Jonathon Brooks Has Zero Fantasy Value As A Rookie

Jonathon Brooks Has Zero Fantasy Value As A Rookie

I just have a question for the fantasy football community that nobody seems to have an answer for. We do get it’s clinically insane to have Jonathon Brooks ranked around the same area that Nick Chubb is going, right? Let’s hope you’re smart enough to acknowledge the flaw in the rankings that’s going around.

It doesn’t matter which ranking system you use because all these people think the same. Brooks is ranked around the same area as Chubb regardless of which provider you use. I’ll just use this one because it perfectly proves my point.

I get the logic to some degree. Both players are coming off of gruesome injuries and won’t be ready for Week 1. I just fail to understand why a player who is a rookie and has proven nothing is in the same tier as a guy who has never averaged less than 5 yards per carry in any season.

Putting Chubb to the side for a second, can anyone explain why anyone is even excited about Brooks in redraft leagues?

Jonathon Brooks 2024 NFL Draft Profile

A: Dave Canales has no track record for producing a successful rushing attack. Rachaad White had a successful fantasy season last year (to the surprise of no one) but it all came on volume. Are the Panthers really going to run Brooks into the ground when he’s not ready for Week one after coming off an ACL tear?

In 2023 as the Bucs offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay produced the 32nd-ranked rushing attack in yards (1,509) and yards per carry (3.4). The year before WITH Tom Brady, the Bucs produced the 32nd-ranked rushing attack in both categories (1,308 yards / 3.4 YPC). Canales has shown zero ability to produce a functional run game in the past. He was passed over several times by Seattle as well for coaching opportunities.

Canales might be able to help Bryce Young but we have zero evidence he can produce a functional rushing attack. If that’s the case, why is anyone putting stock into Brooks as a rookie?

B: I’m not sure Brooks is even good. We’re talking about a guy who couldn’t even leapfrog Roschon Johnson at Texas. Now we’re treating him as top 32 back in fantasy while knowing he’s going to miss 3-4 weeks to start the year?

C: My golden rule in fantasy never fails. Do the Panthers count as a team that’s going to hold the lead late in games to further maximize rushing attempts?

Are we starting to get how insane this is? Let’s pump the brakes on Brooks being a high-end fantasy commodity in year one. Down the road? Maybe it can happen for him. It’s just almost impossible to envision a range of outcome where you get bang for your buck in year one.

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