Running backs have been the topic of discussion among the 2015 rookie class, with Matt Jones and Karlos Williams surprising most evaluators and burning up fantasy football waiver wires. We've also seen Marcus Mariota have his ups and downs, and Amari Cooper flash his NFL refinement.
However, Week 3 brought along some new potential rookie sleepers. Thomas Rawls surprisingly emerged as the clear No. 2 running back in Seattle after Marshawn Lynch's injury; DeVante Parker begin to fit into the Dolphins passing game; and Maxx Williams surfaced as the Ravens new seam-stretching receiving option. Let's break them down in our latest round of rookie scouting reports.
MORE: Week 4 fantasy football rankings:
Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Kickers
Is Thomas Rawls Seattle's handcuff if Marshawn Lynch is hurt?
With a late appearance and an early exit by Lynch (hamstring), it was Rawls, not Fred Jackson, who became the Seahawks lead back. The rookie put up 104 yards on 16 carries, taking advantage of a lackluster Bears defense.
Rawls, the former Central Michigan running back, was pushed out of the draft due to concerns about his running vision, lack of top-end speed, and off-field issues. But Rawls didn’t shy away from contact in college, consistently working through tacklers with power rather than elusiveness.
With Rawls getting the carries instead of Jackson, it appears that Rawls is the better handcuff for Lynch. And with calf and now hamstring issues for Lynch in back-to-back weeks, this won’t be the last time we see Lynch in need of rest.
MORE: Who is Thomas Rawls?
Should you pick up DeVante Parker?
Thanks to injury concerns, Parker has been playing catch-up with the Dolphins to start the season. And while Rishard Matthews breakout performance may have been the headline for an otherwise putrid Dolphins offense, it’s Parker’s emergence as a consistent target that’s most intriguing.
Parker’s length and mid-range route explosiveness made him a favorite target of Teddy Bridgewater in college, and he should be able to do the same for Ryan Tannehill now that he’s moved past his injury.
If Parker is available, now is the time to buy. The Dolphins offense won’t be as stagnate as it was for much of the game vs. Buffalo, and Parker is in line to be the clear No. 2 receiver behind Jarvis Landry. Parker is the perfect vertical threat to complement him.
MORE: Best waiver wire pickups for Week 4
Maxx Williams emerging as TE sleeper, bye-week fill-in
Steve Smith Sr. was the only receiving threat that found success for the Ravens, and it’s become clear that Baltimore's decision to roll with Kamar Aiken at receiver hasn’t quite worked out.
The Ravens have invested heavily in tight ends in recent years, drafting four in the last three drafts. While Crockett Gillmore has been a fine red-zone and short-area presence and Nick Boyle has flashed, the team will likely be relying on Williams to step up as the team’s No. 2 receiving option.
Williams, who offered short-area route polish and seam-stretching upside in college, has grown into a bigger role in the offense, finishing the Bengals game with three catches on seven targets after Gillmore suffered a calf injury. With most tight ends in fantasy putting up lackluster starts to the season, Williams is worth owning or at least monitoring.