QUARTERBACKS:
Jimmy Garoppolo (@ NYJ): Anyone playing the Jets at this point is a viable addition to your roster. As long as Adam Gase is at the helm for the Jets, the coaching is going to continue to be horrendous, and there is very little talent on both sides of the ball this season. The Jets got decimated by the Bills last week, and I expect that to be a trend against opponents who have a pulse. Going to be a long year for Jets fans.
Jared Goff (@ PHI): Goff gets the Eagles on the road this week in a game with a 46.0 total. This is a game I expect to be a back and forth contest where both teams put up 21+ points.
RUNNING BACKS:
Nyheim Hines (vs MIN): Colts Starting RB Marlon Mack tore his Achilles and is out for the season. The next man up is Nyheim Hines, who is expected to play a role on third downs and on passing situations for the Colts.
Benny Snell (vs DEN): James Conner went down early on Monday night vs the Giants and did not return. You want the starting running back in Pittsburgh this year, but be cautious that if Conner is out, it could be a committee with Snell, Samuels, and McFarland. Right now, Snell is the clear top option after a 100 yard performance on Monday night, and coach Tomlin will likely ride with the hot hand. Don’t forget about the others, though.
Jerick McKinnon (@ NYJ): While the whole world was drafting Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, it was Jerick McKinnon who had a surprise performance in Week 1. Coleman was limited due to the air quality and his sickle cell trait, and McKinnon took advantage. McKinnon is one Mostert or Coleman injury away from being relevant this season on a team with one of the best offensive lines in football. Get him now while you can.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Jalen Reagor (vs LAR): The Eagles really needed to add speed at the Wide Receiver position this off-season, and they went out and drafted Jalen Reagor instead of Justin Jefferson in the first round of the draft. The rookie only had one catch for 55 yards vs the Washington Football Team in Week 1, but it was an explosive play. The Eagles receivers played on a rotational basis in Week 1, in order to try and make it through the week relatively healthy. The Eagles have very little talent that is healthy at wide receiver, the only notable names are Reagor, and DeSean Jackson. The rest of the names are players that the average fan has not heard of like J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward, Quez Watkins, or John Hightower, none who are on our radar at this time.
Parris Campbell (vs MIN): Campbell was a second round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but unfortunately did not play much in his rookie season after sustaining an injury that caused him to miss the season. Campbell returned in Week 1 of the 2020 season with a new quarterback in town in Philip Rivers, and posted a six reception, 71 yard, nine target game for the Colts. Being there is a new quarterback in Indianapolis this year, I would not be surprised to see this continue. The Colts also have T.Y. Hilton, and rookie Michael Pittman Jr. to take some targets as well, but it was clear that Campbell had chemistry with Rivers.
Russell Gage (@ DAL): Russell Gage is the clear third wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 1, he actually put up similar stat line to fellow teammates Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, as Gage finished with 12 targets, nine receptions, and 114 yards for the Falcons. Both Julio and Ridley had nine receptions and over 100 yards receiving, which is kind of interesting. Gage’s role may be bigger than anticipated with all of the vacated targets in Atlanta. Keep an eye out for Gage in deeper leagues.
TIGHT ENDS:
Logan Thomas (@ ARI): Last year, Arizona was one of the worst defenses in the league against tight ends. They were historically bad. So bad, that they specifically went out of their way to draft Isaiah Simmons in the first round to stop tight ends from destroying them in the pass game. One guy, especially a rookie, with no preseason games, won’t be able to change what was so awful a season ago for the Cardinals. I’m not expecting a huge game from Thomas, but he was likely available on the waiver wire in your league and can be had at a really cheap price.
Jimmy Graham (vs NYG): There were reports that the Bears believed Graham was being misused in Green Bay, and that showed up to be true in Week 1. Graham hauled in three receptions for 25 yards, and a touchdown. Graham also dropped a second touchdown. The Giants are not a defense to fear this season, and if you are in a pinch at tight end, Graham could be an option for you. The tight end options on the waiver wire are thin this year. Not a whole lot to get excited about.
(Cover Photo: Robert Deutsch)
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