Elijah Southwick
@ecsouthwick
It’s crunch time in fantasy football. Each and every week from now until the fantasy football playoffs could change the outcome of your season. With just four weeks left, and some of the season’s early producers slumping here in the middle of the year, let’s look at three rookies who could bounce back and lead their managers to fantasy football glory.
Bijan Robinson
Robinson’s rookie season hasn’t exactly been the fantasy football explosion that many were expecting and hoping for. But his overall amount of opportunities given his offensive situation have actually been very good. It seems that Arthur Smith, every fantasy manager’s favorite head coach, may be finally giving the backfield over to Bijan.
Robinson has recorded 17 red zone touches this season, per PlayerProfiler, but he’s seen just one single goal line carry. That carry came last week, and Robinson scored easily. If Robinson starts to see more goal line usage, his value will skyrocket.
Robinson recorded a season-high 22 carries in Week 10. The Falcons are on a bye in Week 11, but they’ll return to a very favorable schedule for fantasy football running backs. In Weeks 15-17, Bijan will face the Panthers, Colts, and Bears. Robinson could go on a legendary run over the course of those games.
Puka Nacua
Nacua has disappointed in three of his last four outings and then went on bye. His early season outburst is starting to become a memory, and that presents a major buy window for a player who was pushing for top 5 dynasty wide receiver value at different points this season.
Nacua still deserves credit for his insane production in Weeks 1-7. He’ll face some tough defenses from now until the fantasy playoffs, but then faces the extremely soft Commanders and Giants defenses in Weeks 15 and 17.
Matthew Stafford is dealing with a thumb injury, but he’s reportedly practicing in full ahead of the Rams’ Week 11 matchup against the Seahawks. Stafford is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league, and he’s no stranger to playing through pain. The Rams will also get RB Kyren Williams back into their offensive mix soon, and he’s an honorable mention for this list. This offense could start firing on all cylinders once again.
De’Von Achane
Achane could be back in Week 11 after missing four games and the Dolphins then going on bye after their trip to Germany. It’s hard to quantify the impact he had on the Dolphins offense prior to his injury, but let’s just say 518 scrimmage yards and 5 touchdowns in just three games is hard to replace.
Achane’s return to the Dolphins offense potentially represents a resurgence for the unit as a whole. The team’s numbers have dipped slightly from early in the season, but the ceiling is still sky-high for Miami.
Achane looks like a guy who can break fantasy. Unlike Robinson and Nacua, Achane’s schedule toughens in the fantasy football playoffs with games against Dallas and Baltimore in Weeks 16-17. But if we’re just scratching the surface of Achane’s potential, he’ll be matchup-proof when it comes time to make those tough lineup decisions.