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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




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Troy Terry

Could Miss Start of Next Season Due to Hip Surgery
Arber Xhekaj

Scratched for Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals
Jakub Dobes

Seeks More Success Against Hurricanes
Frederik Andersen

Looks to Stay Undefeated Thursday
Calvin Ridley

Not Taking Part in OTAs as Value Continues to Plummet
Carnell Tate

Receiving Early Buzz at OTAs
Ashton Jeanty

Bigger Role Could be Coming for Ashton Jeanty in Year 2
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Malik Nabers

' Goal is to be Ready for Start of the Season
De'Von Achane

Dealing With Injury at OTAs?
Dalton Kincaid

Says he Feels "Really Good"
Keenan Allen

Door isn't Closed for Keenan Allen in Los Angeles
Ty Simpson

Does Ty Simpson Have First-Round Appeal in Rookie Drafts?
Fernando Mendoza

Working Behind Other QBs
Cam Ward

is "Perfectly Healthy"
James Cook III

Absent From OTA Practices This Week
Darnell Washington

Is it Time to Drop Darnell Washington in Dynasty Leagues?
Fernando Mendoza

a Top Dynasty Target Even if He Doesn't Start Week 1?
Tyreek Hill

Dynasty Outlook Dependent on Landing Spot
Mack Hollins

Should Managers Trade for Mack Hollins Amid Roster Questions?
Michael Wilson

a Prime Dynasty Sell Candidate
Jake Ferguson

Insurance Upside Makes Him a Borderline TE1 in Dynasty
Brock Bowers

One of the Most Valuable Assets in Dynasty
Devin Vassell

Contributes 22 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Mike Gesicki

Still Provides Some Dynasty Insurance as His Standalone Value Fades
Stephon Castle

Tallies Team-High 25 Points in Game 2 Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Records Eighth Postseason Double-Double
Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith Arrested for Speeding and Reckless Driving
Isaiah Hartenstein

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads Thunder to Game 2 Victory WIth 30 Points
Dylan Harper

Exits Game 2 Early Due to Right-Leg Injury
Jalen Williams

Suffers Another Hamstring Injury
Valeri Nichushkin

Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
Nathan MacKinnon

Extends Point Streak With an Assist
Brett Howden

Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
Tomas Hertl

Extends Point Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
Carter Hart

Records Third Consecutive Win
Timothy Liljegren

Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren to Two-Year Extension
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Mark Stone

Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Sam Malinski

Set to Return Wednesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Cale Makar

Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks to Historic Comeback Win
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Dean Wade

Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
OG Anunoby

Starting on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

May Remain in Motown
Jalen Duren

Pistons Eager to Keep Jalen Duren
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF