Under The Radar Rookies To Watch Out For This Training Camp

What rookies have been performing well at training camp this year and who should we look out for? Which players are going to have the biggest impact on your fantasy team? Who should you play SmashCards on?

If you need any of these questions answered – you’ve come to the right place. See below for the under-the-radar rookies expected to make an impact this season!

Jordan Travis – QB New York Jets, Round 5, 171st Overall

We’ve seen how backups named Jordan under Aaron Rodgers turn out. Jokes aside with the loss of Zach Wilson, the backup QB spot is for grabs, and Jordan Travis can easily take it. Travis was a great QB at FSU, named ACC Player of the Year. His legs served as a threat to defenses, and we all know that QB’s with rushing upside tend to be more successful in fantasy football. Rodgers will be the starter no doubt, but his time in the league is coming to a close. Travis has a great mentor in Rodgers, and we could see him step into a QB1 role when it is his time. If Rodgers does happen to go down again this season, then that time could come a lot sooner.

Ladd McConkey – WR Los Angeles Chargers, Round 2, 34th Overall

McConkey has the opportunity to be the WR1 in that Chargers offense with the loss of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. There are plenty of vacated targets with those two gone, and no WR1 spot secured yet. McConkey has great separation ability, where he could thrive in the slot position. We’ve seen what Herbert could do with his WR1 lining up in the slot position (Allen) where he averaged around 12 targets a game. Sure there is some size differential, but the skills are there, and the situation seems right. McConkey has what it takes to be Herbert’s favorite target and emerge himself as fantasy relevant from Week 1.

Jaylyn Polk – WR New England Patriots, Round 2, 37th Overall

Polk has been standing out so far in training camp, as he has quickly turned heads as one of the top targets in that offense. Polk not only has the chance to be fantasy relevant because of his versatility, strong hands, and nice body control, but also due to the whole situation with that New England offense. 1. Being that they drafted Drake Maye 3rd overall who has great size and arm strength. 2. Being the new coaching system with the loss of Belichick, and Jerod Mayo as new Head Coach. And 3. Being that there is no alpha WR in that offense. That WR1 spot is up for grabs and Jaylyn Polk has more than what it takes to secure that position.

It seems that the Patriots are looking for a new play style that isn’t going to be as conservative and old fashioned. Taking a QB first round with exceptional arm talent, and a deep threat WR, with great hands in the second, could be signs of an exciting new offensive scheme. The last positive thing about Polk is that he is incredibly cheap. You can get him at the end of your drafts, yet he has potential to be the WR1 for his team.

Troy Franklin – WR Denver Broncos, Round 4, 102nd Overall

When you think about who can be the next Puka Nacua, Troy Franklin automatically comes to my mind. That WR drafted in the 4th or 5th round, that probably won’t get taken in many fantasy drafts, but could be that waiver wire pickup of the year. Analyzers are saying that Franklin needs to round out his skill set more, but we know that his speed and game changing ability is there. Not to mention he is coming into this offense with his college QB, Bo Nix who was the Broncos first round pick. Franklin’s stats in 2023 with Nix at QB was 1383 receiving yards, 81 receptions, 14 touchdowns. There is no doubt that the connection between them is there. With an aging Courtland Sutton, and no more Jerry Jeudy, Franklin has the opportunity to yet again be Nix’s favorite target. If Franklin can improve his skill sets more, and Nix pans out to be that guy in Denver, we can see a fantasy star in the making.

Jonathan Brooks – RB Carolina Panthers, Round 2, 46th Overall

Had Brooks not torn his ACL in November, he could have been a first rounder. With a lackluster Panthers offense, Brooks shiftiness and explosive speed brings some juice to the table. Neither Chuba Hubbard nor Miles Sanders made a case to be the answer for Carolina’s RB1. When Brooks recovers he should emerge as the starter in that backfield. The volume should be there, plus he’s a great receiving back to support Bryce Young. Brooks provides the skill set to support him as a three down back, which I don’t think Hubbard or Sanders has the capability of doing.

Trey Benson – RB Arizona Cardinals, Round 3, 66th Overall

One thing about Benson is he has that “home run ability”, where any run can turn into a big play. With a healthy Kyler Murray, Trey McBride, and newly drafted Marvin Harrison Jr., we could see an improved up and coming offense. Yes James Conner is still the lead back, and you never wish on a player’s downfall, but we all know that Conner deals with the injury bug every season. If the circumstances happen, Benson could step into that three down back role without skipping a beat. On the other hand with Conner aging, we may not even need to see any injuries for Benson to overtake the RB1 spot. It could be a long shot, but Benson’s speed and play making ability in an improved Cardinals offense, offers tons of upside at a fairly cheap cost.

Kimani Vidal – RB Los Angeles Chargers, Round 6, 181st Overall

Kimani Vidal, running back out of Troy may be on nobody’s radar this upcoming season. While I’m not saying he should be an automatic draft pick, he should definitely be worth taking note of. Vidal was a workhorse at Troy, so he is comfortable with lots of volume. I see this Charger’s backfield being a committee, with a run first offense led by Harbaugh. However, Jk Dobbins coming off an achilles tear, who is unfortunately prone to injury, and an aging Gus Edwards, who although finished with 13 rushing touchdowns, was extremely inefficient, and failed to finish with over 7 fantasy points when he didn’t score a TD. Kimani Vidal could be the back that surprises everyone and leads the committee, or possibly completely overtakes the RB1 role if anything were to happen to Dobbins or Edwards.

Ben Sinnott – TE Washington Commanders, Round 2, 53rd Overall

Sinnott has what it takes to be the TE1 in that Commanders offense, and even be the second option behind Terry McLaurin. Sinnott has great ability to find open space, break tackles, and bring in the ball. The hype is all around Brock Bowers at Tight End this year, but Sinnott could be a dark horse candidate to have a Sam LaPorta type of year, as you can get him at a much cheaper price. If this Commander’s offense finds its spark with Daniels, we could see Sinnott emerge as a fantasy relevant TE week in and week out.