27 September 2023
You know a player has had a history making performance if it leads to a postgame name change.
That’s what happened last Sunday with De’Von Achane, Miami’s rookie running back who blew through Denver’s Swiss cheese defense for 203 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the Dolphins’ startling 70-20 blowout of the Broncos.
After the game, Achane announced to reporters that they had been pronouncing his last name all wrong. It is pronounced A-CHAN, and not A-CHAIN, bringing back memories for the oldsters among us of the whole Tony Dor-SIT, Tony Dor-SETT deal in the 1970s.
Achane, who is now just five yards behind Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson in the rookie rushing race, is not the only first-year surprise so far this season. Here are a half dozen NFL freshmen who are having success, and fantasy relevancy, so far in 2023:
C.J. Stroud (Texans QB) – Far under the radar, the former Ohio State standout ranks 11th in fantasy stats. He’s averaging 302 passing yards per game with four TD passes. With the Texans’ troubles establishing a running game, Stroud will be passing early and often all season.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 24: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans scrambles during the first half in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Sam LaPorta (Lions TE) – The former Iowa Hawkeye is the No. 2 tight end so far for the strong Detroit offense. He has 18 receptions for 186 yards and one TD through three games. More importantly, he had 11 targets last week, second on the Lions only to Amon-Ra St Brown.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 24: Sam LaPorta #87 of the Detroit Lions scores a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field on September 24, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Puka Nacua (Rams WR) – He set the NFL rookie record with 15 receptions in Week 2, and odds are you probably already missed your chance to claim the sensation from BYU. He has yet to score his first touchdown, but that doesn’t diminish his other totals: 25 catches for 266 yards.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 25: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a 37 yard catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter in the game at Paycor Stadium on September 25, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Jordan Addison (Vikings WR) – The Minnesota rookie from USC has proven to be a fine counterpart to Justin Jefferson, tallying 13 catches for 185 yards and two TDs through the first three weeks. His numbers should continue to rise in the ever-more pass happy Vikings offense.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 10: Jordan Addison #3 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass against Ryan Neal #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of a game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Nathaniel Dell (Texans WR) – Tank was our Deepest Sleeper last week. Now he’ll be one of the most sought-after waiver claims this week. He’s a borderline top 10 receiver after his 145-yard effort against Jacksonville. He has 15 catches for 251 yards and two TDs. Nice call on our part, don’t you think?
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 24: Rayshawn Jenkins #2 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Tank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans during the second quarter of a game at EverBank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Marvin Mims (Broncos WR) – It’s obvious Denver is a dumpster fire that will be playing from behind, sometimes far behind, all season. So this speedster from Oklahoma will certainly add to his 195 yards receiving he has so far.
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 17: Percy Butler #35 of the Washington Commanders attempts to tackle Marvin Mims Jr. #19 of the Denver Broncos as Mims scores a touchdown during the first quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on September 17, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Matchup game
Our new favorite running back, Philly’s D’Andre Swift, is second in the NFL in rushing, and he could be No. 1 after running through Washington. … Tennessee’s Derrick Henry will have his first big day of the season against Cincinnati. … Same goes for New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson against the suddenly not-so-tough Cowboys. … Receivers we like this weekend include Atlanta’s Drake London vs. Jacksonville and Indy’s Michael Pittman against the Rams (especially if Gardner Minshew is QB again). … The Chargers’ Keenan Allen will get an even bigger chunk of the Chargers’ passing attempts against Las Vegas. … Chicago’s Justin Fields’ early season funk will end the moment he looks across the line of scrimmage and sees the Denver defense. … And New York QB Daniel Jones will have a similar sensation when he faces Seattle.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 25: D’Andre Swift #0 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 25, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Sitting stars
Spoiler alert: Miami’s De’Von Achane won’t have 200 yards and 4 TDs in Sunday’s Dolphins-Bills showdown. … Houston’s Dameon Pierce is averaging only 2.5 yards per carry this season, and he won’t do much better, even against the Steelers’ meager run defense. … Arizona RB James Conner will cool off considerably against the 49ers. … There are no Green Bay running backs you should count on against Detroit. … Washington RB Brian Robinson will be the latest to be shut down by the Eagles. … Yes, Jets WR Garrett Wilson will have another frustrating day against Kansas City. … And the Browns’ defense is so tough that Lamar Jackson is the only Baltimore player you should even think about starting today.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: Garrett Wilson #17 of the New York Jets is unable to catch a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds of the game as Christian Gonzalez #6 of the New England Patriots defends at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Injury watch
The big injury last week was the season-ender for Chargers WR Mike Williams. … Two middlin’ QBs are in doubt this week because of Week 3 hits: New Orleans’ Derek Carr and Vegas’ Jimmy Garoppolo. … Both of the 49ers’ top pass catchers, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, are questionable. … And players who might, or might not, return from injury include Chargers RB Austin Ekeler, Miami WR Jaylen Waddle, Indy QB Anthony Richardson, Detroit RB David Montgomery, New Orleans RB Jamaal Williams and two Packers: RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers is carted off the field during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The deepest sleeper
We usually don’t put people close to our own age in this spot, but we can’t resist touting Carolina backup QB Andy Dalton. With No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young very likely to miss another week, Dalton would face off against the Vikings’ mediocre excuse for a defense. It’s the Adam Thielen Revenge Game against his old team, and we expect him to connect with the Red Rocket early and often. Last week in Seattle, Dalton threw FIFTY-EIGHT passes. Tallied 361 yards and two touchdowns. Not bad for a guy so close to qualifying for Social Security. It’s going to be a high-scoring game in Charlotte between two of the NFL’s four winless teams. So Dalton could be a GREAT streaming option for this week.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 24: Boye Mafe #53 of the Seattle Seahawks pressures Andy Dalton #14 of the Carolina Panthers as Dalton attempts a pass during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field on September 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Thursday pick
Lions at Packers (pick ‘em):
Pick: Lions by 3
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 17: Kalif Raymond #11 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a touchdown with Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Ford Field on September 17, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Breaking news
We’ll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday’s kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com/theloop.
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at [email protected].
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