Week 1 of the 2022 fantasy soccer season featured loads of notable performances — each good and unhealthy — across the NFL. What ought to we make of them? And that are value studying into? Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft provide their evaluation.
Joe Burrow, Bengals’ offense sputter in opposition to Steelers
The defending AFC champions started Sunday’s recreation flat, Burrow himself turning the soccer over 4 occasions earlier than halftime (5 general) resulting in a career-worst (in 27 video games) minus-3.14 fantasy factors on the half earlier than his staff finally misplaced on an time beyond regulation area objective. Moreover, Tee Higgins left halfway by way of the second quarter with a concussion. Issues picked up for the Bengals shortly thereafter, nonetheless, and whereas the staff finally settled for a 20-20 tie with the Steelers, Burrow concluded his day with a good 18.22 fantasy factors. A lot of that was due to the sensible connection Burrow continued to have together with his No. 1 receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, who absorbed 11 of 42 targets after Higgins’ departure and completed his day with a second-best-among-wide receivers 28.9 PPR fantasy factors.
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Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why Joe Burrow continues to be a top-10 fantasy QB regardless of his interceptions.
Had been the Bengals’ early struggles a kind of mini-Tremendous Bowl hangover? It hardly issues, as a result of Burrow-Chase is trying like one of many — if not the — recreation’s finest quarterback-to-receiver connections, à la Aaron Rodgers-to-Davante Adams up to now, and even a lengthier absence by Higgins should not hinder our optimism with the 2 in fantasy. Chase is a flat-out star, and Burrow is a succesful top-10 quarterback. — Cockcroft
Michael Thomas finds finish zone twice after lacking all of 2021
Thomas caught 5 of 8 targets for 57 yards — with two scores — within the Saints’ Week 1 win over the Falcons. That was good for 22.7 PPR factors. And I actually like how New Orleans set him up within the low crimson zone through the second half. Fade ball throws versus Falcons nook David Terrell. A high-level matchup — that Thomas received twice. These are bodily performs, now. Beat tight protection. And end performs on contested throws. From what I may see, Thomas regarded highly effective in his actions. With a Week 2 matchup versus the Tampa Bay protection, I am going to have Thomas on the WR2/3 line in my rankings. — Bowen
Jalen Hurts will get it achieved by way of the air and on the bottom
The Eagles’ quarterback handed for 243 yards and added one other 90 yards speeding — with a rating — on 17 carries. Sure, Hurts may be extra environment friendly with the ball within the passing recreation, however we noticed the increase that huge receiver A.J. Brown (10 receptions, 155 yards receiving) brings to this offense. He provides a component that was lacking final season in Philly. With a real No.1 goal, who can win in any respect three ranges, plus the dual-threat traits to interrupt down defenses as a runner, Hurts will probably be a top-5 play for me in Week 2 versus the Vikings. — Bowen
A.J. Brown is the No. 1 goal in Philadelphia
I already talked about Brown — who dropped 25.5 PPR factors on the Lions’ protection — because the clear No.1 for Hurts. He had 13 targets in his first recreation with the Birds. And we noticed his capability to constantly play by way of contact versus that Detroit secondary. The physical-play fashion jumps. The catch-and-run juice, too. And the vertical-matchup traits pop. Even in an Eagles offensive construction that will probably be run-heavy at occasions, Brown will see a goal share that places him within the WR1 combine. — Bowen
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Eric Moody explains what A.J. Brown’s early fantasy success means for managers going ahead.
Jaguars experience the new hand in backfield
Travis Etienne’s NFL debut was hindered by a pair of missed alternatives — an overthrow on a straightforward landing by Trevor Lawrence, plus one other potential rating that he dropped — and watching the Jaguars’ recreation circulate, it appeared that they shifted to the warmer hand, Robinson, as issues progressed. That is one thing that bears watching heading into Week 2, and it will maybe cloud fantasy managers’ plans relating to this backfield. Etienne’s 8.5 PPR fantasy factors on six complete touches paled compared to Robinson’s 19.9 on 12 touches, although the 2 did play precisely 50% of the offensive snaps apiece, with Etienne operating 20 routes to Robinson’s 15. Maybe for now the wisest takeaway is to treat Robinson getting the sting on early downs, with Etienne main on passing performs, however I nonetheless assume the latter has extra standard-league, long-term potential due to his receiving capability. — Cockcroft
Devin Duvernay blazes previous the Jets
He scored a pair of touchdowns on deep throws from Lamar Jackson, fueling a 21.4 PPR fantasy-point day, albeit on solely 4 targets complete. The utilization patterns supported the Ravens’ itemizing of Duvernay as their starter throughout from Rashod Bateman, and it is a good choice contemplating the third-year participant’s uncooked capability and the shortage of competitors on the depth chart. I might anticipate the massive fantasy days to rotate amongst Ravens huge receivers and tight ends from week to week, particularly contemplating the staff’s run-heavy nature, however Duvernay clearly appears to be regarded a part of their plans proper now. — Cockcroft
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Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why Devin Duvernay is value including in deeper fantasy leagues.
Different observations
Michael Carter and Breece Corridor, RBs, Jets: All preseason, the lot of us anticipated Corridor to run away with (pun supposed, I suppose) this backfield, that’s, till offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur termed Carter the “heartbeat of our offense” on Thursday. Carter did dominate work within the recreation’s early phases, ending his day with 17.0 PPR fantasy factors on 10 carries plus 7 of 9 catches, however Corridor did see 10 targets to go together with six carries, scoring 10.1 PPR fantasy factors. Corridor’s stat line was yet one more one of many rookie-debut disappointments that littered Week 1 scorecards, and his time-share standing is understandably bothersome. I might wait to see extra, although, earlier than passing any judgments on his full-season potential. — Cockcroft
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Hill caught his solely goal within the passing recreation, a 2-yard reception, however let’s give attention to how he was utilized on designed rushes from QB/wildcat alignments in Week 1 versus the Falcons. Hill ripped off a 57-yard run to begin it. Energy scheme. Pull and kick-out to get an additional quantity to the play facet. After which he discovered the top zone on sweep name. Assault the sting. Hill completed with 81 yards speeding on 4 carries. Whereas Hill’s tight finish designation makes him an attention-grabbing play shifting ahead, I wish to see if this running-game package deal grows within the Saints’ offense. Hill will probably be a TE2 in my rankings subsequent week. — Bowen
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, RBs, Browns: Keep on Chubb and Hunt once more in Week 2 when the Browns face the Jets. Look, with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, this offense in Cleveland will probably be schemed across the operating recreation — and the utilization of each Chubb and Hunt. On Sunday, Chubb (15.3 PPR factors) logged 22 carries for 141 yards. He is a top-5 runner on this league. And the 2 scores Hunt produced (one speeding, one receiving) positioned him as RB3 after the early video games, with 23.0 PPR factors. Chubb will as soon as once more be close to the highest of my RB2 ranks, with Hunt as a straightforward flex play in opposition to New York. — Bowen
Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders: Maybe Week 1’s most spectacular rookie — and from a 1 p.m. ET video games scoreboard standpoint, he was the best scorer amongst freshmen — Dotson caught a pair of scores from a surprisingly succesful Carson Wentz, together with the sport winner with 1:46 remaining. It is a efficiency that can put Dotson, 43.3% out there in ESPN leagues, excessive on the Week 2 pickups record, and maybe the massive performs will earn him extra appears from Wentz. Nonetheless, I am going to stress that he noticed solely 5 of 41 targets, fourth on the staff, so the route that quantity goes subsequent week may have a say in how shortly he can contribute for our functions. — Cockcroft
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons: A well-liked option to be 2022’s greatest regression sufferer, Patterson scored 22.6 PPR fantasy factors, the fifth-most in any of his 144 profession video games, whereas touching the soccer a personal-most 25 occasions. Alternative knocked on this one, as buried-on-the-depth-chart rookie Tyler Allgeier was a wholesome scratch, then a Damien Williams rib harm paved the best way for Patterson to dominate touches. Nonetheless, it was a reminder that the veteran hybrid participant — although to be clear, he’s RB-only in ESPN leagues — is a lot able to producing flex-caliber stats when given the possibility, which he ought to once more in Week 2. — Cockcroft
Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears: Beginning operating again David Montgomery logged 20 touches on Sunday, together with 17 carries, however he lacked effectivity as a ball provider. And it was Herbert who noticed a late crimson zone carry for a landing. The second-year again was way more decisive within the operating recreation for Chicago. Let’s have a look at if his complete quantity will increase in Week 2 versus the Packers. — Bowen
