You in all probability checked your waiver wire to see if Isaiah Probably was out there after the season opener. Seems he’s there available in about 70% of Yahoo leagues, and I imagine the 12 targets, 111 yards, and landing wasn’t a fluke, so let’s get that out of the way in which as a sensible declare to make on one participant who clearly has his inventory on the rise.
The issue is that Week 1 is simply that… one week — the one and solely week. So many occasions gamers have nice openers that trigger fantasy managers to blow their FAAB or waiver precedence on what seems to be a one-hit-wonder. On the flip facet, should you added Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, or Trey McBride, who had been available this time final 12 months, it might be the rationale you received a championship! It’s exhausting to inform what’s an outlier and what has endurance, particularly when everyone seems to be attempting to make sense of the smallest pattern dimension attainable. That mentioned, listed below are some gamers who’re price a more in-depth look given their inventory motion (rising or falling) after Week 1.
Inventory Up
Brandin Cooks WR, DAL (33% of Y! rosters)
Sure, Cooks is coming off two of the worst seasons in his profession. Nonetheless, the newly-minted highest paid participant within the NFL is his quarterback and Dallas continues to be a pass-heavy workforce anticipated to attain a ton. Dak Prescott led the league with 36 passing TDs final 12 months, was third with 4,516 yards, and Dallas didn’t precisely construct a scary run recreation within the offseason. Everyone knows about CeeDee Lamb (who additionally received paid), however many anticipated TE Jake Ferguson to be second on the Cowboys in most receiving stats. Sadly, Ferguson suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise in Week 1, and it was Cooks who stepped up. He had the one landing within the passing recreation throughout a 33-17 victory in Cleveland, was the plain No. 2 choice within the passing recreation, and is positioned to be closely focused if Ferguson (who’s now listed as week-to-week) misses any time. Lamb will nonetheless be the alpha, however there’s sufficient manufacturing to go round in Dallas and I count on Cooks’ slice of the pie to develop sufficient for him to be fantasy related on a weekly foundation.
Sam Darnold QB, MIN (10%)
Darnold definitely benefited from a matchup in opposition to the Giants, who had been the one workforce unable to get to 10 factors in Week 1. The Vikings dominated all through the competition and, whereas 208 yards passing doesn’t appear to be lighting the world on fireplace, Darnold was extremely environment friendly in finishing 79% of his passes to eight totally different Vikings. A month in the past, some analysts thought J.J. McCarthy was a sneaky QB2 because of the weapons he had at his disposal (Justin Jefferson, anybody?), and the potential with Kevin O’Connell calling performs. These parts are nonetheless in impact and O’Connell anticipated Darnold to play nicely, saying, “I don’t assume anyone’s shocked that Sam Darnold performed the way in which he did right now, I do know I’m definitely not. I attempted to foreshadow as a lot as I may all through coaching camp, so I’m simply pleased with him.” It’ll get harder subsequent week in opposition to San Francisco, however Darnold must be rostered in SuperFlex leagues as a QB2 choice shifting ahead. Jefferson “solely” had six targets and using among the best receivers within the recreation extra typically ought to assist make Darnold’s ceiling even greater within the coming weeks.
Tyler Lockett WR, SEA (61%)
We heard lots about Ryan Grubb’s new offense for the Seahawks this offseason. It didn’t look definitely worth the hype within the first half in opposition to Denver after surrendering two safeties, however Geno Smith discovered a rhythm within the second half and the Seahawks cruised, scoring 17 factors after halftime. One other shock from this offense was that Tyler Lockett was the main receiver in all classes, with 7 targets, 6 receptions and 77 yards. Most assumed second-year WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba would leapfrog Lockett in his age 32 season, however JSN was solely focused twice. Lockett battled a thigh damage in the course of the preseason, which didn’t assist his fantasy inventory, however his utilization in Week 1 suggests he’ll nonetheless be a key cog for the Seahawks passing recreation. Lockett has been extremely regular, reaching a minimum of 73 catches and 894 yards every of the previous 5 seasons. He appears to be like like he can get there once more and is price a roster spot if he went undrafted in your league.
Demarcus Robinson WR, LAR (6%)
No one threw the ball extra in Week 1 than Matthew Stafford. Stafford handed 49 occasions, with a tremendous 21 of these targets going to Cooper Kupp! Stafford needed to lean on Kupp after Puka Nacua went down, injuring the identical knee that had him unsure a lot of the preseason. Each Kupp and Nacua had been prime 40 picks throughout draft season and Nacua is now headed to IR for a minimum of 4 video games, making Demarcus Robinson the following man up. Fantasy soccer is a few participant’s alternative and position, so Robinson slotting into the No. 2 position within the Rams go assault makes him a gorgeous choice on the waiver wire, particularly when defenses deal with limiting Kupp.
Inventory Down
Travis Etienne Jr. RB, JAC (100%)
Etienne was universally considered an RB1 for fantasy soccer this 12 months and he nonetheless very nicely could return that form of manufacturing. As is the case with most RB1s, their worth comes from being as near a “bellcow” or “workhorse” for his or her workforce as attainable, bringing most alternative for yours. The priority for Etienne primarily comes from the utilization of second-year RB Tank Bigsby. Bigsby did not impress final 12 months, solely gaining over 21 dashing yards as soon as. Sunday was the beginning of a brand new 12 months, and a brand new Bigsby, who obtained 12 carries (the identical as Etienne) en path to main Jacksonville with 73 yards on 6.1 yards per carry. Etienne additionally had an important fumble on the purpose line because the Jags had been attempting to solidify their lead in opposition to the Dolphins — they ended up dropping 20-17. Ball safety can hold you within the doghouse and if Bigsby makes the Jaguars backfield look extra like a break up, Etienne’s worth will drop a tier or two.
Caleb Williams QB (91%); Rome Odunze WR (90%), CHI
The Bears received their season opener, nevertheless it wasn’t fairly. The one touchdowns that they had in a 24-17 comeback victory in opposition to the Titans got here from a punt block and interception return. The offense, led by No. 1 total choose Caleb Williams, regarded prefer it nonetheless had lots to be taught. Williams threw for less than 93 yards, which is even worse than Bears averages over the previous two seasons, and he couldn’t full half of his passes, going 14 of 29 with a 55.7 passer ranking. A number of the incompletions had been simply plain unhealthy misses, as evidenced by sure-handed veteran receiver Keenan Allen solely changing 4 of the 11 targets. Williams should still develop right into a dynamic QB and the primary Bears sign caller to surpass 4,000 yards, however Week 1 was not a great begin. With so many different serviceable fantasy choices on the QB place, it will not be definitely worth the wait to see when Williams could make the changes required.
This additionally signifies that there will not be a ton of manufacturing to go round for the Bears weapons surrounding Williams. Fellow prime 10 draft choose Rome Odunze solely grabbed considered one of his 4 targets and was clearly behind Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. Some passing offenses could possibly assist three receiving choices, however not the one we noticed in Chicago in Week 1. Add to it that Odunze tweaked his knee and it may set him again even additional. I’d keep away from each of them for now till we a minimum of see a landing (or two) from the Bears offense.
Inexperienced Bay WRs (all of them)
Some of the intriguing groups heading into the season was the Inexperienced Bay Packers, and rightfully so. No one was extra spectacular within the second half of final 12 months than Packers QB Jordan Love, who was rewarded with an enormous four-year contract extension this summer season. The narrative was that he had 4 high quality WRs to throw to and it could permit him to learn defenses and make the very best determination. Sadly, the Packers misplaced their season opener 34-29 to the Eagles and misplaced extra than simply the sport. Love sustained an MCL damage on the ultimate collection and is now anticipated to overlook 3-6 weeks.
The backup in Inexperienced Bay is Malik Willis, who was solely acquired a couple of weeks again and is thought extra as a uncooked dual-threat prospect. He has solely 35 completions in components of 12 video games, has by no means thrown for a TD and has three interceptions. He’s been sacked 15 occasions in these video games and has by no means topped 100 passing yards — in different phrases, he has but to look the a part of a beginning NFL quarterback. Whereas he could get to that stage in Week 2 in opposition to the Colts, there’s no method you can begin WRs Christian Watson (85% of Y! rosters), Romeo Doubs (53%), Dontayvion Wicks (25%), and even Jayden Reed (91%), who had 171 complete yards and a couple of TDs with Love underneath heart. I wouldn’t lower them as a result of Love must be again by Halloween, however hold them in your bench till Willis lastly exhibits us one thing.
(High photograph of Brandin Cooks: Scott Galvin, Imagn Pictures)
