Week 1 recap
Don't want to scroll Twitter to find all the relevant fantasy football news you need? Let us do it for you. A roundup of everything you need to know after an eventful Week 1
This Week 1 felt like such a long time coming.
I know we had a full NFL season last year. And a very fun one at that. But without the fans, it just never felt the same. With so many entertaining games, starting Thursday night and capped off by a thriller for the ages in Vegas, this was certainly a Week 1 to remember.
Like every year, it’s incredibly tough not to overreact to what happened in Week 1. If you want more on what Dalton and I believe after Week 1, we’ll each give a stock report featuring a handful of guys on this week’s podcast.
If you’re more into watching live (or rewatching the video later) instead of the audio version of the podcast, please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel. The more subscribers and views we get over there, the more cool stuff we’ll start doing. Tune in to the next episode Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Without further ado, here’s a recap of everything you should care about after Week 1.
Waiver Wire Finds
All roster percentages are per cbssports.com. Must be under 40% rostered to qualify for this list.
Elijah Mitchell, 49ers, 6% rostered
Dalton and I made the correct call with Raheem Mostert as our start of the week. But in typical Mostert fashion, he got injured when you were likely counting on him to come through for your team. Enter rookie Elijah Mitchell, who piled up 104 rushing yards and one touchdown in a win over the Lions. We were informed after the game that Mitchell, along with Jamychal Hasty, beat out Trey Sermon and led to him being a healthy scratch in Week 1. With the announcement that Mostert will be out two months and Sermon’s position on the depth chart (for now), Mitchell is a must-add this week.
Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles, 38% rostered
I mentioned Gainwell as a waiver add last week but acknowledged that Boston Scott was probably ahead of the rookie on the depth chart at that point. Well, it turns out Gainwell is already ahead of Scott on the depth chart. The rookie had nine rushes and two receptions for 39 total yards and one rushing touchdown. He also had a receiving touchdown called back by penalty. Scott, meanwhile, didn’t play a single running back snap but did get in a few plays on special teams. It was encouraging to see Gainwell be so involved in the rushing attack, and I believe he’ll continue to get more involved in the passing game. And if he’s involved in both facets of the offense, he’s worthy of a roster spot.
Sterling Shepard
Shepard is rarely healthy for long. But when he is, he almost always produces, even with very bad quarterback play. The Giants’ receiver totaled seven receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown on nine targets in Week 1. Kenny Golladay should eventually emerge as New York’s top pass catcher, but I’m not sold on Kadarius Toney ever passing Shepard — if he’s healthy — in the pecking order this year. Shepard is a stud and having Golladay on the outside actually helps Shepard, who is best working in the slot. You may eventually get burned by starting him in a game where he gets injured, but he’s at least worth a roster spot going forward.
Other names to monitor
K.J. Hamler, Broncos, 6% rostered
Tim Patrick, Broncos, 9% rostered
Nelson Agholor, Patriots, 31% rostered
Mark Ingram, Texans, 32% rostered
Larry Rountree III, Chargers, 4% rostered
James O’Shaughnessy, Jaguars, 0% rostered
News
Jerry Jeudy was off to a wonderful start Sunday, as the second-year Denver receiver hauled in six of seven targets for 72 yards before sustaining an ankle injury in the second half. The injury looked bad at first glance and it feels like a minor miracle that that diagnosis is only a high ankle sprain. Still, Jeudy is expected to miss over a month for the Broncos.
Michael Gallup exited the game early Thursday with a calf strain, which is expected to sideline him between three to five weeks. The usual suspects should see a slight uptick in volume, and Cedrick Wilson is a guy to monitor in deeper leagues.
Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t play Sunday and reportedly told Kevin Stefanski he “didn’t feel like he could go.” Ian Rapoport reported late Saturday night that Beckham Jr. was expected to play if there were no issues Sunday morning, so it raises an eyebrow that OBJ wasn’t able to go in Week 1. Seems like we’ll be playing the waiting game with Beckham Jr. for Week 2 as well.
Ryan Fitzpatrick dislocated his hip Sunday and is expected to be “several weeks” per Ian Rapoport. Taylor Heineke, who the Washington Football team announced will be the starter in Fitzpatrick’s absence (and I think perhaps longer, we’ll see), went 11-of-15 for 122 yards and one touchdown. Fitzpatrick was just 3-for-6 for 13 yards in the few series he played. I don’t think we saw anything Sunday that says this change at quarterback should change how we think of Washington’s weapons.
There’s a lot to sort through when it comes to Brandon Aiyuk and his role on the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan said Sunday that the team wanted to be smart with Aiyuk, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp, and added that Trent Sherfield has earned the right to play. Aiyuk didn’t even record a single target in the team’s win over the Lions Sunday. Before Shanahan’s quotes after the game, multiple 49ers beat reporters were quick to point out that Aiyuk is “still learning to be a pro.” We also have this tweet from Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area during the first half Sunday that insinuates that this could be Shanahan sending a message. Both things are probably somewhat true, and both would have been great to know BEFORE kickoff. Thanks as always, Kyle Shanahan.
Situation Watch
Myles Gaskin was the clear top back in Miami, handling 14 touches. The problem? Those only turned into 50 yards, and Malcolm Brown and Salvon Ahmed both totaled five rushes themselves. It feels like usage and production are going to be up and down all year in this backfield.
The fantasy world was sent into a full-blown meltdown when the report surfaced that Jamaal Williams — not D’Andre Swift — would be the starter Sunday. Swift out-touched Williams 19-17, and both backs produced good days. Both totaled eight receptions, and Williams had 110 total yards and one touchdown while Swift had 104 yards and one touchdown. It goes without saying that the production isn’t always going to be that good for both, but Swift can absolutely still win you weeks and be part of a committee. He’s still the guy you can rely on more consistently if that type of split holds.
Ty’Son Williams and Latavius Murray were a virtual split in rushing attempts, but Williams did have three receptions while Murray didn’t record a target. The leading rusher — both in attempts and yards — was Lamar Jackson, which could be a common occurrence this year. And the fact that Murray was that much of a factor despite being with the team for about a week is concerning if you’re a Williams backer.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss is reporting the Patriots could “reduce” Damien Harris’ role after he lost a crucial fumble late in a Week 1 loss. Rhamondre Stevenson also fumbled in Week 1, and Reiss suggested J.J. Taylor — who was a healthy scratch in Week 1 — as a guy who could work in the rotation more next week. It’s the Patriots and Bill Belichick, so nobody would be surprised if a guy who just rushed 23 times for 100 yards found himself in the doghouse for a mistake like that. But a reduction in workload could be as much about just putting a realistic amount of volume on Harris as opposed to punishing him. From the article:
Surely, it would take more than what unfolded Sunday for Belichick to take that type of approach with Harris, who had a promising opening performance (23 carries, 100 yards; two catches for 17 yards) before the miscue.But it isn't unrealistic to think Belichick will assess Harris' workload in the opener, and consider a reduction heading into Sunday's road game against the New York Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS). After all, part of the reason Harris played 40 snaps -- and looked fatigued shortly before the play in which he fumbled -- seemed to be because rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson (five snaps) had fumbled earlier in the game and was essentially put on ice afterward.
Must Reads
Matt Harmon’s piece on things he does and does not care about is always a must-read. Harmon is buying into what we saw for the Rams and their downfield attack last night.
Another good recap to get caught up on all things Week 1 from Matt Barbato at FantasyPros. He also gives some good advice on how to approach Jalen Hurts over the next few weeks.
This & That
All hail CMC
Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce accounted for 64% of targets in the passing game for the Chiefs.
This just isn’t fair
Austin Ekeler = Derrick Henry? (Not really but this is weird.) The actual important takeaway is that Larry Rountree was the team’s RB2 in Week 1 with eight rushes. That’s something to monitor going forward.
Matt Nagy + Andy Dalton = Allen Robinson pain
Najee Harris played every snap and saw a lot of volume. The production (hopefully) will come.
I feel obligated to include this from Monday night’s game. My god, what a hilarious game and broadcast from Eli and Peyton Manning.
Joe Mixon saw a 15.4% target share Sunday and he and Dalvin Cook were the only two backs to handle more than 80% of their team’s rushes per JJ Zacharison. It could finally be happening for Mixon. Currently taking my Week 1 Mixon victory lap goodbyyyyyyyyyyye