Week 2 NFL Fantasy Trends: Risers And Fallers
The beginning of a new season brings a lot of unexpected storylines and surprises. It also delivers vast arrays of emotion among fantasy owners. Some, fully confident in their teams, are lamenting losses. Others, thinking they flopped on draft day, instead celebrate an unexpected victory. For all those who like emotional swings, we bring to you another edition of the Week 2 NFL Fantasy Football Sizzle/Fizzle. We will shine our spotlight on those who hit home runs and those who struck out. As always, we hope you enjoy and can pick up some timely tidbits!
Sizzle
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens – The “he was only playing Miami” argument has some merit. But with Jackson playing Arizona and Kansas City the next two weeks, the good times will keep going. Jackson’s production in South Florida was all through the air. Since most of his production last season took place on the ground, Jackson’s aerial wizardry was great to see.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys – Dynamic Dak destroyed the Giants, throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns. Once Ezekiel Elliott gets back up to speed, Dak’s ceiling could lower a little. However, with an improved supporting cast, Prescott has rightfully locked up a starting spot for many fantasy teams. Did we mention Dallas hosts Miami in Week 3?
Gardner Minshew, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Minshew likely will not develop into a fantasy asset outside of 2QB leagues. Still, when you come off the bench in your first game and throw for 275 yards and two touchdowns, you deserve commendation.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings – In Super Bowl 8 following the 1973 season, Miami won the championship. In that Super Bowl game, Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese threw eight passes. The Miami ground game, led by another Hall of Famer, Larry Csonka, dominated. Ironically, the team they defeated was Minnesota. It appears the Vikings found a time machine and borrowed a page from the old school Miami playbook. Kirk Cousins threw 10 passes while Cook rushed for 111 yards and two scores. Plan on the retro approach sticking around, with Cook amassing RB1 totals as long as he stays healthy.
Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco – And then there was (largely) one. With Tevin Coleman out of action, Breida helps fantasy owners make bank as San Francisco’s lead back. Raheem Mostert will mix in, but it’s largely Breida’s show. At least as much as any back can own a show in Kyle Shanahan’s backfield.
Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – We are not breaking out the bubbly in honor of Jones. The Tampa backfield remains convoluted with Peyton Barber remaining the starter and Dare Ogunbowale also involved. Still, the best of the lot looks to be Jones. He rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries and played the best game of his short career. If Jones can keep it up, he ought to be in the regular flex conversation.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Scrutinized for being injury-prone and unproductive in his first year in Kansas City, Sammy silenced the critics in Jacksonville. Watkins caught nine passes for 198 yards and a whopping three touchdowns. It is possible the good times will not last for Watkins. Or, with Tyreek Hill out and at least temporarily renewed health, that Sammy becomes a giant. Owners who dared to select Sammy have lots of reasons to be thrilled.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – Remember when then Philadelphia head coach Chip Kelly got rid of Jackson in 2014? Kelly remains one of those self-proclaimed genius types who just happens to not be a genius. Now coaching at UCLA, Kelly just suffered losses to Cincinnati and San Diego State. Meanwhile, Jackson, making his Philadelphia return, caught eight passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. The Eagles offense has a wide cast of characters. Jackson will have some off weeks, but more monster games are on the horizon.
Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens – Not many rookies debut by accumulating 147 yards and two touchdowns, and that was after Brown missed a good portion of the offseason program. Brown projects as the DeSean Jackson of the revamped Ravens offense.
John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – The first two seasons of his career have been forgettable. Ross, who played at Washington, really enjoyed being back in Seattle. He burned the Seahawks for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Ross may be hit or miss, especially when A.J. Green returns. But for now, J.R. belongs in the WR3 or flex discussion.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Redskins – Optimism regarding McLaurin exists even more after an impressive debut. Seeing McLaurin catch five passes for 125 yards and a score was not the surprising part. It was that he clicked so well with Case Keenum. I figured McLaurin’s best days would take place once Dwayne Haskins took over as Washington’s starter. After all, McLaurin and Haskins played together at Ohio State. But if McLaurin can click with any quarterback on the Washington roster, he becomes an immediate fantasy asset.
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Getting more targets than Tyler Lockett, Metcalf is no longer just a combine superstar. He has become a legitimate NFL receiver very quickly. Seattle plans on staying run-oriented, but Metcalf’s role will be strong enough to help fantasy coaches.
Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys – Drafted as a backup in most leagues, Gallup looks like a starter going forward. Capable of splash plays and clicking with Dak Prescott, Gallup generated 158 yards against the Giants. Now he draws a Washington defense torn apart by DeSean Jackson.
Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets – Crowder never seems to stay relevant in fantasy for very long. However, we cannot ignore the fact Crowder had 14 receptions in Week 1. Even half of that total on a weekly basis makes Crowder a steal for the rest of the season.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions – Hockenson lurks as an early candidate for Rookie of the Year. Pulling in six passes for 131 yards, he looks like the best tight end Detroit has had in a while. Fantasy owners are looking forward to sharing the benefits with the Lions.
Darren Waller, TE, Oakland Raiders – Leading Oakland in targets, it sure seems like Jon Gruden loves what Waller brings to the Raiders offense. Players like Waller and Hockenson are making the tight end position much less shallow.
Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants – The overall outlook for New York looks grim after a Week 1 loss to Dallas. But Engram looms as a bright spot after catching 11 passes for 116 yards. With Sterling Shepard dealing with a concussion, Engram and Saquon Barkley will get tons of targets against Buffalo.
Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans – We must say a big “welcome back” to Walker after the crafty veteran scored two touchdowns against Cleveland. Certainly, Walker will not produce that type of production every week. Nonetheless, he appears to have fully recovered from last year’s ankle injury. As Tennessee’s top receiver, Walker gives fantasy owners a quality weekly starter.
Fizzle
Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Maybe Bruce Arians makes miracles and they just take some time. Famous Jameis found himself flustered against San Francisco, throwing more touchdowns to San Francisco than his own team. In defense of Winston, Mike Evans may not have been at full strength. But at least in Week 1, the superior supporting cast and presence of Arians did not help Jameis. Can Winston conquer his demons on Thursday night in Charlotte against the Panthers? If not, his presence on the waiver wire is going to keep growing.
Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Chicago Bears – The Monsters of the Midway did their part against the Packers, limiting Aaron Rodgers and company to 10 points. Unfortunately for Chicago, Trubisky’s troublesome play led to a troubling loss. If you are searching for a streamer this week, look elsewhere. Once daunting Denver will be out to avenge a disappointing loss to Oakland. Expect the Broncos to pick up the pace on defense and another week of struggles for Trubisky.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Big Ben is a better bet to rebound than Winston or Trubisky. A matchup with Seattle looks favorable after the Seahawks struggled against Andy Dalton last weekend. However, his supporting cast can be seen as a hindrance at the moment.
Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins – Unfortunately, health betrays Guice again. A meniscus injury will sideline him this week and probably beyond. Adrian Peterson, disregarded by Washington head coach Jay Gruden just last week, and Chris Thompson will lead the way. If you can hang onto Guice, you should, but will he ever be fully healthy this year?
Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers – Held to 39 yards by the Bears, Jones gets another tough draw on Sunday against Minnesota. The matchup represents more of a concern than backup Jamaal Williams. Jones should generate some success stories this season. But this week, if you are starting him, hope that your other players can carry you home to victory.
Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Smothered by Minnesota’s mighty defense, Freeman rushed for only 19 yards. More concerning, Ito Smith saw more playing time than many anticipated. Freeman owners should not be in full-fledged panic mode, but they need to be concerned.
Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams – Owners gambling on Gurley found themselves feeling sombre after Malcolm Brown stole two touchdowns and received 11 carries. Averaging 6.9 yards per carry, Gurley’s old self did not completely disappear. Nonetheless, the actions of the Los Angeles brass confirm Gurley to be an RB2 rather than a franchise player.
Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots – Sony delivered a stink bomb on Sunday night, rushing for 14 yards on 15 carries. Pesky Rex Burkhead and James White delivered better numbers on a night Michel should have shined. Anyone with Michel on their team feels ticked. An inclination to bench him is natural. But with Miami on the schedule, give him a chance to make amends.
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals – Mixon is dealing with an ankle injury and his status for Sunday is up in the air. Seattle shut him down on Sunday, holding him to 10 yards on six carries before the injury forced him out of action. Get ready to fire up Giovani Bernard if Mixon sits out.
Antonio Brown, WR, New England Patriots – No matter where Brown goes, trouble follows. Now we are talking disturbing trouble as opposed to a diva seeking attention. Owners celebrating Brown’s voyage to New England now have to wonder if he will be sent to the sidelines at some point.
Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans – Davis pitched a shutout in Week 1, failing to catch a pass. With Delanie Walker back, rookie A.J. Brown looking promising, and Tennessee utilizing a run-centric scheme, how well does Davis fit in these days?
Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers – Like Davis, Allison pitched a shutout to start the season. His outlook remains more promising, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling outshined him opening night. That ought to be the story for the rest of the season.
Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers – Relegated to a backup role, Pettis seems to be disappearing from the San Francisco offense. A calf injury tells part of the story, but the 49ers are clearly not anointing him as their WR1. Hopefully, things will change for the better, and soon.
Hunter Henry, TE, Los Angeles Chargers – Sadly, another significant injury will sideline Henry for a while. If your league allows you an injured reserve spot, you can stash Hunter for now.
Eric Ebron, TE, Indianapolis Colts – The anticipated decline of Ebron started in Los Angeles, with him catching one pass for eight yards. He nearly caught a touchdown, but Jacoby Brissett largely locked in on T.Y. Hilton. Jack Doyle was also quiet as Marlon Mack and Hilton led the offense. While he will not disappear, other tight ends are going to present way more upside.
We will look forward to seeing you next week for another edition of NFL Fantasy football Sizzle/Fizzle!
