Hi All!,
Going forward I’m going to write a bit about guys I am higher/lower on than most people going into a week with a few reasons why I feel that way. Hope you guys enjoy!
Quarterbacks I Like
Dak Prescott is coming off of a huge game against the Giants where he was QB2 on the week. The Washington defense should be equally as bad and Prescott should shine again.
My rank: QB2
ESPN's rank: QB7
Drew Brees should find himself in a shootout with the Rams in Week 2. Last season these teams met in Week 9 when New Orleans handed the Rams their first loss of the season by a final score of 45-35. Brees finished as QB1 that week.
My rank: QB4
ESPN's rank: QB13
Russell Wilson tossed a pair of touchdowns against Cincinnati and now gets a chance against the shaky Pittsburgh secondary that allowed 341 yards and 3 TDs to Tom Brady last week.
My rank: QB6
ESPN's rank: QB12
Jared Goff is high on my list for the same reasons as Brees. In Week 9 last season, Goff finished as QB2 behind only Brees.
My rank: QB10
ESPN rank: QB15
Quarterbacks to avoid
Cam Newton just had one of the worst weeks of all starting quarterbacks throwing for 239 yards and an INT against the Rams. I’m not trusting him until I see something better than that, even against the Bucs.
My rank: QB20
ESPN rank: QB4
Derek Carr may be facing a soft defense this week, but I’m still a little wary of getting burned by last year’s QB17 with a less-than impressive receiving corps. I wouldn’t start Carr this week. My rank: QB21
ESPN rank: QB14
I didn’t buy into the Jameis Winston hype in the preseason and I’m glad I didn’t. Winston disappointed with 194 passing yards and 3 INTs in week 1 against a relatively soft defense. This week he’s facing Carolina who held Winston to QB25 in their meeting in Carolina last season.
My rank: QB22
ESPN rank: QB18
Week 2 QB rankings
1. Patrick Mahomes @Oak
2. Dak Prescott @Wsh
3. Lamar Jackson vs. Ari
4. Drew Brees @LAR
5. Matt Ryan vs. Phi
6. Russell Wilson @Pit
7. Tom Brady @Mia
8. Deshaun Watson vs. Jax
9. Carson Wentz @Atl
10. Jared Goff vs. NO
11. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Sea
12. Philip Rivers @Det
13. Matthew Stafford vs. LAC
14. Aaron Rodgers vs. Min
15. Baker Mayfield @NYJ
16. Josh Allen @NYG
17. Jimmy Garoppolo @Cin
18. Marcus Mariota vs. Ind
19. Kyler Murray @Bal
20. Cam Newton vs. TB
21. Derek Carr vs. KC
22. Jameis Winston @Car
23. Mitch Trubisky @Den
24. Sam Darnold vs. Cle
25. Andy Dalton vs. SF
26. Jacoby Brissett @Ten
27. Kirk Cousins @GB
28. Case Keenum vs. Dal
29. Gardner Minshew @Hou
30. Eli Manning vs. Buf
31. Joe Flacco vs. Chi
32. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. NE
Runningbacks I like
Dalvin Cook is coming off of a huge game where he ran the ball 21 times for 111 yards. Though the Packers may pose a bigger threat than Atlanta, Minnesota is clearly a run-first team, and Cook is looking more like the running back we saw in 2017.
My rank: RB6
ESPN rank: RB9
Derrick Henry proved the doubters wrong in Week 1 with an astounding two TD performance against Cleveland which produced RB3 numbers. This week he gets a Chargers defense that Marlon Mack just shredded for 174 yards on 25 carries.
My rank: RB7
ESPN rank: RB13
Chris Carson also had a nice two TD game in week 1 against Cincinnati to finish RB8. This week he gets the Steelers, whose defense looked vulnerable on Sunday night.
My rank: RB9
ESPN rank: RB12
The theme continues with Mark Ingram. Ingram posted two touchdowns against Miami and is in a run-first offense. Though Detroit was stingy on the ground last week, I would bet Ingram finds his way into the endzone at least once this weekend.
My rank: RB11
ESPN rank: RB19
Sony Michel had a rough go of things in Week 1, carrying the ball 15 times for 14 yards. This meeting with the Dolphins is the perfect scenario to turn things around. Last season, Michel posted a line of 25-112-1 in an early-season meeting with Miami. Look for the Patriots to get up early and pound the rock.
My rank: RB14
ESPN rank: RB23
Runningbacks to avoid
David Johnson and the Cardinals had an interesting Week 1 in Detroit. Johnson carried the ball 18 times for 82 yards while catching six passes for 55 yards and a score. Last week Baltimore limited Miami to 21 total rushing yards and allowed just three receptions to running backs. Though the Miami offense is historically bad, this match-up does not scream must start for Johnson.
My rank: RB16
ESPN rank: RB7
James Connor had a rough one last week as the Patriots took control early, forcing the Steelers to try to pass their way back into the game. Connor finished with just 10 carries for 21 yards and things won’t get much easier against Seattle. The Seahawks allowed just 34 yards on the ground last weekend, plus there is always the threat of Jaylen Samuels stealing carries. My rank: RB17
ESPN rank: RB8
Justin Jackson had half as many carries as Austin Eckler in Week 1 and caught just one pass to Eckler’s six. He isn’t as big of a fantasy threat as some thought he would be.
My rank: RB45
ESPN rank: RB38
Week 2 RB Rankings
1. Alvin Kamara @LAR
2. Ezekiel Elliott @Wsh
3. Christian McCaffrey vs. TB
4. Le’Veon Bell vs. Cle
5. Saquon Barkley vs. Buf
6. Dalvin Cook @GB
7. Derrick Henry vs. Ind
8. Nick Chubb @NYJ
9. Chris Carson @Pit
10. Austin Ekeler @Det
11.Mark Ingram II vs. Ari
12.Josh Jacobs vs. KC
13. Marlon Mack @Ten
14. Sony Michel @Mia
15. Todd Gurley vs. NO
16. David Johnson @Bal
17. James Connor vs. Sea
18. Aaron Jones vs. Min
19. Kerryon Johnson vs. LAC
20. Leonard Fournette @Hou
21. Devonta Freeman vs. Phi
22. Giovani Bernard vs. SF
23. David Montgomery @Den
24. Damien Williams @Oak
25. Adrian Peterson vs. Dal
26. Matt Breida @Cin
27. Tarik Cohen @Den
28. Duke Johnson Jr. vs. Jax
29. James White @Mia
30. Kenyan Drake vs. NE
31. Devin Singletary @NYG
32. Phillip Lindsay vs. Chi
33. LeSean McCoy @Oak
34. Ronald Jones @Car
35.Chris Thompson vs. Dal
36. Miles Sanders @Atl
37. Raheem Mostert @Cin
38. Royce Freeman vs. Chi
39. Latavius Murray @LAR
40. Carlos Hyde vs. Jax
41. Malcolm Brown vs. NO
42. Dion Lewis vs. Ind
43. Mike Davis @Den
44. Darren Sproles @Atl
45. Justin Jackson @Det
46. Ito Smith vs. Phi
47. Jamaal Williams vs. Min
48. Rashaad Penny @Pit
49. Jordan Howard @Atl
50.Rex Burkhead @Mia
Wide Receivers I Like
Amari Cooper and the Cowboys offense are flying under the radar a bit to begin 2019. Cooper had a big game last week against the Giants with 6 grabs for 106 yards and a score. Last season when Cooper faced Washington after his trade to the Cowboys, he caught 8 balls for 180 yards and a pair of scores. This week sets up big for the Dallas No.1 wideout.
My rank: WR2
ESPN rank: WR12
Alshon Jeffery went 5-49-1 last week with Josh Norman covering him, and will likely face Desmond Trufant this week. He is still a huge red zone target for Carson Wentz and a nice safely blanket entering his third season in Philly.
My rank: WR12
ESPN rank: WR21
Tyler Boyd didn’t find the endzone last week, but still hauled in eight passes for 60 yards. John Ross isn’t likely to continue his strong Week 1 performance as Boyd faces a relatively soft secondary in San Francisco.
My rank: WR14
ESPN rank: WR16
Allen Robinson was one of the very few bright spots on Thursday night as the Bears No.1 receiver hauled in seven passes for 102 yards. I’m riding the Robinson hype train into Week 2 as he faces a Broncos’ defense that allowed 105 yards and a TD to Tyrell Williams.
My rank: WR17
ESPN rank: WR25
Wide Receivers to Avoid
Stefon Diggs is the 1b to Adam Thielen’s 1a in Minnesota. The problem with that is the run-first mentality in Minnesota cuts back his chances even more. Diggs faces a Green Bay defense that allowed just three points to the Bears in week 1.
My rank: WR21; ESPN rank: WR15
Robert Woods was held in check last season against New Orleans, recording five receptions for 71 yards. He was the third best Rams receiver in that game as Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp balled out to finish WR6 and WR9 respectively while Woods finished as WR26.
My rank: WR19
ESPN rank: WR13
I know I just spoke highly of Brandin Cooks, but he is coming off of a stinker against Carolina. Things won’t get any easier as he will likely see a lot of Marshon Lattimore in Week 2.
My rank: WR22
ESPN rank: WR14
DJ Moore flashed what Panthers’ fans have been waiting to see in Week 1. Moore caught seven passes for 76 yards on a day where Cam Newton looked atrocious. This week he draws the Bucs on a short week after Tampa Bay allowed just 166 passing yards to the 49ers last week.
My rank: WR25
ESPN rank: WR22
Week 2 WR Rankings
1. Michael Thomas @LAR
2. Amari Cooper @Wsh
3. Keenan Allen @Det
4. Julio Jones vs. Phi
5. Juju Smith-Schuster vs. Sea
6. DeAndre Hopkins vs. Jax
7. Odell Beckham Jr. @NYJ
8. Davante Adams vs. Min
9. Sammy Watkins @Oak
10. Mike Evans @Car
11. Adam Thielen @GB
12. Alshon Jeffery @Atl
13. Tyler Lockett @Pit
14. Tyler Boyd vs. SF
15. Tyrell Williams vs. KC
16. T.Y. Hilton @Ten
17. Allen Robinson @Den
18. Cooper Kupp vs. NO
19. Robert Woods vs. NO
20. Julian Edelman @Mia
21. Stefon Diggs @GB
22. Brandin Cooks vs. NO
23. Jarvis Landry @NYJ
24. Jamison Crowder vs. Cle
25. DJ Moore vs. TB
26. Chris Godwin @Car
27. DeSean Jackson @Atl
28. Calvin Ridley vs. Phi
29. Courtland Sutton vs. Chi
30. Kenny Golladay vs. LAC
31. Christian Kirk @Bal
32. Josh Gordon @Mia
33. Larry Fitzgerald @Bal
34. Michael Gallup @Was
35. Sterling Shepard vs. Buf
36. Emmanuel Sanders vs. Chi
37. Mike Williams @Det
38. Robby Anderson vs. Cle
39. Curtis Samuel vs. TB
40. Marvin Jones Jr. vs. LAC
41. Dede Westbrook @Hou
42. John Brown @NYG
43. Terry McLaurin vs. Dal
44. Mohamed Sanu vs. Phi
45. Danny Amendola vs. LAC
46. DJ Chark @Hou
47. John Ross III vs. SF
48. Chris Conley @Hou
49. Mecole Hardman @Oak
50. Trey Quinn vs. Dal
Tight ends I Like
Vance McDonald has a nice match-up against the Seattle defense this week that allowed nine catches for 93 yards against Cincinnati last weekend. I expect a bounce back performance from McDonald.
My rank: TE8
ESPN rank: TE11
Mark Andrews went 8-108-1 last week against Miami, but is ranked quite low against Arizona this weekend, who just allowed a rookie to go for 6-131-1. I’m sure Andrews is in for another big week.
My rank: TE5
ESPN rank: TE12
Tight ends to avoid
Jared Cook managed just two grabs for 37 yards on a week where Drew Brees threw for just shy of 400 yards. I’m not sure Brees trusts the journeyman tight end quite yet.
My rank: TE11
ESPN rank: TE5
I’m not yet buying the legitimacy of T.J. Hockenson as a true TE1. Rookie TEs tent to struggle in the NFL. I may be wrong, and a big week in Week 2 against the Chargers may make me change my mind.
My rank: TE16
ESPN rank: TE14
Week 2 TE Rankings
1. Travis Kelce @Oak
2. George Kittle vs. Ind
3. Evan Engram vs. Buf
4. Zach Ertz @Atl
5. Mark Andrews vs. Ari
6. Darren Waller vs. KC
7. O.J. Howard @Car
8. Vance McDonald vs. Sea
9. Austin Hooper vs. Phi
10. Delanie Walker vs. Ind
11. Jared Cook @LAR
12. Jordan Reed vs. Dal
13. Greg Olsen vs. TB
14. David Njoku @NYJ
15. Jimmy Graham vs. Min
16. T.J. Hockenson vs. LAC
17. Jack Doyle @Ten
18. Eric Ebron @Ten
19. Tyler Eifert vs. SF
20. Virgil Green @Det
21. Trey Burton @Den
22. Jason Witten @Wsh
23. Dallas Goedert @Atl
24. Mike Gesicki vs. NE
25. Noah Fant vs. Chi
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