Injuries, lopsided blowouts, and low scoring affairs reigned supreme in the NFL through week 2. The ambiguous and inconsistent nature of NFL slates have left fantasy owners scrambling to make a case for which player to insert into their flex.
Before we get to the meat and potatoes. Lets devour an appetizer of accountability.
Week 2 Hits and Misses
Hits
- Matt Breida
- Tyrell Williams
- John Brown (at least in PPR)
- Rex Burkhead (yes, he beat projections)
- Chris Thompson
- Mecole Hardman
- Deebo Samuel
Misses
- Jamison Crowder (even in PPR, he was mediocre at best)
- Miles Sanders (hes gotta pop one of these days... right?)
- James White
- Vernon Davis
2019 Season Record To Date
- 12 Hits, 9 Misses
Heres to putting the past behind us and looking towards the future!
David Montgomery's Trending Up
I know, listing a guy that had a 3rd/4th round price tag seems lazy. Lets be honest though, after criminal usage in week 1, there is a solid chance you didn't start him in Week 2 against Denver. Alas, Montgomery advocates everywhere rejoiced as Nagy's gameplan allowed 18 rushes and 3 targets to the rookie RB. Monty was also the preferred goaline back, taking a trip past the pylons in the contest.
The Washington Redskins defense has allowed 249 rushing yards through 2 games. Combined with struggling Bears QB Mitch Trubisky's inevitable dependence on RB's for offensive production, I am starting David Montgomery with a full tank of confidence.
Hollywood Brown To Wear Thin on KC DEF
While this Baltimore offense was full of intrigue during the offseason, I don't believe anybody foresaw this degree of offensive intimidation on the horizon. In these infancy stages of the 2019 season Lamar Jackson is the #1 fantasy QB, Mark Andrew is the #1 fantasy TE, and Marquise Brown is the #3 WR.
Brown's gift wrapped early season schedule will continue on Sunday when the Ravens square up against felllow offensive juggernaut, Patrick Mahomes and the KC Chiefs. The Ravens to this point have been putting up luxury stats against teams with little chance to match their capability in production. It will be fun to see them attack as a necessity against what may become the most potent modern era passing franchise the NFL has produced to date.
Brown has already been granted an increased snap share. In most offensive formations he figures to be looking at coverage from the Chief's current lowest graded CB, Charvarius Ward. Roll with the hot hand in Hollywood and make sure he gets into your starting lineup.
Freeman To Usurp DEN Backfield?
Prognosticator's were correct in envisioning a split time share at least early on for the Broncos. So far, the mile high RB's have seen 146 snaps split right down the middle at 73 a piece. With those snaps Freeman has produced 31 more yards with 7 less touches. Furthermore, Lindsay has been touted as the "far" more superior pass catching RB. Against Chicago, Freeman was able to notch 7 receptions to Lindsay's 4. Reference Ray Rice to see how valuable a pass catching back can become when paired with Joe Flacco.
I believe this week, we start to see this RBBC tilt in Freeman's favor. Remember, for what it is worth, he was the more coveted commodity entering the NFL. Dalvin Cook just roasted Denver's upcoming opponents (Packers) for a hefty 187 all purpose yards and a score. Production for Freeman, I am sure will be more modest. Still I am buying the ultra efficient back with the higher likliehood of earning goal line duties.
DK Metcalf Continues to Sneer at 1st Round Snub
Metcalf's physical measureables for the most part, are other worldly. His fall in the 2019 draft can be most credited to his limited college playing time and the knock that he was not agile in his movements. That is not what I have seen from the receiver in his early career. His routes have been crisp supported by Russel Wilson's trust in awarding him consistent targets (6.5 per game). Metcalf has also succeeded in affirming the positive reviews out of college with his ability to burn DB's for big plays. DK is currently averaging over 20 yards per reception and has already tallied a score.
I am not dissuaded by the prospect of the NO secondary or potential shadow coverage from Marshon Lattimore. Deandre Hopkins disrespected Lattimore with 8 receptions, 111 yards, and 2 TD's in week 1. Saints defensive backs allowed 194 yards and a TD to Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks in their face off last Sunday.
Greg Olsen, No Need To Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Depending on who you drafted with intentions of making your starting TE this season (David Njoku, Hunter Henry, OJ Howard), Olsen may even be a plus play in your TE slot at this point.
Greg Olsen has been hyper targeted through 2 games (9 each contest) and struck gold last week with 110 receiving yards. Cam Newton's questionable status is not enough to deter my assessment. Kyle Allen performed admirably in Cam's absence in 2018 and veteran TE's are often used as crutches for inexperienced QB's.
Arizona was stout against apposing TE's in 2018, not so much in 2019. In their early slate of contests the Cardinals have hemorrhaged more fantasy points to TE's than some QB's have scored total. They have allowed an insane 273 yards and 3 TD's in the first 2 weeks of NFL action. That includes 131 yards and a score to rookie TJ Hockenson. If you are not aware, TE is a notoriously difficult transition into from collegiate to pro level.
DJ Chark's Upside Hypothetical, No Longer
For an entire season we've all heard analysts painting the picture that is DJ Chark with captions like "dripping with upside". It has always been suspected that the talent was there, but had been hidden underneath piles of Blake Bortles ineptitude. Rookie QB Gardner Minshew's swag has captivated the attention of NFL fans and media alike. In turn, the flare and play making ability of DJ Chark has captured Minshew's eye.
From week 1 to week 2 Charks saw an increase in snaps and over a 50% increase in targets. With a total of 13 2019 targets, 84% have been converted into catches translating into 201 yards and 2 TD's worth of production. Thursday Night Football always has the potential to be a bust in fantasy and a matchup against 2 solid defenses certainly do increase that chance. My credit has taken worse hits than cosigning on a talented, progressive receiver who will be lining up against an aging Malcolm Butler. I respect Butler and the career he has put together, but am of the belief that he is more brand recognition than actual shut down corner. Look for Chark to put together a couple of splashy plays that can give you an edge at your flex position on Thursday.
3 Card Monty - Singletary/Gore/Yeldon
Until the Cincinnat DEF proves they can look respectable against the run, you should consider adversary rushers a go in your starting lineups. The Bengals have bled 426 yards of production and 5 scores to RB's they have been tasked with stopping in 2019. No, they did not face Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliot. Here are the trio of San Francisco ball carriers PPR fantasy totals from last week.
- Matt Breida - 14.2
- Jeff Wilson - 15.4
- Raheem Mostert - 18.7
Betting against Frank Gore has always been an achilles heel of mine. With that being said, I have to believe Devin Singletary takes over this backfield at some point this season. The Florida Atlantic product is currently averaging an absurd 12.7 yards per carry, proved effective in his goaline opportunity, and is capable of being active in the passing game. Still, it may not be this week. As of writing this, Singletary is dealing with a hamstring injury and carrying a day to day questionable tag. If Singletary does not suit up, Frank Gore and TJ yeldon instantly become flex plays against the most generous rushing defense for fantasy in the league.
Deeper Plays Worth Consideration
- Justice Hill is PRETTY. DAMN. DEEP. for starting consideration. If there is a week to start a breakout, it is against the Chiefs. If at anypoint this gets out of hand, Hill has the best skill set as a receiving threat in the Ravens backfield.
- Devin Smith filled in and will continue to for the injured Michael Gallup. Some early career hype has been derailed by injuries. He proved he can still be a downfield threat last week catching all 3 of his targets, including a bomb for a TD. It does not hurt that Dak Prescott is playing out of his mind right now.
- JJ Arcega White-Side didnt put up much of a stat line last week against Atlanta. Worth nothing though, he did see 75 offensive snaps. I love JJAW's skill set and with D Jax out and Alshon Jeffery banged up, he should see plenty of opportunity against Detroit in week 3.
- Jeff Wilson has HC Kyle Shanahan hinting that he has at least for the time being found his preferred goal line back. The Pittsburgh D has been liberal in allowing rushing yards to opposing offense's runners in both tallied matches this season. Also, depending on incumbent Steeler replacement QB Mason Rudolph's performance, this has potential to get out of hand in which case the 3rd string RB may see extended looks.