WEEK 1 FANTASY STUDS AND DUDS, AND WHO YOU SHOULD PICK UP
The first Sunday of the NFL season ended with an improbable comeback by one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.
On one leg, even. How many times do you see an injured player taken to the locker room on a cart and return to the game to lead his team to a win from down 20-0? Aaron Rodgers did just that, shifting the balance of thousands of fantasy football matchups in the process.
Rodgers spread the fantasy points around, connecting on touchdowns with Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb. Cobb, nearly left for dead in fantasy leagues before the season, scored the 75-yard winner.
No receiver had a bigger day than Tyreek Hill, however. He caught seven passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Hill also had a 91-yard punt return for a score on his first touch of the day. His performance helped Patrick Mahomes turn in an awesome debut as the Chiefs new starting QB.
Another quarterback that had a huge day was Ryan Fitzpatrick. He had an unpredictable, outstanding performance against a Saints defense which was very good last season. “Fitzmagic” finished with 417 yards, a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown.
Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson were the beneficiaries of Fitzpatrick’s huge day. Even Chris Godwin caught a touchdown pass.
On the other side of the ball in that game, the trio of Alvin Kamara, Drew Brees and Michael Thomas came up big for fantasy owners. The 48-40 final made for a huge fantasy day.
Thomas caught a league-high 16 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Kamara rushed just eight times for 29 yards and two rushing TDs. He added nine receptions for 112 yards and another score, picking up where he left off last season.
Another running back who eclipsed the century mark in receiving was Melvin Gordon, the workhorse for the Chargers. He gained 166 yards on 24 touches.
Kamara and Gordon were expected to do well, but one back who outperformed expectations was James Conner. I suggested him as a start in my startsit preview and he was outstanding, rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
The Giants didn’t win, but Saquon Barkley saved his week with a 68-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars, a tough defense.
Tight end owners had a tough day, unless you had Rob Gronkowski, of course.
Leonard Fournette and Doug Baldwin each suffered injuries that disappointed fantasy own- ers looking to cash in on their upper-echelon talent. Baldwin apparently has a partially torn MCL, according to ESPN’s Adam Shefter, so it’s uncertain how long he’ll be out.
Kenyan Drake, Alex Collins and Derrick Henry each were set up for feature roles but didn’t pay off.
Kareem Hunt, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce were left out of the fun for the Chiefs.
LeSean McCoy is stuck in a bad situation in Buffalo. Top waiver wire picks: Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins: He’s as efficient as ever, gaining over 120 yards from scrimmage and scoring. Scoop him up if he’s still available.
Phillip Lindsay, RB, Broncos: He actually had more touches than fellow rookie Royce Freeman.
Kenny Stills, WR, Dolphins: He caught four passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buccaneers: Fitzmagic is back. Pick him up now and you could be rewarded if the Bucs think they’re better off with him at the helm even when Jameis Winston returns from suspension.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Browns: In a game that Taylor should have struggled, he came out with a very solid fantasy score. Of course, rushing for 77 yards helps. It’s why mobile QBs are so valuable.
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars: Monitor the news about Leonard Fournette, who left with a hamstring injury. If he misses time, Yeldon should be picked up.
Geronimo Allison, WR, Packers: Adams and Cobb had big games, but Allison was targeted eight times and scored. He’s not owned in many leagues, unlike his teammates.
Will Dissly, TE, Seahawks: Surprisingly he was the most targeted tight end for the Seahawks, hauling in three of the five passes Russell Wilson sent his way for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Bears defense: Though they fell in gut-wrenching fashion Sunday night, adding Khalil Mack has them scoring points with forced turnovers and sacks.
Case Keenum, QB, Broncos: Though he turned the ball over three times, he threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Keenum has three favorable matchups in the next four weeks.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers: If you add him off the waiver wire, keep him on the bench until you see how he’s used in Week 2. Ekeler had 10 touches for L.A. and was involved in the passing game.