Need a jumpstart to your team? Let's take a look at who's waiting to get picked up for your squad!
QUARTERBACKS
Mac Jones New England Patriots vs Miami Mac Attack finished 3rd in QB scoring last week against a GOOD Philadelphia Defense. Mind you, it was raining cats and dogs in Foxborough on Sunday, so that may have played a factor in the success of the aerial attack; but if you're desperate for a fix - Mac Jones looked the part last week. Also, Miami gave up 34 points to a good Chargers team in their Week 1 matchup, so this will be a good test for the New England Offense.
Baker Mayfield Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Baker looked respectable in his season opener against Minnesota. 21/34, but lacked in PaYds (173 in the air, 11 RuYds). He did log two passing TD's, and his offensive line did a good job protecting him (only 1 sack allowed). Chicago still has a lot to prove offensively, and their defense just got torched by Jordan Love. It might not be a bad idea to put stock in Baker.
RUNNINGBACKS
Sean Tucker Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Tucker saw five touches in the backfield for 15yds and two catches for 9yds. Noting to write home about, but the rookie looked impressive in his limited exposure. He's always churning upfield for that extra yard - and that could be great against a Bears defense that stops playing at the half. Rachaad White is still the #1, but Tucker stock is rising ahead of his Week 2 Matchup.
Zack Moss Indianapolis Colts vs Houston The Indianapolis Colts #2 RB is almost cleared to play again after injuring his arm in the preseason. It's unfortunate that he got hurt when he did - it thrust Deon Jackson into the RB1 role with Rookie QB Anthony Richardson. It really gave the Colts OC an "open book" when it came to calling plays - because the focus should have been on keeping Richardson upright. Instead, AR15 decided he wanted to run the ball - and he got banged up on the last drive of the game, causing him to watch the final two snaps from the sideline after bringing the Game-Winning Drive to the Red Zone (Minshew fell short on his passing attempts). Indy continues to speak highly of Richardson, which leads me to believe they're going to be a bit more cautious with their future. If Moss suits up this week, he should get a lot more touches than Jackson did in Week 1.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tutu Atwell Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco Any Rams receiver is a good guess at a Flex option. Stafford can throw the ball... period. But the Rams lack a true WR1 threat, which means that the ball is going to be spread out a LOT. Cam Akers and Kyren Williams nearly split touches in Week 1 from the backfield, and Atwell/Nacua both ended with 16.9pts (6 catches on 8 targets for 119yds for Atwell). The concerns lie with their opponent - the 49ers Defense. Atwell was getting the Deep Ball looks, while Puka was the "YAC" (Yards After Catch) specialist for LAR last week. Plan accordingly.
Josh Reynolds Detroit Lions vs Seattle Jared Goff looked confident in the pocket on Thursday Night against the Chiefs. He has thrown nearly 400 passes since his last INT, and now that I've published this you can put money on him throwing a Pick against Seattle. That being said, one constant Goff has had nearly his entire career has been Josh Reynolds. The Lions WR core is solid, but ARSB and Reynolds seem to have locked down WR1 and WR2 while Jameson Williams serves his suspension. Marvin Jones and Kalif Raymond can be expected to filter in for their different formations, but they're deep on the depth chart. Reynolds put up 80yds on 4 catches (7 Targets) last week for 10pts. Sometimes you just need points, and Reynolds could be a seasonal Flex option for thin benches until the Lions offense regroups after their Bye.
TIGHT ENDS
Hunter Henry New England Patriots vs Miami Henry struggled last year, along with the entire NE offense. In Week 1 against the Eagles, he performed as TE1 across the league. Impressive, to say the least... but not buying in just yet. If you have a roster spot and can afford a flier on an unproven guy, Henry may be the best pickup. He's not going anywhere in that Patriots offense anytime soon, and Miami just gave up 34pts to the Chargers. Not saying the Pats will put up 5TDs, but it will be an interesting matchup nonetheless.
Hayden Hurst Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Hayden Hurst was a great add for the Panthers team. Bryce Young will need a reliable set of hands to get the ball to, and who better than Big Red. Hurst logged 5 catches on 7 targets for 41Yds and a Tudder this weekend, keeping true to his steady hands standards (52 Rec on 68 Targets in 2022). He's already scored half as many TD's this year as he did last year, and he's 10% of the way to his Yardage Total. I'm going to keep a close eye on Hurst this year... he could be in for something special.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Chicago looked BAD last week against Green Bay. I knew they wouldn't be a great defensive team, but their offense looked horrid. After Tampa's showing against the Vikings, I have faith that this is the flier D/ST of the week. The Buc's should end up in the positives, and possibly Double-Digit Points if the Bears do the same thing they did last week.
Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh The Browns have had a Top-16 Defense since Drafting Myles Garrett. Speaking of, Bigfoot has accrued 32 Sacks in the last two seasons (16 in each). Sticking on Garrett, he sacked Joe Burrow once in his season-opener last week. Let's not forget that Defense's are built of 11 men, so if ONE guy is averaging a Sack/Game over the last two years, things are probably going well for the rest of your Defensive Unit. To the matchup: Pittsburgh looked rough in their season opener, and they lost Diontae Johnson in the wake of it all. Meanwhile, the Browns kept an AFC Contender to just 3pts. Who's to say they aren't worth a $3 waiver add? Not me. Buy-in before they're gone.
KICKERS
Nick Folk vs Los Angeles Chargers Nick Folk finished 2022 with the Pats with nearly 9pts per game as a Place Kicker. They let him walk, and now he's with Tennessee. He notched a League-Leading 18pts for Week 1 (5/5 on FG, 0/0 on PAT). He's got accuracy from deep, and is consistent on his PAT's (when they get the opportunity). Kickers are more important than we give them credit - they stole a victory for one of our teams last week. Folk would be a good replacement for just about anyone.
Brett Maher vs San Francisco Maher lead the league in Pts Scored last year for Kickers, but then Dallas cut him after he missed two crucial kicks in the playoffs. Now with the Rams, Maher seems to be much of the same. He went 3/5 last week from distance, but 3/3 on PAT's. He's getting a lot of chances, which is good for Kickers... but now that there's negative consequences to missing your kicks, his value slides down into the group a bit more. Still - he's got a cannon for a leg, and is absolutely better than the guy you have on your roster right now.
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