Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books and it was a doozy. Maybe you were shocked by last minute drives, or surprising rookie performances. Maybe you’re in desperate need of a quarterback because yours is out for the season. Maybe you need a running back because your RB2 just turned into a platoon player.
So what do you do now? We’ve got you covered with an intel package for Week 2 covering all 32 teams. So sit back, relax and prepare for Week 2 because come Sunday, we watch it all unfold again. Isn’t it great to have the NFL back?
Arizona Cardinals
If you are in need of a third or fourth wide receiver look no further than the Arizona Cardinals. New coach Kliff Kingsbury promised to air it out and backed it up on Sunday when he fielded four wide receivers on the field at a time during a whopping 76% of their snaps.
Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk and KeeSean Johnson got the majority of the snaps and targets so look to pick up one of them to fill out your roster.
Atlanta Falcons
Don’t expect Donta Freeman to massively improve Week 2. He struggled in Week 1 and actually played less snaps than his backup Ito Smith.
It doesn’t get easier in Week 2 as the Falcons face the Eagles tough run defense. It’s not time to bench him, but don’t count on him for RB1 production this week.
Baltimore Ravens
The obvious way to go here is to drop whatever you’re doing and add rookie “Hollywood” Brown to your lineup. But hold on there, Brown was only on the field for 12 plays and he was only targeted by Lamar Jackson 5 times.
He did catch all 5 of those targets for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns, but you should be wary of what lies beneath those gaudy Week 1 numbers. Until he is seeing more consistent playing time, leave him on your bench.
Buffalo Bills
Coming into the regular season John Brown was one of the biggest question marks of the Buffalo Bills season. He’s impressed during training camp and preseason and had Bills fans hoping he would be a big time target for second year QB Josh Allen.
Well, Brown delivered on Sunday, catching 7 balls for 123 yards and a touchdown on just 10 targets. Look for those targets to rise as he builds chemistry with Allen.
Carolina Panthers
It looks like all the offensive production is going to come from Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey this season.
While that isn’t that much of a surprise, what is surprising is the chasm that has appeared behind McCaffery, number 1 receiver DJ Moore and tight end Greg Olsen. Those three gobbled up 81% of the team’s targets in Week 1. If you’re a fantasy owner of Curtis Samuel, you’re really hoping that number changes, and quick.
Chicago Bears
Mike Davis led the Bears’ running backs in touches last week, much to the chagrin of David Montgomery. And while neither back did much with the touches they got, it’s a story to follow going forward.
The bench is where you should find both backs in your lineup as the Bears travel to Denver to face a tough defense at altitude. See who you can pick up off the waiver wire.
Cincinnati Bengals
No AJ Green, and now potentially no Joe Mixon. This means the burden of production falls to Giovani Bernard and while he ran for just 21 yards in relief of Mixon on Sunday, we’re talking about a back in Bernard who has rushed for over 3,000 yards in his career.
Bernard is no scrub, and if you are in a deeper league, he may be worth a pickup.
Cleveland Browns
One of the biggest disappointments in the Browns’ blowout loss was the performance of running back Nick Chubb. Chubb racked up 75 yards on 17 carries, but failed to find the end zone. He also caught the ball 3 times for 10 yards.
Don’t lose faith yet though, because Cleveland will have to rely on big performances from Chubb if they expect to give Baker Mayfield any time to throw. Keep Chubb in your lineup.
Dallas Cowboys
If you picked up running back Tony Pollard because you thought Ezekiel Elliott would have to shake the rust off in week 1, you thought wrong.
While Zeke wasn’t great, he was good enough running for 53 yards and a touchdown. He’ll have a full week to prepare for Week 2, which means it’s time to drop Pollard. It’s Zeke’s team again.
Denver Broncos
It looks like the Broncos’ running back position will be a job-share this season as Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman split carries in Week 1.
Lindsay had one more carry that Freeman, while Lindsay also picked up 6 targets on passing plays to Freeman’s 1. If you had to pick up one of the Broncos’ backs, Lindsay is your guy.
Detroit Lions
Are you looking for that under the radar pickup that will really round out your lineup? Pick up Lions’ rookie TJ Hockenson. The Iowa product had a terrific camp, and impressed coaches in the preseason exploded in his first game tying and NFL record for a tight end in his first game finishing with 131 yards.
Just a reminder, he’s catching those passes from one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league, Matthew Stafford. The Lions are excited about where this combination can lead them, and you should be too.
Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams didn’t look great in the Packers’ opening week game against the Bears, but neither did anyone else on the Packers’ offense. Adams caught just 4 passes for 36 yards, but don’t worry.
He’s still one of the most consistent pass catchers in fantasy football and he’s got an elite quarterback throwing to him. After playing the best defense in the NFL, there’s nowhere for Adams and the Packers’ offense to go but up.
Houston Texans
Will Fuller was on the field for all but one of the Texans’ 59 offensive snaps in Week 1 but only managed 3 targets. Expect this production to go up in week two as the open division play against the Jaguars.
Star DeAndre Hopkins will be locked up by Jags’ corner Jalen Ramsey, leaving Fuller with less attention and more opportunity to make an impact and score you points.
Indianapolis Colts
If you’re in a deep league looking for a cheap pickup at receiver, pick up Deon Cain. Look for Cain’s receptions to increase after Devin Funchess was placed on IR with a broken collarbone.
A season-ending injury ended Cain’s season last year after he got off to a promising start. Maybe this is the opportunity he needs to break out.
Jacksonville Jaguars
If you were a fan of mustachioed gunslinger Gardiner Minshew at Washington State, then you’re in for a treat. Nick Foles went down early in the Jaguars season opener with a broken collarbone and in came Minshew to the tune of 275 passing yards and a touchdown.
He only threw 3 incompletions in his first NFL game and he wasn’t even supposed to play at all! With Minshew under center for the foreseeable future, it may be worth a waiver pickup for your bench, as practically no one owns him.
Kansas City Chiefs
Expect Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson to see a higher volume of catches now that Tyreke Hill will be out for a few weeks. That offense is prolific with reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes under center, so someone is going to have to catch the ball in Hill’s absence.
Hardman played more snaps than Robinson after Hill went so, so lean towards Hardman filling that role going forward.
Los Angeles Chargers
With Melvin Gordon sitting out while his agent looks for a trade, 3rd year back Austin Ekeler was the Chargers go to back. While he only rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown he also added 6 catches for 96 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.
Not bad for a backup. This is a player you’ll want to keep in your lineup as long as Melvin Gordon is out.
Los Angeles Rams
Todd Gurley out-rushed Malcom Brown in Week 1 97-53, but it was Brown that found the end zone twice. It’s worth keeping in mind Gurley’s dicey knee situation, which could fail him at any moment.
In the event that it does, Malcom Brown is clearly ready to step in to fill the void. Brown isn’t ready to be your RB1 yet, but keep a watchful eye on Gurley’s knee.
Miami Dolphins
Hopefully your fantasy team is not as big of a dumpster fire as this real life team after just one week of play. With players jumping ship and asking for trades it’s time you cut and run on any Dolphins you have on your roster.
The one exception may be running back Mark Walton, who may be looking for an opportunity to shine after unimpressive performances by Kenyon Drake and Kallen Ballage.
Minnesota Vikings
Don’t look now but the Minnesota Vikings have turned back the clock. Kirk Cousins only attempted 10 passes in their Week 1 victory over the Falcons, while Dalvin Cook was the star man running for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Look for more of the same in Week 2 against Green Bay as the look to control the clock, and limit Aaron Rodgers opportunities.
New England Patriots
Is it time to drop Sony Michel? Maybe. Don’t hit the panic button yet, but it looks like he may be splitting a considerable number of his touches with Rex Burkhead and the other Patriots’ backs.
You can count on Michel to be at the top of the league in touchdowns, however he only touched ran the ball 15 times in their Week 1 win and we all know he isn’t getting any receptions. The Patriots ran effectively, but Michel only got half of teams 30 carries. That’s concerning going forward.
New Orleans Saints
Ok, hear us out on this one: Bench Drew Brees. Yes, Brees proved he is still an elite quarterback in the NFL on Monday night when he threw for 370 yards, 2 touchdowns and led the Saints to a last-minute win over the Texans. That was last week.
This week he goes up against Rams, who didn’t give up a touchdown through the air last week. Add that to the cross-country travel, and the upheaval in routine that brings, and that means it’s time to give the 40 year old the week off.
New York Giants
Watch for Sterling Shepard to have a big performance in Week 2 as he lines up against the same defense that gave up 14 catches to Jets receiver Jamison Crowder.
He was on the field for all but 1 of the Giants 66 offensive snaps, but also picked up a concussion in the process. If he’s cleared to play, slot him in at the flex.
New York Jets
Sam Darnold targeted Jamison Crowder 17 times in Week 1, the most of any player this week. Despite the number of targets, Crowder only went for 99 yards.
If you’re in a PPR league, he’ll get you double-digit points on receptions alone. If you’re in a non-PPR league, he’s probably not the receiver for you.
Oakland Raiders
You saw him star on Hard Knocks before the season started, and now you can see him star in your lineup each week.
We’re talking about Raiders’ tight end Darren Waller who was targeted often in his first career start. His 7 catches for 70 yards made him a good replacement for some of Antonio Brown’s numbers. Gruden gave him a chance, now may you should too.
Philadelphia Eagles
Slot rookie running back Miles Sanders in at the flex this week against a leaky Atlanta defense. He had the majority of the Eagles’ snaps at the running back position in Week 1 and put up decent numbers.
Meanwhile the Falcons gave up 120 yards to Dalvin Cook. Look for good, but not great, flex production from Sanders.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Juju Smith-Schuster took the field as the Steelers number 1 receiver for the first time in week 1 and put up average numbers in a terrible Steelers performance.
These numbers should improve in week 2 as they play against a Seahawks team that gave up the second most passing yard in the league in Week 1. Look for an angry Steelers offense to put up more big numbers, with Smith-Schuster right at the heart of it.
San Francisco 49ers
If you have a San Francisco wide receiver in your lineup, put him on the bench immediately. Of the 5 receivers that played in the game, none of them received more than 3 targets.
This is a staggeringly low number considering expectations on Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Shanahan this season.
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks rookie DK Metcalf is a player to monitor going forward. He had four receptions for 89 yards, but in typical Seahawks fashion they don’t seem to know how to use their wide receivers yet.
Certainly though, Russell Wilson is going to targeting the monster of a receiver more in the future. So again, just keep an eye on DK Metcalf for now.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Are you a fantasy team owner who lost their running back to injury in Week 1? The Buccaneers’ Ronald Jones would be a good waiver wire pick up after he went for 75 yards on 13 carries.
While that isn’t a great day, he’s probably available and he’s likely to get better as the Bucs learn Bruce Arians new offense.
Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry was a stud in Week 1 against the Browns. He put together 159 total yards of offense (84 rushing, 75 receiving) and added two touchdowns.
His 75-yard run after a screen pass capped the Titans’ impressive win over the Browns. Henry displayed that unnatural speed that made him a second round pick. As the Titans push for a playoff run, expect Henry to be the main showpiece of the offense.
Washington Redskins
The big surprise Sunday was that future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson was a healthy scratch for the Redskins’ season opener against the Eagles. Peterson rushed for over 1,000 yards but second year back Derrius Guice was preferred to start the season.
With Guice out a few weeks due to a knee injury look for Peterson to be the main man in the backfield. Last season he showed he’s still got it, and he’ll be out to prove it to the Redskins organization again this week.