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| Tuesday, September 14, 2021 |
| Welcome to Week 2, or as I like to call it, "Overreaction Week!" |
| It's hard not to overreact after the first games for most of these players in nine months, and you probably need to overreact to at least a certain extent -- being passive around early-season trends can leave you behind the pack. Your opinions on players shouldn't necessarily shift dramatically after an offseason of research, but there's a lot of value in being able to identify where our preseason expectations were just flat out wrong and knowing how to react to that. |
| Today's newsletter is all about re-establishing expectations as well as helping you make the right moves to react to what we just saw in Week 1. But first, a quick rundown of all of the Week 1 injuries we'll need to keep an eye on this week: |
- Raheem Mostert (knee) -- Mostert is expected to miss about eight weeks a cartilage injury in his right knee. More about his replacements in the waiver-wire section.
- Jerry Jeudy (ankle) -- We're still waiting for a firm diagnosis, but it is believed to be a high-ankle sprain, which usually carries with it at least a multi-week absence. But his season is not over, thankfully.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) -- It seems like we're going to be counting this absence in months, not weeks. Taylor Heinicke figures to step in as the starting QB.
- Michael Gallup (calf) -- Gallup was placed on IR and will miss at least three weeks -- and the injury could stretch as long as five.
- Rashaad Penny (calf) -- Penny has been dealing with this injury for a little while and is expected to be shut down for a few weeks, per reports. Alex Collins will be the primary backup to Chris Carson.
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| Here's what we've got on tap in today's newsletter: |
- ➕Top Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets
- 📈Week 2 Rankings📉
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| ➕Top Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets |
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There is going to be a frenzy on the waiver wire ahead of Week 2, and you need to know how to best allocate your resources. Jamey Eisenberg's Waiver Wire column is up and ready for you to get all the help you need. Here are the top targets for this first waiver run of the regular season: |
| Jamey Eisenberg's top targets |
- Elijah Mitchell (6% rostered) -- Mitchell took over after Mostert's injury in Week 1 and looked great in his NFL debut. He figures to be the lead back moving forward, though don't drop fellow rookie Trey Sermon just yet -- he'll probably be active in Week 2. Mitchell may require 40% of your FAB budget to acquire, but unless I'm desperate for a No. 2 RB, I'd probably pass at that price. He's fine for 25%.
- Nyheim Hines (65%) -- Full disclosure: Hines was also one of the top waiver targets coming out of Week 1 last season too when he had seven carries for 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground along with eight catches on eight targets for 45 yards and a score. But this time is different ... right?
- Mike Williams (63%) -- Williams has shown flashes, but never quite like what he did in Week 1 when the Chargers used him like more than just a deep threat and he responded with a big performance. He could be in line for a huge breakout.
- Sterling Shepard (29%) -- I'm not quite sure I buy Shepard being able to remain a starting-caliber Fantasy option as the rest of the Giants offense gets healthy, but he was clearly undervalued coming into the season.
- Juwan Johnson (3%) -- Johnson caught two touchdowns in Week 1, but didn't play a huge role otherwise. Hopefully that changes moving forward, but make sure to check if he has TE eligibility in your league before adding him; he doesn't have much appeal otherwise.
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| One (more) target for each position |
- QB: Tyrod Taylor (9%) -- Taylor looked pretty great in Week 1, albeit against a very soft Jaguars defense. Still, his rushing abilities make him a No. 2 Fantasy QB.
- RB: Mark Ingram (32%) -- It took a perfect storm to get Ingram to an RB19 finish in Week 1, but he's a lead back on a run-first team, so he should be on someone's roster.
- WR: Tim Patrick (9%) -- My initial reaction to Jeudy's injury was to add KJ Hamler , and while I still like him, I think I'd prioritize Patrick, who had a seven-game stretch in 2020 where he put up a 16-game pace of 69-1166-7. He's better than you think.
- TE: David Njoku (2%) -- Njoku played a surprisingly big role in Week 1 and looked really good, earning a handful of deep targets and leading the tight end position with 92 air yards. He ran more routes than Austin Hooper and could emerge as the better Fantasy option of the two.
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| 📈Week 2 Rankings Preview📉 |
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| I try not to be too reactionary coming off Week 1, but I'll try to highlight the biggest movers at each position. I've also written about many of the players and my justifications for their rankings at each position, so click on each position for more of my thoughts. Those pages will also be updated throughout the week, so keep the links handy. These are all for PPR leagues: |
| Quarterbacks |
The thing about quarterback is, there's a clear top 10 at the position, and they really stand out right now. Beyond them, you're talking about a point in my projections separating No. 12 from No. 23. Which means there is going to be a lot of movement from one week to the next, without a player's value actually changing. That being said, Jameis Winston and Teddy Bridgewater are big risers, while I'm feeling pretty pessimistic about Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Wentz after Week 1. For more of my thoughts on the quarterback rankings, head here. |
- Lamar Jackson
- Patrick Mahomes
- Russell Wilson
- Josh Allen
- Tom Brady
- Kyler Murray
- Dak Prescott
- Aaron Rodgers
- Jalen Hurts
- Justin Herbert
- Matthew Stafford
- Ryan Tannehill
- Kirk Cousins
- Joe Burrow
- Derek Carr
- Jameis Winston
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Taylor Heinicke
- Baker Mayfield
- Tyrod Taylor
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Matt Ryan
- Mac Jones
- Sam Darnold
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Andy Dalton
- Trevor Lawrence
- Carson Wentz
- Jared Goff
- Ben Roethlisberger
- Zach Wilson
- Daniel Jones
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| Running backs |
Joe Mixon confirmed all of my expectations in Week 1, so while he may be moving up for everyone else, he stays put at RB4 for me. Austin Ekeler hasn't really moved down yet, but if he doesn't get involved in the passing game this week, I'm going to start panicking. I came away from Week 1 pretty pleased with Clyde Edwards-Helaire's role, and a healthy D'Andre Swift looks like he might be the best pick in Fantasy this season. On the opposite end, I dropped James Robinson from the top-12 to fringe No. 2 status, and he could fall further than that. For more of my thoughts on the running back rankings, head here. |
- Christian McCaffrey
- Alvin Kamara
- Dalvin Cook
- Joe Mixon
- Najee Harris
- Aaron Jones
- Austin Ekeler
- Nick Chubb
- Derrick Henry
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- Antonio Gibson
- Chris Carson
- Jonathan Taylor
- D'Andre Swift
- David Montgomery
- Ezekiel Elliott
- Saquon Barkley
- Myles Gaskin
- Darrell Henderson
- Kareem Hunt
- Miles Sanders
- Mike Davis
- James Robinson
- Chase Edmonds
- Melvin Gordon
- Jamaal Williams
- Josh Jacobs
- Devin Singletary
- Elijah Mitchell
- Damien Harris
- Javonte Williams
- Kenyan Drake
- Nyheim Hines
- Latavius Murray
- Leonard Fournette
- J.D. McKissic
- Ty'Son Williams
- James Conner
- James White
- David Johnson
- A.J. Dillon
- Ronald Jones
- Mark Ingram
- Tevin Coleman
- Giovani Bernard
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Carlos Hyde
- Michael Carter
- Tony Pollard
- Trey Sermon
- Kenneth Gainwell
- Ty Johnson
- Tony Jones
- Larry Rountree
- Jeremy McNichols
- Malcolm Brown
- Phillip Lindsay
- Damien Williams
- Darrel Williams
- Devontae Booker
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| Wide receivers |
Wide receiver rankings shouldn't fluctuate quite as much as running back after one week, because WR usage tends to fluctuate from week to week without necessarily indicating a change in value or role. That being said, I'm more confident in DJ Chark, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and Ja'Marr Chase this week, and I'm less confident in Julio Jones, Terry McLaurin, and Robby Anderson. For more of my thoughts on the wide receiver rankings, head here. |
- Davante Adams
- Tyreek Hill
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Stefon Diggs
- Calvin Ridley
- Allen Robinson
- Tyler Lockett
- D.K. Metcalf
- Amari Cooper
- A.J. Brown
- Justin Jefferson
- Keenan Allen
- Cooper Kupp
- Chris Godwin
- CeeDee Lamb
- Robert Woods
- D.J. Moore
- Mike Evans
- Antonio Brown
- Julio Jones
- Deebo Samuel
- Terry McLaurin
- Diontae Johnson
- Adam Thielen
- Corey Davis
- Brandin Cooks
- Mike Williams
- Jarvis Landry
- Jaylen Waddle
- Ja'Marr Chase
- DJ Chark
- Robby Anderson
- Sterling Shepard
- DeVonta Smith
- Jakobi Meyers
- Tee Higgins
- Courtland Sutton
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Will Fuller
- Kenny Golladay
- Marquise Brown
- Tyler Boyd
- Laviska Shenault
- Mecole Hardman
- Chase Claypool
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Marvin Jones
- Emmanuel Sanders
- Tim Patrick
- Cole Beasley
- Marquez Callaway
- Bryan Edwards
- Michael Pittman
- Devante Parker
- Rondale Moore
- Sammy Watkins
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Henry Ruggs
- Darnell Mooney
- Nelson Agholor
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| Tight ends |
The big question at the position after Week 1 is whether T.J. Hockenson is truly ready to join the elite of the position. I'll need to see more, but it was a heck of a start. I'm not at all concerned about Kyle Pitts or Mark Andrews, but I do have some concerns about Jonnu Smith after his disappointing usage in Week 1. For more of my thoughts on the tight end rankings, head here. |
- Travis Kelce
- Darren Waller
- George Kittle
- T.J. Hockenson
- Mark Andrews
- Kyle Pitts
- Logan Thomas
- Tyler Higbee
- Jonnu Smith
- Noah Fant
- Rob Gronkowski
- Dallas Goedert
- Hunter Henry
- Austin Hooper
- Jared Cook
- Robert Tonyan
- Will Dissly
- Zach Ertz
- David Njoku
- Juwan Johnson
- Tyler Kroft
- Anthony Firkser
- Cole Kmet
- Dalton Schultz
- Blake Jarwin
- Adam Trautman
- Kyle Rudolph
- Gerald Everett
- Mike Gesicki
- Hayden Hurst
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| Top-150 Flex Rankings |
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