Stars of Week 2

QB: Cam Newton, CAR: 24-40, 353 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT     

RB: Matt Forte, NYJ: 30 carries, 100 yards, 3 TDs                                                                 

WR: Stefon Diggs, MIN: 9 catches, 182 yards, 1 TD

TE: Greg Olsen, CAR: 5 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD

Week 2 turned out to be relatively quiet from a fantasy standpoint. That doesn’t mean that we lacked notable performances, especially from the Carolina passing game participants. Cam Newton reminded us that he’s the most valuable fantasy QB in the league, with 4 TDs and well over 300 yards. Stefon Diggs edged out Kelvin Benjamin for WR honors this week despite Benjamin’s two TDs, but teammate Greg Olsen also scored a TD and crossed the 100 yard barrier, and remains a top 3 TE. Thursday night participant Matt Forte took the trophy at RB in week 2. Despite sitting at 30 years old, which often signals death to an RB’s career, Forte looks as strong as ever. Forte found the end zone thrice against the Bills, and he remains a back end RB1. As we’ve gone out of order, now we circle back to the Sunday night hero for the Vikings (along with Sam Bradford), wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Now in his second season, Diggs has blossomed into a star player. For the season, Diggs already has 285 yards from 16 receptions, along with a TD. With Sam Bradford in place to stabilize the QB position for the Vikings, and with AP battling injuries, look for Diggs to continue his ascension as a top WR – he should be viewed as a WR2 and a weekly starter. 

Week 2 Takeaways – A Closer Look

Each week we’ll take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward.

- Russell Wilson, QB – SEA: 22-35, 254 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs (5 rushes, 14 yards, 0 TDs)

Analysis: I usually like to feature standout performances from players who are not quite household names. However, sometimes we also need to take a look at key stars who are not bringing home the bacon. For anyone who tuned into the Seahawks-Rams game in anticipation of watching NFL offenses, the NFL apologizes. As it applies to Russell Wilson, it’s important to note that he has a high ankle sprain. Wilson’s tough, so he continues to play through this – but he’s far from 100%. What Wilson’s injury means is that he can’t get into his throws like usual, and he also can’t create via scrambling, which he does on a magical level when healthy. What do you need to know if you own Russell Wilson? Wilson’s no longer a must start as long as he’s dealing with this high ankle sprain. During this time, I view him more in the 12-15 range for QBs. If he’s your best option, go ahead and start him. But if you have another solid QB option in the meantime (such as Matt Stafford, Philip Rivers, Derek Carr, etc.), feel free to roll with those guys in the meantime as long as they’re not facing nightmare matchups. Wilson owners need to be patient, but also realistic while he heals from his high ankle sprain.

- Isaiah Crowell, RB – CLE: 18 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD               

Analysis: While Duke Johnson is coveted among fantasy owners for his receivership out of the backfield, Isaiah Crowell holds the top spot in Cleveland’s backfield from a rushing perspective. Crowell popped in week 2, rushing for 133 yards and a TD. Crowell wasn’t shown much respect by fantasy owners in drafts, viewed as a low end RB3. Does this performance change Crowell’s value? Not really, at least from my point of view. It’s important to note that Crowell gained 85 of those yards on one TD producing carry, which leaves the rest of his line as 17 carries for 48 yards. This is more in line with how I would view Crowell. He remains an RB3 in my book, but will get a boost for good matchups. So Crowell should definitely be owned, but keep expectations in check.  

- Corey Coleman, WR – CLE: 5 catches, 104 yards, 2 TDs

Analysis: For how terrible they are, the Cleveland Browns do boast a few intriguing and/or relevant fantasy players. From the WR corps, Corey Coleman provides the highest ceiling. The rookie first round pick from Baylor has gotten off to a nice start so far, especially with his two TD, century mark-clearing performance against the Ravens. Coleman has the ability to lose cornerbacks with his quick acceleration, and he’ll pick up yards after the catch. Two issues worth keeping an eye out for though – third string QB Cody Kessler will take the reigns of the offense for the foreseeable future, and Josh Gordon will be returning in a few weeks, which could eat into Coleman’s targets. Coleman should be viewed as a low-end WR3 at this time, but both factors mentioned above need to be monitored. The Browns will be behind in most games, so Coleman should retain his value – plus it won’t hurt to have Gordon take defenders’ attention away from Coleman.

Update 9/21:  Corey Coleman broke his hand in practice today, and will be out several weeks.  Sigh x 2

- Marquise Goodwin, WR - BUF: 2 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD 

Analysis: Marquis Goodwin made Darrelle Revis look silly when he blew by him for an 84 yard TD bomb. Goodwin finished the day with two catches and 112 yards to go along with his TD. Now in his fourth season, Goodwin has had a quiet career, with his rookie year in 2013 serving as his best. Will he eclipse his rookie year performance of 17 catches, 283 yards and 3 TDs? Maybe. Will Goodwin be an impact player for fantasy purposes? The forecast is doubtful. The key here, similar to what was discussed with Isaiah Crowell, is to look beyond a one game performance when looking at potential waiver wire targets. Goodwin was targeted five times, which is not terrible. With Sammy Watkins’ health likely to be a weekly question mark, there’s room for speculation with Bills’ WRs. But Goodwin’s an unspectacular speedy, deep threat guy, and in the Bills’ offense, that’s not a recipe for weekly success. I would look elsewhere for WR help.

- Quincy Enunwa, WR – NYJ: 6 catches, 92 yards, 0 TDs

Analysis: As for looking elsewhere for help, look no further than Quincy Enunwa, who’s forcing the Brandon Marshall – Eric Decker tandem to turn into a triplet. For the season, Enunwa has 13 catches, 146 yards and 1 TD, having been targeted fourteen times thus far. It’s a bit strange to type this, but the Ryan Fitzpatrick quarterbacked Jets are a passing juggernaut, and Enunwa has improved his route running, and he’s snagging everything thrown his way. With Marshall and Decker continuing to garner the most attention from defenses, look for Enunwa to continue to produce. He’s a WR3/flex in good matchups, and a WR4 in tougher matchups. If he’s available in your league and you need a WR, pick him up now. 

Rapid Fire Pickups

Each week we’ll throw out potential free agent pickups from each position for deeper leagues, in each case 1) someone who has NOT been referenced above, and 2) a player available in most leagues.

QB: Sam Bradford, MIN

RB: Jerick McKinnon/Matt Asiata, MIN (both will have value with Peterson out)

RB: Dwayne Washington, DET (deeper league special with Abdullah out)

WR: Tyler Boyd, CIN

WR: Chris Hogan, NE

TE: Jesse James, PIT

Week 3 Rankings 

Quarterbacks:

1. Drew Brees, NO (vs ATL)
2. Andrew Luck, IND (vs SD)
3. Cam Newton, CAR (vs MIN)
4. Philip Rivers, SD (at IND)
5. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs DET)
6. Matt Ryan, ATL (at NO)
7. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (at PHI)
8. Carson Palmer, ARZ (at BUF)
9. Eli Manning, NYG (vs WAS)
10. Matthew Stafford, DET (at GB)
11. Ryan Tannehill, MIA (vs CLE)
12. Blake Bortles, JAX (vs BAL)
13. Joe Flacco, BAL (at JAX)
14. Russell Wilson, SEA (vs SF)
15. Derek Carr, OAK (at TEN)
16. Marcus Mariota, TEN (vs OAK)
17. Kirk Cousins, WAS (at NYG)
18. Jameis Winston, TB (vs LA)
19. Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ (at KC)
20. Carson Wentz, PHI (vs PIT)

Running Backs:

1. David Johnson, ARZ (at BUF)
2. DeAngelo Williams, PIT (at PHI)
3. Ezekiel Elliot, DAL (vs CHI)
4. Melvin Gordon, SD (at IND)
5. CJ Anderson, DEN (at CIN)
6. DeMarco Murray, TEN (vs OAK)
7. Matt Forte, NYJ (at KC)
8. Todd Gurley, LA (at TB)
9. Mark Ingram, NO (vs ATL)
10. LeSean McCoy, BUF (vs ARZ)
11. Eddie Lacy, GB (vs DET)
12. Latavius Murray, OAK (at TEN)
13. Devonta Freeman, ATL (at NO)
14. Frank Gore, IND (vs SD)
15. Charles Sims, TB (vs LA)
16. Isaiah Crowell, CLE (at MIA)
17. Spencer Ware, KC (vs NYJ)
18. Rashad Jennings, NYG (vs WAS)
19. Theo Riddick, DET (at GB)
20. Jeremy Langford, CHI (at DAL)
21. Tevin Coleman, ATL (at NO)
22. Carlos Hyde, SF (at SEA)
23. Christine Michael, SEA (vs SF)
24. Ryan Mathews, PHI (vs PIT)
25. Giovani Bernard, CIN (vs DEN)
26. Matt Jones, WAS (at NYG)
27. Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR (vs MIN)
28. Jerick McKinnon, MIN (at CAR)
29. Jay Ajayi, MIA (vs CLE)
30. Jeremy Hill, CIN (vs DEN)
31. TJ Yeldon, JAX (vs BAL)
32. Justin Forsett, BAL (at JAX)
33. Matt Asiata, MIN (at CAR)
34. Shane Vereen, NYG (vs WAS)
35. Chris Ivory, JAX (vs BAL)
36. Terrance West, BAL (at JAX)
37. Derrick Henry, TEN (vs OAK)
38. Duke Johnson, CLE (at MIA)
39. Dwayne Washington, DET (at GB)
40. Darren Proles, PHI (vs PIT)

Wide Receivers:

1. Antonio Brown, PIT (at PHI)
2. Julio Jones, ATL (at NO)
3. Odell Beckham Jr., NYG (vs WAS)
4. Allen Robinson, JAX (vs BAL)
5. Brandin Cooks, NO (vs ATL)
6. AJ Green, CIN (vs DEN)
7. Jordy Nelson, GB (vs DET)
8. Dez Bryant, DAL (vs CHI)
9. Mike Evans, TB (vs LA)
10. Kelvin Benjamin, CAR (vs MIN)
11. Brandon Marshall, NYJ (at KC)
12. Alshon Jeffery, CHI (at DAL)
13. Amari Cooper, OAK (at TEN)
14. Larry Fitzgerald, ARZ (at BUF)
15. TY Hilton, IND (vs SD)
16. Travis Benjamin, SD (at IND)
17. Eric Decker, NYJ (at KC)
18. Jarvis Landry, MIA (vs CLE)
19. Marvin Jones, DET (at GB)
20. Jordan Matthews, PHI (vs PIT)
21. Jeremy Maclin, KC (vs NYJ)
22. Stefon Diggs, MIN (at CAR)
23. Demaryius Thomas, DEN (at CIN)
24. Willie Snead, NO (vs ATL)
25. Doug Baldwin, SEA (vs SF)
26. Randall Cobb, GB (vs DET)
27. Michael Crabtree, OAK (at TEN)
28. Golden Tate, DET (at GB)
29. Michael Floyd, ARZ (at BUF)
30. DeSean Jackson, WAS (at NYG)
31. Sterling Shepard, NYG (vs WAS)
32. Tyrell Williams, SD (at IND)
33. Tajae Sharpe, TEN (vs OAK)
34. Phillip Dorsett, IND (vs SD)
35. Mohammad Sanu, ATL (at NO)
36. Emmanuel Sanders, DEN (at CIN)
37. Allen Hurns, JAX (vs BAL)
38. DeVante Parker, MIA (vs CLE)
39. Michael Thomas, NO (vs ATL)
40. Terrelle Prior, CLE (at MIA)

Tight End:

1. Jordan Reed, WAS (at NYG)
2. Greg Olsen, CAR (vs MIN)
3. Delanie Walker, TEN (vs OAK)
4. Travis Kelce, KC (vs NYJ)
5. Julius Thomas, JAX (vs BAL)
6. Dennis Pitta, BAL (at JAX)
7. Jason Witten, DAL (vs CHI)
8. Gary Barnidge, CLE (at MIA)
9. Eric Ebron, DET (at GB)
10. Coby Fleener, NO (vs ATL)
11. Dwayne Allen, IND (vs SD)
12. Jacob Tamme, ATL (at NO)
13. Clive Walford, OAK (at TEN)
14. Jesse James, PIT (at PHI)
15. Vance McDonald, SF (at SEA)
16. Jimmy Graham, SEA (vs SF)
17. Kyle Rudolph, MIN (at CAR)
18. Hunter Henry, SD (at IND)
19. Jared Cook, GB (vs DET)
20. Zach Miller, CHI (at DAL)

Defense/Special Teams:

1. Seattle Seahawks (vs SF)
2. Carolina Panthers (vs MIN)
3. Denver Broncos (at CIN)
4. Arizona Cardinals (at BUF)
5. Miami Dolphins (vs CLE)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (vs DEN)
7. New York Jets (at KC)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI)
9. Minnesota Vikings (at CAR)
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs LA)
11. Green Bay Packers (vs DET)
12. Kansas City Chiefs (vs NYJ)
13. Baltimore Ravens (at JAX)
14. New York Giants (vs WAS)
15. Oakland Raiders (at TEN)