RADIO
One week is in the books and now, it is safe to say that you have already attacked the waiver wire for all of those potential Week 1 superstars. Eli Rogers. Jeremy Kerley. Nelson Agholor. These are just some of the many unexpected names that would have been worth starting last week.
With the amount of big name WRs in Thursday night’s game, the difference makers were the guys that you did not think so. While Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Sammy Watkins are known for producing almost on a weekly basis, it was players like Quincy Enunwa, Greg Salas and Marquis Goodwin that could have helped you start off on top of your Week 2 matchup.
Which unexpected players will make an impact in your Week 2 match?
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Start of the Week - Chris Hogan v. MIA
Hogan is a guy that has always been the subject of many debates - more about if he deserves a roster spot, not if he deserves a start. But, that was during his time in Buffalo. Now, with the Patriots, Hogan is in a pass-first offense with not many big-name weapons, especially with the questionable health of All-Pro TE Rob Gronkowski. After receiving only four targets last week, this match up gives us reason to believe that he is in for a much bigger week.
Excellent Start - Anquan Boldin v. TEN
You can go back not even three years ago and Boldin was a weekly starter regardless of the match up. It did not matter if he was with the Cardinals, Ravens or 49ers, he was match up proof. At his current age and situation in Detroit, Boldin is now fighting for targets with Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. The Titans recently gave up a 100-yard game to the Vikings’ Stefon Diggs when Shaun Hill only completed 18 passes. Boldin’s QB, Matthew Stafford, completed 31 balls to numerous position players. This should keep up this week and Boldin should see more targets again an average-at-best secondary.
Very Good Start - Nelson Agholor @ CHI
Carson Wentz. Yes, that is Agholor’s QB at this point in the early season. Jordan Matthews. Yes, Agholor’s teammate is going to continue to see double-digit targets each week. The big thing that the second-year WR has going for him is the injury to TE Zach Ertz, who is suffering from a broken rib and is week-to-week. Ertz’s replacement, Brent Celek, is not much a pass catcher, meaning there is plenty of targets to go around in Philadelphia. Agholor should build on his season stats this week after catching a TD is Week 1.
Sit of the Week - Tavon Austin
In reality, the Los Angeles Rams are paying Austin around $10 million each year due to his new contract. In fantasy, after last week’s dud against the 49ers, Austin is more likely to be lost in the waivers than on someone’s roster. But, just in case some of you still have him, do not play him this week against the Seahawks. He brought in only four of the 12 targets thrown his way Monday night. If he is lucky enough to get 12 targets again, do not be surprised if he brings in even fewer catches going against the tough Seattle defense.
Bad Start - Jeremy Kerley @ CAR
It was a surprising game for Kerley in Week 1 against the Rams after he put up 7 receptions for 61 yards. Los Angeles’ defense is severely depleted after this past offseason and that is what helped Kerley. After seeing 11 targets, it was obvious that Blaine Gabbert was going to need someone to throw the ball to this season. This week, Carolina has a much stronger defense. The targets may be there, but the yardage and efficiency is expected to be way down.
Questionable Start - Kenny Stills @ NE
With all of the expectations for the Miami Dolphins offense, Stills and the rest of the team came back down to Earth against the Seahawks in Week 1. The team’s number-two WR, DeVante Parker, sat the first game with a lingering injury and Stills was thrusted into a prominent role, most notably, a horrible drop that could have had him walking into the endzone. Now, against the Patriots, expect Stills’ confidence to be shaken and Tannehill’s trust in him below average. This should not be a good game for Stills, if it could get any worse.
Start of the Season - Jamison Crowder
On a team with DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed, Crowder was still able to receive 10 targets in the team’s Week 1 game against the Cowboys. This was a great start to the season after he finished his rookie year with 59 receptions on 78 targets. Going forward, the team has another game with the Cowboys, two against the Giants, and two against the Eagles. None of those teams have a spectacular secondary to defend against the pass. Even with all of these weapons, Crowder should still have games that he finishes with the most targets on the team. With Kirk Cousins set to throw the ball around, there is no reason that Crowder does not finish with 110-plus targets. What he does with those opportunities is up to him.
Next week, we will take a look at valuable plays and potential train wrecks at TE heading into the third week of the season. Hopefully everyone is 2-0 after this week.
*Have a player or position question you would like me to talk about? Follow me on Twitter @JSorensen119 and let me know.
