👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Disaster Recovery, Week 1 - Studs Turned Duds

Welcome to Disaster Recovery, where each week I'll examine why your studs played like duds. This isn't a place to find out why you should have benched a player for somebody on your bench. Disaster Recovery is to examine the guys who you didn't think twice about benching, and deciding if you should be panicking at all about their value moving forward.

The players covered in this column will usually have to be in the RotoBaller top 10 at their respective positions, but it may vary depending on the status of the players each week.

As for this week, it's only Week 1, so I'll do my best to avoid overreacting on anything.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Week 1 Duds

Le'Veon Bell (RB, PIT) (#1 RB)

What Happened: Bell, a consensus top two player heading into the 2017 season, had just 10 rushes for 32 yards and three receptions for 15 yards.

How Did It Happen: It was a sloppy performance for Pittsburgh all around, only beating the rebuilding Cleveland Browns by 3. Pittsburgh back ran the ball just 14 times and when Antonio Brown goes 11/11 on his targets, you're going to continue to feed him the ball. Bell also missed the entire Pittsburgh preseason due to a contract dispute.

Panic Meter: Low. We should give Le'Veon Bell the benefit of the doubt here. He may have just needed a week to shake off the rust. Bell played 73% of Pittsburgh offensive snaps and got a carry on both of Pittsburgh's red zone appearances. It's too early to panic for Bell.

 

Dez Bryant (WR, DAL) (#10 WR)

What Happened: Bryant caught just two passes on nine targets for 43 yards.

How Did It Happen: Since joining the Giants in 2016, cornerback Janoris Jenkins has blanketed Dez Bryant when they go head to head. Dez had two receptions for 18 yards on 14 targets last season against the Giants. This week was actually Bryan's best performance against Jenkins since he's joined the Giants. Both Bryant and Jenkins are fierce competitors and I'm sure they both have a Week 14 rematch circled on their calendars.

Panic Meter: Low. Bryant has never been the most consistent fantasy performer and has had fits dealing with Jenkins in the past. Bryant still led Cowboys receivers in targets, including four times in the Red Zone, and the Cowboys had no reason to force him the ball thanks to a comfortable lead for most of the game. There were a lot of positives to take away from this negative performance. Expect better things from Dez in the coming weeks.

 

Rob Gronkowski (TE, NE) (#1 TE)

What Happened: Gronk caught two passes for 33 yards on six targets in a loss to the Chiefs.

How Did It Happen: Eric Berry gave Gronk fits and essentially took him out of the equation. It was a matchup of two alpha dogs at their respective positions, and Berry came out on top.

Panic Meter: Low. Here's the biggest silver lining for Gronk owners: in a game where numerous players including Berry suffered major injuries, Gronk came out of the game unscathed. With Danny Amendola suffering a concussion and Malcolm Mitchell heading to the IR that already features Julian Edelman, the Patriots are going to need Gronk now more than ever. If he can't bounce back against the Saints next week, then it'll be time to panic.

 

Tom Brady (QB, NE) (#2 QB)

What Happened: Tom Brady completed just 44% of his passes for 267 yards and no touchdowns in a loss to the Chiefs.

How Did It Happen: As mentioned above, the Patriots were already missing Julian Edelman before losing Amendola and Mitchell, and the Chiefs took his best weapon out of the game by blanketing Rob Gronkowski. An always dangerous Chiefs defense came to play and gave Brady and the defending champions fits all night. Brady was just 3-12 on deep passes, connecting with Amendola once and new target Brandin Cooks twice.

Panic Meter: Medium. Am I going to sit here and say I doubt Tom Brady will come back from this game? Absolutely not. But am I concerned that a guy who was typically drafted as a top two quarterback may fail to live up to that expectation this season? Absolutely. Losing the three aforementioned receivers hurts and the Patriots need to hope Amendola, a man with a history of concussions, recovers quickly from his concussion. Brady will have to rely heavily on Cooks, Gronk, and his running backs in the passing game in the coming weeks. He didn't connect well with Chris Hogan and Dwayne Allen in Week 1, and newly acquired Phillip Dorsett is a mystery at this point.

And I know the media has beaten this horse to death this week, but Tom Brady is 40 years old. Even if a regression is unlikely, it's not out of the question. We should have more clarity on what Brady's season outlook will look like after next week.

 

Isaiah Crowell (RB, CLE) (#10 RB)

What Happened: Crowell ran 17 times for 33 yards, caught two passes for 33 yards and scored a two point conversion in a loss to the Steelers.

How Did It Happen: The biggest knock on Crowell heading into the season was that he isn't that good of a real life football player. In Week 1, he still did not look like a good football player. Crowell averaged four yards per rush, something that he achieved four times last season. Even with rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer playing well, the Browns refused to abandon the running game, and drove Crowell into the ground all day long. His fantasy day was salvaged with a two point conversion late in the game.

Panic Meter: Medium. As of now, it doesn't seem like Crowell's carriers are going anywhere, but owners should still be panicking a bit. If any other Cleveland running back has a breakout game, there isn't much on Crowell's resume that justifies him staying as the starter. He needs to have a solid game in the coming weeks to reassure not only fantasy owners but the entire Cleveland Browns staff that he deserves to be a starter. Crowell had an eight game stretch last season where he ran for 211 yards on 84 carries. All we can do is hope for is that he does the opposite of that.

 

Saved By The Pie Line

Each week I'll touch briefly on guys who may have appeared in the Disaster Recovery column, but had their fantasy day saved by a touchdown.

Low Panic Meter: DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU) - Hopkins had just 55 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, but was targeted 16 times by the stable of Texans quarterbacks. At this point he's the only proven talent on the Texans offense, and literally every single tight end on the Texans offense was injured in Week 1. Rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson should only improve as the season goes on. Hopkins will have high volume and should see higher production than he did this week.

Medium Panic Meter: Todd Gurley (RB, LAR) - There's too much to unpack with Gurley's performance on Sunday, but the positives are that he received a ton of touches, looked good catching the ball, and defenses should have to respect the passing game more in the coming weeks. Even with the serious red flags in the Rams rushing attack, Gurley should improve on his abysmal 2016 season. The only question is how much.

High Panic Meter: Jordan Howard (RB, CHI) - Sound the sirens, ring the alarms, Jordan Howard is entering a timeshare. Howard had 16 total touches for 66 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Tarik Cohen had 13 total touches for 113 yards and a touchdown. I'd suggest owners don't sell low on Howard and see how the situation plays out, but the panic meter is at full tilt right now. It's hard to imagine Howard putting up a repeat performance of his rookie year with Cohen still in the mix.

 

More Week 2 Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

Jameson Williams Files Lawsuit Against NCAA, SEC, Big Ten
Junior Caminero

Back in Wednesday's Lineup After Injury Scare
Harry Hall

Volatility Continues at Cadillac Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Looks to Rebound at Trump National Doral
Pierceson Coody

a Risky Value Play at Cadillac Championship
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Will Deebo Samuel Sr. Find a New Team Before Training Camps Open?
Jalen Johnson

Collects Second Playoff Double-Double
Akshay Bhatia

Offers Upside with Risk at Cadillac Championship
Elic Ayomanor

Dynasty Stock Way Down After NFL Draft
Jalen Brunson

Pours 39 Points on Hawks in Game 5
Darius Slayton

Dynasty Value Fading After Busy Giants Offseason
Jaylen Brown

Struggles From the Field in Game 5
Jayson Tatum

Picks Up Another Double-Double
David Njoku

With the NFL Draft Over, David Njoku Could Soon Find a Team
Tyrese Maxey

Records Double-Double With Rebounds
Tyler Warren

a Major Offseason Winner
Joel Embiid

Tallies 33 Points as 76ers Stave Off Elimination
Victor Wembanyama

Posts Second Straight Double-Double
Connor McDavid

Extends Multi-Point Streak Tuesday
Justin Thomas

a Scary Proposition at Cadillac Championship
Nikolaj Ehlers

Hurricanes Hope to Have Nikolaj Ehlers Back for Second Round
Alexander Nikishin

Could Be Available in Round 2
Victor Hedman

Logs Full Practice
Scottie Scheffler

The Leading Favorite at Cadillac Championship
Noah Ostlund

Likely to Miss Time Due to Lower-Body Injury
Arttu Hyry

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Collin Morikawa

Still a Smash Play at Cadillac Championship
Jonas Brodin

Spotted Using Crutches After Game 5
Viktor Hovland

Showed at Augusta He Can Finish Well
Sepp Straka

Attempting to Finish Better in Miami
PGA

J.J Spaun Enduring Roller Coaster Start to 2026
Min Woo Lee

Seeks to Make Adjustments at Cadillac Championship
Max Homa

May Struggle at Old Doral This Weekend
Ben Griffin

Rebounds From Rough Stretch as Miami Looms
Shane Lowry

Searching For Answers at Cadillac Championship
Russell Wilson

Jets Host Russell Wilson for a Visit, Considering him as Backup Option
Russell Henley

Daunting Test at Doral Likely Not a Place For Russell Henley
Jonathon Brooks

Fully Cleared for Offseason Program
Christian Gonzalez

Patriots Exercise Christian Gonzalez's Fifth-Year Option
Tyler Allgeier

One of the Biggest Losers After NFL Draft
A.J. Brown

Eagles to Receive a First-Round Pick if They Trade A.J. Brown?
Justin Rose

Returns to Action After Finishing Third at Masters Tournament
Hideki Matsuyama

Has The Approach Game to Win at Cadillac Championship
Si Woo Kim

Rolling Back Into Form For Cadillac Championship
Nicolai Hojgaard

Struggling to Find Consistency
Harris English

In Excellent Form Heading to Cadillac Championship
Corey Conners

Continues Playing Well Heading to Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Place Right-of-First-Refusal Tender on Aaron Rodgers
Jauan Jennings

Visiting With Vikings
Quentin Johnston

Chargers Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Quentin Johnston
Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions Picking Up Jahmyr Gibbs' Fifth-Year Option
Bo Nix

Undergoes Cleanup Procedure on his Ankle
Junior Caminero

Suffers Jaw Contusion on Tuesday, Considered Day-to-Day
Scottie Barnes

Leading Raptors' Comeback Effort in Round 1
Pete Fairbanks

Going on Injured List With Nerve Irritation
Tobias Harris

a Bright Spot for Pistons in Tough Series
Jalen Duren

Struggling in First-Round Matchup
Austin Reaves

Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 5
Kevin Durant

Officially Out Wednesday
Collin Gillespie

Wants to Stick With Suns
Jonathan Isaac

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Wednesday Night
Franz Wagner

Considered Questionable for Game 5
Austin Reaves

on Track to Return Wednesday
Spencer Strider

to Make Season Debut This Weekend
Kevin Durant

Unlikely to Play Wednesday
Joel Embiid

Cleared for Game 5
Roope Hintz

Likely to Miss Entire First-Round Series
Jason Zucker

Good to Go for Game 5
Josh Norris

Won't Play Tuesday
Colton Dach

Available Tuesday
Connor Ingram

Returns to Oilers Net for Game 5
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Tuesday With Back Tightness
Jason Dickinson

Considered a Game-Time Decision for Tuesday's Action
Connor McDavid

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Juan Soto

Dealing With Forearm Tightness, Serving as DH on Tuesday
Isaiah Likely

Remains Well-Positioned for Mid-Career Breakout Following NFL Draft
Jauan Jennings

' Dynasty Value Fading Following NFL Draft?
Luther Burden III

Poised for Breakout Season in Chicago?
CFB

Brendan Sorsby Facing Potential Permanent Loss of Eligibility
MarShawn Lloyd

Is MarShawn Lloyd a Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Following NFL Draft?
Emanuel Wilson

Dynasty Value Fading After Seahawks' Draft Addition
Jalen Nailor

Remains Poised for Prominent Role in Las Vegas Following NFL Draft
Manny Machado

Departs Early With Undisclosed Injury on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Fire Manager Rob Thomson
Elmer Rodríguez

Yankees to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Elmer Rodriguez
Pete Fairbanks

Pulled on Monday With "Unusual Sensation" in his Thumb
Mikhail Sergachev

Has Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Brett Howden

Records Three Points in Vital Win
Rasmus Ristolainen

Registers Two Assists in Game 5 Loss
Arturs Silovs

Helps Penguins Survive for Second Time
Sidney Crosby

Delivers Two Assists in Elimination-Game Win
NAS

Predators Pick Up KHL Standout Vitali Pinchuk
Paolo Banchero

Efficiency Woes Continue in Game 4
Julius Randle

Leads Timberwolves With 27 Points Monday
Giancarlo Stanton

Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
Travis Bazzana

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
Will Smith

Back in Action in Series Opener Against Marlins
Josh Naylor

Back in Starting Lineup on Monday
Jason Zucker

Probable for Game 5 Against Bruins
Carson Hocevar

Scores his First Career NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Misses out on Winning at Talladega by Finishing Second
Alex Bowman

Earns First Top-Five Finish at Talladega Since Returning From Injury
Chase Elliott

Scores A Fourth-Place Finish at Talladega
Zane Smith

Nabs First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at Talladega
CFB

Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Enters Rehab
Youssef Zalal

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Aljamain Sterling

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Norma Dumont

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Scores Upset Win
Alexander Hernandez

Gets Dominated
Alexander Hernandez

Rafa Garcia Dominates Alexander Hernandez
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Gets Back In The Win Column
Manny Machado

Clubs Two Homers, Starting to Turn Things Around?
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Left-Wrist Fracture
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Josh Naylor

Absent on Sunday With Quad Tightness
Ryan Helsley

Returns From Bereavement List on Sunday
Steven Kwan

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Brent Rooker

Activated and Starting on Sunday Against Rangers
Roman Anthony

Returns as DH on Sunday
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF