After a brief hiatus, I am back to continue this quick series. There have been a couple moves and 6 games have been played since the last post. Now that week 8 is in the books we can take a look at how the rookies performed, where they are in line with my predictions, and maybe update a few predictions. I did not include any of the week 9 match-ups in this article.
Samuel Zhang – 23rd overall – Arizona Outlaws
Prediction: around 500 yards and 4 TDs
We are back and Samuel Zhang is up first. Looking at weeks 3 through 8, Zhang had 2 games I would consider very productive. The first performance was in week 3 where the Arizona Outlaws faced off with the Las Vegas Legion. Zhang reeled in 5 catches for 82 yards setting a new record for receiving yards in a game. His next game we will look at is the week 8 match-up between the Outlaws and the Wraiths. As mentioned in my last article, Zhang was due for a breakout game and it happened in week 8. Zhang exploded this game, leading the team in receptions (6) and receiving yards (103) raising the bar yet again for career high receiving yards. Now that we are halfway through the season, the projections will be a little more realistic. Now through 8 games, Zhang is now on pace for 54 receptions, 686 yards, and 4 TDs. It will be fun to see how opposing teams game plan for young Zhang moving forward.
Jaquan Young – 28th overall – Yeti
Prediction: 250 yards and 2 TDs
JaQuan Young is doing about as well as you would expect from a rookie playing for the struggling Yeti. While rookie quarterback Nicholas Pierno gets used to the speed of the NSFL, the entire team will feel his growing pains. Through the last 6 games, Young has amassed 11 catches for 86 yards. His best performance coming in week 8 against the Philadelphia Liberty where he had 4 receptions for 32 yards. These are both new career highs for Young. His performances through the first half has him on pace for 25 catches, 226 yards, and still 0 TDs.
Connor Tanner – 41st overall – Las Vegas Legion
Prediction: 400 yards and 3 TDs
Connor Tanner has had an exciting last few weeks. After starting the season as a member of the Tijuana Luchadores, he was called up by the Las Vegas Legion. When playing in the DSFL, he was a top performer each week. Unfortunately for Connor, the NSFL has not been nearly as friendly. In the 3 games since joining the Legion, his production has been down nearly 50% vs. his time with the Luchadores. During his 3 NSFL games, he has only managed 6 catches for 47 yards. Now through 8 games, Tanner has 22 catches for 226 yards and an average of 10.3 YPC. Even after his limited production in weeks 6-8, Tanner is still on pace for 39 catches, 396 yards and 2 TDs.
Budda Browning – 43rd overall – Philadelphia Liberty
Prediction: about 300 yards and 1 TD
Budda Browning has been a model of consistency for the Liberty. Browning was on the field a lot more in the last few games and saw a slight uptick in production in weeks 3 and 4. In week 3, he had 5 catches for 31 yards followed by 6 catches for 43 yards in week 4. This sets a new career high in receptions and yardage for Budda. Through 8 weeks now, he is on pace for 40 receptions and 322 yards. Unfortunately, he has still yet to find the end zone.
Nate Atasuke – 46th overall – Otters
Prediction: 400 yards and 2 TDs
The Orange County Otters have been on a roll and everyone is benefitting from it. Nate Atasuke has been a consistent target for Mike Boss. After have a few mundane games, Atasuke had an exceptional game in week 6 pulling in 5 receptions for 75 yards and his first touchdown. He then had a repeat performance in week 7 with 4 catches for another 76 yards. Week 8 did see his production decline but he did manage to find the end zone for the second time this season. All in all, Nate is reaping the rewards of being on such a prolific offense. Through 8 games, he has recorded 34 receptions for 391 yards and 2 TDs. Atasuke on pace for 60 receptions and 684 yards and 4 TDs.
Brian Wheat – 47th overall – Kansas City Coyotes
Prediction: 300 yards and 2 TDs
After having a slow start to his season in Baltimore, Brian Wheat was eventually sent down to the DSFL. This was likely due to the Hawks trading for Stormblessed. While many may see this as a demotion, I feel it is the perfect scenario for Wheat to get acclimated with the league and face off against players of a similar tenure. Wheat was scooped up by the Kansas City Coyotes and was immediately added to their starting roster. From here, Wheat wasted no time showing off his skills and capabilities by recording 5 catches for 112 yards in his DSFL debut. This is a new career high for both receptions and receiving yards. He followed up that performance with another 5 receptions for 37 yards. Wheat is expected to finish out this season as a member of the Coyotes and the sky is the limit for him. With this performance, Wheat is on pace for 26 catches for 315 yards and 2 TDs.
Trey Willie – 10th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 700-1000 with 7 TDs
Trey Willie is not surprising anyone with his performance this season. He was drafted high for this very purpose and so far has not disappointed. Through 8 weeks of play, Willie has eclipsed the 100 yard mark 3 times and accumulated 668 yards on 40 receptions. What may be more surprising is seeing Willie on special teams now. As a primary return man for kickoffs, Willie has returned 18 balls averaging 28 yards per return and even took returned 1 ball 91 yards for a TD. With the season half over, Willie is on pace for 70 receptions, 1169 yards, and 4 TDs and is being mentioned for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
1046 words
GRADED
Samuel Zhang – 23rd overall – Arizona Outlaws
Prediction: around 500 yards and 4 TDs
We are back and Samuel Zhang is up first. Looking at weeks 3 through 8, Zhang had 2 games I would consider very productive. The first performance was in week 3 where the Arizona Outlaws faced off with the Las Vegas Legion. Zhang reeled in 5 catches for 82 yards setting a new record for receiving yards in a game. His next game we will look at is the week 8 match-up between the Outlaws and the Wraiths. As mentioned in my last article, Zhang was due for a breakout game and it happened in week 8. Zhang exploded this game, leading the team in receptions (6) and receiving yards (103) raising the bar yet again for career high receiving yards. Now that we are halfway through the season, the projections will be a little more realistic. Now through 8 games, Zhang is now on pace for 54 receptions, 686 yards, and 4 TDs. It will be fun to see how opposing teams game plan for young Zhang moving forward.
Jaquan Young – 28th overall – Yeti
Prediction: 250 yards and 2 TDs
JaQuan Young is doing about as well as you would expect from a rookie playing for the struggling Yeti. While rookie quarterback Nicholas Pierno gets used to the speed of the NSFL, the entire team will feel his growing pains. Through the last 6 games, Young has amassed 11 catches for 86 yards. His best performance coming in week 8 against the Philadelphia Liberty where he had 4 receptions for 32 yards. These are both new career highs for Young. His performances through the first half has him on pace for 25 catches, 226 yards, and still 0 TDs.
Connor Tanner – 41st overall – Las Vegas Legion
Prediction: 400 yards and 3 TDs
Connor Tanner has had an exciting last few weeks. After starting the season as a member of the Tijuana Luchadores, he was called up by the Las Vegas Legion. When playing in the DSFL, he was a top performer each week. Unfortunately for Connor, the NSFL has not been nearly as friendly. In the 3 games since joining the Legion, his production has been down nearly 50% vs. his time with the Luchadores. During his 3 NSFL games, he has only managed 6 catches for 47 yards. Now through 8 games, Tanner has 22 catches for 226 yards and an average of 10.3 YPC. Even after his limited production in weeks 6-8, Tanner is still on pace for 39 catches, 396 yards and 2 TDs.
Budda Browning – 43rd overall – Philadelphia Liberty
Prediction: about 300 yards and 1 TD
Budda Browning has been a model of consistency for the Liberty. Browning was on the field a lot more in the last few games and saw a slight uptick in production in weeks 3 and 4. In week 3, he had 5 catches for 31 yards followed by 6 catches for 43 yards in week 4. This sets a new career high in receptions and yardage for Budda. Through 8 weeks now, he is on pace for 40 receptions and 322 yards. Unfortunately, he has still yet to find the end zone.
Nate Atasuke – 46th overall – Otters
Prediction: 400 yards and 2 TDs
The Orange County Otters have been on a roll and everyone is benefitting from it. Nate Atasuke has been a consistent target for Mike Boss. After have a few mundane games, Atasuke had an exceptional game in week 6 pulling in 5 receptions for 75 yards and his first touchdown. He then had a repeat performance in week 7 with 4 catches for another 76 yards. Week 8 did see his production decline but he did manage to find the end zone for the second time this season. All in all, Nate is reaping the rewards of being on such a prolific offense. Through 8 games, he has recorded 34 receptions for 391 yards and 2 TDs. Atasuke on pace for 60 receptions and 684 yards and 4 TDs.
Brian Wheat – 47th overall – Kansas City Coyotes
Prediction: 300 yards and 2 TDs
After having a slow start to his season in Baltimore, Brian Wheat was eventually sent down to the DSFL. This was likely due to the Hawks trading for Stormblessed. While many may see this as a demotion, I feel it is the perfect scenario for Wheat to get acclimated with the league and face off against players of a similar tenure. Wheat was scooped up by the Kansas City Coyotes and was immediately added to their starting roster. From here, Wheat wasted no time showing off his skills and capabilities by recording 5 catches for 112 yards in his DSFL debut. This is a new career high for both receptions and receiving yards. He followed up that performance with another 5 receptions for 37 yards. Wheat is expected to finish out this season as a member of the Coyotes and the sky is the limit for him. With this performance, Wheat is on pace for 26 catches for 315 yards and 2 TDs.
Trey Willie – 10th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 700-1000 with 7 TDs
Trey Willie is not surprising anyone with his performance this season. He was drafted high for this very purpose and so far has not disappointed. Through 8 weeks of play, Willie has eclipsed the 100 yard mark 3 times and accumulated 668 yards on 40 receptions. What may be more surprising is seeing Willie on special teams now. As a primary return man for kickoffs, Willie has returned 18 balls averaging 28 yards per return and even took returned 1 ball 91 yards for a TD. With the season half over, Willie is on pace for 70 receptions, 1169 yards, and 4 TDs and is being mentioned for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
1046 words
GRADED
[div align=center][/select]
[div align=center]
[div align=center]