USA TODAY International Edition
Pats’ Gillislee, White could go wild
Week 1 of the season is in the books, and if you’re fantasy football team is 0-1, relax. There’s so much more football to play. To help you get back to your winning ways (or to give you a winning streak, if you claimed victory), we’ll provide you with the studs, duds and sleepers to help you put together a great lineup.
STUDS
RB Mike Gillislee, Patriots: Any team facing the Saints can expect a big day on offense. Look at what Dalvin Cook did (137 total yards) last weekend, and you’ll agree.
WR Michael Thomas,
Saints: Yes, Drew Brees and Co. struggled on the road against the Vikings. But they’re back Sunday in the Superdome, where Brees is usually better, and the Patriots just came off a game in which they gave up 368 yards through the air. Expect a solid day from Thomas.
QB Derek Carr, Raiders: A great Week 1 (262 yards, 2 touchdowns) leads to a juicy second game matchup against the hapless Jets. Although the Raiders might be far ahead by halftime, you can bet Carr will at least match what he did last weekend, if not exceed it.
TE Zach Ertz, Eagles: If you didn’t think he was a star already, his eight-catch, 93-yard day against the Redskins hopefully convinced you he’s elite.
DUDS
RB Isaiah Crowell, Browns: The Ravens are an impossible team to run on; the Bengals totaled 77 yards in a shutout loss. Don’t expect big numbers from the Crowell.
WR Martavis Bryant, Steelers: He had two catches on six targets for 14 yards against the Browns, and now he faces a stingy Vikings defense. Keep him on your bench until you see signs of the guy with 14 career receiving TDs.
QB Kirk Cousins, Redskins: He was shaky in the loss to the Eagles, and now the quarterback in search of a big contract has to go west to face a team that took care of Scott Tolzien. Granted, Cousins is far from Tolzien, but the Rams defense is legitimately good, especially if Aaron Donald is indeed back. TE Hunter Henry, Chargers: As long as Antonio Gates is a starter, Henry’s prodigious upside is capped.
SLEEPERS
RB James White, Patriots: Two New England running backs in one post? Again, the Saints can’t defend anyone, and White could be the beneficiary of a ton of work between the 20s.
WR Cooper Kupp, Rams: A fantastic Week 1 for the preseason sleeper. Let’s see if he can repeat it again while facing the Redskins.
QB Carson Palmer, Cardinals: Jared Goff threw for 306 yards against the Colts, so there’s potential for a bounce-back game, especially now that David Johnson is out because of injury. Expect
Palmer to throw a ton, just as he did last weekend.
TE Charles Clay, Bills: A whopping nine targets led to a 53yard, one-touchdown performance against the Jets. Although the Panthers could be a tough matchup, Clay might be quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s No. 1 option again.