AFC Fantasy Football Rookies to Watch in Week 1: Travis Hunter, TreVeyon Henderson and More

Week 1 of the NFL regular season has arrived!

Before we dive into the games though, let's first go over some rookies to watch. This will be tailored a bit more toward dynasty owners, but will include redraft fantasy information as well.

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Bills

Buffalo doesn't have any projected rookie starters, but several rookies are top backups, especially on defense.

Guys like Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dorian Strong and Jordan Hancock are all names to keep tabs on early in the season in case one steps into a big role right away.

Dolphins

Miami has a few rookies worth tracking in week 1, and early in the season.

Ollie Gordon II is a running back who should have a decent role, especially with De'Von Achane banged up and Jaylen Wright out. He could turn into a huge waiver add if he gets enough touches in week 1.

Kenneth Grant and Jason Marshall Jr. are two rookies on defense who are expected to have big roles right away. Zeek Biggers and Jordan Phillips" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#player-pop-up" href="/nfl_player_news/Jordan_Phillips/">Jordan Phillips are rookies in backup roles to start the year.

Patriots

New England has a couple rookies on both sides of the ball who are expected to fill sizable roles right away.

Kyle Williams is a depth option at receiver, but could push for more targets with a strong start. TreVeyon Henderson is expected to split the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson, and take over the lead role in time.

Craig Woodson is a projected starter at safety, while Joshua Farmer is a depth d-lineman to watch.

Jets

Arian Smith is a rookie wideout who could work into a notable role early on, given the lack of pass catchers outside Garrett Wilson.

Tight end Mason Taylor should lead the way right away, and could maybe be the second-best pass catcher right away. I'd be watching him closely.

On defense, Azareye'h Thomas, Malachi Moore and Francisco Mauigoa are all listed as backups, but could maybe play enough to have value in some leagues.

Ravens

I'm not sure how much rookie wideout LaJohntay Wester will factor in right away, but after Zay Flowers, the Ravens' wideout room could use some more help, so don't lose track of the rookie.

Malaki Starks is expected to be an IDP stud right away as a rookie. The safety is starting alongside Kyle Hamilton, and should have a chance to shine right away. 

Mike Green, Teddye Buchanan and Aeneas Peebles are backup options on defense to keep tabs on.

Bengals

Demetrius Knight is a projected starter on defense for the Bengals, so he could be a good IDP option right away.

Shemar Stewart should take over as a starter eventually, but could really rise as a fantasy asset in a hurry, so don't wait too long to add him.

Barrett Carter is a backup at linebacker, and might need an injury to hit the field enough for IDP relevance.

Browns

There's rookies all over the Cleveland roster.

In week 1, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running back Dylan Sampson are names to keep eyes on. Quinshon Judkins would join them if he signs and suits up in week 1.

All three of those guys could have decent offensive roles right away as the Browns look for more playmakers.

On defense, Mason Graham is highly regarded as a first-round pick on the d-line. Carson Schwesinger is a starting linebacker already and should be a good IDP option as a result.

Steelers

Kaleb Johnson is still worth watching, even though he's low on the running back depth chart for now.

Derrick Harmon won't play in week 1, but he's a name to keep an eye on after being a first-round pick this past offseason.

Yahya Black and Jack Sawyer could play a bit more with Harmon out of the picture, and some strong play could get them into notable roles moving forward.

Texans

Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel and Woody Marks are offensive rookies to keep tabs on in week 1.

Higgins should start, giving him fantasy relevance right away. He could be WR2 after Nico Collins.

Noel has a chance to factor in enough to have some fantasy upside too. Marks is down the running back depth chart, but with Joe Mixon out, maybe the team gives him more looks early on to see what they have.

Jaylin Smith is a depth option at cornerback, but is still a name to keep in mind for the long haul.

Colts

Tyler Warren is the Indy rookie you most should be intrigued by in week 1. I see him starring right away for this offense, which is desperate for more playmakers.

Running back DJ Giddens is worth tracking as well. He could carve out a role behind Jonathan Taylor, even though it'd probably take an injury to Taylor to get Giddens involved enough for fantasy upside.

JT Tuimoloau is down the depth chart on the d-line, so he's more a name to keep in mind, not one to expect big things from right away.

Jaguars

Everyone will be tuned into what Travis Hunter does in week 1. The wide receiver and cornerback could have value on either side of the ball - I expect him to be a better offensive option early on.

Running back Bhayshul Tuten is a name to keep in mind as well. Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby lead the backfield for now, but that could change at any point I think.

Along with Hunter on defense, Jack Kiser is a rookie in a backup role. It might take injuries to get him into a notable role though.

Titans

Cameron Ward is the rookie to watch in Tennessee, but there's others worth tracking too. Ward has a tough matchup to kick off his career, so I'm curious to see how he responds and looks.

Wideout Elic Ayomanor won a starting role, and could be the team's No. 2 wideout after Calvin Ridley. Chimere Dike is another rookie wideout who could earn a role over time, or after injuries.

A darkhorse is running back Kalel Mullings, who is RB3, but could maybe become the top backup in time. That could hold fantasy relevance for him, especially if Tony Pollard gets banged up at some point.

On defense, Oluwafemi Oladejo and Kevin Winston Jr. are rookies in backup roles. I think Oladejo has a better chance at playing time early on, but both could be IDP options down the road.

Broncos

Pat Bryant and RJ Harvey are a couple early-drafted rookies with secondary roles on offense. Both guys could play enough to have fantasy relevance right away.

Many are interested to see Harvey's role. He and J.K. Dobbins are set to split the backfield to open the year.

On defense, Jahdae Barron is the only one with a backup role for now. He was a first-round pick, so he's definitely a guy to track.

Que Robinson and Sai'vion Jones are secondary options who could factor in more down the road.

Chiefs

I was excited to see Jalen Royals in week 1, but he's out with an injury. Running back Brashard Smith seems like a longshot to have an offensive role, so an injury might be his way to playing time eventually.

No rookies are expected to start on defense, but Omarr Norman-Lott, Ashton Gillotte, Nohl Williams and Jeffrey Bassa are backups who could play enough over time to gain IDP value.

Raiders

Las Vegas has rookies all over the place to watch in week 1.

Ashton Jeanty is the star, and he'll be the workhorse back right away for the backfield. I'm really interested to see how he looks early in his career.

Rookie wideout Dont'e Thornton Jr. is expected to start, and could end up being WR1 with the drama surrounding Jakobi Meyers. Jack Bech is a second-round pick, but is a backup wideout on the depth chart for now. Both rookies could factor in right away.

On defense, Darien Porter has the best chance to play right away, but as a backup corner, there's not a ton of fantasy value unless he plays a ton.

JJ Pegues, Tonka Hemingway and Cody Lindenberg are long-term IDP rookies to stash and watch.

Chargers

Omarion Hampton is expected to start for Los Angeles in the backfield, but I'm curious to see how much of the workload he gets. He could be a fantasy star right away.

Keandre Lambert-Smith and Tre' Harris are some rookie wideouts to track, but might be better stash options for now.

Defensively, Jamaree Caldwell is a backup nose tackle, so we'll see how much he plays. RJ Mickens and Kyle Kennard are stash options to keep an eye on.