Fantasy football add, drop, targets and avoids advice heading into Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season.
A Kupp-ful of Fantasy Points
Expectations for the Rams passing game were low heading into Week 1, but Jared Goff surprised everyone by blasting the Colts for over 300 yards and a score. That score went to rookie receiver Cooper Kupp, who was figured to have a significant role in the offense. However, due to Goff’s supposed incompetence, fantasy expectations were very low for the first-year wideout. Kupp put up 76 yards on just
four catches, which is what’s even more exciting–he was supposed to be a slot receiver exclusively. If he is going to be a legitimate second option in the passing game after Sammy Watkins, Kupp could be an every-week flex option. We’re still in wait-and-see mode with the Rams offense as a whole, but snag Kupp now and find out.
Too Many Bodies in Bengals Backfield
Rookie Joe Mixon was drafted as high as the third round in many fantasy drafts, and so far that looks like a mistake. While Mixon is expected to eventually wrestle the feature role away from his contemporaries, for now Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard are very much involved in the Bengals offense. Their Week 1 showing against the Ravens is likely not an indicator of how successful the Bengals offense will be this year, but it’s likely a safe bet that the usages can be taken seriously. Hill had seven touches in the game, Bernard had eight, and Mixon had 11. Bernard was by far the most productive back on the ground, putting up 40 yards on just seven carries, while Mixon managed a measly nine yards on eight carries. Until we see a shift in the touch counts for all running back in Cincinnait, Mixon will be no more than a risky flex option at best.
Unexpected Chicago Timeshare Favors Cohen
Jordan Howard was going in the end of the first round in many fantasy drafts, and with good reason. As a rookie, Howard tallied over 1,500 total yards from scrimmage, and was poised to be the feature back on a team that was going to rely on the running game. That was in no way the case in Week 1, as the assumed backup running back Tarik Cohen went off. Cohen ripped off 66 yards on just five rushes, and added 47 yards and a score on eight receptions. Howard was serviceable with 52 yards and a score on the ground along with three catches for 14 yards. The Bears would be silly to cut back Cohen’s workload after his huge outing, and we may be looking at a full-on timeshare in Chicago. Cohen and Howard will both every-week RB3s until we see the split change.
NFL Sleepers of the Week
Marqise Lee, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars –
With Allen Robinson done for the season, it’s Lee who will be the possession receiver for the Jags while Allen Hurns remains a boom-or-bust option.
Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts – Frank Gore was expected to be the feature back for the Colts, but he split carries evenly with rookie (and running back of the future) Marlon Mack in Week 1. Mack will provide flex value as the Andrew Luck-less Colts lean on the run.
Charles Clay, TE, Buffalo Bills – With Sammy Watkins gone, Clay emerged as Tyrod Taylor’s favorite target in Week 1. He led all Bills pass-catchers with nine targets, and he also snagged a touchdown which highlighted his red zone usage.
