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AAF Week 1 Recap - Fantasy Risers, Fallers (Saturday Games)

Spencer Aguiar recaps the AAF (Alliance of American Football) Saturday games from Week 1, and looks at AAF fantasy football risers and fallers going forward.

The opening weekend of the inaugural AAF season is officially in the books, and while I don't think the four games blew the roof off, the league displayed itself as a viable option for fans during the NFL offseason. There were multiple players unveiled as next level prospects, and it shows how difficult it can be to break into the NFL. We are talking about players who might be a split second too slow or perhaps an inch too short. The margin of separation between making it or not can be that razor-thin.

Nearly three millions fans tuned into Saturday's proceedings, making it a success by any statistical measure, but the longevity of the AAF is going to come down to how user-friendly the league can become. Fantasy football is king, and even though sites like altfantasysports.com (season-long) and fanball.com (daily) carved out a niche position in the market, growth will need to take place if the Alliance of American Football can take the next step.

Here at RotoBaller, we are proud to be one of the first platforms to cover the AAF market. The support we received during the first weekend was overwhelming and hope you have enjoyed the unique and exciting content that we have produced so far. Our goal is to continue to provide information that you can't find anywhere else, and we want to thank you for making the opening weekend a success. Without further ado, let's dive a little deeper into what happened on Saturday from a fantasy perspective. Check out the Sunday recaps right here.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

San Antonio Commanders 15, San Diego Fleet 6

The Alamodome was rocking on Saturday night, as the San Antonio Commanders christened the new league with a 15-6 victory over the San Diego Fleet. Despite rules that dictate defenses are only allowed to rush five defenders, both quarterbacks struggled with pressure throughout the night. Mike Bercovici from the Fleet threw for 176 yards and two interceptions on 25 pass attempts but was unable to make it through the night because of poor play. Philip Nelson took over late and didn't fare much better himself by going six of 10 for 68 yards and one INT.

On the other hand, Logan Woodside completed 18 of 36 pass attempts for 255 yards and two interceptions. Woodside was a surprise start over Dustin Vaughan, and it will be interesting to see what the team decides to do next week against the Orlando Apollos. Both teams seem far advanced on defense as opposed to offense, which is a league-wide issue that needs to be addressed if scores are to be higher.

 

AAF Fantasy Football Risers

Mekale McKay (San Antonio WR)

Mekale McKay made a strong case for why he should have been the number one wide receiver off the board in fantasy football leagues. While he only hauled in five of 12 targets on the night, McKay racked up 80 yards and barely missed out on multiple looks inside the red zone. If you are planning on doing an AAF draft this week, the Commanders wideout should be one of the first names that you consider taking.

Greg Ward Jr. (San Antonio WR)

One of the better stories from the opening weekend came from Greg Ward Jr. The 23-year-old was a former quarterback at the University of Houston and recently transitioned to WR full time. Ward Jr. brought in five catches on nine targets against the Fleet, ending the night with 65 yards through the air. He possessed speed and more refinement than was expected of him, but it must be noted that Demarcus Ayers, who is slated to be the second WR for the Commanders, was held out due to injury. Ward Jr. should be viewed as a fringe top 15-20 WR going forward.

Ja'quan Gardner (San Diego RB)

San Diego didn't wait long to answer the question of who their featured back was going to be. Terrell Watson was the name on top of the depth chart entering the night, but the Fleet made it clear early that Gardner was their man. Even though the contest had a negative game flow for San Diego running backs to succeed, Gardner was able to muster up 55 yards on eight carries and received three targets out of the backfield, snagging two for 17 yards. The running back position is a wasteland in AAF, and outside of perhaps Trent Richardson, Jhurell Pressley and Akeem Hunt, it is hard to argue against Gardner being the next name off the board.

Brian Brown (San Diego WR)

To be honest, Brian Brown was not the player that I expected to surge to the peak of the wide receiver depth chart in San Diego. I had Dontez Ford and Francis Owusu in front of him, but not only did Brown get listed as the number one WR for the Fleet, but he also performed like one. Brown caught five passes on seven attempts for 66 yards, tying for the most receiving yards for the team with TE Gavin Escobar. I am still slightly hesitant that he will be able to hold off Ford or Owusu, but it is difficult to view him as anything other than a top-10 wideout in the league as of right now.

 

AAF Fantasy Football Fallers

Mike Bercovici (San Diego QB)

This one goes without saying, but it is hard to imagine that Mike Bercovici is going to get his job back this season. Bercovici is a gritty competitor that knows how to bounce back from a hit, but he lacks the arm strength to challenge defenders downfield. Even if Philip Nelson fails to succeed at QB, I'd imagine the team would give Alex Ross a try before going back to Bercovici. The Fleets QB situation is shaping up to be a situation to avoid if you can.

Terrell Watson (San Diego RB)

Despite being named the starter all week, Terell Watson wasn't on the field during the opening drive and only recorded three carries for 10 yards during the game. With running backs nearly impossible to come by for fantasy purposes, I wouldn't be cutting ties just yet, but the 25-year-old didn't make a good first impression on opening night. Ja'Quan Gardner is only 5'7," and I still question if he will be able to handle a full workload. Third-string RB Paul James didn't do much on opening night, but the Fleet appear to be a team that will be trailing a lot this season, making him an interesting name to keep in mind. James only had one carry for zero yards, but the former Rutgers RB was on the field quite often during the last few drives.

Dontez Ford (San Diego WR)

Coming off a game during the preseason that saw Dontez Ford snatch all 11 targets for 114 yards and one touchdown, the 25-year-old flopped when compared to those standards. Listed as fourth on the depth chart, Ford caught two of three targets on the night for 56 yards. It seems likely that he will gradually work his way up the ladder and get more playing time, but it will not be easy to play him in fantasy if San Diego continues to leave him as their fourth WR. His upside keeps him as a top 25 WR, but Ford was one of my biggest fallers this week.


Orlando Apollos 40, Atlanta Legends
 6

Orlando Apollos head coach Steve Spurrier didn't look like a man that had been out of coaching since 2015. Spurrier was his usual cutthroat self and kept his foot on the gas all night. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Legends did not bring the same ferocity to the fight. Matt Simms struggled with 126 yards and two interceptions, and the Legends' offensive playmakers failed to do much of anything. Simms was eventually benched at the end of the game in favor of Aaron Murray, and it will be intriguing to see what Atlanta's head coach Kevin Coyle decides to do against the San Diego Fleet next week. Orlando has positioned themselves as the best team in the Eastern Conference, while Atlanta looks like they may end up being the bottom dwellers. Orlando's star WR Charles Johnson did exit the contest with a knee injury so keep an eye on his status for next week. He would be a massive loss for the offensive unit.

 

AAF Fantasy Football Risers

Garrett Gilbert (Orlando QB)

Garrett Gilbert looks like one of the best AAF fantasy quarterbacks to own this season. The 27-year-old completed 15 of 25 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns to go along with one two-point conversion, 10 yards rushing and a touchdown catch from five yards out. Gilbert was being drafted as one of the last names to come off the board but should provide top-tiered production in all fantasy leagues. If you are lucky enough to have him available on your waiver wire, don't hesitate to pick the fiery competitor up.

Akeem Hunt (Orlando RB)

Akeem Hunt led the Orlando Apollos backfield with 73 yards on 10 carries. Hunt also received five targets in the passing game but failed to come up with any of them. The 7.3 average on 10+ carries made the 25-year-old the most effective back in the first week, and his usage in the passing game is an excellent sign of things to come. Hunt should be viewed as a contender for the number one pick in the draft, although I would still select Jhurell Pressley ahead of him.

Jalin Marshall (Orlando WR)

Jalin Marshall is a slot WR that possesses a game that is quicker than lightning. Marshall has spent some time at the next level and should continue to be a breakout candidate for Orlando. On Saturday, the 23-year-old caught three passes for 51 yards and threw a touchdown on a five-yard pass. Marshall is a borderline top-15 wideout this season and should be someone that is sitting on a handful of waiver wires.

 

AAF Fantasy Football Fallers

Denard Robinson (Atlanta RB)

Denard Robinson was limited in practice all week, so I am hoping that has something to do with his miserable showing of five carries for three yards. But as someone that was being selected as the first pick in many drafts due to his NFL experience, this is turning into a potential nightmare. I still have Robinson ranked as a marginal top-10 RB in the AAF, but we will need to see something from Shoelace next week to warrant that position.

Malachi Jones (Atlanta WR)

I am willing to chalk Malachi Jones' performance up to terrible quarterbacking from Matt Simms. Jones ended the game with seven targets but disappointed with no catches. With Aaron Murray probably starting next week against the Fleet, Jones has a nice buy-low window available. The 24-year-old was Murray's go-to target in the preseason, and I am still ranking him as one of the top eight WRs on the board.

 

AAF Team Twitter Beats

Team Name Twitter
Arizona Jose Romero @RomeroJoseM
Atlanta Jaylon Thompson @JaylonThompson
Birmingham Marq Burnett @Marq_Burnett
Memphis Dylan Rubino @DylanJRubino
Orlando Tom Alexander @TheTomAlexander
Salt Lake Chantel Buchi @chantelbuchi
San Antonio Cole Thompson @MrColeThompson
San Diego Jeff Goldberg @SDFleetBeat

More Fantasy Football Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
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