The New Orleans Saints were not lacking for offensive weapons, but after Week 1 it appears the team has yet another deadly receiver in the mix on their already impressive roster group. The Saints lost a shoot-out game with NFC rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, but their offense still looked impressive as they racked up 472 yards of total offense. While Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston led the receiving group, it was rookie Brandin Cooks that emerged as a sleeper among the mix.
Cooks was the Saints first-round pick out of Oregon State and he certainly proved his worth in his first NFL game. The rookie put up 77 yards on seven catches along with a touchdown. While his stats were impressive, the way the Saints used him was even more exciting. Cooks could be the most versatile player on the roster. The Saints lined him up as a receiver, but also put him next to Pierre Thomas for a two-back Pistol set. He helped set up a perfect screen game for Drew Brees along with returning punts and running reverses. He put that 4.33 40-yard dash time to good use.
Cooks put together the most impressive rookie performance of the week while Kelvin Benjamin was right behind him. The Carolina Panthers needed Benjamin to be a big target this week with Cam Newton out and he repaid the team by putting up 92 yards on six catches with a touchdown. Benjamin was a guaranteed fantasy starter entering this season considering he will carry the receiving game alongside tight end Greg Olsen.
As far as running backs are concerned, Terrance West and Carlos Hyde put up the best games in Week 1 and could continue that in Week 2. West replaced the injured Ben Tate and put up over 100 yards in his first game. His ability to get yards after contact makes him a key waiver wire pickup. Hyde is splitting time with Frank Gore, but making the most of it. His physical style is the perfect complement to Gore and while he only had seven carries, he still put up 50 yards.
Heading into Week 2, all four of the rookies will continue to put up big numbers. Proving they are capable of more responsibility, more trust equals more chances to produce and gain fantasy points.
