Last week started out with a bang! The Bears upset  the 49ers, the Steelers overtook the Bengals in overtime and the Vikings ran over the Packers. There was even a tie! And along with some exciting moments  in the NFL came some big games for fantasy players. In just one week, things happened that might change the way you look at some players. 

Players to watch

Here I have listed a few players who I think will have very productive fantasy seasons this year, based on the information we have picked up from the past weeks/years.

AJ Dillon

In a game where not much went right for the Packers, AJ Dillon showed some promise. He had five  more carries than “starter” Aaron Jones, as well as two more catches and a touchdown inside the 5-yard line. Dillon also outcarried Jones last year and in an offense with not many trusted weapons, he looks to be one of the main threats to defenses.

OJ Howard

The Texans were able to drive multiple times against a strong Colts defense highlighted by two big red zone TD’s to OJ Howard. Coming from the Buccaneers, Howard can be a force and a red zone threat on a team with not too many stars for QB Davis Mills to throw to.

Jamaal Williams

As a backup, Jamaal Williams managed 12 total touches in a game where Deandre Swift also put up big fantasy numbers and was very much a third down back. Williams found most of his success in the red zone with two 1-yard TDs, and if this RB room continues to split carries he could stay successful throughout the season.

Waiver Wonders

After week one, there may be some players emerging from the waiver wire thanks to their  strong starts. Here are a few who I think could be meaningful throughout the season.

Darrell Henderson

In week one, Henderson outcarried Cam Akers 18-3 and had 5 catches while Akers had zero. Akers was supposed to be the lead back but with almost no carries and horrible efficiency (zero yards per carry) Henderson will most likely stay as the lead and could have chances at twenty+ touches and against a poor Falcons defense could be a good pickup off the waivers that you could have start immediately.

Rex Burkhead

Although Dameon Pierce was supposed to be the starting RB on the Texans, Rex Burkhead had more carries (14, compared to 11) and four more catches, which is big for PPR. In a committee offense for the two backs it can be important to have the one with the higher catching upside, which looks to be Burkhead.

Robby Anderson

With new QB Baker Mayfield and the #1 corner for most teams taken away by DJ Moore, Robby Anderson had a strong start to the season this week highlighted by a 75-yard TD leading to a team leading 21.2 points, and he will ideally continue to be the deep threat option for this offense in weeks to come.

Love/Hate

This list features  three players I would love to have on my team this week and a few players who I think won’t do so well this week based on prior weeks and current matchups.

Zach Ertz

After having a strong week one when the Cardinals were overall shut down recording 11.4 PPR points Ertz looks to continue his strong run with the Cardinals. Ertz matches up well against the Raiders, who ranked 28th in points allowed against tight ends (4th worst in the league).

Jerry Jeudy

With the addition of Russell Wilson in the offseason, people were wondering who would emerge as the main target, and after the first game it looks like the title might go to  Jeudy, who sprang out with  a 20+ point fantasy outing, highlighted by a 67-yard touchdown. There’s also reason to believe  that he will be the main deep threat for this offense. It helps that he is going against the Houston Texans, who let up 27+ fantasy points to the #1 wide receiver for the Colts last week (Michael Pittman).

James Robinson

In another instance where the running back who was not named a starter ended up carrying most of the running load, James Robinson was very productive, averaging six yards per carry on 11 rushes as well as a rushing touchdown. He  also managed to get a receiving touchdown. With the amount of red zone carries that Robinson got and the touchdown amounts he should be a solid FLEX play this week.

Ceedee Lamb

Although he was targeted 11 times in the Cowboys last game against the Buccaneers, Lamb only caught two of them and managed only four fantasy points. It does not help that Dak Prescott will be out with a thumb injury for possibly two months, so with an unproven backup quarterback and a not very consistent catch rate, I don’t like Lamb for the near future.

Noah Fant

Even though Geno Smith had a solid first game against the Broncos last week, Fant has to compete with two of the best receivers in their conference in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. To make it worse, he needs to go against the #1 tight end defense in the league last week (San Francisco 49rs).

Cam Akers

One of the big surprises for the leadoff game of the NFL season (along with Allen Robinson’s production) was Cam Akers. He only recorded three carries for 0 yards and as a player who was supposed to be a RB 2 or maybe in some leagues a low end RB 1, recording 0 points was not a good start to the season. He does not have a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons defense, who was second best against the run last week.

Q and A

Ask Logan about your fantasy needs.

Q: If somebody has a high scoring game the first week who is on waivers, should I pick them up and drop a player like Devante Parker?

A: Only if you really have confidence that the player can repeat those numbers, because normally you want to wait and let your team develop.

Brady M.

Q: What is the best way to play defenses? Should I pick one and stick with it or add and drop a defense based on match-ups week to week?

A: If you can get a really good defense (Top 5-10) then I would stick with it but you always can just choose defenses from who has the best matchups each week and hope even if they are not the best defense that the opposing team is bad enough for them to put up solid numbers. 

Luciana F.

Have questions of your own?

Q and A Form