The NFL season is underway and just like last year, rookies are getting significant playing time all around the league and some players that have started off well and could be primed for more in Week 2 includes Eddie Lacy, Giovani Bernard, Montee Ball, Geno Smith and EJ Manuel.
Manuel and Geno Smith are the only rookie starting quarterbacks so far this season and while Manuel got the loss and Smith the win, he still looked very poised against a tough Patriots team and should have a bright future ahead of him. Many weren't sure if he would be able to start after getting a knee procedure in the preseason, but clearly he was ready and new head coach Doug Marrone liked what he saw from the rookie and how he handled the game on Sunday.
Manuel ended up 199 yards, but he was excellent accuracy wise, hitting on 26 of his 33 passes and he also threw to touchdowns, including a beautiful touch pass to Robert Woods and he also was very good under pressure. The Bills obviously lost the game, but Manuel gives them a prime options at quarterback. Smith is starting despite the Jets previously wanting to hold him back, but after injuries he had no choice but to play and while he wasn't perfect on Sunday, the Jets pulled out a victory and he looked solid while doing it.
Eddie Lacy was considered the best option among rookies at running back and while he didn't have a big game on Sunday against the 49ers, he could have a better matchup against the Redskins in Week 2 after LeSean McCoy looked good against the Washington Redskins. Lacy should get upwards of 200 carries for the team after they released Alex Green and lost DuJuan Harris to an injury and he could possibly break 1,000 yards if given enough chances.
Another rookie running back in Giovani Bernard is primed for a big season and while he had a slow game with just 22 yards rushing and one catch for eight yards, that was more about the Bears rather than the Bengals, as the defense was playing well on Sunday. Bernard is a must grab in PPR leagues, as he had over 40 catches in both his seasons for the Tar Heels and he could put up big numbers going forward with the Bengals, especially with the struggling Steelers coming to town.
The Broncos running back committee could take some carries from Montee Ball, but he still is looking like a solid fantasy option after Knowshon Moreno started off for the team on Thursday. Ball and Ronnie Hillman will both get plenty of carries and while Ball may not get 1,000 yards, he could be a very good scoring option in the red zone for Peyton Manning. Christine Michael did nothing against the Panthers, while Jonathan Franklin didn't get much against the 49ers, but that could change moving forward.
Rookies can be tough to predict in fantasy, but now that Week 1 is over, some of these players will get more chances after getting their first NFL experience.
