RADIO
I tend to abide by a pretty simple rule when it comes to drafting players; unless something is unexpectedly wrong with them, I don't make a lot of shifts between Weeks 1 and 2 (or through Week 3, for that matter.) If you drafted Mike Williams and he didn't get as much target share as expected, it doesn't make sense to ditch his five targets and 81 yards so early. Yet if you drafted a guy whose role radically shifted from one season to another, like Ty Montgomery or Derrick Henry, it's a bit more understandable. There's just not a lot of guys who fit that sort of qualifier, so early in the season.
Let alone 25 of them.
I'm in a wealth of leagues, each have their nicknames. "Big money league" is a league I'm in with a handful of guys who've each ponied up $250 a pop to put a dynasty team together. "Lab League" is a league that is populated by a bunch of people from my wife's PhD program, who I forced to do a life auction because it was fun for me. I mentioned my "Who Gives A Shit" league last week. It goes on. The league where someone had 25 different roster moves might as well be referred to as the "Every One of these People Are Significantly More Successful And Interesting Than Me" league, and it's no lie. Some people have worked in sports. Some are incredibly good businessmen. Some are simply winners in their field. So in this weird way, it brought me great comfort that a person in this league made.... 25 different roster moves before Week 2 ever kicked off. Trades. Drops. Pickups. All of it.
Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.
Or maybe he just loves the game.
Week 1 Pop Quiz
For everyone new to this column, I'm highlighting running backs and wide receivers for the 2 and 3 slot, and a tight end slightly outside of the normal top-eight. You won't see anyone named Gurley or Beckham Jr. here, but more of guys who are likely on your bench or in some cases on waivers, and why they might be a good fit this week specifically.
Quarterback Questions
There's really no excuse not to stream __________ this week
A: Alex Smith
B: Cam Newton
C: Deshaun Watson
D: Philip Rivers
There's a good argument here to play Alex Smith if you've got him, but there's really no excuse not to play Philip Rivers. It seems a bit obvious given that Rivers is currently ranked third after a nice Week 1 against the Chiefs, but the only risk of Rivers not doing as well against a porous Bills defense is if they get up so big that Kellen Clemens comes in. You probably are still starting Newton and Watson if you drafted them, given where they went, but I put Rivers here because he's owned in fewer leagues than these guys (now, not taking in the 3% ownership rise between weeks one and two) but is certainly going to see a better Week 2 than any of them. Rivers is likely the last QB1 who went in your league, or even may be one of two to choose from. This week, he's the guy.
Running Back Questions
Against all odds, should you take a look at ___________ as an RB1 now?
A: Isaiah Crowell
B: Austin Ekeler
C: Dion Lewis
D: Phillip Lindsay
Much like Philip Rivers, Isaiah Crowell faced an easy Week One matchup that paid off for him handsomely and he should see arguably as good of a game against a Miami Dolphins defense that gave generously to two (one and a half?) decent backs in Tennessee. Crowell is clearly the passing back in New York, and while he likely won't get one big-ass run again to pad his stats, he'll have enough value in a PPR league to sneak into RB1 territory.
If you're feeling really bold, brag about Crowell having another big week, watch it happen, and then try to trade him away while his value is highest. Even though he plays in a division with no real defenses and could end up being in the top-20 among RB's by the end of season, he could get you an underperforming RB or WR while everyone is overly focused on recent success.
Wide Receiver Questions
_______ is this week's Randall Cobb
A: Chris Hogan
B: Jarvis Landry
C: Tyler Lockett
D: Randall Cobb
It's not as if Jarvis Landry is suddenly being undervalued, but the hype around Josh Gordon and an ok performance against the Steelers in Week One means that Landry isn't being looked at as a lineup lock. But after registering 15 targets in his first regular-season outing, more than twice as much as any other pass catcher (and only behind Carlos Hyde when it came to touching the ball at all), it's silly to debate putting him in your FLEX. It does appear that Landry's on the bubble in a lot of leagues for that FLEX spot, especially with news that Josh Gordon is likely to get more targets. Yet even if Gordon gets closer or surpasses double digits, it's not likely each and every target will come from Landry's workload. And that's not even mentioning the assured shootout that will be happening against the September Saints (vs the October Saints, who are a super spooky defense.) Go with Landry, and await the trade offers Tuesday.
Deep league? Put your faith in _________
A: Mike Williams
B: Ryan Grant
C: Sterling Shepard
D: Cole Beasley
He's pretty well owned at this point, but it wouldn't take much to grab Sterling Shepard away from a gunslinger owner. Shepard saw the second most targets in a pretty depressing New York Giants offensive efforts. While the Dallas Cowboys secondary may actually be legit, Shepard saw five receptions on seven targets and may be targeted more highly if this game becomes an offensive back and forth (which, given the Giants defense, could end up being a thing.) If you're really desperate for talents in Week Two or just hampered by injuries, give Shepard a shot.
Tight End Question
This week I believe in the resurgence of _________
A: Austin Seferian-Jenkins
B: Benjamin Watson
C: Antonio Gates
D: Ricky Seals-Jones
Yeah, my belief in Philip Rivers extends to a new effort for Antonio Gates as well. Gates is definitely in the if-you're-desperate territory at the position, but Gates could easily be a change of pace option at the goal line if Melvin Gordon dragging six Bills into the end zone simply seems too obvious. Now that he's gotten to practice for a full week, he should see some more offensive opportunities instead of just playing possum again, and if you're in a 12 or 14 man league, it's a better option than most anyone else outside the top-10.
