NFC Fantasy Football Rookies to Watch in Week 1: Abdul Carter, Emeka Egbuka and More

After taking a look at AFC rookie fantasy football players to keep an eye on, let's do the same thing for NFC teams.

We'll cover offensive and defensive players. This will be tailored a bit more toward dynasty owners, but will include redraft fantasy information as well. 

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Cowboys

The only fantasy player on offense who could factor in early as a rookie is running back Jaydon Blue. He looks to be third on the depth chart, but we'll get an idea of how the team views him on Thursday night.

On defense, Donovan Ezeiruaku is a rookie projected for a backup role. He could get enough snaps to be an IDP option in time. Shemar James and Jay Toia are more stash-and-hope candidates down the road.

Giants

Cam Skattebo is the rookie to watch on offense for New York. He's down the depth chart for now, but that might not last long.

Abdul Carter is the defensive rookie to be looking out for. He was a first-round pick for a reason and is expected to star right away - we'll see if Carter can be an IDP stud right away.

Darius Alexander could get enough snaps despite being a backup d-lineman to have fantasy relevance over time.

Eagles

There's no rookies on offense who are in positions to be fantasy assets (just linemen).

Jihaad Campbell is expected to start in the heart of the defense (linebacker), so he should be a good IDP option right away.

Andrew Mukuba, Ty Robinson, Smael Mondon Jr. and Mac McWilliams would earn more playing time down the road, but might need injuries to play enough snaps to have IDP value.

Commanders

Jaylin Lane is a rookie wideout I'll be keeping an eye on early in the season. Washington needs more pass catchers after Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr., and Lane could be that guy who steps up.

Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt looked to be destined for the starting role after the trade of Brian Robinson Jr., but he's buried on the depth chart. That might not mean much, but it makes him a risky starting option in week 1.

Trey Amos is a projected starting corner for the Commanders, so he could be an IDP asset to some. Kain Medrano has more long-term value and doesn't have a clear path to playing time right now.

Bears

There's rookies all over the roster in Chicago.

Tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden III were added to the big group of pass catchers the team has. I'll be interested to see if any pass catcher can separate themselves, or if this will just be a fantasy nightmare all season.

Running back Kyle Monangai could be the No. 2 back in Chicago early on as Roschon Johnson is banged up. D'Andre Swift's spot as the lead back isn't super secure, so Monangai is a name to keep tabs on as the season moves along.

On defense, Ruben Hyppolite II is a backup linebacker, and seems unlikely to play a ton unless there's injuries ahead of him. Shemar Turner is buried on the depth chart, but as a second-round selection, he could factor in more later this year.

Lions

Isaac TeSlaa showed enough this preseason for the team to trade away Tim Patrick. The rookie's role is still not going to be big behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta, but he's worth tracking at least.

Dominic Lovett is a seventh-round receiver who would need injuries to hit the field enough for fantasy relevance, I think.

Tyleik Williams is the only notable rookie on defense, but he's expected to start right away at defensive tackle. He could be a good fantasy right from the start of the season too.

Packers

Matthew Golden is the rookie wideout you want to keep close tabs on in Green Bay. I see him as a star in his first year, but he'll need to prove it, and emerge in a crowded pass-catcher room.

Savion Williams might need an injury to get on the field enough in his rookie year. 

Warren Brinson and Barryn Sorrell are more stash options while they are buried on the depth chart. After the Micah Parsons/Kenny Clark trade, there's opportunities for d-linemen to step up though.

Vikings

I was intrigued by Tai Felton at receiver until the team traded for Adam Thielen. Now Felton is buried on the depth chart and unlikely to make a difference unless there's injuries ahead of him.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Kobe King are some depth options on defense. Ingram-Dawkins has a better chance to play right away, so he's the one to track a bit closer.

Falcons

There's no offensive rookies in Atlanta to keep tabs on right now.

On defense, Xavier Watts (safety) and Billy Bowman Jr. (nickel corner) are projected starters who could have IDP relevance right away. Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are first-round picks who should be better options down the road as pass-rushing options.

Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan is the shiny new wideout in Carolina, and he should star right away for the offense. We'll see how he looks in week 1.

Rookie wideout Jimmy Horn Jr. could maybe factor in over time as well, as could rookie back Trevor Etienne, although he might need injuries ahead of him.

On defense, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, Cam Jackson and Lathan Ransom are depth options at their respective positions, but could play enough right away to deliver IDP value. 

Saints

There's no real big-time rookie to keep tabs on offensively yet for New Orleans. In time, Tyler Shough and Devin Neal could be difference makers.

Vernon Broughton, Jonas Sanker, Danny Stutsman and Quincy Riley are depth options on defense, but could take on big enough roles in time to have IDP value.

Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka is a rookie wideout who could star right away for Tampa Bay, especially with Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan out. Tez Johnson is another rookie wideout who could maybe do enough early on to have deep-league relevance.

Jacob Parrish appears to have earned a starting corner role as a rookie, so he'll have some IDP value immediately. Benjamin Morrison and Elijah Roberts could gain value over time and are worth tracking.

Cardinals

There's no rookies on offense in Arizona worth watching closely.

Will Johnson is a starting corner who has immediate IDP value. Jordan Burch, Cody Simon, Denzel Burke and Kitan Crawford have long-term value, and could get more involved after injuries.

Rams

The Rams have three rookies at skill positions on offense, but I don't see any of them having fantasy relevance early on.

Wideout Konata Mumpfield is buried on the depth chart, as is running back Jarquez Hunter. Tight end Terrance Ferguson has the best chance to contribute early on, but he's listed third at his position.

Defensively, Josaiah Stewart and Ty Hamilton are more stash IDP options right now, but could play enough early on for a little fantasy value.

49ers

Jordan Watkins is banged up to start the season, which is unfortunate, because the Niners could use another wideout option. In time, he could factor in.

On defense, Mykel Williams and Upton Stout are both projected starters, so they are worth watching as they have immediate IDP value. Alfred Collins, Nick Martin, CJ West and Marques Sigle are backup options who could earn bigger roles over time. There's plenty to watch defensively for San Fran.

Seahawks

Tory Horton is expected to be a starting wideout for Seattle, but behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, it might be hard for him to be a big-time fantasy asset. An injury to JSN or Kupp could open things up more for Horton.

Tight end Elijah Arroyo is someone I see taking over as the starter in time. We'll see how much he plays right away in week 1.

On defense, Nick Emmanwori is listed as a backup at safety, but is regarded as one of the better IDP rookies right now. We'll see if he plays enough early to have value, or if it might take some time for him to come around.