Fun, Failure, Frustration, and Fame: Week 1 Edition

FUN

This is my reminder that fantasy football should be fun.  It is also fair warning that I only play (and write about) fantasy football for fun.  I have never done a paid league, and I would not suggest you use my thoughts in a betting situation.  I am NOT an expert, and I play for fun.

FAILURE

For this week’s edition, I’m going to point out some of the flops/failures from Week 1, and then make a prediction as to whether I think Week 1 was a fluke or a trend for that player.

QB Tua Tagovailoa:  Wow.  That offense looked BAD. Lots of people are writing off the Dolphins after that performance.  I think the Dolphins will bounce back.  My concern for Tua Tagovailoa is always health.  But, when he’s healthy, he typically puts up at least solid numbers.  If you’re in a deeper league and he is available, I would consider grabbing him off of waivers:

Verdict: FLUKE

QB CJ Stroud:  The Texans offense struggled, just like it did last year.  It doesn’t look like they have figured out the protection issues for C.J. Stroud.  Also, I am not sure how much Nick Chubb has left as their starting RB.  I see the struggles for Stroud continuing.  If you have Stroud on your team, I would be looking at the waiver wire or trade market for an upgrade.

Verdict: TREND

QB Bo Nix:  25/40 for 176 yards, 1 TD, 2 Int:  No doubt about it, that was a very ugly game for the Broncos offense.  Nix is too good and Sean Payton is too good of coach for that to continue.  I chalk this up to rust.  I expect Nix and the Broncos offense to bounce back.

Verdict: FLUKE

WR Ja’Marr Chase:  Two receptions for 26 yards.  Despite playing more starters in preseason to attempt to prevent another slow start, the Bengals offense started slow again.  We all know this story.  As long as Joe Burrow is healthy, the Bengals offense and Ja’Marr Chase are going to put up a TON of points.

Verdict: FLUKE

WR AJ Brown:  One reception for 8 yards.  That game-plan for the Eagles was horrendous!  How do you manage to not get A.J. Brown (and DeVonta Smith) more involved?  The Eagles escaped with the W and I’ve got to think their game plan will be a lot different moving forward.  I still expect Brown to put up a ton of points.

Verdict: FLUKE

WR: Terry McLaurin:  Two catches for 27 yards on four targets.  I think this was a case of Terry McLaurin missing much of training camp with an ankle injury and the contract dispute.  McLaurin will rebound and put up solid numbers.  Don’t panic if you have him on your team.

Verdict: FLUKE

RB:  Jerome Ford:  I thought Jerome Ford might be a sneaky pick since he was projected as the Browns starter.  However, he only had six rushes for eight yards and one catch for -3 yards.  Clearly, the Browns decided to trust in Dylan Sampson more, who got 20 touches.  With Quinshon Judkins signed and working his way into the rotation, I think Ford can be safely dropped, as I expect him to have ZERO fantasy football value from here on out.

Verdict: TREND

FRUSTRATION

RB Najee Harris:  Once he was deemed good to go for Week 1, I thought Najee Harris would at least be in a relatively close time-share with Omarion Hampton, at least to start the season.  That didn’t happen Friday.  Harris had only one rush for five yards and one reception for five yards.  Was this because he was still working his way back into football shape after his off-season injury, or is the coaching staff ready to completely hand the reigns to Hampton?  Time will tell.

RB Kaleb Johnson:  Kaleb Johnson appears to be WAY behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell on the depth chart.  Week 1 he only rushed once for -2 yards.  He did return five kickoffs for 132 yards, but that is not helpful for fantasy.  I think Johnson can be a productive back in this league, but it sure looks like he’s going to have to wait to get an opportunity to show it.

TE George Kittle:  George Kittle is a fierce competitor and potential to put up big numbers any week he is healthy.  But, once again, he is banged up.  Reports are saying he is likely to miss 3-5 weeks with a hamstring injury.

FAME

TE Juwan Johnson:  Juwan Johnson was heavily targeted by Spencer Rattler, catching eight balls on 11 targets for 76 yards.  I expect Johnson to act as a safety valve for Rattler, so I think he will have a pretty high floor each week.

TE Harold Fanin, Jr:  Harold Fanin, Jr. caught seven balls for 63 yards and played 55 snaps.  The snap count shows that he will be involved in the offense.  Solid pickup if he is available in your league

WR Quentin Johnston:  With Quentin Johnston, there’s always a chance drops come back to haunt him.  But, he played a big part in the Chargers’ Week 1 win, including five receptions for 79 yards and two TDs.  He will get chances to make plays when defense key in on Ladd McConkey.

WR Calvin Austin:  No, I don’t think Aaron Rodgers will continue to put up the numbers he did Week 1.  But, Calvin Austin showed he is clearly #2 on the depth chart behind DK Metcalf.  This will give Austin an opportunity to put up points as defenses will game-plan around shutting down/containing Metcalf.

{Stats courtesy of Yahoo Fantasy Football}

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