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Week 1 of the 2022 fantasy soccer season featured loads of notable performances — each good and dangerous — across the NFL. What ought to we make of them? And that are value studying into? Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft supply their evaluation.
Joe Burrow, Bengals’ offense sputter in opposition to Steelers
The defending AFC champions started Sunday’s sport flat, Burrow himself turning the soccer over 4 occasions earlier than halftime (5 total) resulting in a career-worst (in 27 video games) minus-3.14 fantasy factors on the half earlier than his staff in the end misplaced on an additional time area purpose. Moreover, Tee Higgins left halfway by way of the second quarter with a concussion. Issues picked up for the Bengals shortly thereafter, nevertheless, and whereas the staff in the end settled for a 20-20 tie with the Steelers, Burrow concluded his day with a decent 18.22 fantasy factors. A lot of that was because of the sensible connection Burrow continued to have together with his No. 1 receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, who absorbed 11 of 42 targets after Higgins’ departure and completed his day with a second-best-among-wide receivers 28.9 PPR fantasy factors.
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Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why Joe Burrow continues to be a top-10 fantasy QB regardless of his interceptions.
Have been the Bengals’ early struggles a type of mini-Tremendous Bowl hangover? It hardly issues, as a result of Burrow-Chase is wanting like one of many — if not the — sport’s finest quarterback-to-receiver connections, à la Aaron Rodgers-to-Davante Adams prior to now, and even a lengthier absence by Higgins should not hinder our optimism with the 2 in fantasy. Chase is a flat-out star, and Burrow is a succesful top-10 quarterback. — Cockcroft
Michael Thomas finds finish zone twice after lacking all of 2021
Thomas caught 5 of 8 targets for 57 yards — with two scores — within the Saints’ Week 1 win over the Falcons. That was good for 22.7 PPR factors. And I actually like how New Orleans set him up within the low purple zone throughout the second half. Fade ball throws versus Falcons nook David Terrell. A high-level matchup — that Thomas gained twice. These are bodily performs, now. Beat tight protection. And end performs on contested throws. From what I may see, Thomas appeared highly effective in his actions. With a Week 2 matchup versus the Tampa Bay protection, I am going to have Thomas on the WR2/3 line in my rankings. — Bowen
Packers don’t have any reply for Justin Jefferson
He is an unimaginable expertise, completely able to carrying your fantasy staff single-handedly, as he did on Sunday. Jefferson scored extra PPR fantasy factors earlier than halftime (33.8) than any participant did in all of 2021, and completed with 39.4 factors, solely two-tenths of a degree shy of his private finest (39.6, Week 6 of 2020). He has a position-best 237.06 factors since Week 10 of final season — and do not forget that Cooper Kupp has been awfully good in that very same time span. Greatest but, Jefferson did it whereas dealing with a tricky matchup in opposition to the Packers in what in the end was a press release sport of his WR1 total functionality. — Cockcroft
One other tough Week 1 for Aaron Rodgers
His 2022 season started very a lot the way in which his 2021 one did, with a 3.70 fantasy level stinker that resembled his 1.32 level catastrophe in opposition to the Saints a 12 months in the past, and in each video games, Jordan Love got here on in reduction late as soon as the sport obtained out of hand. The issues surrounding Rodgers this season have been broadly mentioned, and he did not appear to discover a rhythm with anybody in his group of principally younger receivers. That stated, that group ought to enhance with expertise, and the Packers have been with out beginning offensive linemen David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, to not point out No. 1 broad receiver Allen Lazard. Do not let one sport change your Rodgers analysis, although I keep that he is extra of a matchups-driven, borderline top-10 fantasy quarterback than one who will carry your staff on his personal. Issues at the least ought to enhance for him in a barely stronger Week 2 matchup in opposition to the Bears. — Cockcroft
Jalen Hurts will get it completed by way of the air and on the bottom
The Eagles’ quarterback handed for 243 yards and added one other 90 yards dashing — with a rating — on 17 carries. Sure, Hurts may be extra environment friendly with the ball within the passing sport, however we noticed the increase that broad receiver A.J. Brown (10 receptions, 155 yards receiving) brings to this offense. He provides a component that was lacking final season in Philly. With a real No.1 goal, who can win in any respect three ranges, plus the dual-threat traits to interrupt down defenses as a runner, Hurts will probably be a top-5 play for me in Week 2 versus the Vikings. — Bowen
Saquon Barkley‘s burst is again in huge win
Barkley dropped 33.4 PPR factors on the Titans’ protection right this moment. The play pace was there. So was the downhill juice within the run sport. And the sudden motion skill. The sport-changing traits we noticed with Barkley earlier than the knee damage in 2020. The Giants operating again racked up 194 complete yards (on 24 touches) with a dashing rating and a 2-point conversion within the win over Tennessee. Given the amount he noticed right this moment, plus the explosiveness he confirmed with the ball in his fingers, Barkley will leap into my RB1 rankings for subsequent week’s matchup versus the Panthers. — Bowen
A.J. Brown is the No. 1 goal in Philadelphia
I already talked about Brown — who dropped 25.5 PPR factors on the Lions’ protection — because the clear No.1 for Hurts. He had 13 targets in his first sport with the Birds. And we noticed his skill to constantly play by way of contact versus that Detroit secondary. The physical-play model jumps. The catch-and-run juice, too. And the vertical-matchup traits pop. Even in an Eagles offensive construction that will probably be run-heavy at occasions, Brown will see a goal share that places him within the WR1 combine. — Bowen
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Eric Moody explains what A.J. Brown’s early fantasy success means for managers going ahead.
Jaguars experience the new hand in backfield
Travis Etienne‘s NFL debut was hindered by a pair of missed alternatives — an overthrow on a straightforward landing by Trevor Lawrence, plus one other potential rating that he dropped — and watching the Jaguars’ sport stream, it appeared that they shifted to the warmer hand, Robinson, as issues progressed. That is one thing that bears watching heading into Week 2, and it will maybe cloud fantasy managers’ plans concerning this backfield. Etienne’s 8.5 PPR fantasy factors on six complete touches paled compared to Robinson’s 19.9 on 12 touches, although the 2 did play precisely 50% of the offensive snaps apiece, with Etienne operating 20 routes to Robinson’s 15. Maybe for now the wisest takeaway is to treat Robinson getting the sting on early downs, with Etienne main on passing performs, however I nonetheless assume the latter has extra standard-league, long-term potential due to his receiving skill. — Cockcroft
Devin Duvernay blazes previous the Jets
He scored a pair of touchdowns on deep throws from Lamar Jackson, fueling a 21.4 PPR fantasy-point day, albeit on solely 4 targets complete. The utilization patterns supported the Ravens’ itemizing of Duvernay as their starter throughout from Rashod Bateman, and it is a good choice contemplating the third-year participant’s uncooked skill and the dearth of competitors on the depth chart. I might count on the massive fantasy days to rotate amongst Ravens broad receivers and tight ends from week to week, particularly contemplating the staff’s run-heavy nature, however Duvernay clearly appears to be regarded a part of their plans proper now. — Cockcroft
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Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why Devin Duvernay is value including in deeper fantasy leagues.
Different observations
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: In his first sport with out Tyreek Hill within the lineup, Mahomes cooked this Arizona protection, finishing passes to 10 totally different targets. 5 landing throws. 360 yards passing. And his 34.9 fantasy factors led all Week 1 quarterbacks heading into the Sunday night time sport. The Chiefs might be much more a number of from an offensive perspective this season given their present pass-catching personnel, and that can create alternatives for Mahomes to assault opposing defenses in any respect three ranges of the sector. — Bowen
Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders: Adams is a scheme transcendent participant. Put him in any system and he will provide you with high-level numbers. In his first sport with the Raiders, enjoying in Josh McDaniels’ offense, Adams caught 10 of 17 targets for 141 yards and a rating. Quantity and manufacturing — with elite route-running traits. After posting 30.1 PPR factors on Sunday in opposition to the Chargers, Adams may be locked in as a top-5 broad receiver in Week 2 versus the Cardinals. — Bowen
Michael Carter and Breece Hall, RBs, Jets: All preseason, the lot of us anticipated Corridor to run away with (pun supposed, I suppose) this backfield, that’s, till offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur termed Carter the “heartbeat of our offense” on Thursday. Carter did dominate work within the sport’s early levels, ending his day with 17.0 PPR fantasy factors on 10 carries plus 7 of 9 catches, however Corridor did see 10 targets to go together with six carries, scoring 10.1 PPR fantasy factors. Corridor’s stat line was one more one of many rookie-debut disappointments that littered Week 1 scorecards, and his time-share standing is understandably bothersome. I might wait to see extra, although, earlier than passing any judgments on his full-season potential. — Cockcroft
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Hill caught his solely goal within the passing sport, a 2-yard reception, however let’s concentrate on how he was utilized on designed rushes from QB/wildcat alignments in Week 1 versus the Falcons. Hill ripped off a 57-yard run to start out it. Energy scheme. Pull and kick-out to get an additional quantity to the play aspect. After which he discovered the top zone on sweep name. Assault the sting. Hill completed with 81 yards dashing on 4 carries. Whereas Hill’s tight finish designation makes him an attention-grabbing play transferring ahead, I need to see if this running-game package deal grows within the Saints’ offense. Hill will probably be a TE2 in my rankings subsequent week. — Bowen
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, RBs, Browns: Keep on Chubb and Hunt once more in Week 2 when the Browns face the Jets. Look, with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, this offense in Cleveland will probably be schemed across the operating sport — and the utilization of each Chubb and Hunt. On Sunday, Chubb (15.3 PPR factors) logged 22 carries for 141 yards. He is a top-5 runner on this league. And the 2 scores Hunt produced (one dashing, one receiving) positioned him as RB3 after the early video games, with 23.0 PPR factors. Chubb will as soon as once more be close to the highest of my RB2 ranks, with Hunt as a straightforward flex play in opposition to New York. — Bowen
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Edwards-Helaire posted 22.4 PPR factors within the Week 1 win over the Playing cards — on solely 10 touches. However let’s focus right here on how coach Andy Reid schemed targets for the operating again with the ball within the low purple zone. Edwards-Helaire caught a flat route for a landing on an idea designed to get the operating again unfastened versus man protection, and he additionally scored on an inside shovel cross from Mahomes. Whereas I wish to see extra complete quantity with Edwards-Helaire, his utilization and deployment within the purple zone will hold him within the RB2 vary in my rankings for the Week 2 sport versus the Chargers. — Bowen
Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders: Maybe Week 1’s most spectacular rookie — and from a 1 p.m. ET video games scoreboard standpoint, he was the best scorer amongst freshmen — Dotson caught a pair of scores from a surprisingly succesful Carson Wentz, together with the sport winner with 1:46 remaining. It is a efficiency that can put Dotson, 43.3% out there in ESPN leagues, excessive on the Week 2 pickups listing, and maybe the massive performs will earn him extra seems to be from Wentz. Nonetheless, I am going to stress that he noticed solely 5 of 41 targets, fourth on the staff, so the route that quantity goes subsequent week can have a say in how shortly he can contribute for our functions. — Cockcroft
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons: A well-liked option to be 2022’s largest regression sufferer, Patterson scored 22.6 PPR fantasy factors, the fifth-most in any of his 144 profession video games, whereas touching the soccer a personal-most 25 occasions. Alternative knocked on this one, as buried-on-the-depth-chart rookie Tyler Allgeier was a wholesome scratch, then a Damien Williams rib damage paved the way in which for Patterson to dominate touches. Nonetheless, it was a reminder that the veteran hybrid participant — although to be clear, he’s RB-only in ESPN leagues — is loads able to producing flex-caliber stats when given the possibility, which he ought to once more in Week 2. — Cockcroft
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers: Maybe Sunday’s most disappointing broad receiver efficiency got here from Williams, began in 83.2% of ESPN leagues (sixteenth most on the place) however held to three.0 PPR fantasy factors. He managed however one goal by way of three quarters of the sport, ending in a seven-way tie for the staff lead with 4, however he simply paced the staff’s broad receivers together with his 92.3% offensive snap rely and 31 routes run. Remarkably, regardless of Williams’ quiet day and Keenan Allen’s early exit on account of a hamstring damage, quarterback Justin Herbert scored 23.26 fantasy factors with a spread-it-around method. That is not one thing I might count on most weeks, and definitely not so in a need-to-throw Week 2 sport in opposition to the Chiefs, or a fantastic Week 3 matchup in opposition to the Jaguars. — Cockcroft
Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears: Beginning operating again David Montgomery logged 20 touches on Sunday, together with 17 carries, however he lacked effectivity as a ball service. And it was Herbert who noticed a late purple zone carry for a landing. The second-year again was rather more decisive within the operating sport for Chicago. Let’s examine if his complete quantity will increase in Week 2 versus the Packers. — Bowen
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