Lineup Prep: Week 2

Wed Sep 10 9:27am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Warren can build on Week 1

Well, we have a week in the books. Just remember. It is a long, long season. Your season is not won or lost in a week of action. There were a lot of top players that played poorly Week 1. They will be fine. I have full confidence that Ja’Marr Chase will be just fine. I know. Crazy, right? There are going to be peaks and valleys all season long with most fantasy teams. You just want to be peaking at the right time to win it all.

Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .

I’m a little worried about the Lions offense. The team had all sorts of turnover on the coaching staff and the offensive line is battling injury. It would not be a surprise to see the offense get off to a slow start until everyone starts to get their footing. I would not give up on this talented unit by any means, but it might not play at the same level of last year - at least to start the season. There is a lot going on in Detroit.

Justin Herbert sure played like an MVP in the opener. I liked him before the season even started but feel even better about him now. It sure seems like the Chargers are making Herbert the centerpiece of their offense. Sure, this coaching staff likes to run the ball, but Herbert is the man right now that makes everything go. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Chargers were a little more pass-first this year.

I was really disappointed in both Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence to open their season. I thought these guys were going to really take some steps forward this season but it was more of the same from these guys. I’m just not sure the light is ever going to come on for either of them. There is time to get it going but this seems like a make-or-break year for both. They will need to play better than they did in Week 1.

And speaking of disappointing quarterbacks. How about that Caleb Williams? He is still late on throws, misses throws he should make and doesn’t seem to have a great grasp of the offense. The guy is as talented as they come, but he needs a lot of work. Again, it was just a week, but I didn’t like what I saw at all.

Tyler Warren could make it three straight seasons that a rookie tight end leads fantasy tight ends in scoring. He looked fantastic and continues to generate a ton of buzz from the Colts. His big issue will be at quarterback. If Daniel Jones can keep playing at a high level, it would not surprise me at all if Warren leads fantasy with ends in scoring. Warren is another supremely talented young tight end.

I give it another week or two before Jaxson Dart takes over as the starter for the Giants. Russell Wilson was not good last week. The Giants really like Dart a lot and he was fantastic in the preseason. It just seems like a matter of time before they move on from Wilson, who continues to look like a shell of himself from his days in Seattle. Dart is the future and the Giants believe he is about ready now.

It is good to have a little more clarity on some running back rooms. Travis Etienne, Javonte Williams and D’Andre Swift are the clear lead backs for their teams. Zach Charbonnet might have taken over as the starter in Seattle but that seems like it could end up being a split situation with Kenneth Walker. Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones seem to be in a pretty even split with the Vikings. The Chiefs are a mess with Isiah Pacheco continuing to underachieve. Breece Hall is the lead back for the Jets but Braelon Allen is going to be in the mix after playing 31 percent of the snaps. So we have a better understanding of some of these running back rooms, but nothing is ever 100 percent certain, especially this early in the season.

News and Notes: The 49ers released kicker Jake Moody on Tuesday. Moody had his struggles last year and a slow start to this year led to his release. San Francisco signed Eddy Pineiro to take his place. . . . .The Jaguars signed running back Cody Schrader off the Rams practice squad. Schrader could be the No. 3 back for the Jaguars with the team trading Tank Bigsby. . . . .Atlanta signed kicker John Parker Romo on Tuesday. He will compete with Younghoe Koo in practice this week for the starter’s job in Atlanta.

HOT PLAYS

Justin Fields, QB, Jets. Fields had quite the opener, scoring 31.7 fantasy points. He did it both as a runner and thrower, showing his dual-threat ability. The Jets did a great job of tailoring the offense to Fields’ strengths. He seems setup for his best season to date if Week 1 is any indication. We like him to keep it going this week against the Bills. The Jets are going to have to score some points in this one if they hope to keep up with Buffalo. Look for Fields to get plenty of chances to carry the offense. Plus, the Bills allowed the fourth most fantasy points to quarterbacks in Week 1.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers. Warren didn’t have a great opener but had 13 touches and found the end zone. He scored a solid 13.9 fantasy points despite not doing a whole lot with his touches. His matchup is setup for a lot more success this week, though. Seattle is really good against the pass, but struggles to stop the run. This was similar to last year for Seattle. The Seahawks allowed the most fantasy points to running backs in the opener.

Javonte Williams, RB, Cowboys. Williams was the clear top back for the Cowboys in Week 1. He played 77 percent of the snaps, dominating the carries at running back. Williams found the end zone twice against a good Eagles rush defense, scoring 20.4 fantasy points. He gets a much easier rush defense this week, playing the Giants. Look for him to build on his solid opener against a defense that allowed 220-rushing yards Week 1.

A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles. Brown was the forgotten man in the Eagles passing game to open the season. He had just a catch, which came very late in the game. We wouldn’t get too worked up over a game, though. Brown still played a ton last week, being on the field 87 percent of the time. He just didn’t get the targets. We look for him to get looks early and often this week against the Chiefs. Kansas City allowed the most fantasy points to receivers Week 1.

Mike Evans, WR, Bucs. Evans was just alright in the opener, having five receptions for 51 yards. He was targeted eight times in the game, though, getting plenty of looks. We look for him to show much better this week against the Texans. Houston could not stop the Rams No. 1 receiver last week and allowed the seventh most fantasy points to receivers. Evans can have one of his signature big games in Week 2.

COLD PLAYS

Daniel Jones, QB, Colts. Jones had a phenomenal opener, leading all quarterbacks in fantasy scoring. He had one of the best games of his entire career. He did this against the lowly Dolphins, though. Miami looked like a team that has already thrown in the towl. The real test for Jones will come this week against Denver The Broncos might have the best defense in football. They completely shut down the Titans last week and allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. We would steer clear of Jones in this one.

James Cook, RB, Bills. Cook had a solid opener, scoring 21.2 fantasy points. He did little on the ground, though, rushing 13 times for just 44 yards. His work in the passing game really saved his fantasy game, finishing with five receptions for 58 yards. Cook might have a hard time on the ground again this week against the Jets. New York allowed just 53-rushing yards last week. It is tough to bench Cook but just temper expectations for him in Week 2.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders. Croskey-Merritt had a strong opener, rushing 10 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t catch a pass, though, and played just 33 percent of the snaps. He isn’t a plug-and-play option just yet. We consider him more of a spot play and this week doesn’t seem a good spot to play him. He gets the Packers, a team that allowed just 46-rushing yards to a high-powered Lions running game last week.

Calvin Austin, WR, Steelers. Austin was the clear No. 2 receiver for the Steelers, playing 80 percent of the snaps. It was an encouraging performance for the young receiver, giving you some hope for him to have a breakout season. But like some others on the list, we still consider Austin is a spot starter for fantasy teams. His game against Seattle this week is a scary one. Seattle struggles to top the run but allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points to receivers Week 1. There will be better times to use Austin.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings. Hockenson had three receptions for just 15 yards to open his season. It was a disappointing opener for the talented tight end. The entire Vikings passing game got off to a slow start until late in that Monday night game. We are a tad worried about Hockenson right now, especially this week against the Falcons. Atlanta didn’t allow a single point to the tight end Week 1.

SLEEPERS

Joe Flacco, QB, Browns. Flacco looked pretty good in the opener, going 31-of-45 for 290 yards and a touchdown. He got to air it out 45 times because the Browns offense struggled to run the ball once again. This might be the case a lot with this team, giving Flacco a high ceiling on a weekly basis. We think he airs it out a lot this week in a game the Browns are likely playing from behind against the Ravens. Plus, Baltimore struggled against the pass last week, allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Flacco is a good streaming option.

Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals. Benson didn’t exactly split the carries Week 1 but it was fairly close, playing 33 percent of the snaps. The good news for Benson is he led the team in rushing while starter James Conner struggled to do much. This could become more of a split backfield in Arizona sooner then later. The Cardinals should really focus on running the ball this week against the Panthers. Carolina was gashed on the ground Week 1, allowing 200-rushing yards to the Jaguars. Benson is an intriguing flex play in this one.

Malik Washington, WR, Dolphins. The Dolphins were a mess last week. It was an ugly game. Washington was the clear No. 3 receiver for the team, though. He played 58% of snaps and was targeted five times and got a rush attempt. He is going to have some streaming potential in the right matchup with that amount of playing time and touches. A game against the Patriots this week might be a time to consider Washington. New England had troubles against the pass last week, allowing 333-passing yards.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Texans. The Texans passing game struggled once again. Higgins played the fourth most of all the Texans receivers but had two receptions for 32 yards on three targets. He made some plays. We look for his playing time to increase in a hurry, especially after last week. The Texans need playmakers in the passing game. Higgins is the second most talented receiver on this roster. He could make some big plays this week against the Bucs, a team that allowed 289-passing yards last week.

Brenton Strange, TE, Jaguars. The Jags passing game wasn’t great to open the year, but Strange was a positive. He built on his strong second half last year, catching four passes for 59 yards. He is getting a lot of praise from his coaching staff and teammates, who think he is going to have a breakout season. Things are looking up for Strange, especially this week against the Bengals, a team that allowed the fourth most fantasy points to tight ends Week 1.

High/Low Scoring Games

Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.

High Scoring Games: Commanders/Packers, Bills/Jets, Jaguars/Bengals, Eagles/Chiefs, Falcons/Vikings, Chargers/Raiders.

Low Scoring Games: Seahawks/Steelers, Rams/Titans.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Lineup Prep: Week 2

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