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Week 2 of the 2022 fantasy soccer season featured loads of notable performances, however none stood out greater than Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ offense. Wow! What ought to we make of them? And which developments from Week 2 are price studying into? Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft supply their evaluation.
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I need to supply a mea culpa to my clever colleague, Mr. Bowen, as throughout our early-game chat, I insisted that earlier than I belief Tagovailoa with chucking the ball deep whereas taking part in from behind, I might first must see the proof. Nicely, that proof has come, within the type of a 38.86-fantasy-point, franchise-record-six-touchdown efficiency. Tagovailoa appeared a lot snug airing issues out to his prime two receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and he even had a pleasant finish zone throw to tight finish Mike Gesicki. Tagovailoa’s accuracy wasn’t pinpoint, however working with two of the sport’s greatest big-play extensive receivers is clearly serving to him, and there is not any query I might need him in my lineup towards any bottom-half NFL protection. He’ll in all probability regress to QB12-15 manufacturing in Week 3 towards the Payments, however give me these Jets (Week 5), Steelers (Week 7) and Lions (Week 8) matchups all day. — Cockcroft
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Tristian Cockcroft discusses why the Dolphins’ schedule advantages Tua Tagovailoa from a fantasy perspective.
Tristan, we did see Tua take some vertical photographs on this one. However I nonetheless return to the core move ideas on this Miami offense, which create timing and rhythm throws for Tua to focus on the second stage of the sector. And when you’ve got difference-making pace on the market in Hill and Waddle, the chance for explosive performs jumps up on schemed crossers, slants and quicks. — Bowen
Regression, shmegression. Amon-Ra St. Brown crushed his earlier private greatest for PPR fantasy factors in Week 2, scoring 39.4, together with a pair of fairly performs like his 58-yard finish round scamper and 11-yard rating halfway by the fourth quarter. Extra importantly, although, he absorbed a 35% goal share (12-of-34), every week after he had a 32% share (12-of-37) within the season opener, persevering with to cement his standing as Jared Goff‘s go-to man. St. Brown now has double-digit targets in each recreation since Week 13 of final season, in addition to a league-leading 210.9 factors throughout that point — although Cooper Kupp and some different gamers (if they’ve large video games) may catch him for the glory later in Week 2. Along with his quarterback’s eye, elite abilities and a protection that can put the quickly bettering Lions offense in passing conditions, St. Brown positive has the look of a league-winner once more. — Cockcroft
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Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why Amon-Ra St. Brown will proceed his dominant fantasy efficiency.
The sport script for Miami went off the rails at the moment, which led to Jaylen Waddle seeing 19 targets within the comeback win over Baltimore. Nevertheless, it was a superb take a look at how Mike McDaniel will deploy the receiver in his system, with in-breakers, screens and schemed verticals. Waddle has game-breaking capability, in addition to on the spot pace after the catch, which meshes with Tua’s traits as a thrower. Waddle completed with 11 grabs for 171 yards and two scores — which was good for 40.1 PPR factors. It was a ridiculous day for the second-year professional, who might be a stable WR2 in a troublesome Week 3 matchup versus the Payments’ protection. — Bowen
Enjoyable truth: Waddle and Tyreek Hill grew to become the primary pair of extensive receivers to attain 40-plus PPR fantasy factors in the identical recreation since 1954. — Cockcroft
You possibly can lock in D’Andre Swift as a top-five RB shifting ahead, whatever the matchup. On Sunday, in a lowered position as a consequence of an ankle harm, Swift accounted for 16.7 PPR factors — on solely six touches — within the Lions’ win over the Commanders. We are able to all see the juice he brings to the Detroit run recreation. Discover open daylight and go. That is the imaginative and prescient and the short-area pace to get into the open discipline. He is producing as a receiver, too, with 62 yards and a rating on six grabs over the primary two weeks of the season. And this Lions offense can transfer the ball. It is effectively schemed. Swift and Detroit get a divisional recreation up subsequent versus the Vikings. — Bowen
Having Jacoby Brissett at quarterback hasn’t appeared to hinder the Browns’ working recreation, which is answerable for 401 yards and 4 touchdowns by two weeks. Nick Chubb had three of the scores on Sunday, leading to 32.3 PPR fantasy factors, and he seems like a heavy-volume again in what’s a fantasy-friendly early portion of the staff’s schedule. Be sure that to have him in each lineup as a borderline RB1. — Cockcroft
High-five runner within the league, Tristan. That is how I view Chubb — in a volume-rushing offense. Simple cash in your lineup — Bowen
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens: He grew to become the primary quarterback in historical past with passing and dashing touchdowns of at the least 75 yards in the identical recreation, plus he set a brand new private greatest together with his 42.62 fantasy factors. Regardless of all that, Jackson’s efficiency was overshadowed by the extraordinary efficiency of Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ unimaginable comeback win. This was a recreation of pace and massive performs, and Jackson was at his greatest and hardly responsible (that falls squarely on Miami’s protection). Just like the Yankees’ Aaron Decide (who his 58th and 59th homers at the moment), Jackson is taking part in like a person motivated for a giant, new contract — and this comes from a man who usually doesn’t imagine in contract-year gamers. I do not assume I might take away him from my positional prime 5 even towards harder defenses, like his Week 4 towards the Payments. He is received the Patriots up subsequent. — Cockcroft
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Tristan H. Cockcroft says Lamar Jackson’s historic day ended on a down observe, however he nonetheless underscored his weekly top-five quarterback standing no matter matchup.
I am with you on Lamar. He is throwing the ball with velocity and placement and focusing on all three ranges of the sector. Plus, he is merely the league’s most electrical participant with the ball in his palms — on designed rushes or scramble makes an attempt. — Bowen
Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Is Brady a QB1 subsequent week? I believe it is a truthful query after he posted simply 9.4 factors within the Bucs’ Week 2 win over the Saints. Sure, that is a troublesome matchup for Brady. Dennis Allen’s protection can scheme towards the veteran quarterback. The Bucs have accidents at extensive receiver and up entrance, too. However Brady did not produce large numbers (10.38 factors) within the Bucs’ Week 1 recreation versus Dallas, both. Proper now, that is an offense in transition, and Tampa will get the Inexperienced Bay protection in Week 3. — Bowen
Rams working backs: After a Thursday NFL Kickoff wherein Cam Akers‘ restricted utilization grew to become one of many opening week’s greatest storylines, he narrowed the utilization hole with Darrell Henderson Jr. in Week 2, taking part in 43.5% of the offensive snaps to Henderson’s 56.5%, whereas successful the total-touches race, 17-to-10. Henderson, however, had the highest-speed run of the duo (16.7 mph, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats) in addition to the Rams’ solely dashing landing, alerts that he is nonetheless very a lot concerned within the backfield combine. Henderson wants stay your Rams working again of selection in fantasy, although Akers’ inventory rose slightly. — Cockcroft
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Kirk posted 25.8 factors within the Jags’ Week 2 win over the Colts, nevertheless it was the scoring performs that stood out to me. Each of his touchdowns had been schemed ideas contained in the purple zone. There was the angle route from a backfield alignment, then the “conceal” boot scheme with Kirk releasing behind the road of scrimmage to the alternative flat. Kirk has now caught 12 of 18 targets for 195 yards in his first two video games with the Jags. He’ll stay a WR3 subsequent week with a matchup versus the Chargers. — Bowen
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Eric Moody lays out why Christian Kirk has actual fantasy potential as a WR two.
Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans: After sharing carries with Rex Burkhead in Week 1, Pierce was the clear lead again on Sunday versus the Broncos, dashing for 69 yards on 15 carries. And I am actually simply trying on the quantity right here. If that continues to be constant for Pierce, he could make it into your lineup as a attainable Flex play. Downhill, bodily. Pierce invitations contact and has the footwork to shake defenders. — Bowen
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons: London checked-in with 24.6 PPR factors on Sunday versus the Rams. The system match is there. So is the quantity. The rookie noticed 12 targets on this one, catching eight passes for 86 yards and a landing (on a low purple zone throw). London now sits at 13-of-19 targets after two professional video games. He’ll transfer up the ranks for me this week. Begin him as a stable WR3 versus the Seahawks protection subsequent Sunday. — Bowen
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets: Rostered in 70.3% of ESPN leagues, Wilson is a should add this week after dropping 30.0 PPR factors within the Jets’ comeback win over the Browns on Sunday. The rookie caught 8 of 14 targets on this one for 102 yards and two scores — together with the sport winner. Dynamic and intensely sudden, Wilson confirmed his capability to shake press within the purple zone, and he can get free in area. The Ohio State product will get a Week 3 matchup with the Bengals subsequent. He is a deeper-league WR3. — Bowen
Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders: You possibly can hold Samuel within the WR3 combine for subsequent week’s matchup versus the Eagles. The extensive receiver posted 22.9 PPR factors in Sunday’s loss to the Lions, after recording 19.2 factors in Week 1. Samuel has scored a landing in each video games to begin the season. The move recreation quantity is there. And his versatility creates alternatives on this offense on manufactured touches. — Bowen
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Eric Moody lays out why Curtis Samuel is positioned for fantasy success with the Commanders.
Matt Ryan, QB, Indianapolis Colts: His and the Colts’ Week 2 performances had been nearly as removed from the “rebound”as will be, because the Colts had been shut out by the division-rival Jaguars 24-0. Ryan fumbled once more, giving him 5 (just one misplaced, fortuitously) for the season and was intercepted thrice, bringing again painful reminiscences of Carson Wentz‘s turnover-prone play. Worse but, Ryan’s lack of ability to get issues finished brought on a 10-touch, 7.3 PPR fantasy level day for star working again Jonathan Taylor, one of many worst of his profession up to now, and the staff must get straightened out quick so as to alleviate any panic there. Michael Pittman Jr.’s absence had a good quantity to do with this, however the offensive line carried out poorly and Ryan does not look near reliable, even in 2QB/superflex leagues. — Cockcroft
I agree on the influence on the extensive receiver accidents right here, Tristan. And the poor play from the Colts’ offensive line actually uncovered Ryan’s diminished motion abilities. He wants outlined, rhythm throws and clear platforms to provide constant numbers. — Bowen