Right before the start of Week 1, Fantasy Pros' national composite of ADPs (based on online drafting from sites like ESPN) listed Rex Burkhead as the 26th best RB and James White at #42. If you subscribed to the FF4W preseason rankings, you would have seen almost the opposite.
The TD-dependent Burkhead was a huge risk this season. Four of his five rushing touchdowns last year came inside the opposing 3-yard line. Back then, New England had no clear-cut goal-line rusher, as LeGarrette Blount had moved to Philly. This year the combination of Jeremy Hill (when he was healthy) and even Sony Michel (when he wasn't) were expected to carry the goal-line load. Of Burkhead's 24 carries this year, 20 came on 1st-and-10, 2nd-and-10, 2nd-and-9, or 2nd-and-8. 17 of his rushes came on the Patriots' side of the field, and he never ran the ball inside the opposing 20. None of his three receptions took him inside the red zone, either.
James White was, and still is, my favorite Patriot back. He's versatile, talented, and trusted by Tom Brady and the coaching staff. He's never lost a fumble in the NFL and has been largely healthy these past 3+ seasons. While Michel certainly gets a boost with less formidable competition, White gets the biggest bump as a nearly must-start PPR RB2.
In even more surprising teams, Rishard Matthews sort of pulled a Vontae Davis yesterday, leaving the Titans apparently with no intention of returning. He's still interested in playing in the NFL, though, showing a photo of his family on Instagram with the words, "When Daddy's home for good. That is unless someone calls him to get off the couch."
My guess is the Patriots have already left three messages.
Although Tennessee's offense has been an unmitigated mess, in fairness Marcus Mariota hasn't been healthy. If his wonky elbow improves, this can become a middling passing attack. That makes Matthews' departure a huge boon for second-year talent Taywan Taylor. Last night I added Taylor in my very deep league (14 teams, 22 players per team). I view him as a WR4/5 with WR3 upside when Mariota's elbow heals.
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Fascinating matchup tonight. The Vikings try to right the ship after the most embarrassing NFL loss in about 20 years, while the Rams -- arguably the best team in the league -- is down two cornerbacks.
Fantasy-wise, Kirk Cousins can and will rebound with top-12 QB production, assuming Dalvin Cook is a "go." If Cook sits, the obvious concern is whether Latavius Murray or Mike Boone can put enough pressure on the Rams to keep the D honest. Cook is also more adept in the passing game. Don't let Murray's five catches Sunday fool you; all but one of his seven targets came after Buffalo had hung 27 points on the board. If starting, Murray would be a desperation RB3. If Cook's starting, you have to toss him out there as an RB2. Meanwhile, the usual suspects -- Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Kyle Rudolph -- are startable. The Vikings are scratching out 17-24 points in this one.
For the home team, Todd Gurley faces a team averaging 3.6 YPC to opposing RBs, but that didn't stop Chris Ivory from going off. You have to expect the Vikes D to clamp down, but it's hard to imagine Gurley being anything less than an RB1 in what should be a high-usage performance. As for Jared Goff, it's anyone's guess which of his three main receivers will benefit the most. Minnesota CB Xavier Rhodes and company have held opposing wideouts largely in check. But one of them (Marquise Goodwin) got hurt early in Week 1, and Buffalo didn't need its receivers to do much in their Sunday win. On paper, the Rams' receivers are better than the Vikings' defenders. I'm expecting 28+ points and a nice fantasy day for Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp.
The TD-dependent Burkhead was a huge risk this season. Four of his five rushing touchdowns last year came inside the opposing 3-yard line. Back then, New England had no clear-cut goal-line rusher, as LeGarrette Blount had moved to Philly. This year the combination of Jeremy Hill (when he was healthy) and even Sony Michel (when he wasn't) were expected to carry the goal-line load. Of Burkhead's 24 carries this year, 20 came on 1st-and-10, 2nd-and-10, 2nd-and-9, or 2nd-and-8. 17 of his rushes came on the Patriots' side of the field, and he never ran the ball inside the opposing 20. None of his three receptions took him inside the red zone, either.
James White was, and still is, my favorite Patriot back. He's versatile, talented, and trusted by Tom Brady and the coaching staff. He's never lost a fumble in the NFL and has been largely healthy these past 3+ seasons. While Michel certainly gets a boost with less formidable competition, White gets the biggest bump as a nearly must-start PPR RB2.
In even more surprising teams, Rishard Matthews sort of pulled a Vontae Davis yesterday, leaving the Titans apparently with no intention of returning. He's still interested in playing in the NFL, though, showing a photo of his family on Instagram with the words, "When Daddy's home for good. That is unless someone calls him to get off the couch."
My guess is the Patriots have already left three messages.
Although Tennessee's offense has been an unmitigated mess, in fairness Marcus Mariota hasn't been healthy. If his wonky elbow improves, this can become a middling passing attack. That makes Matthews' departure a huge boon for second-year talent Taywan Taylor. Last night I added Taylor in my very deep league (14 teams, 22 players per team). I view him as a WR4/5 with WR3 upside when Mariota's elbow heals.
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Fascinating matchup tonight. The Vikings try to right the ship after the most embarrassing NFL loss in about 20 years, while the Rams -- arguably the best team in the league -- is down two cornerbacks.
Fantasy-wise, Kirk Cousins can and will rebound with top-12 QB production, assuming Dalvin Cook is a "go." If Cook sits, the obvious concern is whether Latavius Murray or Mike Boone can put enough pressure on the Rams to keep the D honest. Cook is also more adept in the passing game. Don't let Murray's five catches Sunday fool you; all but one of his seven targets came after Buffalo had hung 27 points on the board. If starting, Murray would be a desperation RB3. If Cook's starting, you have to toss him out there as an RB2. Meanwhile, the usual suspects -- Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Kyle Rudolph -- are startable. The Vikings are scratching out 17-24 points in this one.
For the home team, Todd Gurley faces a team averaging 3.6 YPC to opposing RBs, but that didn't stop Chris Ivory from going off. You have to expect the Vikes D to clamp down, but it's hard to imagine Gurley being anything less than an RB1 in what should be a high-usage performance. As for Jared Goff, it's anyone's guess which of his three main receivers will benefit the most. Minnesota CB Xavier Rhodes and company have held opposing wideouts largely in check. But one of them (Marquise Goodwin) got hurt early in Week 1, and Buffalo didn't need its receivers to do much in their Sunday win. On paper, the Rams' receivers are better than the Vikings' defenders. I'm expecting 28+ points and a nice fantasy day for Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp.