RADIO
One week down, 16 more weeks of under-the-radar booms and busts to go!
My opening week of boom/bust predictions was as uneven as Eminem’s new album. While James White and Ted Ginn made me look like I may know a thing or two, DeSean Jackson ruined everything by posting a 5-146-2 line that made me hide under my flannel blanket until the 4:00 pm games kicked off. But I am back to stick my helmet into the fantasy football front lines for Week 2!
Here are some under-the-radar booms and busts for the second week of NFL action to help you set a winning lineup. Good luck RotoBallers!
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Week 2 Under-the-Radar Booms
Ryan Grant (WR, IND) at WAS
Grant will have revenge on his mind after Washington never let him have a chance to be a starting receiver on its team during his four years with the Redskins. Now he is cemented as the No. 2 WR behind T.Y. Hilton in Indianapolis, and with cover corner Josh Norman bound to lock Hilton up during their one-on-one battle, Grant could see plenty of passes thrown his direction on Sunday. Grant is coming off a career-high eight receptions in Week 1 and could duplicate that number again this week, but with a better chance for more yardage and a touchdown since Norman will not be the CB on him. Grant is a great grab in PPR leagues or DFS leagues thanks to his likely target total and the motivation he will have to make his former team look foolish.
Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI) at TB
Agholor is a home run threat who hit a ton of singles in Week 1. He had eight catches for a paltry 33 yards against Atlanta as the Falcons kept him from getting behind them and forced Nick Foles to keep the passes to him underneath. This was not a deal-breaker in PPR leagues, but it certainly did not help fantasy owners who used him in standard leagues or distance leagues.
Agholor is slated to be “covered” by a Tampa Bay secondary that will likely be without both of its starting cornerbacks (Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves) and is otherwise inexperienced. With Alshon Jeffery still out with a bum shoulder and one-dimensional Mike Wallace not worthy of seeing too many targets, Agholor is due for heavy duty and primed for a monster day as long as Foles can get the ball in his hands.
Royce Freeman (RB, DEN) vs. OAK
Freeman was overshadowed and outperformed last week by fellow runner Phillip Lindsay and by Case Keenum and the Broncos passing attack, so he might be flying under the radar this weekend. Denver is home again against an Oakland defensive line that is more banged-up than I am after 10 minutes of putting furniture together (I am no Chip Gaines with a screwdriver). Two of Oakland’s top run stoppers are likely to miss the game, meaning there should be room to run for Freeman when he gets his touches. Look for the Broncos to pound the ground with their play calls and for Freeman to put up some superb numbers even if he is splitting time with Lindsay.
Week 2 Under-the-Radar Busts
Jamaal Williams (RB, GB) vs. MIN
The miracle comeback pulled off by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will go down in history as one of the most amazing in recent years. Williams was really not a part of it, though, as his 15 carries for 47 yards went unnoticed and he had his playing time cut into by the versatile Ty Montgomery down the stretch of the game.
Minnesota had the second-ranked run defense last season and held San Francisco’s Matt Breida and Alfred Morris in check (84 rushing yards combined) Week 1. Whoever starts at QB for Green Bay this weekend, gimpy Aaron Rodgers or turnover-prone Deshone Kizer, would probably rely heavily on Williams and the Packers rushing attack, but that does not mean Williams will respond with a 100-yard effort. Compounding matters is that Montgomery might see more of the field than he did last week if Williams does not get off to a fast start. Williams has a better chance of busting than booming this week.
Danny Amendola (WR, MIA) at NYJ
The New England Patriots have put a hurting on their division rivals over the years, so you would think Amendola must have done a potpourri of numbers on the Jets in recent seasons. Not the case. Amendola only has 259 receiving yards and two touchdowns over his past six outings against the Jets, and now that he no longer has Tom Brady throwing to him it will be even harder for the sneaky slot receiver to rack up receptions against New York’s much-improved defense. Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson are the Miami wideouts to watch this Sunday, not Amendola.
Jonnu Smith (TE, TEN) vs. HOU
Let me get this straight: Tennessee is going to be without both starting offensive tackles against the persistent pass rush of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney and might sub in Blaine Gabbert during the game for a pained Marcus Mariota? The recipe for chicken gizzard casserole sounds better than this recipe for fantasy disaster. Poor Smith replaces Delanie Walker as the Titans’ top tight end this week and should have a difficult time doing much of anything. Find another solution at tight end if you are looking to replace Walker or Carolina’s Greg Olsen in your lineup or thinking about a low-cost option in DFS.
