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Hold those Tigers

Thomas, Nabers move up rookie leaderboard

Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson: that was quite a receiving tandem back at LSU in 2019. But the school’s most recent pair of wide receivers, Brian Thomas and Malik Nabers, has been almost as good.

Nabers has caught 104 passes for the Giants, despite working with suspect quarterbacking. He’s looked better than the other two wide receivers picked in the top 10 (Marvin Harrison, Rome Odunze). He’s more athletic than Harrison, who had a slightly disappointing rookie receiver despite scoring 7 TDs.

Thomas, meanwhile, has been the most productive of the rookie receivers, with 1,179 yards and 10 TDs. Only three other receivers in league history have gone for 1,100 yards as a rookies while catching double-digit touchdowns: Chase, Odell Beckham and Randy Moss.

There’s still a game to play, but it’s looking like Thomas and Nabers might both finish among the top half dozen most productive rookie receivers of the last 20 years.

Since the move to 32 teams (in 2002), only 35 wide receivers have finished with at least 200 points in fantasy leagues using PPR scoring. Three 2024 rookies are on that list, with two others not far back with a week to go.

ROOKIE WIDE RECEIVERS WITH 200 PPR POINTS
YearPlayerGReceivingRushingTDPPR
2021Ja'Marr Chase, Cin.1781-1455-137-21-013306.6
2023Puka Nacua, LAR17105-1486-612-89-06298.5
2014Odell Beckham, NYG1291-1305-127-35-012297.0
2003Anquan Boldin, Ari.16101-1377-85-40-08290.7
2020Justin Jefferson, Min.1688-1400-71-2-07274.2
2024Brian Thomas, Jac.1680-1179-106-48-010262.7
2016Michael Thomas, N.O.1592-1137-90-0-09259.7
2024Malik Nabers, NYG14104-1140-65-2-06254.2
2021Jaylen Waddle, Mia.16104-1015-62-3-17247.8
2014Mike Evans, T.B.1568-1051-120-0-012245.1
2004Michael Clayton, T.B.1680-1193-75-30-07244.3
2008Eddie Royal, Den.1591-980-511-109-05231.9
2014Kelvin Benjamin, Car.1673-1008-90-0-09227.8
2010Mike Williams, T.B.1665-964-110-0-011227.4
2021Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det.1790-912-57-61-16227.3
2024Ladd McConkey, LAC1577-1054-70-0-07224.4
2013Keenan Allen, S.D.1571-1046-80-0-08223.6
2006Marques Colston, N.O.1470-1038-80-0-08221.8
2023Jordan Addison, Min.1770-911-101-2-010221.3
2020CeeDee Lamb, Dall.1674-935-510-82-17219.7
2016Tyreek Hill, K.C.1661-593-624-267-312219.0
2011A.J. Green, Cin.1565-1057-75-53-07218.0
2022Garrett Wilson, NYJ1783-1103-44-4-04217.7
2023Jayden Reed, G.B.1664-793-811-119-210217.2
2019A.J. Brown, Ten.1652-1051-83-60-19217.1
2020Chase Claypool, Pitt.1662-873-910-16-211216.9
2015Amari Cooper, Oak.1672-1070-63-(-3)-06214.7
2023Rashee Rice, K.C.1679-938-71-(-3)-07214.5
2018Calvin Ridley, Atl.1664-821-106-27-010208.8
2023Zay Flowers, Balt.1677-858-58-56-16206.4
2011Julio Jones, Atl.1354-959-86-56-08203.5
2022Chris Olave, N.O.1572-1042-40-0-04202.2
2014Jordan Matthews, Phil.1667-872-80-0-08202.2
2009Percy Harvin, Min.1560-790-615-135-08200.5
2014Sammy Watkins, Buff.1665-982-62-8-06200.0
2024Also: Worthy, K.C.1659-638-620-104-39187.2
2024Also: Harrison, Ari.1657-822-70-0-07181.2

—Ian Allan

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