With two games officially under their belts, the 2017 rookie class is starting to make their presence felt in the NFL. Most rookies will not see the field much in the regular season. However, there are a handful of rookies that will make an impact on the league and in fantasy right away.
Fantasy Football 2017: Preseason Week 3 rookie quarterback preview
We take a look at the most notable rookie quarterbacks to watch in preseason Week 3.
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This week teams prepare for preseason Week 3, the prelude to the regular season. Looking ahead to such a pivotal game, here are some rookie quarterbacks worth watching and a preview of their fantasy impact.
The Browns announced Wednesday that Kizer will get the start in the third preseason game. Kizer has looked solid running the offense, passing for 258 yards and a touchdown through the first two outings. He also added 47 yards and a touchdown as a rusher. He has already outpaced current starter Brock Osweiler by 191 passing yards.
Kizer’s start comes at a critical time for Cleveland. Head coach Hue Jackson has not named an official regular season starter, but signs are pointing toward Kizer over Osweiler. The second-round pick still has a lot of growing to do. Fantasy owners should be cautiously optimistic about Kizer. He will make a good backup QB option for owners while his game matures.
Rush, a very under-the-radar rookie, is making some noise in Big D. Through two preseason games the undrafted QB from Central Michigan has thrown 283 yards on 26 passes and four touchdowns. He has worked his way up to second-team reps in Dallas camp and is challenging current backup QB Kellen Moore for the second spot on the depth chart.
No one is going to beat out Dak Prescott for the starting position in Dallas. Still, Rush is a sleeper talent that fantasy owners should keep their eyes on. If he continues to play this hot in the remainder of the preseason, then the Cowboys will be set at quarterback should anything happen to Prescott. Owners looking to carry a lot of QBs on their roster may want to stash Rush for safe keeping.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
The Bears head coach John Fox announced Monday that he is unsure if Trubisky will get any first-team reps in the team’s third preseason game against Tennessee. The second overall pick in the draft has thrown for 226 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions through two preseason games. Conversely, starting QB Mike Glennon has tossed 109 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the same games.
Trubisky continues to battle Mike Glennon for the starting role in Chicago, though no one on the staff wants to honor it. The Bears have been unwavering in their verbal commitment to Glennon as the starter. Some in Chicago feel it is only a matter of time before Trubisky takes Glennon’s starting job. Owners holding out for Trubisky to get the start will probably not have to wait very long.
DeShaun Watson, Houston Texans
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien was firm Tuesday that Tom Savage will be the starter for Houston and Watson will be the backup. The standout star from Clemson has played well in the first two preseason games. However, his strength as a passer has been overshadowed by his versatility as a rusher. He has thrown 18 passes for 281 yards, but all of his scores have been as a rusher so far.
Watson was a popular fantasy pick coming off the board too early in many leagues. It is unlikely a player of his talent will be on the bench long especially in Houston. Still, he needs to develop to be a starter in the NFL and he is no QB1 in fantasy right now. Watson will get his chance sooner rather than later and owners should be ready to take advantage of his play making ability especially in DFS leagues.
