Only the Cowboys and Bears are on byes this week, so a relatively full slate tomorrow. As always, here's the #1 fantasy-related storyline I'm tracking for each Sunday team -- specifically which players' values are likely to swing up or down:
Jaguars -- Jacksonville's been here before. Two years ago they started 2-6 before finding their footing, reaching the playoffs, and coming within a touchdown (and two-point conversion) of reaching the AFC Championship game. Still, with expectations far higher entering this season, the Jags face a make-or-break matchup against New England. All eyes should be on their backfield. Tank Bigsby isn't going anywhere. The question is whether Travis Etienne is healthy enough to plow forward, or if his hamstring injury might put him on the shelf, opening the door for top-12 numbers from Bigsby.
Patriots -- Jacoby Brissett had five chances to throw for 150+ yards. Couldn't do it. Drake Maye hit 200+ in his debut. The passing attack -- and specifically DeMario Douglas -- now has some relevance.
Falcons -- It was only a matter of time before Bijan Robinson got going. He was my preseason RB1 ahead of CMC and Breece Hall. After a slow start, he has a very good shot at dominating the rest of the way.
Seahawks -- How long can Tyler Lockett (assuming he's good to go) remain a fantasy thorn in the side of DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba?
Bills -- With Amari Cooper's Buffalo debut status up in the air (as of Friday evening), all eyes should be on James Cook vs. Ray Davis (assuming Davis is good to go). A timeshare was always a possibility. Sunday will show us if Davis's first NFL start was enough to garner meaningful reps.
Titans -- Why did Will Levis' stock plummet at the 2023 draft? Maybe because most teams got it right. Levis is on the precipice of Kenny Pickett territory -- from franchise-caliber QB to seemingly permanent backup in less than two years. Backup Mason Rudolph would probably be a small boon for DeAndre Hopkins and perhaps one other WR (Calvin Ridley, anyone?). Or at the very least, Rudolph couldn't do much worse.
Browns -- On July 8 2023, I wrote, "Among the 47 QBs who completed more than 60 passes [in 2022], Watson had the third-worst completion percentage. He endured the lowest yards-per-carry of his career and the highest interception rate since his rookie campaign. His 79.1 passer rating bordered on benchable. Except of course, he cannot be benched." Why? Because this franchise bet their future on Watson, and benching him would mean accepting responsibility. But at some point, something has to give. And when it does -- just as in Tennessee -- the passing game probably won't be any worse.
Bengals -- Tee Higgins is averaging 15.73 fantasy points per game -- a career-high. Is he a comfortable weekly fantasy starter? Or is this a bit of a mirage?
Packers -- As always, the WR corps is a beautiful mess. Lots to love, and also plenty of questions regarding pecking order.
Texans -- Tank Dell came on strong last week with Nico Collins sidelined. There are meaningful ramifications for a receiving corps that also has Stefon Diggs and an underutilized Dalton Schultz. Collins' status as the rest-of-season de facto #1 WR isn't guaranteed.
Colts -- Could Josh Downs supplant Michael Pittman as Indy's #1 WR?
Dolphins -- Is Jaylen Wright here to stay, fantasy-wise? Major implications, obviously, for De'Von Achane.
Vikings -- A troublesome backfield with Aaron Jones (as of now) questionable-to-probable to suit up. This might be 2023 all over again, with an aging back getting limited work, making it difficult to trust any Minnesota RB.
Lions -- Sam LaPorta will come up big at some point. Squeaky wheel, right? But it's gotta be frustrating for managers who burned an early-round pick.
Giants -- The return of Devin Singletary, and the strong possibility that Tyrone Tracy will outproduce him the rest of the way.
Eagles -- Saquon Barkley is netting a career-low 2.8 catches per game and a career-worst broken-tackle rate (one per 45.5 carries, which is a bottom-tier number). He looks great in fantasy. But there are some troubling metrics.
Rams -- Will Cooper Kupp (assuming he returns) dominate, or merely slide into a fantasy-streamer role? The first scenario seems like the obvious answer. But this receiving corps has been developing in his absence.
Raiders -- What a mess, and it's quite possible Brock Bowers is the only must-start Raider.
Commanders -- Noah Brown led this team with eight targets last weekend. Maybe a one-off, or maybe a sign of things to come.
Panthers -- Chuba Hubbard gets at least one more week to dominate. And with this team going nowhere, I would be surprised if he were still in a Carolina uniform in three weeks. This is the final year of his rookie contract, and this franchise could recoup some of their draft capital if they send him to a Super Bowl contender.
49ers -- The backfield shake-up continues. Can Isaac Guerendo deliver again?
Chiefs -- Was JuJu Smith-Schuster's Week 5 breakout a fluke, or is he now the clear #1?
Steelers -- George Pickens is one of the most talented underutilized WRs in fantasy.
Jets -- Davante Adams playing alongside Garrett Wilson: what could go wrong? Interestingly, Aaron Rodgers is throwing more than he has for most of his career. Unfortunately, he's lost a step (or two). It's hard to envision him feeding two WRs -- or at least feed them as they're accustomed to being fed. Someone is going to be disappointed, and that includes about 8%-10% of fantasy managers.
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