards on the season. The Rams rush the ball on 46.62% of all offensive plays - a number that will rise as Gurley further exerts his dominance over opposing defenses.
Duke Johnson Jr., Browns (vs. Cardinals)
Johnson Jr. led the Browns backfield for the sixth consecutive week with 39% of offensive snaps played in Week 7. More interestingly, even RB Robert Turbin outsnapped Isaiah Crowell in Week 7.
Crowell still leads the Browns in all major rushing statistics, but Johnson Jr. has been the team's third leading receiver this year. His 90 yards from scrimmage in Week 7 were his most since Week 4. He has a low touchdown potential, but the yards should continue to be there, thanks to his value in the passing game.
David Johnson, Cardinals (at Browns)
Johnson moved into an even split with RB Andre Ellington in Week 7, with both playing 29% of the offensive snaps. Johnson raises his value by also playing 32% of special teams snaps.
RB Chris Johnson has been wowing coaches and fans with his work as the bell cow rusher. Both Johnson and Ellington can be avoided until Johnson falters.
Melvin Gordon, Chargers (at Ravens)
Gordon played 17% of the offensive snaps last week; he's still being punished for his two fumbles the previous week. He may yet have a big week this season, but DFS owners can't trust him until his coaches regain faith.
Tevin Coleman, Falcons (vs. Buccaneers)
Coleman has received just seven total touches in the past two weeks, all of them rushes. He has turned them into an impressive 54 yards, but there's just no surpassing Devonta Freeman at this point.
Wide Receiver
Amari Cooper, Raiders (vs. Jets)
Cooper's toughest matchup of the season came against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, when he was held to just 47 yards by CBs Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib. He did manage to catch all four of his targets.
Cooper will have another tough matchup in Week 8. The Jets are allowing only 8.7 targets and 55.7 yards per game to opposing No. 1 receivers this season. Cooper will be a contrarian play against such a tough matchup. He's quickly becoming good enough to still achieve success.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at Cowboys)
Lockett finally made an impact as a receiver in Week 7, playing 56.0% of offensive snaps and hauling in all five of his targets. Lockett finished the day with 79 receiving yards, including a 43-yard touchdown.
According to FootballOutsiders.com, the Cowboys grade worst against "other receivers." That's perfect for Lockett, as he's unlikely to be higher than QB Russell Wilson's No. 4 option in the passing game.
Devin Funchess, Panthers (vs. Colts)
Funchess played 30% of the offensive snaps in Week 7, good for fourth among Panthers receivers. Funchess remains behind Ted Ginn Jr., Corey Brown and Jerricho Cotchery in most major statistics, but he has received more targets than Cotchery on the season. Unfortunately for Funchess, he has caught just six of his 21 targets, dropping two.
He's nothing but a dart throw in GPPs.
Dorial Green-Beckham, Titans (at Texans)
Green-Beckham will almost certainly be on a winning GPP roster at some point this season. His talent has been obvious through seven weeks of the NFL season, but his coaches seem unwilling to utilize it.
DGB can be avoided whether it's Mariota or Zach Mettenberger at quarterback.
Avoid
Ty Montgomery, Packers (at Broncos)
Phillip Dorsett, Colts (at Panthers)
Montgomery and Dorsett's respective teams go up against the league's two best pass defenses in Week 8. All unproved receivers should be avoided against the Broncos and Panthers for the remainder of the season.