Issue #245: All-Rookie
By Derrick Ernst
January 22, 2026
Teams
As year three presses on, I’m trying not to have issue after issue be a glorified list of sorts. I could pump out a list every issue if I thought it was value add, but I don’t and I don’t think you guys do either. I’ve pumped out almost 250 of these things and I bet I haven’t rinsed and repeated more than ten issue topics. That’s hard to do and something I hold in really high regard. It’s easy to rewrite the same issues year after year with redacted statements and updated players included throughout. To have over 200 of something that isn’t that is something I have a lot of pride in. I’m not always the best at giving myself kudos and credit, but when the introspection is ramped up like it is at this moment, I owe it to myself to lean into it. Thanks for listening.
Today, I wanted to highlight all things rookies. First from a standpoint of who topped each skilled position in fantasy (total half PPR points scored) and who topped the ranks in a few popular stat categories. Lets jump right into it.
Quarterback
1st Team: Jaxon Dart (QB16, 247 pts)
2nd Team: Cam Ward (QB23, 194 pts)
I think I already shared this, but in case I haven’t, Dart was QB16 despite only starting 12 games. Of those 12 games, he finished top-12 (starting caliber) seven times (58%). For comparison, Ward started all 17 games and only had one top-12 finish (6%).
Running Back
1st Team: Ashton Jeanty (RB12, 224 pts)
2nd Team: TreVeyon Henderson (RB19, 195 pts)
There were five RBs who had multiple RB1 outings this season: CMC, B. Robinson, J. Gibbs, D. Henry, and A. Jeanty. That’s elite company, especially for someone who the fantasy community thought underperformed (goes with the territory of playing in LV). I said before the season started that NE’s RB duo was 2025’s version of the 2024 Steelers. That turned out to be quite true as R. Stevenson finished as RB25 having scored 166 points.
Wide Receiver
1st Team: Tetairoa McMillian (WR17, 182 pts)
2nd Team: Emeka Egbuka (WR20, 173 pts)
Source: StatMuse
4th in the league in yards per reception for those with 70+ receptions. Not too shabby. He finished with 1,014 receiving yards which is all the more impressive when considering who was throwing him the ball. B. Young finished with just over 3,000 passing yards. I don’t have anything to back this, but I’d guess a ~33% share of a QB’s passing yards is close to the top (or tops) in the league.
Tight End
1st Team: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE5, 153 pts)
2nd Team: Tyler Warren (TE7, 151 pts)
Weeks 1-9: Warren = TE4 / Fannin = TE15
Weeks 10-18: Fannin = TE6 / Warren = TE17
That’s an easy way for two rookie TE’s to have similar seasons. They certainly got to where they did by two different means. S. Sanders started the final seven games of CLE’s season. Fannin was his favorite target by far having seen 28% of passes over that span, best in the league for a TE!
Recap
806 total points for 1st team rookies
713 total points for 2nd team rookies
2 out of 8 rookies were on playoff teams
6 out of 8 rookies played in all 17 games (Dart and Fannin being the two who didn’t)
33: The most points scored in a week by a rookie (A. Jeanty in week 4)
Awards
Admittedly, a lot of the same names here, but stats like these resonate with the non-fantasy crowd, who which I don’t want to forget about!
Most passing yards: C. Ward (3,169)
Most passing TDs: C. Ward & J. Dart (15)
Most rushing yards: A. Jeanty (975)
Most receptions: T. Warren (76)
Most receiving yards: T. McMillian (1,014)
Most all-purpose TDs: RJ Harvey (12)
Out with the good, in with the bad.
Most interceptions thrown: S. Sanders (10)
Most fumbles: J. Dart & J. Croskey-Merritt (3)
And not to be overlooked, here are some defensive names to get accustomed with.
Most tackles: C. Schwesinger (156)
Most sacks: J. Pearce Jr. (10.5)
Most interceptions: X. Watts (5)
Most forced fumbles: 4 Players (2)
I gotta hand credit where credit is due. My mom made a good point to me the other day. She was surprised when I told her that the number of firings isn’t all that unique to this season. She feels the difference in the firings versus previous years is their significance. It’s not only the names themselves, but the teams. It has been almost two decades since someone not named Harbaugh or Tomlin was on the Ravens or Steelers sidelines. Now McDermott and the Bills.
To add another layer onto the significance is the players attached to these teams/coaches:
The list goes on. What can I say, my mom knows ball and I think she’s onto something when it comes to how significant these firings have felt. Ten and I don’t think counting (anymore):
Team | Coach Record | Old Coach | New Coach | |
AFC | LV | 3 - 14 (.180) | Pete Carroll | Open |
MIA | 35 - 33 (.515) | Mike McDaniel | Jeff Hafley | |
BUF | 106 - 58 (.646) | Sean McDermott | Open | |
CLE | 46 - 58 (.440) | Kevin Stefanski | Open | |
PIT | 201 - 125 - 2 (.616) | Mike Tomlin | Open | |
BAL | 193 - 124 (.610) | John Harbaugh | Open | |
TEN | 4 - 19 (.170) | Brian Callahan | Robert Saleh | |
NFC | ARI | 15 - 36 (.290) | Jon Gannon | Open |
ATL | 16 - 18 (.470) | Raheem Morris | Kevin Stefanski | |
NYG | 21 - 41 - 1 (.340) | Brian Daboll | John Harbaugh |
Here’s a water cooler topic in close for you to throw around with your coworkers. NFL = Not For Long. People say that’s more apropos for players. At this rate, it may be more appropriate for coaches.
Source: Instagram (catchtheblitz)
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