By: Nick Frieburger | Staff Writer
Written as of 9/28/19
Now that school has started and autumn is back in swing, many people are left with summertime withdrawals. One thing that helps ease that pain is football. Football season is one of the best times of the year-not just because it’s an amazing game-but because it brings along fantasy football.
As much as we all love rooting for our favorite team on Sunday afternoons, fantasy makes game days that much better. You find yourself glued to the TV all day for games you never thought you’d be interested in. So far this season we have had our fair share of breakout studs that no one saw coming. I broke down the top ten surprise players so far this season.
10.) Dalvin Cook Running Back Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook broke into the league two years ago as an electrifying running back out of Florida State and was turning heads. Week four came along and Cook went down with a devastating knee injury which turned out to be a torn ACL. He came back last year and just didn’t look the same as he was plagued with hamstring issues. This year through the first few weeks, Cook has looked like the best running back in the entire league. Since the season started, he has rushed for 375 yards on 57 attempts and 4 touchdowns. It’s starting to look like Cook is getting back to the type of RB he was the first few weeks of his rookie year.
9.) Daniel Jones Quarterback New York Giants
Even though Jones has only played one game so far this season, that one game was so impressive that he deserves to be on this list. After Eli Manning was benched coming into week 3, the controversial first round pick Daniel Jones finally got his chance to silence his critics. Jones went on the road and lead the Giants to a 32-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones had a total of 336 passing yards and 4 total touchdowns, including a game winning 7 yard yard rush to give the Giants the lead. If Jones can keep this up, he could be one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the league.
8.) Gardner Minshew II Quarterback Jacksonville Jaguars
Gardner Minshew II has been one of the most interesting stories of the year. Before we get to the football part, this young stud’s name is Gardner Minshew II, but there is no Gardner Minshew I. His fathers name is actually Flint and his parents just decided to name him Gardner Minshew II. Now back to football, the Uncle Rico look alike stepped in during week 1 when Nick Foles went down with a broken clavicle and he has not disappointed. He has thrown for at least 200 yards and at least one touchdown in every game he has played for, impressive for a rookie 6th round pick. He has when rookie of the week twice during the month of September, and even though the Jaguars aren’t looking too good, Minshew Mania looks like it’s here to stay.
7.) Mark Andrews Tight End Baltimore Ravens
The second year tight end out of the University of Oklahoma has had a monster year so far. In the first two weeks he had a total of 16 receptions for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. In week 3, Andrews went down with a foot injury against Kansas City, but it doesn’t seem to be serious. When Andrews returns to the field, expect him to keep producing as he has been one of Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets through the first couple of weeks.
6.) DJ Chark Jr. Wide Receiver Jacksonville Jaguars
Another Jacksonville Jaguar makes the list. He may not be as interesting as his quarterback, but he has a lot of talent. He has scored a touchdown in every game so far through 3 weeks including in week 1 when he tallied an absurd 146 receiving yards. With running back Leonard Fournette struggling, it’s pretty clear that Chark will be the Jaguars number one option for the foreseeable future.
5.) Cooper Kupp Wide Receiver Los Angeles Rams
Kupp is one of the most established guys on this list but coming off an ACL tear less than a year ago, he’s having a surprisingly amazing season thus far. The Rams were one of the best offenses in football last year, but when Kupp went down you could tell he was missed as their numbers declined. Now that Kupp is healthy, you can see a happy Jared Goff as he looks like his favorite target out there. He exploded for 11 catches, 101 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on Sunday night football against Cleveland in week 3. If Kupp keeps this up, he will only solidify himself as one of the best slot receivers in the game.
4.) Terry McLaurin Wide Receiver Washington Redskins
The rookie wide receiver out of Ohio State has been a pleasant bright spot so far in a disastrous Redskins season. McLaurin has scored in all of his first 3 NFL games and shows no sign of slowing down. He’s hauled in 16 receptions for 257 yards to go along with those 3 touchdowns and seems to be the primary focus of the team’s offense. He should keep producing, but if his college teammate Dwayne Haskins ends up winning over the quarterback job, his numbers could get even better.
3.) Darren Waller Tight End Oakland Raiders
Waller is in his fourth year in the league and he is making the most of the opportunity. Waller was signed late last year off of the Ravens practice squad, and once Jared Cook left for New Orleans during the off season, it was his time to shine. He has yet to find the end zone through the first 3 games but he is hauling receptions like it is nothing. The Raiders don’t seem to be playing too well overall, but Waller’s play definitely gives the team some hope and gives Derek Carr a new favorite target.
2.) Austin Ekeler Running Back Los Angeles Chargers
With Melvin Gordon holding out for a new contract, Ekeler suddenly has stepped in as the starting running back for the Chargers. In his first game as the starter, Ekeler rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown as well as catching 6 passes for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s done an amazing job being the lead back, and even though Melvin Gordon is expected to return soon, his value shouldn’t be diminished. Ekeler has proven that he can be an elite back in this league even if its not in L.A. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team took a chance on trading for him when Melvin Gordon returns.
1.) Lamar Jackson Quarterback Baltimore Ravens
Jackson has played some electrifying football so far this season and shows no signs of stopping. In week 1 against Miami, Jackson threw for an absurd 324 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’s also arguably the best running quarterback in the league, which makes his passing stats all the more impressive. When Jackson took over as the Ravens starter last year, many referred to Jackson as a “running back” and that he doesn’t have the arm to be an NFL quarterback. His play so far this season has silenced his doubters as he is playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and is a dark horse candidate for NFL MVP.
