We're halfway through the regular season, which is more than enough time to evaluate the rookie class.
Tetairoa McMillan has quickly established himself as Carolina’s No. 1 wide receiver, while Tyler Warren hasn’t just been the top target for the Colts; he’s been the most productive tight end in the entire league.
My NFL picks are backing both rookies to have big games on Sunday. Here are my favorite NFL player props for Week 9.
NFL Week 9 prop picks
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Tetairoa McMillan |
Over 57.5 receiving yards | -114 |
 Tyler Warren |
Over 57.5 receiving yards | -114 |
 Kimani Vidal |
Over 77.5 rushing yards | -114 |
Best Bets and NFL Player Props for Week 9
Prop pick: Tetairoa McMillan Over 57.5 receiving yards
The Carolina Panthers took Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick in the draft with the hope that he would be the No. 1 wide receiver they've desperately needed.
He's played up to those expectations, leading the team in targets (63), receptions (37), and receiving yards (512) by a wide margin. Last week, McMillan finished with a career-high seven receptions for 99 yards against Buffalo, and that was with backup Andy Dalton throwing him the ball.
Bryce Young is on track to return this week, which bodes well for McMillan. The rookie wideout has logged more than 60 receiving yards in five of eight games this year.
With the Panthers installed as 13.5-point road underdogs against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, expect a negative game script with plenty of passing. Although Green Bay has a strong defense, the Packers lack a true shutdown corner and rank a middling 15th in the league in DVOA against No. 1 wide receivers.
Prop pick: Tyler Warren Over 56.5 receiving yards
Rookie tight ends often don't make a mark, but Tyler Warren has been an exception. The Indianapolis Colts' first-round selection leads all tight ends with 492 receiving yards and has built instant chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones.
The rookie burst onto the scene with seven catches for 76 yards in Week 1 and has logged 60+ receiving yards in five of eight games.
This week, Warren and the Colts head to Acrisure Stadium to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are 23rd in the league in defensive dropback EPA and have allowed a league-worst 79.3 receiving yards per game to opposing tight ends.
Prop pick: Kimani Vidal Over 77.5 rushing yards
With the Los Angeles Chargers' backfield decimated by injuries, Kimani Vidal has taken over as the No. 1 running back.
Vidal is coming off a career-high 23 carries for 117 yards against the Vikings, which is the second time in three starts that he has broken the 100-yard plateau. With Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris on the IR and Hassan Haskins dealing with a hamstring injury, Vidal should see another heavy workload in Week 9.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball, and the Bolts will likely have a positive game script since they are 9.5-point faves against the 1-7 Tennessee Titans. The Titans are 29th in the league in defensive rush DVOA while ranking 26th in rushing yards allowed per game (142.6).
NFL Week 9 prop betting card
- McMillan o57.5 receiving yards (-114)
- Warren o56.5 receiving yards (-114)
- Vidal o77.5 rushing yards (-114)
My NFL weekly props column is 20-15 this season for +2.54 units.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
