Puka Nacua, Josh Downs, and Rashee Rice To Replicate Breakout Performances?

With Week 7 of the NFL season within the books, we’re persevering with to deal with the very best rookie playmakers nationwide. The 2023 rookie large receiver group is placing up spectacular numbers early on. Week 8 is correct across the nook — listed below are our greatest rookie receivers for fantasy soccer for the upcoming slate.

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Who Are the Finest Rookie WRs for Fantasy This Week?

Our NFL Week 8 dynasty large receiver rankings are courtesy of the PFN Consensus Fantasy Rankings.

1) Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Puka Nacua had precisely one week of non-elite manufacturing, then he determined he couldn’t stand such a efficiency. At the least, his stage of play indicated he felt that method, as Nacua exploded for 154 yards on eight catches, averaging 19.3 yards per reception. He completed as WR5 in PPR leagues.

Nacua’s ground is decrease with Cooper Kupp within the lineup, however his ceiling is barely decrease. Kupp is likelier to get red-zone alternatives, however with Matthew Stafford taking part in properly this season and throwing the ball a ton, Nacua is a secure beginning choice on any roster.

2) Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

With three straight weeks ending between WR15 and 28, Zay Flowers is an efficient Flex choice for fantasy managers. He’s reached no less than 56 yards or a landing in all however one week this season. Probably the most spectacular a part of his manufacturing is his enchancment regardless of fluctuating between 4 and 11 targets in any recreation.

MORE: 2023 WR Fantasy Soccer Rankings

The variance is a matter for Flowers’ ceiling. Baltimore’s recreation plan doesn’t persistently feed Flowers, however his capacity to create on intermediate routes has saved his fantasy worth. We will belief Flowers as an honest however not stellar fantasy choice in Week 8.

3) Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

Of us, that is your Week 7 WR1. Jordan Addison was unstoppable towards the San Francisco 49ers, going off for seven receptions, 123 yards, and two touchdowns. After all, his rip-away reception from Charvarius Ward made the spotlight reel for the season.

Addison lastly feasted how we anticipated with Justin Jefferson sidelined. He can mock defenders along with his clean, explosive talent set as he creates separation. He’s now reaching his stride as a rookie, so elevating him into your beginning lineup is a safer transfer till Jefferson returns.

4) Rashee Rice, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

One more rookie to land inside the highest 15 receivers in Week 7, Rashee Rice can be coming into type. The explosive speedster caught 5 of six targets for 60 yards and a landing towards Los Angeles. It was his second-best output of the season and third week ending inside the highest 25 receivers.

Shifting Rice into your lineups earlier than a Week 8 matchup with Denver makes an excessive amount of sense. Even with Mecole Hardman again in Kansas Metropolis, Rice seems destined to be the de facto WR1 for the remainder of the season. Contemplating the uneven play of his teammates, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid should proceed feeding Rice.

5) Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

Is it good to whole 125 yards and a landing on solely 5 catches? We thought so. Certain, Josh Downs’ 59-yarder got here on a busted protection by the Cleveland Browns, however there’s an plain chemistry between Downs and quarterback Gardner Minshew II. How a lot quantity will Downs see in any given week, and may he attain the tip zone?

Averaging seven targets over the past three weeks, Downs isn’t a secure play in fantasy. Nonetheless, he’s clearly raised his ceiling in that point span, ending inside the prime 27 receivers every week and as a top-19 man in two of the final three. Sooner or later, Downs would possibly simply be a strong choice on your lineup, flukey performs and issues apart.

6) Tank Dell, Houston Texans

Again from a bye week and a concussion that saved him out in Week 6, Tank Dell is searching for one other explosive efficiency. Though his WR5 end in Week 3 would possibly really feel like a very long time in the past, Dell being again on the observe subject earlier than this week’s matchup with Carolina is promising. The Carolina Panthers have the sixth-best protection towards receivers.

The robust a part of relying on Dell is his inconsistent workload. He’ll be worthy of beginning if he has seven or extra targets. If not, it’s unlikely he can positively impression your lineup. Solely take that gamble for those who want a wild card.

7) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba lives, of us. After a sluggish begin to the season, JSN had his greatest recreation as a professional but, notching career-high targets (seven) and yards (63) and his first landing. It was ok to be WR12 final week.

MORE: Fantasy Week 8 WR Begin/Sit

It’ll be troublesome for him to copy that stat line towards Cleveland, though the Browns’ protection was barely uncovered in Week 7. With a lot firepower round JSN, together with a surprisingly productive Jake Bobo, he’s in wait-and-see mode to enter our lineups.

8) Jayden Reed, Inexperienced Bay Packers

Jayden Reed very practically had near a shut-out recreation in Week 7. That was till a dropped go to Romeo Doubs landed in Reed’s abdomen, giving him a landing. He caught solely three passes for 21 yards, however that rating allowed him to complete as WR32.

Reed is caught in a bland offensive with a nasty quarterback. Which may change towards the tip of the season, however for now, Reed is a backup solely.

9) Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos

After beginning the season with a number of explosive performs, Marvin Mims Jr. regarded prepared for an even bigger position in Denver. Sadly, he’s caught just one go for 4 yards within the final three video games. It’s not even that his taking part in time has been reduce considerably, however Russell Wilson hasn’t sought out his vertical risk.

Thus, Mims is unplayable in fantasy till both Jerry Jeudy is traded or Mims takes on a a lot greater position.

10) Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants

The final fantasy-relevant rookie for Week 8 is Jalin Hyatt. The speedster caught solely two passes final week however totaled 75 yards. Dwelling as much as his fame, Hyatt introduced in two explosive catches. However he solely had 5 targets, and Tyrod Taylor isn’t probably the most environment friendly or dependable passer.

The Giants want Hyatt to be an even bigger a part of the offense, but it surely’s unclear whether or not they’re able to combine him extra already. In the event that they’re not, his manufacturing will likely be a rollercoaster every week.