Expect Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings updates through Sunday morning when we’re live on YouTube. We’re posting more videos than ever on our channel, which means less writing for me this year. Instead of writing up every single player, I’ll focus on the guys worth writing about. You can watch my takes on all players every week on YouTube. You guys support me 500x more on that platform than as a writer, and I have to skate to where the puck is. I hope you guys understand.
Breece Hall – 75.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Saquon Barkley
Jahmyr Gibbs
Lions have the highest team total (29.25).
He was the RB6 overall in usage in Week 1, seeing two goal-line opportunities on top of his pass-game role. There will be huge games this year.
Bijan Robinson
89% snaps only led to RB17 usage because the Falcons were awful in Week 1 with Kirk Cousins looking as immobile as you could possibly imagine for an NFL starter.
The Eagles defense looked improved in the opener.
Derrick Henry – 72.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
There’s a big difference between Henry when trailing against the Chiefs and Henry when leading against the Raiders, who had multiple huge run-fit errors in Week 1. It’s absolutely go time for the Big Dog, especially after Lamar Jackson ran so much (too much) in the opener.
James Conner – 62.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
RB10 usage in a road loss. Now, the Cardinals project for 25.25 points as a 1.5-point home favorite against the Aaron Donald-less Rams, who were gashed by David Montgomery last week. Their new LBs looked pretty rough on tape.
Cardinals RT Jonah Williams (knee) was placed on IR.
Jonathan Taylor – 74.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Joe Mixon – 66.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Kyren Williams – 75.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
91% snaps led to RB9 usage in Week 1’s loss.
Rams OL woes: LT Alaric Jackson (suspended), backup LT Joe Noteboom (out with an ankle), RG Steve Avila (IR with a knee), RG Kevin Dotson (questionable with an ankle), RT Rob Havenstein (missed Week 1).
Cardinals allowed the most fantasy points to RBs last year, including 20-158-1 and 16-143-0 rushing lines to Kyren.
Jordan Mason
Rachaad White – 48.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Alvin Kamara – 48.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Isiah Pacheco – 63.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
De’Von Achane (Questionable)
Kenneth Walker (Questionable) – 67.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
80% snaps in the first 3 quarters before his late-game abdominal injury. He finished with RB8 usage, which is higher than it typically was in 2023.
Seahawks were 28th in neutral pass rate under a new coaching staff.
James Cook – 84.5 total yards in Pick’em.
Josh Jacobs
Packers down to an 18.75-point team total. Sad!
The Colts did allow the 4th-most points to fantasy RBs last year and were devasted by Joe Mixon in Week 1 this year, so hopefully a run-first game plan can be effective for Jacobs.
J.K. Dobbins –> Just made me move him up.
57 yards before contact is unsustainable, but Dobbins did have nice balance and forced 4 missed tackles. He was the RB4 on RB30 usage last week, while Gus Edwards handled the lone inside the 5-yard line opportunity late in the game. We’ll see if Dobbins steals a bigger piece of the pie moving forward.
Panthers were 6th-worst against fantasy RBs last year and were hammered by the Saints in the opener. After the game, star DT Derrick Brown was placed on season-ending IR. It’s so beyond Joever for the Panthers.
Rhamondre Stevenson – 63.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
David Montgomery – 59.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Lions have the highest team total (29.25).
RB19 usage in Week 1, similar to where it was late in 2023 with Jahymr Gibbs healthy.
Najee Harris
RB14 usage in Week 1 on an unexpected 77% of the Steelers’ RB carries. Jaylen Warren isn’t fully healthy yet, or Arthur Smith just loves the big dog.
The Steelers are 3-point road favorites vs. Denver, who allowed the 2nd-most fantasy points to RBs last year.
Aaron Jones – 49.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
He looked great on his 55% snaps and RB26 usage, while splitting time with Ty Chandler.
49ers were 4th-best against fantasy RBs last year and managed to hold down Breece Hall in Week 1.
Travis Etienne – 55.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Jerome Ford – 47.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Ezekiel Elliott – 41.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Devin Singletary – 57.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
71% snaps in a garbage-time filled opener led to RB25 usage.
Commanders were 5th-worst against fantasy RBs last year and didn’t show up to play against the Bucs last week. A respectable 21.5 projected points for the Giants has me relatively bullish for a bounceback spot.
Zack Moss – 46.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
He was the RB27 in usage in a game where the Bengals didn’t look good. If Burrow and the offense can click, then Moss has the role of a low-end RB2. He had a goal-line TD and played in the 2-minute drill.
Brian Robinson – 52.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Tony Pollard – 49.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
D’Andre Swift – 44.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Jeff Wilson
This assumes De’Von Achane is active, while Raheem Mostert is inactive. The Dolphins used Wilson as the bruiser type late in Week 1. Jaylen Wright was inactive as Achane’s more direct backup.
Javonte Williams
Broncos have the 3rd-lowest team total (16.75).
He’s the early-down grinder to start the season, especially after Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime fumbled in Week 1. Now, the Broncos are probably really bad.
Chuba Hubbard
Zamir White
Gus Edwards
Rico Dowdle – 38.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Jaleel McLaughlin
Austin Ekeler
Tyjae Spears
Zach Charbonnet
Tank Bigsby
Ty Chandler
Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Wright
Alexander Mattison
Chase Brown
Emmanuel Wilson
Justice Hill
Bucky Irving
Samaje Perine
Tyler Allgeier
Trey Benson
Cooper Kupp – 87.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
This is an eruption spot based on the efficiency chart.
Cardinals allowed the most EPA on dropbacks with a motion attached. 8 of Kupp’s receptions last week had them.
CeeDee Lamb – 85.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Tyreek Hill – 97.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Justin Jefferson – 79.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Deebo Samuel
Amon-Ra St. Brown – 80.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
A.J. Brown – 78.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Ja’Marr Chase – 70.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Garrett Wilson – 69.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Rashee Rice – 68.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Chiefs have the 2nd-highest team total.
Per NFL Pro, “Bengals defense allowed the 2nd most yards per attempt (9.5) and the 3rd highest completion percentage over expected (5.1%) on plays over the middle with motion or shifts.”
Mike Evans – 70.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
This is an eruption spot based on the efficiency chart. The Lions allowed the 3rd-most fantasy points to WRs last year and allowed Cooper Kupp to catch a million passes on SNF.
Lions CB1 Carlton Davis revenge game.
Jaylen Waddle – 65.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Dolphins have the 5th-highest team total.
Bills use a ton of 2-high shells and are missing coverage LB Matt Milano. Expect plenty of underneath, quick throws to Tyreek and Waddle. More receptions than normal would not be a surprise.
Nico Collins – 66.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Malik Nabers – 65.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
The Commanders are awful. Awful! They allowed the 2nd-most points to fantasy WRs last year and let Baker Mayfield drop 4 TDs on their dome in Week 1. Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes (thumb) is now out.
There’s a squeaky wheel narrative building to manufacture more touches to Nabers after Wan’Dale Robinson led the team in targets last week.
Brandon Aiyuk
49ers have the 7th-highest team total.
The Vikings allowed the 6th-most fantasy points to WRs while blitzing on 52% of their dropbacks. Aiyuk has the explosiveness to make them pay, especially if they continue to use man coverage with 33yo CB Stephon Gilmore on him.
Aiyuk should be a full-time player in Week 2.
Chris Godwin – 57.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
This is an eruption spot based on the efficiency chart.
Did you see slot WR Cooper Kupp’s stat line from last week? Chris Godwin’s usage was all underneath in Week 1, similar to Kupp’s.
DeVonta Smith – 59.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Keenan Allen (Questionable)
Amari Cooper – 59.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Jaguars CB1 Tyson Campbell (hamstring) might go on IR.
Browns were 1st in neutral pass rate despite not having either starting OT.
He’s a positive regression candidate after barely missing a long TD in last week’s garbage time.
Chris Olave – 58.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs played well, but they are also starting 5th-round rookie CB Caelen Carson, who was targeted 11 times in the opener per NFL Pro.
The Saints will likely have to pass more in this game, and the design of the offense did look better in Week 1 than it did last season. Here are some data points from NFL Pro.
Tank Dell – 51.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Stefon Diggs – 56.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
DJ Moore – 60.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Xavier Worthy – 43.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Chiefs have the 2nd-highest team total.
Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt said, “Speed, that’s about it. He can run straight — run jet sweeps and just run straight. He can’t do too much else, so that’s about it.” What can go wrong?
Davante Adams – 58.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Marvin Harrison Jr. – 57.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Drake London – 58.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Kirk Cousins might be cooked.
Eagles allowed the most fantasy points to WRs last year, but they did change their DC and added multiple starters in their secondary this offseason.
Michael Pittman – 58.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
George Pickens
Broncos CB1 Patrick Surtain is a problem.
Broncos also blitzed at the highest rate last week, which is new for them. Just something to monitor moving forward.
DK Metcalf – 54.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Brandin Cooks – 47.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
This assumes no Jake Ferguson (DNP).
Cowboys have the 4th-highest team total.
Saints use press coverage at top-5 rates annually. Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) left last week and didn’t practice on Wednesday. He’ll be replaced by 2nd-round rookie CB Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Jameson Williams – 45.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Zay Flowers – 53.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Demarcus Robinson – 42.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
This is an eruption spot based on the efficiency chart.
The Rams’ OL woes are going to force them into a quick-hitting pass offense that will trickle down to D-Rob, who was a full-time player even before Puka Nacua’s injury. They were, by far, the most utilized WR room of Week 1.
Terry McLaurin – 51.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Missed a couple times downfield, but the operation of the offense felt really bad, leaving McLaurin on one side of the field for most of the game.
The Giants allowed the 4th-most fantasy points to WRs last year. Sam Darnold exposed them in the opener, too. Expect CB1 Deonte Banks, who is an emerging corner, to see McLaurin.
Brian Thomas – 36.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Christian Kirk – 47.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Courtland Sutton – 40.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Jayden Reed
Ladd McConkey – 45.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Joshua Palmer – 45.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Diontae Johnson – 48.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Calvin Ridley
Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 42.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Tyler Lockett – 44.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Keon Coleman – 44.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey will see him at times.
Per NFL Pro: Allen averaged a time to throw of 2.65 seconds in Week 1. He recorded just one game with a quicker time to throw in 2023 (2.27 seconds, Week 8).
Jerry Jeudy – 44.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Greg Dortch – 31.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Rashid Shaheed – 35.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Andrei Iosivas
Khalil Shakir – 41.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Gabe Davis – 35.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Adonai Mitchell
DeAndre Hopkins (Questionable)
Wan’Dale Robinson – 34.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Christian Watson
Tyler Johnson
Jalen McMillan – 30.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Darnell Mooney – 36.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Michael Wilson – 29.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Jakobi Meyers – 36.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Romeo Doubs
Adam Thielen – 39.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Allen Lazard
Jalen Tolbert – 22.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Curtis Samuel – 18.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Alec Pierce
Rashod Bateman – 26.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
DeMario Douglas – 32.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Quentin Johnston – 34.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Luke McCaffrey
Xavier Legette
Mike Williams
Josh Reynolds
Tyler Boyd
Travis Kelce – 54.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Trey McBride – 50.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Sam LaPorta – 52.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
George Kittle – 50.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Dalton Kincaid – 44.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Kyle Pitts – 38.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Brock Bowers – 34.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Mark Andrews – 39.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Isaiah Likely – 35.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Dallas Goedert – 33.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Evan Engram – 41.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Colby Parkinson – 28.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Pat Freiermuth
Taysom Hill – 15.5 rushing yards in Pick’em.
Dalton Schultz
Hunter Henry – 27.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Tyler Conklin – 27.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Noah Fant – 24.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Juwan Johnson – 27.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Zach Ertz
Cade Otton – 22.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Jordan Akins
Greg Dulcich – 21.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Tucker Kraft
Mike Gesicki
Chig Okonkwo
Cole Kmet
Jonnu Smith – 15.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Hayden Hurst – 19.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Dawson Knox – 14.5 receiving yards in Pick’em.
Gerald Everett
Luke Musgrave
My analysis on this is here. Peep the timestamps:
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