*S3 Rookie Wide Receivers Projections Week 2

[ItsJustBarry]

Now that week 2 is in the books (week 3&4 for our DSFL guys), we can take a look at how the rookies performed, where they are in line with my predictions, and also highlight some other wide receiver standouts that had a good week. I have now included a little graph for each player to see where they are in line with my predictions.

Samuel Zhang – 23rd overall – Arizona Outlaws
Prediction: around 500 yards and 4 TDs

We will start with Samuel Zhang as usual. He fared better in week 2 increasing his reception and yards totals for a game. These totals both become season and career highs for him. He had 3 receptions totaling 28 yards and 1 drop on his four targets from Bronko. Since we are still early in the year, the season projections still erratic. Now through 2 games, Zhang is now on pace for 35 receptions, 301 yards, and still has 0 TDs to his credit. As defenses scheme to slow down the powerful offenses, I expect Zhang to sneak in and have a breakout game soon.


Jaquan Young – 28th overall – Yeti
Prediction: 250 yards and 2 TDs

The biggest downside for Jaquan this year is the QB that is throwing him the ball. Rookie quarterback Nicholas Pierno continued down his struggling path to get up to NSFL speed again this week. Pierno only passed for an abysmal 109 yards in the game completing only 11 passes to his teammates and 4 to the Otters. Young played spent a lot of time on the field and was targeted 4 times. He had 2 reception for 25 yards and 1 drop. These are both new career highs for Young. His performances through the first 2 games have him on pace for 21 receptions and 301 yards.


Connor Tanner – 41st overall – Legion
Prediction: 400 yards and 3 TDs

Week 3 and 4 are in the books for the DSFL and The Luchadores ended the evening 1-1 again and are now 2-2 on the season. In the first game, Tanner was targeted 7 times and managed to reign in 4 catches for 31 yards. This game was also the first time that we saw Connor Tanner on special teams. Tanner fielded 3 kickoffs and returned them for a combined 35 yards, pinning his team inside their own 15 twice. In the second game of this double header night, Tanner was once again held in check. He managed 4 receptions on 6 targets. He finished this game with 30 yards. He once again handled kick-off duties with slightly better results. With his 3 kickoff returns, he averaged just over 8 yards per return with average starting field position on the Luchadores 18 yard line. Now through 4 games, Tanner has 16 catches for 179 yards and an average of 11.2 YPC. He is still the #1 TE in the DSFL but had slid down the receiver list to #11. Even after his limited production in weeks 3 and 4, Tanner is still on pace for 626 yards and 3 TDs.


Budda Browning – 43rd overall – Phildelphia Liberty
Prediction: about 300 yards and 1 TD

The Liberty showed up and week 2 and kept it exciting until the end. Facing the dreadful Arizona Outlaws, very few people gave the Liberty a chance to win. Clifford Rove had a much better game and did what he could to keep his team in contention. Budda Browning was on the field for many plays this game. Browning was targeted 6 times, catching 3 for 24 yards. This sets a new career high in receptions for Budda. Through 2 weeks now, he is on pace for 35 receptions and 434 yards.


Nate Atasuke – 46th overall – Otters
Prediction: 400 yards and 2 TDs

In week 2, the Otters faced the Colorado Yeti and once again had a blow out victory. Mike Boss was his usual self early on throwing 2 interceptions in the first 19 minutes of the game. After he settled down, all his receivers prospered. Considering Boss threw the ball 39 times, Nate was only targeted 4 times and caught 3 for 30 yards. This was a down game for him after a great start in week 1. If the Otters can keep up this scoring pace, Nate should have a great season to look back on. Even with his down week, he is still on pace for 70 receptions and 658 yards.


Brian Wheat – 47th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 300 yards and 2 TDs

Brian Wheat managed some playing time in week 2. He first appearance in the game was during the Hawks second possession. While is still in a limited role, he was able to get QB Scrub Kyubee’s attention 3 times. Of those 3 targets, he managed 1 catch for 8 yards. While these both set the bar for career highs, I’m sure Brian would like to contribute more. Up next, the Hawks travel to Colorado to face off with the depleted Yeti. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wheat gets more playing time in this game. With this performance, Wheat is on pace for 8 catches for 56 yards but 1 good game can swing these projections in his favor.


Trey Willie – 10th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 700-1000 with 7 TDs

Trey Willie was in for almost every offensive snap. We also saw the Hawks utilize Willie in their return game. Willie did not have a great game. He was targeted 7 times but only managed 4 catches for 52 yards and failed to reach the end zone. On special teams, Willie had 2 kickoffs returned. The first kicoff returned was fielded and the 4 yard line and Willie managed to push it all the way to the 7 yard line. Yes, a 3 yard return. On his second return attempt, he fielding it at his own 1 yard line but managed to run this one out to the Hawks 32. Based on this performance, I don’t know if I would expect Willie to continue on special teams. Willie’s 4 catches and 52 yards puts him in line for 70 receptions and a more reasonable 952 yards.


None of our rookies made this week’s top 10 list:

Alexandre LeClair – Legion – torched the Hawks for 7 receptions 165 yards
Mayran Jackson - - 6 catches for 112 yards
Bradley Westfield – Otters – dominated again with 6 receptions for 111 yards and 2 TDs
Cooper Christmas – Hawks – 103 yards on 4 catches and 1 TD
Shane Weston – Sabercats – 6 catches for 93 yards and 2 TDs
Fox North – Liberty – 4 receptions for 91 yards and 1 TD
Dustin Evans – Outlaws – had 78 yards
Leroy Jenkins – Otters – first RB to make the list- had 7 catches for 69 yards
Robert Phelps – Otters – 4 catches for 64 yards and 1 TD
Charlie Law - - 5 catches for 64 yards

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