On last Sunday's FF4W podcast I walked through each team's biggest fantasy "pressure point" -- a player or group whose values probably would shift (in some cases dramatically) in the aftermath of Week 1. The people I highlighted included Tua Tagovailoa, Travis Etienne, Breece Hall, Zach Charbonnet, Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden, and Zay Flowers. Their values rose or fell by Sunday evening morning -- in some cases dramatically.
Here are what I believe are Sunday teams' biggest pressure points heading into Week 2:
Ravens -- Is Mark Andrews on the verge of being droppable? As strange as it might sound (at least to those who didn't face this same dilemma last September), his targets per game have plummeted from 9.1 (2021) to 7.5 (2022) to 6.1 (2023) to 4.1 last year. He was useful only because of 11 touchdowns in his final 12 games. If he's once again and afterthought, managers might not want to wait this thing out.
Browns -- Longtime FF4W community member Matt Weavil posed the question earlier this week: Is Cedric Tillman replacing Jerry Jeudy atop the WR depth chart? Strangely, Jeudy is barely a year older than Tillman despite playing three more seasons. Both guys presumably are in their prime or on the doorstep. It's Jeudy's job to lose, and Week 2 will either help cement or counter this narrative.
Steelers -- Is Calvin Austin the clear-cut #2 WR, making him an acceptable streamer?
Seahawks -- Kenneth Walker vs. Zach Charbonnet, part 2.
Jets -- Awaiting the seemingly inevitable ascension of second-round rookie Mason Taylor.
Bills -- Is Keon Coleman on the cusp of becoming a weekly must-start WR, or are there still too many mouths to feed in an offense that averaged 17.6 fewer pass attempts last year than what we saw in Week 1?
Saints -- Despite my warnings about drafting any Saints players, let's see if Spencer Rattler will keep slinging it enough to feed at least a couple receivers.
49ers -- In an offense decimated by key injuries, all eyes should be on Christian McCaffrey's workload after he amassed 31 touches last weekend. 11 running backs have had at least three 400+ touch campaigns, Only three have had 400+ after their age-28 season: Walter Payton, Eddie George, and Curtis Martin. Dynasty managers should be particularly concerned if he continues to be overworked.
Dolphins -- This whole offense could implode before the end of the month. Or maybe they'll right the ship. As with last week, Tua Tagovailoa holds the key.
Patriots -- Is Kayshon Boutte the #1 WR, or is this receiving corps too muddled to confidently bet on?
Titans -- Round 2 for Cam Ward after struggling against an elite defense.
Rams -- Round 2 for Kyren Williams. As always, the touchdowns are great, and he's not getting enough receptions. He remains (in my opinion) a big risk to cede touches to Blake Corum or another backup as the year goes on.
Lions -- Will Isaac TeSlaa throw a wrench in nearly everyone's expectations for this passing attack? There's not a lot of room for error for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams if the third-round rookie poaches several targets per game and becomes a more consistent presence than 2024's Tim Patrick.
Bears -- As discussed here and on the podcast, I think D'Andre Swift needs to show a lot more, and soon. While seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai could get more run, the more likely path -- if Chicago thinks they're good enough to compete for the postseason -- is to trade for a starter-ready RB.
Cowboys -- Miles Sanders ran better than Javontae Williams, but fumbled. Williams has looked diminished these past three seasons, but red-zone touches matter. How will this backfield shake out on Sunday?
Giants -- Russell Wilson's perch is officially precarious, and Jaxson Dart's almost inevitable ascension will shake up this offense -- hopefully to managers' benefit.
Bengals -- Presumably Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase will rebound in big ways. But once again, is Tee Higgins a must-start or mor of a streamer?
Jaguars -- Similarly, Brian Thomas Jr. should get going. The bigger question is whether Travis Hunter will bounce as well.
Cardinals -- James Conner vs. Trey Benson. Talked about this a lot over the summer. Fade Conner, reach for Benson. Let's see if this Sunday builds off of last Sunday.
Panthers -- Bryce Young was the pressure-point Panther heading into Week 1. He is again, and with more urgency.
Colts -- Josh Downs was slightly more productive than Michal Pittman on a per-game basis last year. Pittman came through last weekend. Downs seems like a buy-low guy.
Broncos -- JK Dobbins vs. RJ Harvey, round 2.
Chiefs -- Again, Isiah Pacheco is a deceptively huge question mark. Declining efficiency and college numbers that (based on historical data) point to a shortened career.
Eagles -- Saquon Barkley . . . you know what I'm going to say. A franchise eyeing another Super Bowl would be taking a huge risk if they turned him loose again. The recently acquired Tank Bigsby should be rostered in all leagues.
Vikings -- Aaron Jones vs. Jordan Mason, round 2.
Falcons -- Kyle Pitts was my Atlanta pressure-point a week ago. He came through. Can we finally trust him to produce most weeks?
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