Contributors
As Kenny Rogers once sang, “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.” That thought leads to our strategy in fantasy football following week 1. I’m holding onto, or being patient with Titus Young, Ryan Williams, David Wilson, and Jermaine Gresham, to name a few. I’m folding on DeAngelo Williams and Cedric Benson. I’m creating a contingency plan on Chris Johnson (we’ve seen this before) and keeping an eye on Wes Welker, who was in the game for less than 2/3 of New England’s offensive snaps. As for knowing whom to run after, in most cases, we don’t yet know how everything is going to play out. For this week, my goal is to sift through all of the week 1 overreaction and if I have an open roster spot, I want to gamble on greatness. The name of the game is not about avoiding overreactions entirely, it’s about knowing whom to overreact about.
Mark Sanchez, QB- Did you know that Sanchez finished last season as the #10 ranked QB in total points. And while Sanchez has generally been considered a bust, he also has the 4th most total TDs of any 25 year old QB in league history. Sanchez had a big game on Sunday against a Bills defense that didn’t play nearly as well as many were expecting. Moving forward, Sanchez certainly is not close to being an every week starter, but he has enough weapons (thank you Stephen Hill) to make him a pretty good matchup play and bye-week fill-in. Still young, Sanchez has more upside than both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton, just to name 2.
Alfred Morris, RB- Shanahanigans were on full display as Morris got the surprise start this week in favor of announced starter Evan Royster. Morris looked pretty good with his opportunity, but his most impressive number was the 28 touches he received. I can’t say I completely trust him moving forward, since this is Mike Shanahan we’re talking about, but perhaps there’s some legitimacy here. He certainly won’t be receiving 28 carries every week, but the possibility alone that he could become a starting RB with consistent touches makes him the Fresh Step Scoopable Kitty Litter pickup of the week.
Randall Cobb, WR- With Driver nearly done, and Jennings possibly in his last year in GB, it sure looks like the Packers want to utilize Cobb this year. He had 9 targets, and they used him multiple times out of the backfield to try and give him open space. It appears that he’s currently their #3 receiver. He didn’t play a ton of snaps, but he has similar usage to what Jordy Nelson did to start last year. Cobb certainly could flame out, but a small uptick in opportunity, combined with the GB offense gives Cobb the highest potential of anyone else potentially available on your wire this week.
Stephen Hill, WR- The question regarding Hill coming out of Ga Tech was not size or ability, it was polish, considering their style of offense. However, Hill certainly looked to have a lot of polish and chemistry with Mark Sanchez this week. If the goal when adding after week 1 is to aim for a home run (and it is), then Hill should be added in all formats this week.
Kevin Ogletree, WR- I talked about him at length in the comment section of last week’s waiver wire column. In summation, as long as he’s the #3 WR (and 5th option moving forward), I don’t think he can give consistent value. He’s worth an add, but not over Cobb, Hill, LaFell, or Jeffery in my view. I’d expect 500 yards and 3 TDs the rest of the way.
Coby Fleener, TE- Indianapolis could be home to the best junk time stats in the league this year, and Fleener could be a large beneficiary of that. He’s likely owned, but if not, go ahead and grab him as your #2.
Arizona DST- Excellent matchup play. The key with them is that their counting stats (sacks, TOs) will be pretty good, and they also have a potentially dynamic kick return unit.
Last week’s recommendations-
QB- Jake Locker; Josh Freeman; Alex Smith
RB- Jonathan Dwyer; Evan Royster; Daniel Thomas; Ronnie Brown
WR- Kendall Wright; Brandon LaFell; Sidney Rice; Doug Baldwin; Steve Smith (StL)
TE- Martellus Bennett
(you may cut Doug Baldwin, Steve Smith, and the carcass formerly known as Ronnie Brown until further notice)
Additional Week 2 Pick Ups-
Knowshon Moreno, RB; Alshon Jeffery, WR; Andrew Hawkins, WR; Kyle Rudolph, TE
Deep League Specials-
Christian Ponder, QB; Russell Wilson, QB; Alex Green, RB; Dennis Pitta, TE
Drop List-
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB
Andy Dalton, QB
DeAngelo Williams, RB
Cedric Benson, RB
Rashad Jennings, RB
Isaac Redman, RB
Greg Little, WR
Mike Williams, WR
Jon Baldwin, WR
Dustin Keller, TE
Bills DST
Bengals DST
