Welcome to Monday morning. If you lost over the weekend, this might not be a fun read. Hopefully helpful, but not fun. And if you won -- or have a great shot at winning based on tonight's outcomes -- then sit back and relax with your coffee and Pop Tart. Let's run through the biggest fantasy storyline for each Sunday team.
Browns -- Cleveland might not have reached the playoffs last year if Deshaun Watson hadn't gotten hurt, opening the door for Joe Flacco. And this year, Cleveland probably won't reach the playoffs unless Watson is out of the picture. While this doesn't seem like a fantasy take, it reflects the strong possibility that the relatively overmatched Watson will be benched for Jameis Winston at some point. I shared similar sentiments last week regarding Bryce Young. In 15 games with the Browns, Watson has 15 turnovers and has taken 51 sacks. Surely the team is aware, and surely the franchise feels trapped, and surely they own this mistake. But if they don't right the ship in these next three games (all on the road), the more fantasy-friendly Winston realistically could step in.
Giants -- Saturday's column: Is Wan'Dale Robinson is a weekly deep-league streamer: "He's close. Need to see a little more." I've seen enough Robinson should be rostered in nearly every league.
Titans -- Saturday's column: Calvin Ridley vs. DeAndre Hopkins. With Hopkins serving as the alpha in Week 3, this receiving corps just got more complicated.
Packers -- Saturday's column: "Emmanuel Wilson might be fantasy's most valuable under-the-radar handcuff." He ran better than Josh Jacobs and earned 14 touches. Notably, all of his touches came when Tennessee was within striking distance (down two TDs or less), and most occurred in the first three quarters. FF4W subscribers know that Wilson ticked up my RB handcuff rankings last week. He's now a must-roster option in all deep leagues.
Colts -- Saturday's column: "Is Michael Pittman droppable in 10-team leagues?" Yes. Some sites might say something like "Sell high while you can." Folks, that ship has sailed. Almost no one wants to trade for Pittman. I wouldn't even trade Emmanuel Wilson for him. Pittman might have three or four solid performances this season. The rest of the time he'll burn a hole in your lineup.
Bears -- Saturday's column: "As always, D'Andre Swift: The question is if/when Khalil Herbert will push for a timeshare." It was actually Roschon Johnson's turn. The former hyped-up 2023 rookie might finally have an opportunity to shine. Also, I should mention that I never anticipated Rome Odunze crushing it. However, Caleb Williams threw it 52 times. Odunze is absolutely a sell-high guy if you can get top-35 WR value based on this performance alone. At most, Williams will average around 34-36 pass attempts going forward (quite high by NFL standards), and when Keenan Allen returns, Odunze will be more of a hopeful streamer.
Vikings -- Assuming the injured Sam Darnold is fine, let's remember that he's Exhibit A for spotting an undervalued preseason talent. I devoted a full column to him on August 15. His QB33 ADP (eventually settling on QB31 to start the season) was ridiculous. Many of you can read between the lines when I say "ridiculous." Subscribers know he was my QB20, ranked ahead of guys like Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, and Matthew Stafford.
Texans -- Saturday's column (and many before that): I have repeatedly shared my my belief that Joe Mixon's handcuff isn't currently on Houston's roster. Cam Akers did enough to make some managers at least moderately pleased, but not enough to inspire confidence. I remain locked in on the strong possibility that the Texans will acquire a much better handcuff.
Saints -- Saturday's column: "Chris Olave *should* be one of fantasy's best buy-low WRs." He came through. And yet, only six targets. We need more for a guy who was a nearly universal preseason top-12 WR.
Eagles -- DeVonta Smith's injury (along with Britain Covey's) made Dallas Goedert the alpha. Smith's and A.J. Brown's health will be two of the bigger fantasy stories to track this week.
Steelers -- Saturday's column: "Once again, can Justin Fields keep his job?" Yes. And Jaylen Warren's injury might open the door for Najee Harris to be a viable top-20 RB with strong top-14 upside.
Chargers -- Justin Herbert was in a walking boot after this game. Any absence would obviously downgrade every key playmaker.
Buccaneers -- Why was Bucky Irving listed as the #4 RB handcuff in my report last Tuesday? For the same reason he was a clear-cut bargain this summer, and for the same reason Rachaad White was a clear-cut bust. Managers who saw the writing on the wall are reaping the benefits.
Broncos -- Saturday's column: "Is Courtland Sutton droppable in most leagues?" Not yet, and perhaps not this year if Bo Nix continues to pepper him with targets.
Raiders -- Saturday's column: "Sell high on Brock Bowers, or is he this year's Sam LaPorta?" Vegas might need a quarterback change. And/or if 2023 third-rounder Tre Tucker is now a legit weekly option, it'll be hard to trust more than two Raider receivers per game.
Panthers -- Andy Dalton helped elevate Diontae Johnson and (when healthy) Adam Thielen, and those two helped elevate Dalton. It was a statement win, and it's fair to wonder if the locker room vibe changed dramatically ahead of this game, and also whether that vibe might carry over this year. If Thielen misses time, be prepared to add first-round rookie Xavier Legette in deep leagues.
Seahawks -- Can Zach Charbonnet challenge Kenneth Walker when the latter returns? On the one hand, it was an impressive showing for Charbonnet. On the other hand, Miami looked deflated as they eye what could be a losing season if Tua Tagovailoa doesn't return by midseason (or at all). Next week's contest in Detroit will be a bigger test for Charbonnet if he gets another spot start.
Dolphins -- This offseason Miami -- knowing their Super Bowl prospects hinged largely on the health of their repeatedly concussed quarterback -- opted not to sign or trade for a semi-capable backup. If you have any playmakers, particularly Tyreek Hill and/or Jaylen Waddle, all you can do is wait and hope. Or trade away for much less than their preseason value.
Cowboys -- On Saturday I highlighted one of my favorite summer bargains, Jalen Tolbert. He came through late and seems to be on the verge of passing Brandin Cooks on the depth chart.
Ravens -- Saturday's column: "Mark Andrews vs. Isaiah Likely. Or (as painful as this is to write) will it not matter in a run-friendly offense that already has Zay Flowers and a re-ascending Rashod Bateman?" And so it is. . . .
Rams -- Saturday's column: "How will the (sadly) new-look L.A. receiving corps shake out with no Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua?" While Kyren Williams dominated, managers should take note that led all Ram WRs in targets, catches, and yards. The former second-round pick has been on the cusp for some time, but hasn't yet ascended. While rookie Jordan Whittington got more buzz last week, Atwell might be the better stash.
49ers -- Saturday's column: "With Deebo Samuel out and George Kittle doubtful, the stars are aligned for Brandon Aiyuk -- assuming he's back to his old self." My biggest miss of the year (and I've had many) was Jauan Jennings leaving Aiyuk in his wake. Several of you asked me about Jennings over the weekend. Each time I wrote something like "His ceiling is too low. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Jennings has often been an offensive afterthought even when a starting WR has gone down. His career highs entering Sunday were six catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He did all that in one game . . . three seasons ago. In no other game had he cleared 64 yards. So yeah, I'll take whatever you throw at me. It's deserved. I never saw it coming.
Cardinals -- Kyler Murray finally looked Michael Wilson's way. Wilson was one of my favorite under-the-radar WRs this summer. Didn't do much the first two weeks. Let's see if he remains #2 in targets behind Marvin Harrison Jr.
Lions -- Saturday's column: "Jameson Williams has thrived at the expense of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. These three players' values will almost certainly shift -- and continue shifting -- throughout the year." It was Amon-Ra's turn. And of course, all eyes should be on LaPorta's health.
Chiefs -- Carson Steele passed his first big test. 17 carries suggests the team trusts him.
Falcons -- A season-high nine targets for Drake London and a season-high five targets for Kyle Pitts. London's on a good track, but Pitts remains more or less an afterthought. The apparent generational talent is on pace for a 45-595 receiving line. It has to get better. Right?
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