Last Saturday I previewed the biggest fantasy "pressure point" for each Sunday team, where certain players faced significant value increases or decreases based on the following day's outcomes. These pressure points included warning signs for Kyren Williams and Mark Andrews, Trey Benson's ascension impacting James Conner, and a Miami passing attack teetering between breaking out and imploding.
Here's who I'm watching tomorrow:
Jaguars -- Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 7.8 looks as a rookie. Now he's at 9.5, but has reeled in only five of those balls, resulting in an 18.1 QB rating when Trevor Lawrence targets him. I believe his value will not -- and realistically cannot -- go any lower. Anticipate a big rebound.
Texans -- How safe is Nick Chubb's standing atop the depth chart?
Panthers -- Is Chuba Hubbard one of the biggest sell-high starting RBs, or am I once again overlooking the seemingly obvious -- that his floor is huge as one of Carolina's main offensive focal points?
Falcons -- In his three starts last season, Michael Penix targeted Drake London an incredible 39 times, resulting in a 22-352-2 receiving line. In his first two games this year, London's at 11-104-0 on 19 looks. One obstacle? Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are averaging a combined 30.0 carries in these first two contests versus 25.9 last year, as well as 6.5 targets versus 5.0 last year.
Commanders -- As discussed on the podcast last week, Terry McLaurin entered this season overvalued because of his 13 touchdowns in 2024. Not easily replicable, and in a relatively low-volume passing attack and the offseason addition of Deebo Samuel, we can understand why McLaurin's getting squeezed.
Raiders -- There is no plan B if Ashton Jeanty struggles during his rookie campaign. It's also worth noting that he's coming off a 397-touch season at Boise State. (Wish I'd looked that up over the summer.)
Buccaneers -- With Chris Godwin's return looming, we're on the verge of one of the most unusual spectacles in the NFL: a wide-open WR depth chart (exaggeration, but bear with me). The anticipated WR pecking order this year (based on ADPs) was Mike Evans, Godwin, and then Emeka Egbuka. It's anyone's guess how this will shake out.
Jets -- After an almost promising start to the season, the Jets are 0-2 with their next four matchups @Buccaneers, @Dolphins, Cowboys, and Broncos. And now they're forced to roll with backup QB Tyrod Taylor. How much can fantasy managers trust Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson?
Eagles -- The gap between how managers value AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith is huge. If you drafted one or both, you're probably banking on (or at least seriously hoping for) sharp rebounds. If you didn't draft them, you might view them as risky acquisitions. This week will either cement or adjust this thinking.
Rams -- Still tracking Kyren Williams and if / how much Blake Corum is involved.
Patriots -- TreVeyon Henderson versus Rhamondre Stevenson. Maybe a hot-hand backfield. Maybe Stevenson is the 1A. Maybe Henderson's imminent ascension is inevitable.
Steelers -- Aaron Rodgers looked fantastic in Week 1, and then looked old in Week 2. Who will show up tomorrow?
Vikings -- Major changes and major rethinking of rest-of-season player values. Last year Jordan Mason took the reins of San Francisco's backfield in Week 1 in place of Christian McCaffrey. Now he's taking over for Aaron Jones . . . except this time we know what he can do as a bell cow.
Bengals -- How much will Jake Browning's presence impact Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown?
Titans -- Calvin Ridley's one dominant fantasy season was in 2020. He'll turn 31 in December. It's fair to wonder if he's still the alpha, or if it's only a matter of time before rookie fourth-rounder Elic Ayomanor becomes the #1.
Colts -- Can fantasy QB2 Daniel Jones even come close to sustaining these numbers?
Browns -- All eyes should be on Quinshon Judkins and whether the second-round rookie becomes a weekly must-start RB.
Packers -- Jordan Love is accustomed to decimated wideout corps. The question is who will step up as his #1: Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, or underperforming rookie Matthew Golden.
Seahawks -- Kenneth Walker versus Zach Charbonnet, round 3. Another strong outing for Walker (at Charbonnet's expense) would solidify the former's standing. But a rebounding Charbonnet would muddy things.
Saints -- Alvin Kamara's averaging his most yards per carry (4.5) since 2020. Sell high, or is he as safe as any 30-year-old starting RB can be?
Chargers -- How much will Najee Harris cut into Omarion Hampton's ceiling? Or after tomorrow, will we be asking how much Hampton will cut into Harris's ceiling?
Broncos -- Troy Frankin posted monster numbers across two collegiate seasons with Bo Nix at QB. Franklin's Week 2 output looked like more of the same. Is he primed to become Nix's top weekly target?
49ers -- Less than four months after San Francisco handed Brock Purdy $181 million guaranteed, former first-rounder Mac Jones had arguably the best game of his career spot-starting for Purdy. Jones had thrown for three scores with zero interceptions only twice, and that was back in 2021, and he didn't exceed 227 passing yards in either. So last weekend's 279-3-0 line was . . . something. This franchise cannot afford a quarterback controversy, so let's brush that under the rug. But if Purdy (game-time decision) doesn't play, and if Jones dominates again tomorrow . . . it would be interesting.
Cardinals -- James Conner versus Trey Benson, part 3.
Bears -- Is Rome Odunze all-but-officially Chicago's #1 WR?
Cowboys -- Dak Prescott was good enough last Sunday, yet still seemed to underwhelm. Can this passing attack return to greatness?
Giants -- Tyrone Tracy versus Cam Skattebo.
Chiefs -- Once again, many eyes should be on Isiah Pacheco. Last year Kansas City signed Kareem Hunt when they desperately needed a ball carrier after Pacheco got hurt. Now the question is whether they need another backfield body, even with Pacheco healthy.
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