Last night showed us a few things from a fantasy perspective:
First, unless something changes, both o-lines will likely hurt each team all season. Second, Andy Dalton will be worthless in fantasy (and not much better on the field), if Alex Erickson is his #2 receiver. Third, hopefully the "Should Houston start Deshaun Watson?" non-issue will be laid to rest, as his development needs to be the franchise's #1 focus. Fourth, after two games, Joe Mixon has asserted himself as Cincy's lead back, and I see no reason why he won't hit 18+ touches a game by October. Fourth, Lamar Miller earned 21 touches, though it was largely overshadowed by an ascending D'Onta Foreman.
This last point needs to be explored a bit. Watson's development this season will help the running game, as improving passing games generally do. But this could also impact Miller's fantasy value: If Watson gets more comfortable in the pocket and is throwing more, and if Foreman continues to be heavily involved, then Miller's usage could drop. There's only so much to go around. With Watson making his first NFL start, of course the Texans leaned on their running game. But that's not a sign of things to come.
Yesterday I was more bullish on Miller as one of the league's few bell-cows. But Houston did a 180 on Foreman, giving him 12 carries after he earned only one last weekend. While Miller racked up 93 total yards, both backs struggled to make much happen, with YPCs in the 3.3-3.4 range. If this becomes a trend, Miller's stock will drop fairly quickly.
And so Foreman leads off this edition of Free Agent Friday. Rostered in 11% of ESPN leagues heading into Week 1, he's now rostered in only 3%. After the next round of waivers hits, he'll probably be rostered in 40%+. Despite o-line issues and an acclimating rookie QB, it's time to get on board, as the rookie Foreman is here to stay.
I've discussed Marlon Mack many times. Now I'm pleading. He's also rostered in only 3% of ESPN leagues. What a crazy thing given he's easily a top 10 RB handcuff and happens to be playing behind a 34-year-old (albeit a sturdy 34-year-old) who's rostered in 100% of leagues. Are Mack and Frank Gore really that far apart? Of course not. So trade Gore for RB2/3 value and go pick up Mack. The odds are good you'll make out great.
Jeremy Langford has replaced Danny Woodhead in Baltimore. Don't touch him. Don't even think about it.
While Cole Beasley (31% rostered) didn't do much Week 1, he remains the Cowboys' most likely #2 receiver. If you have bench space for a WR4/5 with WR3 upside, go for it.
Coby Fleener has been picked up in only 32% of leagues. Seriously? At the very least, he should play a pivotal role until Willie Snead returns. At the most, he'll be the TE1 I expected him to be all summer. Given the choice of, say, Jesse James (Week 1's #1 TE) and Fleener, I'd much rather have Fleener.
Finally, Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams are rostered in fewer than 1% of ESPN leagues. One of them will be an RB2/3 for multiple games this season. My money's on the more talented Drake, despite his #3 position on the team's depth chart.
First, unless something changes, both o-lines will likely hurt each team all season. Second, Andy Dalton will be worthless in fantasy (and not much better on the field), if Alex Erickson is his #2 receiver. Third, hopefully the "Should Houston start Deshaun Watson?" non-issue will be laid to rest, as his development needs to be the franchise's #1 focus. Fourth, after two games, Joe Mixon has asserted himself as Cincy's lead back, and I see no reason why he won't hit 18+ touches a game by October. Fourth, Lamar Miller earned 21 touches, though it was largely overshadowed by an ascending D'Onta Foreman.
This last point needs to be explored a bit. Watson's development this season will help the running game, as improving passing games generally do. But this could also impact Miller's fantasy value: If Watson gets more comfortable in the pocket and is throwing more, and if Foreman continues to be heavily involved, then Miller's usage could drop. There's only so much to go around. With Watson making his first NFL start, of course the Texans leaned on their running game. But that's not a sign of things to come.
Yesterday I was more bullish on Miller as one of the league's few bell-cows. But Houston did a 180 on Foreman, giving him 12 carries after he earned only one last weekend. While Miller racked up 93 total yards, both backs struggled to make much happen, with YPCs in the 3.3-3.4 range. If this becomes a trend, Miller's stock will drop fairly quickly.
And so Foreman leads off this edition of Free Agent Friday. Rostered in 11% of ESPN leagues heading into Week 1, he's now rostered in only 3%. After the next round of waivers hits, he'll probably be rostered in 40%+. Despite o-line issues and an acclimating rookie QB, it's time to get on board, as the rookie Foreman is here to stay.
I've discussed Marlon Mack many times. Now I'm pleading. He's also rostered in only 3% of ESPN leagues. What a crazy thing given he's easily a top 10 RB handcuff and happens to be playing behind a 34-year-old (albeit a sturdy 34-year-old) who's rostered in 100% of leagues. Are Mack and Frank Gore really that far apart? Of course not. So trade Gore for RB2/3 value and go pick up Mack. The odds are good you'll make out great.
Jeremy Langford has replaced Danny Woodhead in Baltimore. Don't touch him. Don't even think about it.
While Cole Beasley (31% rostered) didn't do much Week 1, he remains the Cowboys' most likely #2 receiver. If you have bench space for a WR4/5 with WR3 upside, go for it.
Coby Fleener has been picked up in only 32% of leagues. Seriously? At the very least, he should play a pivotal role until Willie Snead returns. At the most, he'll be the TE1 I expected him to be all summer. Given the choice of, say, Jesse James (Week 1's #1 TE) and Fleener, I'd much rather have Fleener.
Finally, Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams are rostered in fewer than 1% of ESPN leagues. One of them will be an RB2/3 for multiple games this season. My money's on the more talented Drake, despite his #3 position on the team's depth chart.