September 15, 2016

Demetri Raftopoulos examines which NFL wide receivers and tight ends saw a surprisingly high number of targets in Week 1 of the fantasy football season and could become a desirable waiver target and add for Week 2.

Fantasy football is a revolving door of week-to-week talent. There are your obvious, reliable, consistent point-getters such as Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, and Julio Jones. But multiple players seem to emerge each week and put a dent in fantasy scores, even if their success is ephemeral.

Here is a look at the surprise target grabbers from Week 1, and a look at possible breakout options for Week 2 based on the usage they are seeing in the passing game.

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Surprise Week 1 Target Grabbers

Eli Rogers - Pittsburgh Steelers 

It was a rough start for the rookie Monday night against the Washington Redskins, after his first career target manifested into an interception. But Rogers bounced back and caught his next six targets from veteran Ben Roethlisberger. Rogers displayed quite a bit of immediate chemistry with Big Ben, finishing the day with 59 yards and his first touchdown in the NFL (even if the touchdown bounced off of Sammie Coates' chest first - they all count the same). Rogers proved to be effective, and a safety net, for Roethlisberger as a slot receiver. He's also a sneaky play in deeper leagues Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals surrendered 54 yards and a touchdown to Quincy Enunwa, the Jets' slot wideout, last week.

Michael Thomas - New Orleans Saints

With Willie Snead and Brandin Cooks ahead of him on New Orleans depth chart, Michael Thomas emerged as the team's WR3 in Sunday's shootout loss versus the Oakland Raiders. In another NFL debut, Thomas caught all six of his targets, and accumulated 58 yards; a solid stat-line in PPR leagues. The rookie is unlikely to produce for fantasy on a weekly basis, but with Drew Brees and the Saints' pass-heavy offense, Thomas could very well prove to be a solid plug-and-play option. New Orleans visit New York on Sunday, where Brees put up a monstrous 505 passing yards last season. Thomas could definitely see a similar amount of targets against the Giants.

Will Fuller - Houston Texans 

The third spot, and third rookie, on this list is Will Fuller. Alongside the beast they call DeAndre Hopkins, Fuller was targeted 11 times against the Chicago Bears last week. He reeled in only five of the 11, but his big-play potential helped him accumulate 107 yards and a touchdown. His debut performance could have been even more impressive, but the rookie dropped a likely 80-yard touchdown. I wouldn't worry too much about the drop as it'll be a part of any young receiver's game. Fuller has already earned himself WR3 honors moving forward. Brock Osweiler and Houston's offense will only continue to improve as the season progresses.

Possible Week 2 Breakout Options

Dennis Pitta - (TE, BAL)

A tight end leads off this week's list of possible breakout options; one who is owned in only 6% of Fleaflicker leagues. Why should we even bother then? Well, with Rob Gronkowski potentially missing another game, Julius Thomas ailing from a sprained ankle, and Zach Ertz doubtful this week, owners might want to look elsewhere. How about a player who is widely available and won't cost much? A player who was on the field for 56 of 68 offensive snaps last week. A player who out-snapped other Baltimore tight ends, Crockett Gilmore and Maxx Williams. The Ravens visit the Cleveland Browns this week, a team that allowed 278 receiving yards to the Philadelphia Eagles Week 1 with 58 of those yards and seven targets going to Ertz. Pitta is an undervalued, solid streaming option for Week 2.

Chris Hogan - (WR, NE)

Hello Jimmy Garoppolo. Hello Chris Hogan. Despite only reeling in three receptions and being targeted only four times, Hogan tallied 6o receiving yards and a touchdown, undoubtedly emerging as the Patriots' WR2 behind Julian Edelman. With Gronkowski's status in question, Hogan could be in for an even bigger performance against the Miami Dolphins Week 2. Despite Miami's stingy play against the Seattle Seahawks in last week's opener, their secondary is not very good. Combine that with Garoppolo's ability to throw short and efficient, and Hogan's fantasy value rises. It will rise even more when Tom Brady returns Week 5.

Tajae Sharpe - (WR, TEN) 

Another rookie, another 2016 first round pick. Sharpe led the Tennessee Titans with 11 targets, reeling in seven for 76 yards against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense Week 1. There's no doubt that Marcus Mariota has found his new favorite weapon, alongside Delanie Walker and DeMarco Murray. Sharpe has a favorable matchup against the Detroit Lions Week 2, and should see around the same amount of targets against a vulnerable secondary. According to ESPN.com, the Lions rank 30th in passing defense, and allowed 35 points and 385 passing yards last week against the Indianapolis Colts. Sharpe will be a fantasy threat all season.

Other Options: Mike Wallace (WR, BAL) @CLE, Willie Snead (WR, NO) @NYG, Travis Benjamin (WR, SD) vs JAX