QB’s
Alex Smith (KC)
It appears Travis Kelce will finally be utilized in this offense and that is certainly excellent news for Alex Smith and this KC offense. Smith looked crisp Week 1 throwing for 243 yards with three TD’s. Jeremy Maclin draws real attention away from Kelce and vice versa. Andy Reid as the signal caller, Jamaal Charles in the backfield, this could be a career year for Alex Smith. He might be looking at 30+ TD’s for the first time in his career. That may be lofty, but there is a lot of upside with this Chiefs offense this season.
Marcus Mariota (TEN)
The Titans and Ken Whisenhunt appear to be using Mariota the right way. Some read option type O with quick reads and Mariota showed he could get the ball out fast. The kid is athletic, can throw on the run and at 6’3 has a good view of the field. The weapons aren’t elite, but Kendall Wright, Delanie Walker and some others (Dorial Green-Beckham down the line) and MM could have a nice rookie year. Most definitely worth snagging in two QB leagues, keeper and deep leagues. Or if your starter is a Matt Stafford, Cutler, Tannehill, Eli type, then snatching up Mariota and playing match-ups is a great idea. So far, so good, for the rookie, the upside and talent is there and after going 13-16 with 4 TD’s in Week 1, he’s worth taking a shot on.
Andy Dalton (CIN)
Dalton is usually fools gold, but there are some changes in this offense this season. Jeremy Hill takes a lot of pressure off Dalton and helps moves those chains putting the Bengals in scoring position. Tight End Tyler Eifert is now healthy and it gives Dalton another legit option in this passing game to go along with A.J. Green. Marvin Jones and Mohammad Sanu also aren’t bad options. Dalton will certainly have his terrible throws and ups and downs, but don’t forget he threw a combined 60 TD’s in 2013 and ’14. I would still pair him with another QB and play match-ups, but Dalton should be in for a bounce-back year.
Colin Kaepernick (SF)
The 49ers looked rejuvenated, like they did a 360 from last years disappointing season under Jim Harbaugh. A ton of three TE Sets with a power running game from Carlos Hyde, brought back visions of Old school ground and pound type football. Lombardi Like, and it was refreshing to watch. They seemed to make things simple for Kaepernick, a lot of roll outs, layered routes that he could use his athleticism to makes plays on. Kaepernick still seems a bit uneasy throwing the ball, but Carlos Hyde aka “Los Los” looked like the next up and coming back in the NFL and Kaepernick is only going to benefit tremendously from his presence. The weapons are still there also with Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. With Hyde and this power running game look for Kaep’s running stats to increase as well as scoring opportunities.
Other Possibles
Johnny Manziel and Tyrod Taylor could be decent pickups granted they gather enough rushing yards to pay dividends. Taylor has much better supporting cast with Watkins, Clay and McCoy and a Defense that will give him many of possessions, but Manziel has more potential. If you’re in a 16 team or 2 QB league, snatch these guys up if you need the assistance.
RB’s
Dion Lewis (NE)
When I watched Lewis in college, I was impressed by his agility and quickness. The Eagles drafted him, but it just never worked out and he really never got a full opportunity with LeSean McCoy there. The first time I saw Lewis in that Pats uniform wearing #33, I immediately thought of Kevin Faulk, and it appears the Pats are going to use him in that type of role. Yes, LeGarrette Blount returns this week and should be the main RB, but Lewis should still have a solid year. I don’t see how BB could have Lewis ride the bench after his Week 1 performance. Lewis did fumble at the GL, which is scary when it comes to BB, but he put Lewis back in the game after. Brandon Bolden stinks and Tavaris Cadet doesn’t seem to be in the mix as of yet, so Lewis should be on the field plenty and Brady loves to checkdown to his backs. PPR leagues especially, go grab this guy.
Darren Sproles (PHI)
Sproles just continues to get it done year and year out. Even with DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews sharing the backfield, Sproles went off for 126 total yards with 7 catches. He needs to be rostered if you’re having RB depth issues. An injury to Mathews and/or Murray would open a world of opportunity for him and we know that he would easily seize it.
Benny Cunningham (STL)
Benny!!! Benny!!! The king of catching dump off passes and going for 10+ yards is Benny Cunningham. It looked like he was St. Louis’ entire offense at some points. Why weren’t the Seahawks giving him any attention? I really couldn’t believe how easily St. Louis was moving the ball on them. Cunningham finished with 140 total yards with four catches on Sunday. He actually is a fairly talented player and should be quite useful for your fantasy teams while Tre Mason and Todd Gurley remain out. He seems to be the third favorite however, so once these two talented backs come back, Cunningham will prob be fantasy irrelevant. He’s good temporarily and could have full reigns again in Week 2.
Lance Dunbar (DAL)
Dunbar looked shifty and was a key piece in the Dallas offense on Sunday Night in their defeat over the G-Men, finishing with eight catches for 70 yards. With the injury to Dez Bryant who could be out until November and Dunbar’s performance Sunday night, he could remain a useful pawn in this Dallas attack. Dunbar should see an uptick in snaps come week 2.
WR’s
James Jones (GB)
JJ came back to Green Bay and in his first game back, it appeared he never left, catching two TD’s from Aaron Rodgers. One of them was a really nice snag and you can tell that Rodgers trusts him in the redzone. Three years ago Jones was the one who had 14 TD’s on just 64 catches. Davante Adams everybody and their Mothers fantasy favorite was outplayed by Jones, which frustrated a ton of Adams owners. Adams doesn’t seem to have the full trust of Rodgers as of yet, especially in the Redzone and this is an area where Jones should continue to thrive. The Rodgers, Jones combo is worth investing in.
Donte Moncrief & Phillip Dorsett (IND)
With T.Y. now 2-4 weeks , one of these guys will certainly emerge. I like the prospects of Dorsett, even with is muffed punt and dropped pass, but Moncrief could be the safer pick after finishing with six catches for 46 yards and a TD on 11 targets. Dorsett had two catches for 45 yards on three targets, but coach Chuck Pagano said ” He is more than ready”, indicating he has a lot of confidence in the youngster. There could be room for both in this offense with T.Y. out, so snatch em up!!
Terrance Williams & Cole Beasley (DAL)
Williams is a no brainer add with Dez out, as he can get downfield, should get a good amount of looks in the Redzone and has a good rapport with Romo overall. Beasley I’m not as sold on, but he could be pretty useful in PPR leagues. I don’t see a lot of TD’s, but Romo is playing at such a high level, Beasley may be worth an add just based on that and the fact that Beasley emerged towards the end of last year.
Tyler Lockett (SEA)
This kid has so much talent , if he is still out there and you have room for him, I would snatch him up. He could be Seattle’s version of Percy Harvin/Randall Cobb.
TE’s
Two 2nd Year TE’s
Austin Sefarian Jenkins could be Jameis Winston’s best friend as he struggles through his rookie season. 2nd year Tight Ends tend to blow up and Eric Ebron is another candidate as well. Both guys are talented and worth adds if your TE is suspect. Both guys could have big years, I like it. Ebron I like more.
Coby Fleener (IND)
Fleener should be out there in a ton of waiver wires. This is the guy who led the Colts in TD’s last year with eight and he could return to relevance the next few weeks with Hilton out. The Jets have been historically terrible at covering the Tight End and then the Colts play the Titans and Jacksonville in weeks three and four.
Ladarius Green (SD)
Gates will be out the next three weeks and Green stepped up in his absence in week one with five catches for 74 yards and a TD. Always athletic, Green was a bit of an afterthought since he was starting the season coming off a concussion. Rivers loves his Tight Ends and Green just got it done versus a legit Lions Defense. Green should be fairly productive until Gates returns.
Heath Miller (PIT)
What can you say about this guy, he just continues to have productive seasons. Always a bit inconsistent however, he’s better left as a matchup play. However, Markus Wheaton still looks somewhat unimpressive, Le’Veon Bell will be out another week, Bryant not coming back til Week five, so Miller looks nice a nice spot start in Week 2 against the 49ers.
*Note
Guys like Stevie Johnson, Tyler Eifert, Dwayne Allen, Duke Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, etc I am assuming are not on your waiver wire, if so your league is Weak!!!. But snatch these guys up!!!
Fantasy Savvy 