Earlier yesterday it looked like the Jets' reported positive COVID test would mean postponing their game with the Cardinals. That would've been rough for everyone leaning on Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. and it would've been rough for everyone competing against anyone on the Jets.
Actually, that's not entirely fair. Somehow Jamison Crowder is third among fantasy wideouts with 21 points per game, only a hair behind Hopkins.
So as we gingerly step closer to an (almost) full slate of Sunday games, here are some bargains and busts I'm eying, based on Fantasy Pros' composite of expert rankings--while dutifully avoiding obvious predictions based on recent injuries:
At quarterback, it's not clear why Ben Roethlisberger (QB-13) is ranked worse than guys like Kirk Cousins and Teddy Bridgewater. Ben has more capable receivers than he's ever had and is facing an Eagles D whose toughest QB opponents have been Jared Goff and Joe Burrow. I like Ben hitting the top 10, making him a must-start option. On the flip side, I'm not seeing the just-mentioned Bridgewater (QB-10) meeting expectations. Just because he's facing Atlanta, that doesn't mean he needs to be in every starting lineup.
At running back, Cowboy nation would be in shambles if they fall to 1-4--and against the lowly Giants no less. This game will be over midway through the third quarter. That makes handcuff Tony Pollard (RB-54) my favorite Hail Mary of the week. I expect 10-12 touches for Pollard for 50+ yards, including at least a couple receptions. In other words, he'll exceed expectations even if he doesn't score. On the flip side, after Josh Jacobs' Week 1 outburst, he hasn't been able to catch fire. His RB-6 rankings against Kansas City seems aggressive, as game script should see Derek Carr throwing a lot in the second half--a part of the game where Jacobs frequently shares the load.
At wideout, does any team have a better early-season schedule than Arizona? After facing the Niners Week 1 their weekly docket consists of Washington, Detroit, Carolina, the Jets, Dallas, Seattle, and Miami. I bring this up because Christian Kirk (WR-60) has been one of the most disappointing draftable WRs so far. But don't give up on him yet, especially in Sunday's prime matchup that should make 3-4 Cardinal receivers relevant. And while I don't like chasing points, Jeff Smith (WR-87) is as good a deep-cut flyer as anyone. On the flip side, yet again D.J. Moore (WR-14) is ranked ahead of Robby Anderson. Not understanding that.
At tight end, Jonnu Smith (TE-12) has exceeded even my lofty preseason expectations, and he remains painfully undervalued. On the flip side, Mike Gesicki (TE-10) has been targeted sparingly in three of four contests and won't crack the top 14 against San Francisco.