Now that week 10 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.
Samuel Zhang – 23rd overall – Arizona Outlaws
Prediction: around 500 yards and 4 TDs
After Samuel Zhang’s fantastic game in week 8, Zhang and the Outlaws traveled to Baltimore to face off against the NSFC leading Hawks. Although the Outlaws took a run first approach in this game, Zhang was still able to have an impactful game. He led the team in receptions (4) and yards (70). In week 10, the Outlaws played host to the visiting Otters. This was the ASFC matchup we were waiting to see and it didn’t disappoint. The Otters were held in check as they put up a season low 7 points. As for Zhang, he too was limited in his production. He pulled in just 2 receptions for 24 yards. Through 10 games now, Zhang has accumulated 486 yards on 37 catches averaging 13.1 YPC. He also has 2 TDs so far this season. At this rate, he will finish the season with 52 receptions for 680 yards and 3 TDs.
Jaquan Young – 28th overall – Yeti
Prediction: 250 yards and 2 TDs
JaQuan Young had a pair of down games in weeks 9 and 10. Although the Yeti stunned the Wraiths in week 9, Young had very little impact on this game. It is hard to expect much production when QB Nicholas Pierno only completes 15 passes all game. Of those 15 completions, Young was on the receiving end of 2 of them racking up 13 yards. In week 10, the Yeti traveled across country to Baltimore. While the Yeti were expected to lose, I don’t think anyone would have predicted this outcome. Through a full 60 minutes of play, Pierno only completed 11 passes and failed to eclipse the 100 yard mark. Of those 11 completions, JaQuan managed 2 receptions for only 6 yards. Baltimore went on to win this one 47-0. Young’s performances through 10 weeks now has him on pace for 25 catches, 207 yards, and still 0 TDs.
Connor Tanner – 41st overall – Legion
Prediction: 400 yards and 3 TDs
Everyone, Connor Tanner has arrived. After dominating in the DSFL, he was called up in week 6 and saw a drastic decline in offensive production once in the NSFL. Tanner found his groove in week 9 though when his Legion played a hard fought game against the Orange County Otters. Tanner reigned in 5 catches for 68 yards. This is a new career high for receptions in a game. He returned in week 10 where the Legion traveled to San Jose and shocked everyone with a road win over the Sabercats. Tanner was very involved in this game as well as he had another 5 catches for 49 yards and 2 TDs! It was nearly 3 TDs but he was stopped on the 1 yard line where the Legion punched the ball into the end zone via Ardie Savea on the next play. Now through 10 games, Tanner has 32 catches for 343 yards and an average of 10.7 YPC. After these 2 amazing performances, Tanner is on pace for 45 catches, 480 yards and likely 5 TDs.
Budda Browning – 43rd overall – Philadelphia Liberty
Prediction: about 300 yards and 1 TD
Budda Browning had 2 very typical games in weeks 9 and 10. In week 9, the Liberty played host to the San Jose Sabercats. The Liberty was able to score a lot quickly as they had a 21 point lead halfway through the 2nd quarter. The Liberty had 2 receivers pass the century mark in receiving yards but unfortunately Budda was not one of them. Browning did add some production to the team to the tune of 3 catches for 33 yards. In week 10, the Liberty traveled north of the border where they lost a close one in Yellowknife. Aside from TE Paul DiMirio, nobody on the Liberty sideline had a great game. Browning was in the middle of the receiver pack with 2 catches for 27 yards. Through 10 weeks now, Budda has 28 receptions for 244 yards and an average 8.7 YPC. He is on pace for 40 receptions and 342 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 continued their offensive dominance in week 9. Nate Atasuke continues to be a consistent target for Mike Boss. In the victory over the Legion in week 9, Nate pulled in 7 receptions for 66 yards. This ties his high for receptions in a game. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and week 10 was an example of this. Orange County faced off against the Outlaws in Arizona and they were stifled. Boss dropped back 54 times however, the Otters were only able to score 7 points. It was a bad stat week for the boys in orange and Budda was no exception. He managed just 1 catch for 6 yards. All in all, Nate is having a great rookie season and he was the first rookie to exceed my yardage prediction. Through 10 games now, he has recorded 42 receptions for 463 yards, a 11.0 YPC average, and 2 TDs. Atasuke on pace for 59 receptions and 648 yards and 3 TDs.
Brian Wheat – 47th overall – Kansas City Coyotes
Prediction: 300 yards and 2 TDs
Since being acquired by the Kansas City Coyotes, Brian Wheat has been a stud. Wheat is active and has been exceptional the past few weeks. After his 112 yard game, Brian Wheat followed up that performance in week 9 with another 87 yards on 5 catches. He also scored his first DSFL TD. Week 10 was more of the same. He followed up the week 9 performance with another 4 receptions for 73 more yards. Even with his time split between the NSFL and DSFL, he has racked up 24 catches for 340 yards, an impressive 14.2 YPC average and 2 TDs. With this performance, Wheat is on pace for 34 catches for 476 yards and 3 TDs. I did not adjust my prediction when he transitioned to the DSFL so he has dwarfed my 300 predictions and could likely pile on another 200+ yards this season.
Trey Willie – 10th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 700-1000 with 7 TDs
Week 9 had the Hawks hosting the Outlaws. The game ended as everyone expected with the Outlaws winning. Despite the 11 point margin of victory, the game was close until the final 3 minutes when Scrub threw an interception that was returned 45 yards to seal the win for Arizona. Trey Willie led the team in receptions during this contest with 5 and matched Stormblessed in yards with 96. In week 10, the Yeti traveled to Baltimore in what was assumed to be an easy win for the Hawks. While the Hawks did leave with the W, nobody could have predicted the 47-0 final score. The Hawks found the end zone 6 times during this contest and you would expect Willie to have at least one of those on his stat line but that was not the case. Of the 227 total passing yards and 47 points scored, Willie only contributed with 63 yards on 4 receptions. In week 11, the Hawks host San Jose in what is hopefully a bounce back game for Willie. Through 10 games, Willie has accumulated 49 receptions for 827 yards, a 16.9 YPC average, and 2 TDs. Willie has also surpassed my initial 700 yard projection mostly due in part to his rise up the Hawks depth chart. Willie could still finish the season with 69 receptions, 1158 yards, and 3TDs.
1303 words
GRADED
Samuel Zhang – 23rd overall – Arizona Outlaws
Prediction: around 500 yards and 4 TDs
After Samuel Zhang’s fantastic game in week 8, Zhang and the Outlaws traveled to Baltimore to face off against the NSFC leading Hawks. Although the Outlaws took a run first approach in this game, Zhang was still able to have an impactful game. He led the team in receptions (4) and yards (70). In week 10, the Outlaws played host to the visiting Otters. This was the ASFC matchup we were waiting to see and it didn’t disappoint. The Otters were held in check as they put up a season low 7 points. As for Zhang, he too was limited in his production. He pulled in just 2 receptions for 24 yards. Through 10 games now, Zhang has accumulated 486 yards on 37 catches averaging 13.1 YPC. He also has 2 TDs so far this season. At this rate, he will finish the season with 52 receptions for 680 yards and 3 TDs.
Jaquan Young – 28th overall – Yeti
Prediction: 250 yards and 2 TDs
JaQuan Young had a pair of down games in weeks 9 and 10. Although the Yeti stunned the Wraiths in week 9, Young had very little impact on this game. It is hard to expect much production when QB Nicholas Pierno only completes 15 passes all game. Of those 15 completions, Young was on the receiving end of 2 of them racking up 13 yards. In week 10, the Yeti traveled across country to Baltimore. While the Yeti were expected to lose, I don’t think anyone would have predicted this outcome. Through a full 60 minutes of play, Pierno only completed 11 passes and failed to eclipse the 100 yard mark. Of those 11 completions, JaQuan managed 2 receptions for only 6 yards. Baltimore went on to win this one 47-0. Young’s performances through 10 weeks now has him on pace for 25 catches, 207 yards, and still 0 TDs.
Connor Tanner – 41st overall – Legion
Prediction: 400 yards and 3 TDs
Everyone, Connor Tanner has arrived. After dominating in the DSFL, he was called up in week 6 and saw a drastic decline in offensive production once in the NSFL. Tanner found his groove in week 9 though when his Legion played a hard fought game against the Orange County Otters. Tanner reigned in 5 catches for 68 yards. This is a new career high for receptions in a game. He returned in week 10 where the Legion traveled to San Jose and shocked everyone with a road win over the Sabercats. Tanner was very involved in this game as well as he had another 5 catches for 49 yards and 2 TDs! It was nearly 3 TDs but he was stopped on the 1 yard line where the Legion punched the ball into the end zone via Ardie Savea on the next play. Now through 10 games, Tanner has 32 catches for 343 yards and an average of 10.7 YPC. After these 2 amazing performances, Tanner is on pace for 45 catches, 480 yards and likely 5 TDs.
Budda Browning – 43rd overall – Philadelphia Liberty
Prediction: about 300 yards and 1 TD
Budda Browning had 2 very typical games in weeks 9 and 10. In week 9, the Liberty played host to the San Jose Sabercats. The Liberty was able to score a lot quickly as they had a 21 point lead halfway through the 2nd quarter. The Liberty had 2 receivers pass the century mark in receiving yards but unfortunately Budda was not one of them. Browning did add some production to the team to the tune of 3 catches for 33 yards. In week 10, the Liberty traveled north of the border where they lost a close one in Yellowknife. Aside from TE Paul DiMirio, nobody on the Liberty sideline had a great game. Browning was in the middle of the receiver pack with 2 catches for 27 yards. Through 10 weeks now, Budda has 28 receptions for 244 yards and an average 8.7 YPC. He is on pace for 40 receptions and 342 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 continued their offensive dominance in week 9. Nate Atasuke continues to be a consistent target for Mike Boss. In the victory over the Legion in week 9, Nate pulled in 7 receptions for 66 yards. This ties his high for receptions in a game. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and week 10 was an example of this. Orange County faced off against the Outlaws in Arizona and they were stifled. Boss dropped back 54 times however, the Otters were only able to score 7 points. It was a bad stat week for the boys in orange and Budda was no exception. He managed just 1 catch for 6 yards. All in all, Nate is having a great rookie season and he was the first rookie to exceed my yardage prediction. Through 10 games now, he has recorded 42 receptions for 463 yards, a 11.0 YPC average, and 2 TDs. Atasuke on pace for 59 receptions and 648 yards and 3 TDs.
Brian Wheat – 47th overall – Kansas City Coyotes
Prediction: 300 yards and 2 TDs
Since being acquired by the Kansas City Coyotes, Brian Wheat has been a stud. Wheat is active and has been exceptional the past few weeks. After his 112 yard game, Brian Wheat followed up that performance in week 9 with another 87 yards on 5 catches. He also scored his first DSFL TD. Week 10 was more of the same. He followed up the week 9 performance with another 4 receptions for 73 more yards. Even with his time split between the NSFL and DSFL, he has racked up 24 catches for 340 yards, an impressive 14.2 YPC average and 2 TDs. With this performance, Wheat is on pace for 34 catches for 476 yards and 3 TDs. I did not adjust my prediction when he transitioned to the DSFL so he has dwarfed my 300 predictions and could likely pile on another 200+ yards this season.
Trey Willie – 10th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 700-1000 with 7 TDs
Week 9 had the Hawks hosting the Outlaws. The game ended as everyone expected with the Outlaws winning. Despite the 11 point margin of victory, the game was close until the final 3 minutes when Scrub threw an interception that was returned 45 yards to seal the win for Arizona. Trey Willie led the team in receptions during this contest with 5 and matched Stormblessed in yards with 96. In week 10, the Yeti traveled to Baltimore in what was assumed to be an easy win for the Hawks. While the Hawks did leave with the W, nobody could have predicted the 47-0 final score. The Hawks found the end zone 6 times during this contest and you would expect Willie to have at least one of those on his stat line but that was not the case. Of the 227 total passing yards and 47 points scored, Willie only contributed with 63 yards on 4 receptions. In week 11, the Hawks host San Jose in what is hopefully a bounce back game for Willie. Through 10 games, Willie has accumulated 49 receptions for 827 yards, a 16.9 YPC average, and 2 TDs. Willie has also surpassed my initial 700 yard projection mostly due in part to his rise up the Hawks depth chart. Willie could still finish the season with 69 receptions, 1158 yards, and 3TDs.
1303 words
GRADED
[div align=center][/select]
[div align=center]
[div align=center]