Fantasy Football Rankings Week 4: Cam Newton and 5 Rookies That Will Electrify

As a general rule, rookies are not where you want to turn to fix fantasy holes, not this early in the season. After all, can you really depend on anyone who's played a maximum of three NFL games?

Due to some key injuries, it may be time to take a risk. Are you trying to replace an injured player like Jamaal Charles or Kenny Britt? Maybe you're just in a deep league.

At any rate, these are some rookies that may well be available in your league. If they're not, they might be sitting on your bench or be available in a cheap trade.

I understand that rookies can get lost in the shuffle, so you might be a little gun shy with picking these guys up.

But the potential payoff is extremely high with these guys.

Mark Ingram

At running back, you're just looking to catch lightning in a bottle. But unless you have Adrian Peterson, that's more or less your hope with any running back.

In the New Orleans offense, Ingram would be a lot more valuable if he caught passes. Still, someone has to get carries. Through three weeks, Ingram leads the team in rushing yards and has actually gotten a fair amount of carries.

In Week 4, I really like New Orleans' chances at winning big against the Jaguars. That means that they won't be quite as pass-heavy as we've seen in recent weeks.

In Week 1, the Saints were behind for most of the game and lost. Drew Brees was forced to throw a lot of passes. In Week 3, New Orleans had to come from behind to beat Houston. Again, Brees passed a lot.

Week 2's win was the only game that the Saints were able to relax a little bit. There, Brees threw 12 fewer passes than in Week 1 and seven fewer passes than what he threw in Week 2.

Someone is going to get the ball on those plays. Unless I am just dramatically wrong about the score of this game, Ingram will get a couple of extra carries.

Denarius Moore

If it wasn't for Cam Newton (more on him later), Denarius Moore could well be the early-season favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

This kid is simply electrifying, and he is in a favorable matchup against the New England defense. Look at how opposing quarterbacks have done against the Patriots:

Chad Henne	416 yards	2 touchdowns
Philip Rivers	378 yards	2 touchdowns
Ryan Fitzpatrick	369 yards	2 touchdowns

I know that Moore isn't a quarterback, but someone is catching those passes. In two games, Moore has 180 yards receiving and one touchdown.

He's also had one run of 20 or more yards in each of his two games. In most leagues, that's two points. One of those runs went for a touchdown.

Against New England, the Raiders will need to throw. Moore will get plenty of attention.

A.J. Green

This matchup has all kinds of potential.

For one, the Bills' defense isn't especially impressive. They allow far too many yards. So, the big-play potential for Green is certainly there.

Two, the Bills' offense is an absolute juggernaut. Cincinnati is likely to be playing from behind in most of this game.

So, the door is open for them to pass a lot. When they do, Green is one of Andy Dalton's best options.

Green actually has potential for a huge day.

While were on the subject, Dalton may not be the worst play in deeper leagues.

Julio Jones

The Falcons are off to a rough start this year, but Julio Jones is not. He hasn't yet found the end zone, but Jones' yardage production has been relatively reliable through three weeks.

Now the Falcons get a much more favorable matchup in the Seattle Seahawks. I can understand a little hesitancy here.

Unlike the previous two receivers, I don't anticipate Jones' team being behind much. If I am right, Atlanta will get to a point where they're just not passing the bull much, if at all.

But earlier in the game, I expect the Falcons' passing attack to do just fine. That will lead to plenty of balls headed Jones' way.

Cam Newton

Depending on where you're coming from, Cam Newton is either coming off of his worst, or his best week as an NFL player.

The positive is that he won.

The negative is that Newton's personal numbers were by far the worst he's had.

From a fantasy perspective, that's all that matters. But I like Newton to bounce back.

For one, the Bears' defense has allowed three good fantasy-passing days. Newton will certainly be airing it out.

I also anticipate the Bears to win this one. That means that Newton and the Panthers will be forced to go to a more aggressive, aerial style. With that, the fantasy numbers will come. 

Newton is off to a tremendous start to his NFL career. Time will tell if he continues to play this way. But chances are really good that it will continue this week.