Well, that was disappointing. Norv Turner did his best “Mike Martz I don’t know how to play call and/or don’t care” impression and every single fantasy player hoping for value on the Vikings let out one big, long sighing “Crap.” Carlos Hyde did his best Adrian Peterson impression and nobody else was worth the electronic device they were drafted on. What a miserable game. Of course, owners of Odell Beckham Jr., Sammy Watkins, Demaryius Thomas, Lamar Miller and a host of others aren’t feeling too pleased, either. Just remember: it’s only one week. A single match up does not a trend make. And while I will attempt not to be too reactionary in my weekly rankings, we now have, for the first time in 2015, actual in-season live information regarding usage, playing time, touches, and game scheme that we can apply to our fantasy projections. The prognosticator’s sword is sharpening, one might say. Some hunches have been confirmed, others muddied. Some questions have been answered while other new ones have been raised. The ever-changing fantasy landscape has shifted, and, as always, we must adapt.
Week 2 Top-75
- Julio Jones
Honestly, is there anyone you’d rather trot out there this week? I’m assuming his injury is nothing to be concerned about, so until we hear otherwise, Julio, welcome to the top spot.
- Jeremy Hill
- Eddie Lacy
- Jamaal Charles
- Antonio Brown
- Marshawn Lynch
- Demaryius Thomas
- Rob Gronkowski
- Matt Forte
- Adrian Peterson
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- DeMarco Murray
- Carlos Hyde
- AJ Green
- Chris Ivory
The A-Team
Is it obvious I’m really concerned about Peterson? I didn’t do anything drastic and drop him from the top-15, but the Vikings’ Monday night game plan- specifically how they used All Day - was atrocious. They need to find a way to get him involved, and the stolen series by Jerick McKinnon wasn’t encouraging either. I love Gronk. Always. Even against Buffalo. And if I had to guess I would wager there’s nothing Bill Belichick loves more than making Rex Ryan look stupid. Honestly, if I were an NFL coach, I’d love that too. It would make going to work that much more satisfying. So here’s saying Gronk has another multi-TD, rub-it-in type of game. Demaryius gets healthy this week against a defense that just made DeAndre Hopkins look all-world, and Matt Forte is a very un-trendy, un-sexy solid top-5 back every week. Hey, how do you beat Indianapolis? Say it with me now: R-U-N. (Here’s looking at you, Chris Ivory.)
- Brandin Cooks
- LeSean McCoy
- Justin Forsett
- Calvin Johnson
- Jordan Matthews
- Mark Ingram
- Randall Cobb
- Lamar Miller
- Alshon Jeffery
- Mike Evans
- Ameer Abdullah
- Emmanuel Sanders
- CJ Anderson
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Travis Kelce
Breakouts and Takeaways
Ameer Abdullah and Travis Kelce had what I consider to be breakout games in the following regard: we knew they had the talent to put up points if the usage was there, and guess what? The usage was there! Both saw plenty of action and I like that trend to continue, which means gravy for fantasy owners. I’m sort of hedging a bit in a few places in this segment: I like the Saints passing game this week, which means CJ Spiller (rumored to be due for his return) takes away from Ingram’s value. The matchup also bumps Cooks (and the forthcoming Brandon Coleman) up quite a bit. Obviously, I think Mike Evans also makes his return, and promptly slides right into that Austin Sefarian-Jenkins big-target-for-a-rookie-QB role. I’m much more worried about CJ Anderson on a short turnaround than I am about Forsett. I wouldn’t necessarily play Anderson regardless. I’d give it a second thought if I had a similar-tier option going over the weekend. On a short week, who’s to say he doesn’t re-aggravate an injury sustained Sunday? It’s all sorts of fantasy scary. I’m a bit low on Hopkins as he now received the Josh Norman treatment, and in general I don’t think Houston scores much this week.
- Keenan Allen
- Jimmy Graham
- Julian Edelman
- Davante Adams
- Terrance Williams
- DeAngelo Williams
- Alfred Morris
- Jarvis Landry
- Brandon Marshall
- Jeremy Maclin
- Martellus Bennett
- John Brown
- Joseph Randle
- Brandon Coleman
- Frank Gore
- Tevin Coleman
- Rashad Jennings
- Jason Witten
- Doug Martin
- Tyler Eifert
Matchups and Safety Belts
I like Adams to score, call it a gut feeling. Don’t be afraid of the match-up, either. I think Green Bay will be able to move the ball. Brandon Marshall would be a lot higher if not for the concern that he might see a lot of Vontae Davis. Sammy Watkins owners know what happens when that’s the case. DeAngelo Williams looked quite spry in week one. Enjoy it for one more go-round. I liked Bennett a lot this week and, though I like his match-up less in week 2, he will remain a big part of what the Bears want to do. I like his early-season success to continue. I love Brandon Coleman this week in the dome coming off a loss against a terrible Bucs team. I might have him way too low at 44. Who else might be low? The other Coleman, Tevin, got 20(!) carries last week. That’s not much of a RBBC with Freeman now, is it?
- Golden Tate
I guess. But I’m not a believer this year.
- Latavius Murray
Insert Matt McGloin joke here.
- Todd Gurley
Yeah, I think he plays. Word is he has already practiced fully. If I had ANY idea at all on his usage, he’d be top-30. Things being as they are, this seems about right. If he doesn’t play, put Benny Cunningham 53 and Tre Mason 53a.
- Danny Woodhead
- TJ Yeldon
- Sammy Watkins
Doesn’t have to face Vontae Davis this week.
- CJ Spiller
If he plays. Play your Saints, people, play your Saints.
- Greg Olsen
- Charles Johnson
- Mike Wallace
Anyone watch what the Chargers did to Detroit through the air? Both of the Vikings receivers could be interesting in DFS, too.
- Chris Johnson
- Eric Decker
- Amari Cooper
- Larry Fitzgerald
- Andre Johnson
- Donte Moncrief
- Stevie Johnson
- Allen Robinson
- Steve Smith, Sr.
- Vincent Jackson
I think Mike Evans is back.
- Melvin Gordon
- Bishop Sankey
- LeGarrette Blount
- Dion Lewis
A total hedge. Blount to score, Lewis to get most of the work in between the 20s.
- Kendall Wright
Hedges? We Don’t Need No Stinking Hedges!
Or maybe we do. It’s an interesting way to lay out your thought process, and I definitely hedged quite a bit in the final 20. Woodhead is the back to own for now in the Chargers backfield. Chris Johnson, for some silly reason, is supposedly getting the work. Though if Bruce Arians suddenly changed heart and said David Johnson was his guy, I’d rank D-Johns in the top 30, too. This should be an interesting week in the New England backfield. I think the way to attack Buffalo is clearly through the air, so Dion Lewis should be involved, but Blount will get his. Kendall Wright had a fantastic week 1, but I don’t like him as much against, probably, Joe Haden. I think all the Titans take a step back in week 2, but Wright, Sankey, and Delanie Walker are still eminently usable.
Best of luck in week 2! As always you can tweet me @pkaragianis.
I’ve also taken over duties answering questions in the Knuckleheads forums, so if you need specific roster advice, or have other categorized random nonsense to discuss, find me in the fantasy advice forum!