Volume is king in fantasy football, and this report will help you understand which players are due more or less according to their roles. Based on historical data tied to metrics we know drive volume, it is a great way to understand who is overperforming (sell high) and underperforming (buy low).

  • Overall offense: Which teams are enabling winning volume and efficiency across game scripts
  • Quarterbacks: How involved is each QB in the running game, and who is unlocking upside for their weapons
  • Running backs: Which backs are handling early downs, short yardage, and passing downs
  • Tight ends: Who is running enough routes and meeting critical targets per route run (TPRR) thresholds
  • Receivers: Which receivers are in the most routes and operating broadly within the offense

So, let's dive into all the key takeaways from Week 1 to get you ready for Week 2 in fantasy football.

1. Bijan Robinson: Cleared for liftoff

Despite ranking as the 15th-best fantasy performer at RB in Week 1, Mr. Robinson secured the No. 1 Utilization Score (9.3). He dominated in all utilization phases, handling 82% of attempts and posting an 82% route participation rate with a 23% target share.

While expecting a 90% snap share for the season isn't realistic, this tells us Robinson is clearly ahead of Tyler Allgeier. Since 2020, here are the backs who have reached a 9.0 Utilization Score or better, along with their fantasy points per game.

Considering this list, Robinson's Week 1 performance looks more like his floor. Achieving CMC status is never easy, but Robinson has the talent profile and the robust utilization to give it a shot this season.

Bijan Robinson is among the top two players in fantasy football in all formats. Your local Robinson manager isn't going to let him go easy, but the 16 points in Week 1 might make it possible. Kick the tires, and don't be afraid to make a substantial offer.

2. Rashee Rice is a borderline WR1

Rice delivered the No. 13 Utilization Score (7.3) at the position in Week 1. He bogarted 33% of the team's targets on his way to 17.3 fantasy points.

The second-year WR's 77% route participation is the only thing keeping him from posting an even higher Utilization Score. If that number gets to 85 or 90%, Rice will offer mid-range WR1 upside.

We will hold off on assuming Rice will climb to those heights, given that Hollywood Brown should rejoin the team soon. The Chiefs are a suddenly crowded attack, with Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy battling for Patrick Mahomes' affection.

If you drafted Rice, Congratulations! You drafted a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside at the price of a WR3 or WR4.

3. What should we expect from Isaiah Likely moving forward?

Likely had a monster fantasy outing with 26.1 fantasy points in Week 1 against the Chiefs, and his 9.9 Utilization Score ranked No. 1.

While this was a fantastic performance, we do need to level set. First, fantasy points are one of the inputs for the Utilization Score, which is helping Likely out a lot. Second, while his 69% route participation is a massive improvement over his 22% in games with Mark Andrews last year, he is still sharing time.

Likely delivered a massive targets per route run rate (TPRR) of 33% to offset his playing time limitations. He showed promise in this area over his first two years at 17%, but we can't expect the third-year breakout to sustain 33%.

On a positive note, despite a trailing script, the Ravens utilized 12 personnel (two TEs) on 53% of snaps—the most in the NFL. It appears that getting both playmaking TEs on the field is a priority for the coaching staff in 2024. 

When you put it all together, Likely is undoubtedly a player we want to be aggressive with on the waiver wire. However, fantasy managers should also keep their expectations in check. He projects as the TE12 in my updated projections, but a path for more would require expanded playing time.

Those projections align well with historical performances since 2011. Tight ends with a similar talent profile and playing time averaged 10.8 points per game with an average finish of TE12.

Likely UPGRADES to low-end TE1 status and is a PRIORITY waiver wire target (only rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues), but he must surpass Mark Andrews as the clear-cut TE1 to unlock top-six upside.

4. Jameson Williams parlayed his new full-time role into a WR1 finish.

Williams posted a juicy 94% route participation against the Rams, but even more impressive was his 30% target share on a team stacked with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta.

The coaching staff has been highly complimentary of Williams all offseason, so this performance didn't come out of nowhere. It was an impressive showing, where Williams burned Tre'Davious White badly for a TD, and the coaching staff maximized his speed on crossing patterns from tight alignments.

The Lions offense is crowded, but it is a high-scoring unit. Williams UPGRADES to WR3 status and is available in 25% of Yahoo leagues.

5. Cooper Kupp is still Cooper Kupp.

Kupp went absolute ALPHA DOG on Sunday Night against the Lions with a massive 44% target share. He posted the No. 1 Utilization Score across all WRs for Week 1 at 9.9.

With Kupp 100% healthy and Puka Nacua week-to-week due to a knee injury, don't be surprised if the veteran is the top WR in fantasy over the next month.

Kupp UPGRADES to high-end WR1 status.

6. De'Von Achane took over the primary passing-down role.

Last season, we saw Achane slightly edge out Raheem Mostert in route participation in games they played together. In Week 1, Achane expanded that advantage, posting a 59% route participation. The second-year back also led the backfield in LDD and two-minute snaps.

Most players as good as Achane have expanded their role in Year 2, and the Dolphins' brass told us they wanted to feature him more in the passing attack in 2024. So, this news doesn't come as a surprise, but it is a welcomed development for the playmaker.

Since 2011, 36 RBs have handled between 35 and 50% of the rushing attempts with a 50 to 65% route participation. They averaged an RB14 finish with 15.3 points per game. Some of the most notable names: Aaron Jones, Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler.

Achane is locked into the low-end RB1 conversation and offers RB1 overall upside.

7. Keenan Allen still has WR1 upside in his bag.

If Week 1 were any indication, the 32-year-old vet still knows how to cook opposing defensive backs. Allen led the Bears with a 33% target share and a 50% air-yard share.

Fantasy managers aren't happy about Allen's 6.9 PPR points in Week 1, but he could have had a much bigger day. He dropped an easy TD and missed another potential TD where he was overthrown. Drops and overthrows are going to happen—the key is intent—and Allen demonstrated he can still go out and earn targets and air yards.

Allen missed a series at the end of the game after an apparent leg or foot injury that we must monitor. Early indications are that he is OK, but Rome Odunze needs an MRI due to a knee injury—which would bolster Allen's status further. The veteran is a high-risk player due to his age and injury history, but he should be in fantasy lineups of all shapes and sizes when healthy.

Allen UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 status and morphs into a WR1 if Odunze misses time.

8. Trey McBride is a high-end TE1.

McBride didn't explode in the Week 1 boxscore against the Bills with only 8 fantasy points, but he posted the third-strongest Utilization Score of the Weekend at 7.7. The third-year TE posted high-end TE1 marks in routes (89%), targets (30%), and air yards (39%).

McBride has a lot of cushion to give in those Week 1 numbers to still end up as one of the best tight ends in fantasy in 2024. Since 2011, 10 TEs have eclipsed 80% route participation and a 23% target share. They averaged 16.7 fantasy points per game with an average finish of TE2 overall.

Don't let McBride's mediocre fantasy total in Week 1 fool you—he is a top-3 option. If you can pry him away from your local fantasy manager, get a deal in place now.

9. J.K. Dobbins led the Chargers' backfield and looked good.

Dobbins was the Chargers' RB1 in Week 1, bogarting 59% of the snaps on his way to 22.9 fantasy points and a 7.5 Utilization Score.

Edwards was still involved on the ground, slightly edging Dobbins out with a 44% rush share, but Dobbins was the primary passing-down back with a 59% route participation. While Dobbins didn't have the gas to finish a couple of long runs, he demonstrated the vision and acceleration to consistently access the second layer of the defense.

Operating behind a great offensive line with a run-first coach (-3% dropback rate over expectation), the sky is the limit for Dobbins, who should push for more playing time in the coming weeks.

Dobbins UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status and is a HIGH PRIORITY waiver wire target. He is available in 50% of Yahoo leagues.

10. Keon Coleman has the opportunity of a lifetime.

Coleman dominated first-team routes in the preseason, and that trend carried over to Week 1, leading the team with a 90% route participation and 23% target share.

The first-round NFL Draft selection didn't smash in the boxscore with only 9.1 points, but there is room for more in an attack with Josh Allen at the helm. Coleman's underlying data is borderline WR2-worthy, and the Bills' pecking order is entirely up in the air, which is notable.

Some analysts don't like Coleman due to his contested-catch rate, but that can be a feature rather than a bug if your QB is willing to throw the ball to you when covered. The comp I have for you is Kelvin Benjamin. While Benjamin wasn't an NFL long stay due to some similar issues to Coleman, he notched a WR19 finish with 14.2 points per contest as a rookie for the Panthers when he was the only game in town.

Coleman is a borderline WR3 who is only rostered in 68% of leagues—that number should be 100% in all 12-team formats.

11. Zack Moss is the RB1 in Cincinnati.

Yeah, the Bengals were terrible in Week 1, but it was a throwaway game with Tee Higgins out and Ja'Marr Chase not himself due to food poisoning and the hold-in. I still believe that an offense led by Joe Burrow should be a good unit sooner rather than later.

That brings us to the backfield, where Moss handily bested Chase Brown across every utilization category.

It is worth noting that the Bengals trailed the Patriots by four-plus points on 87% of snaps, which could have influenced shares. That could mean more rushing attempts for Brown in closer scripts. However, the more significant takeaway is that Moss appears insulated from bad game scripts as the primary passing-down back. The veteran bogarted 100% of the two-minute offense and 88% of the LDD work.

Moss UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status and could offer RB1 upside when the Bengals' offense gets right.

12. Adonai Mitchell is the WR2 to target on the Colts.

Alec Pierce scored 21.5 points in Week 1 but was still the same low-end TPRR player we have seen for two years at 15%. Mitchell, on the other hand, posted a gaudy 28% TPRR in his first game as an NFL player.

Mitchell bombed in the boxscore, but Anthony Richardson missed him on 2 touchdown throws, which could have made his day much bigger.

Eventually, we will get Josh Downs (inactive) back in the lineup, so we should keep our rest-of-season expectations in check. However, the rookie looks good and could lock himself in as the WR2 before Downs is 100%.

Mitchell UPGRADES to boom-bust WR4 status and is only rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues.

13. Tony Pollard dominated rushing attempts for the Titans.

The Titans' coaching staff described this as a 1A/1B situation thanks to the interchangeable nature of Pollard and Tyjae Spears. But that wasn't the case in Week 1, with Pollard usurping 70% of the rushing attempts.

The snaps were much tighter than the rushing attempts, and Spears was more active in the routes department. However, it will be tough to scratch out fantasy points without more carries.

Pollard UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status while Spears DOWNGRADES to low-end RB3 territory.

14. Brock Bowers was the Raiders' top target earner.

Bowers is one of the best TE prospects we have seen, and he quickly lived up to expectations in Week 1 with a team-leading 23% target share. The rookie's 8.3 Utilization Score was the No. 2 mark for a TE in Week 1.

The biggest takeaway from the matchup against the Chargers was Bowers' 78% route participation. It was well above the 40% Michael Mayer posted. While one data point doesn't mean we are entirely in the clear, it looks like the Raiders intend to prioritize playing time for their Round 1 NFL Draft pick.

Bowers is a low-end TE1 with upside.

15. Kenneth Walker was getting RB1 treatment but has an injury.

It was a fantastic Week 1 for Walker, who commanded 63% of the rushing attempts and made his presence felt in the passing game with a 57% route participation rate (including the two-minute offense) and 13% target share. He finished with 18.9 fantasy points and the 7th-highest Utilization Score (8.6) on the week.

The coaching staff hinted at feeding Walker throughout the summer and made good on that chatter. Walker would rank in the top 3 on this list if not for an abdominal injury that could dampen his Week 2 outlook. He has a history of soft-tissue injuries, including two groin pulls and another abdomen pull.

Utilization Bytes

Quarterback

  • Jared Goff: Goff tallied only 12.4 fantasy points in Week 1, but it looks like the Lions unlocked another weapon in Jameson Williams. If that sticks, Goff is approaching Brock Purdy's weaponry levels. Goff remains a high-end QB2 but could soon find himself inside the top 12.
  • Jayden Daniels: Daniels registered a 36% rush share and scrambled on 21% of his dropbacks, leading to 88 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. It wasn't a great day in the passing department with 184 yards, but it didn't have to be. Daniels scored 28.2 fantasy points in his first NFL start. Rushing is a helluva drug for QBs. Daniels UPGRADES to mid-range QB1 status.
  • Kirk Cousins: Cousins put up a stinker in Week 1 with only 8.2 fantasy points, and the film looked just as bad. I am putting this one on high-alert status, but we shouldn't overreact after one game for multiple reasons. First, Cousins is recovering from an Achilles injury, which should improve. Second, Cousins has a strong fantasy resume with four consecutive top-12 PPG finishes. Third, the Steelers are a formidable defense when healthy. Fourth, the Falcons are installing a new offense, so we should expect improvement. Fifth, Zac Robinson lets the playmakers play, a dramatic improvement from Arthur Smith. Cousins remains a mid-range QB2.

Running Back

  • Alexander Mattison: Mattison outsnapped Zamir White 59% to 39% thanks to a 60% route participation. This is an upgrade for Mattison, but getting excited about a timeshare back on the Raiders is difficult. Mattison is a low-end RB4.
  • Bucky Irving: Irving accounted for 33% of the Buccaneers' rushing attempts as the No. 2 behind Rachaad White. The rookie looked explosive, turning 9 carries into 62 yards, while White struggled (15 for 31). Look for the rookie to push White for more playing time as the season progresses. Irving is one of the best handcuff plays in fantasy football and should be rostered in all formats. He is available in 79% of leagues.
  • Chuba Hubbard: Excluding the fourth quarter, when many starters rested due to the blowout, Hubbard had a 63% snap share and 55% attempt share. He didn't completely dominate, but he is still the RB1 for the Panthers. Hubbard is a mid-range RB3 who offers RB2 upside in favorable matchups.
  • D'Andre Swift: Swift was a major disappointment in Week 1, with only 3.0 fantasy points. However, he controlled the Bears' backfield with a 68% snap share. Khalil Herbert only played 11%, and Roschon Johnson was a healthy scratch after fully participating in practice last Friday. Swift is a low-end RB2 with upside if the Bears' offense improves. 
  • Derrick Henry: The same game-script dependency that plagued Henry for years in Tennessee made the trip with him to Baltimore. In a trailing cause against the Chiefs, the Big Dog was limited to 49% of the snaps, thanks to his low-level route participation of 27%. However, the Ravens don't play the Chiefs every week and should lead plenty in 2024, which means better things are ahead. Henry remains a low-end RB1 with high-end RB1 upside in the right matchups.
  • Devin Singletary: Our bear case for Singletary came true in Week 1. He dominated utilization with a 71% snap share, but scoring points in a bad offense isn't easy for RBs. Singletary put up a respectable 9.2 fantasy points and 7.2 Utilization Score, so better performances are in the range of outcomes, but this offensive line must play better. Singletary is a borderline RB2. 
  • Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle: Elliott (50%) and Dowdle (45%) split the snaps almost evenly. Elliott took the lone carry inside the 5-yard line, while Dowdle took the lone two-minute offense snap. Elliott is an RB3, and Dowdle is a borderline RB4.
  • Jaleel McLaughlin: McLaughlin worked behind Javonte Williams but carved out 44% of the attempts and posted a 13% target share. It is hard to get excited about the Broncos' offense, but McLaughlin has clearly improved his standing in the pecking order over the last year. McLaughlin is a low-end RB3 in PPR formats. He is only rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues if you need RB depth.
  • James Cook: After Joe Brady took over the offensive playcalling duties in 2023, Cook posted a 6.8 Utilization Score with 13.8 fantasy points per game. During that stretch, he handled 54% of snaps and 51% of the rushing attempts. In Week 1 of 2024, his points were similar at 13.3, but Cook's Utilization Score jumped to 7.7 thanks to a 63% snap share and 68% rush share, including one carry inside the 5-yard line. Cook could push for high-end RB2 status if he hangs onto the extra snaps in the coming weeks. 
  • James Conner: Conner garnered a 67% snap share and a 73% attempt share in Week 1 against the Bills on his way to 17.3 fantasy points. He also notched 100% of the two-minute offense and 100% of the attempts inside the 5-yard line. His 42% route participation is a minor concern, but Conner still notched a top-13 Utilization Score in Week 1. Conner is a low-end RB1 moving forward.
  • Javonte Williams: Williams scored only 3.3 fantasy points in a timeshare with Jaleel McLaughlin. Williams led the team with a 52% snap share, but 44% of the rushing attempts and a 41% route participation isn't very strong in an offense that could struggle as much as the Broncos. Williams is a mid-range RB3. 
  • Jaylen Warren: Warren accounted for only 5% of the Steelers' rushing attempts. It is hard to know if this was due to his hamstring injury or by design on Arthur Smith's part. Warren was the No. 2 back in route participation at 25%, but Cordarrelle Patterson got more carries. Warren DOWNGRADES to low-end RB3 territory until further notice.
  • Jerome Ford: Ford posted the second-highest Utilization Score of Week 1 at 9.2, behind only Bijan Robinson. He delivered 18.9 fantasy points on a 73% snap share. The third-year back dominated rushing attempts (86%) and took the lone attempt inside the 5-yard line—a role that eluded him last year. Ford UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status until Nick Chubb returns.
  • Joe Mixon: Mixon delivered the second-most fantasy points (26.8) and notched the fifth-highest Utilization Score (8.8) in Week 1. He toted the rock 30 times, accounting for 79% of the team's carries. Dare Ogunbowale stole the two-minute offensive snaps, keeping Mixon's route participation in check at 50%. However, Mixon handled both carries inside the 5-yard line and punched in one score. The veteran doesn't have a perfect utilization profile but should see ample scoring opportunities, given his high rush share and the Texans' high-quality attack. Mixon UPGRADES to low-end RB1 status.
  • Jonathan Taylor: Taylor didn't deliver many counting stats in Week 1, but the underlying utilization remained. He posted a whopping 95% snap share. Taylor remains locked into the mid-range RB1 range.
  • Justice Hill: Hill is the team's clear-cut passing-down option. He led the team with a 55% route participation rate and 21% targets per route run (TPRR) in Week 1. Hill is an RB4 with RB3 upside in potential shootout matchups.
  • Khalil Herbert:  Herbert is either buried, or the team doesn't want him on the field in trailing game scripts. Either way, his fantasy outlook takes a hit. He should have fared better in a game where Roschon Johnson didn't play. Herbert DOWNGRADES to RB6 territory and is dropable if you have better options on the waiver wire.
  • Kenneth Gainwell: Gainwell operated as the Eagles' No. 2 back over Will Shipley.
  • Kyren Williams: Williams picked up where he left off in 2023 by devouring 91% of the Rams' snaps and garnering a 78% rush share and 84% route participation. Only Jonathan Taylor had a higher snap share in Week 1. Blake Corum didn't register a single snap. Williams is locked into mid-range RB1 territory.
  • Raheem Mostert: Mostert put up a dud in Week 1 with only 3.9 points. However, he suffered a shoulder injury early in the game that might have limited his effectiveness. He handled only 24% of the rushing attempts, and Jeff Wilson Jr. helped ease the load. We will have to monitor Mostert's practice status this week, but he remains an RB2 when healthy for now.
  • Rhamondre Stevenson: Stevenson hogged an 80% snap share. He accounted for 71% of the team's rush share and posted an elite 72% route participation. Those numbers and his 21.6 points led to a juicy 9.2 Utilization Score. However, Antonio Gibson entered the game with a hip injury, which might have been a factor, and the banged-up Bengals offense provided the perfect game script to feed Stevenson. Stevenson remains a low-end RB2.
  • Saquon Barkley: Barkley garnered 81% of the Eagles' snaps and toted the rock 24 times—including two from inside the 5-yard line—on his way to 33.2 fantasy points. While the tush push and target competition could catch up to Barkley at some point, it is hard to argue with his Week 1 results and playing time. Barkley remains a mid-range RB1.
  • Tank Bigsby: Bigsby stole 50% of the rushing attempts in the Jaguars' backfield. He wasn't active in the passing attack, with a 15% route participation, but the team clearly wants to get the Year 2 back more involved—Bigsby UPGRADES to RB4 status.
  • Travis Etienne Jr.: Etienne comfortably led the team with a 68% snap share, but he only totaled 46% of the rushing attempts, with Tank Bigsby pulling ahead at 50%. Etienne was still the primary passing-down back with a 58% route participation rate, handling 100% of the two-minute offense. Etienne remains a low-end RB1, but this is a situation to monitor in Week 2.
  • Zamir White: White handled 68% of the Raiders' rushing attempts but registered only a 39% snap share. His 25% route participation made him a liability in a trailing game script. In summary, we have an early-down grinder who should get the short-yardage work on a team that might trail often and not score much. Not ideal. White DOWNGRADES to mid-range RB3 status.

Wide Receiver

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown: St. Brown had a 100% route participation and 22% target share but only notched 4.3 fantasy points, with Jameson Williams stealing the show. Expect the Sun God to bounce back and provide plenty of fantasy goodness of his own, but if Williams continues to demand targets at a high level, it will cap St. Brown's upside. St. Brown remains a high-end WR1, but will downgrade with a similar performance next week.
  • Andrei Iosivas: The second-year WR posted a 100% route participation with Tee Higgins out. Iosivas is the favorite to lead the team in three-WR sets when Higgins and Chase are healthy, making him an interesting stash play in larger PPR formats. Iosivas is a WR6.
  • Brian Thomas Jr.: The first-round NFL Draft pick led the team with a 20% TPRR and 14.7 fantasy points. His 77% route participation was a tad low, but Thomas should push for more playing time as the season progresses. Thomas is a boom-bust WR3 but offers WR2 upside with more reps.
  • Calvin Ridley: With DeAndre Hopkins battling an MCL tear, Ridley is the only game in town. He posted a 25% target share, accounting for 68% of the air yards. Will Levis is still a limiting factor, but the team is willing to throw the ball. Tennessee posted a 5% DBOE in Week 1. Ridley is a borderline WR2.
  • Darnell Mooney: The Falcons kept their playing time highly concentrated, with three players hitting 100% route participation—with Mooney being one of them. He hasn't been a high-end target earner, but Mooney could offer spike-week upside in DFS or weekly best ball tournaments if Cousins gets going. Mooney is a WR5.
  • DeAndre Hopkins: The veteran is dealing with an MCL tear that limited him to 24% route participation and a 4% target share. Hopkins DOWNGRADES to WR5 status until we get clarity on his health.
  • Demarcus Robinson: Robinson didn't do much in Week 1 with a 15% target share, but that could change if Nacua misses extended time. His 92% route participation rate was second behind Cooper Kupp. Robinson is rostered in only 8% of Yahoo leagues and flashed WR3 upside late in 2023. If Nacua is out, he will enter WR4 territory.
  • Devaughn Vele: Vele was a camp darling and worked ahead of Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin (inactive) in Week 1 with a 61% route participation. He delivered 11.9 fantasy points and was second on the team behind Courtland Sutton with a 20% target share. Vele is available in almost all leagues and is a WR6 stash option in larger formats. 
  • Drake London: The third-year WR came up small in the fantasy boxscore, with only 3.5 PPR points. Kirk Cousins struggled with only 155 yards passing, but it wasn't an easy matchup for Week 1 in a new offense. London failed in the target-share department (14%) but has demonstrated WR2-worthy chops over his first two years. The big news was his 100% route participation rate—a massive upgrade over his 86% last season. London is a mid-range WR2 who still offers WR1 upside if the offense gets right.
  • Diontae Johnson: Johnson had a forgettable Week 1 with only 3.9 PPR points, but he had a 35% target share before the starters left the game in blowout conditions. The man did his part. We need Bryce Young to show us something, but Johnson remains in the WR3 conversation for now.
  • George Pickens: Pickens earned a sizzling 32% target share despite Arthur Smith limiting his route participation to 79% (behind Van Jefferson). Pickens plays like a WR1, but his QB situation and coaching challenges keep him in the high-end WR3 range.
  • Jalen McMillan: McMillan led the team with an 88% route participation and secured 10.2 fantasy points thanks to a long-TD reception. McMillan is a WR5 with WR3 upside, should anything happen to Mike Evans or Chris Godwin.
  • Ladd McConkey: McConkey played behind Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston but led the team with a 28% target share. McConkey needs more playing time in a run-first offense, but he is a WR4 moving forward.
  • Malik Nabers: Nabers posted a 100% route participation rate and a 19% target share, resulting in 11.6 fantasy points. While we were hoping for a Week 1 boom from the rookie, that was still good enough for the WR29 finish, and bigger performances are on the horizon. Nabers is a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside.
  • Marvin Harrison Jr.: Maserati Marv got off to a rough start in Week 1, only generating 1.4 fantasy points on a lowly 8% target share. The good news: he led the team with a 95% route participation rate. The bad news: his 10% target share was third behind Greg Dortch (27%) and Trey McBride (30%). He also struggled to set up his routes, often running into defenders. Harrison DOWNGRADES to low-end WR2 status but could quickly rebound with a strong performance.
  • Rashid Shaheed: Shaheed posted the second-highest route participation on the team (73%) and was in motion at the snap a whopping 22% of the time. The Saints are treating Shaheed like a moveable chess piece, and he led the team with a 22% target share and a juicy 3.84 yards per route run (YPRR). Shaheed UPGRADES to WR3 status and is available in 45% of Yahoo leagues.
  • Ray-Ray McCloud: McCloud operated as the team's slot WR in Week 1 and led the team with a 27% target share. His route participation of 68% is too low to trust, and the target share will decrease, but McCloud could serve as a bye-week filler in deep formats.
  • Rome Odunze: The rookie posted an encouraging 85% route participation but will undergo an MRI on his knee. Odunze is a boom-bust WR3 when healthy.
  • Stefon Diggs: Diggs finished first on the Texans with an 89% route participation and led the team with 21.9 fantasy points. His air yards share was uncharacteristically low (4%) thanks to a 1.7 aDOT, but that could be an anomaly. Historically, WRs own their aDOT, so despite Diggs' rotation inside to the slot, anticipate more air yards in the future. Diggs is a low-end WR2.
  • Tank Dell: Dell led the team with an 87% route participation—as all three Texans WRs cleared 80% in Week 1. The second-year WR finished with only 8.9 points in Week 1, but better weeks should be on the horizon if the Texans continue to play all three WRs. Dell remains a WR3 who offers a WR1-spike upside.
  • Treylon Burks: Burks filled in for Hopkins with a 74% route participation. He managed only a 7% target share, but the former first-rounder is getting another chance on a Titans offense that is much more willing to throw the ball. Burks is a WR6 stash option, while Hopkins is hurt.
  • Tyler Johnson: With Nacua hurt, Johnson registered a 65% route participation and posted the second-highest TPRR (21%) behind Kupp. Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell were available, but Johnson didn't share. Whittington had a 0% route participation rate, and Atwell was 8%. Small samples like these are always tricky, but Johnson is available in leagues of all shapes and sizes and looks like the name to attack if Demarcus Robinson isn't available.
  • Xavier Worthy: The first-round rookie notched only an 11% target share, but he converted his opportunities into big plays. He scored a receiving TD on a busted coverage and took an end around to the house. On the surface, his 77% route participation might seem disappointing, but that is strong for a rookie in a pass-first attack with Patrick Mahomes. Worthy is a boom-bust WR3.
  • Zay Flowers: Flowers posted a strong route participation (94%) with a solid target share of 23%. However, his air yards share lagged at 13% thanks to a 4.6 aDOT. While we don't want to complain about the gimme underneath targets, we need Todd Monken to unleash Flowers on the second and third levels of the defense to maximize his fantasy potential. Flowers is a WR3.

Tight End

  • Cole Kmet: If Rome Odunze is injured, the Bears could use more 12 personnel moving forward. That leaves a sliver of hope for Kmet, but he is still not a must-roster. His 33% route participation in Week 1 was atrocious. Kmet is dropable in all formats.
  • Colby Parkinson: With Tyler Higbee out (ACL), Parkinson stepped into a starting role with an 82% snap share. His 12% TPRR looked like what we have seen throughout his career, but he is rosterable in deeper TE-premium formats.
  • Dalton Kincaid: Kincaid bombed in Week 1 with only 2.1 points, BUT the underlying data was EXTREMELY encouraging. His 83% route participation was TE1-worthy, and his 5% target share will improve. Kincaid remains a mid-range TE1 with high-end TE1 upside if he takes a step forward as a target earner in 2024. BUY LOW if your league's Kincaid manager is panicking.
  • David Njoku: Njoku will miss 3-to-6 games due to a high-ankle sprain. Jordan Akins was his top backup in Week 1, but he shouldn't be trusted in fantasy.
  • Greg Dulcich: The third-year TE led the Broncos with a 71% route participation rate. He is a stash option in deep TE premium formats.
  • Hayden Hurst: Hurst was the clear TE1 for the Chargers in Week 1 with a 79% route participation.
  • Hunter Henry: Henry led all Patriots pass catchers with an 83% route participation rate. It sounds gross, but as Henry gets healthier, he could offer low-end TE1 value in an offense without weapons.
  • Ja'Tavion Sanders: With Ian Thomas on IR and Tommy Tremble out in Week 1, Sanders posted a 77% route participation with the starters. Unfortunately, he couldn't generate many targets (6%), and the Panthers offense was stuck in reverse. Sanders shouldn't be rostered in most leagues but is worth monitoring in deep TE-premium formats.
  • Kyle Pitts: Pitts posted the week's No. 6 Utilization Score (6.9) thanks to 100% route participation. His 11.6 fantasy points ranked fourth. We need the real Kirk Cousins to show up soon, but Week 1 was a positive sign for Pitts. The fourth-year TE is a mid-range TE1 with high-end TE1 upside if this offense can get rolling.
  • Mark Andrews: Andrews garnered a lowly 5% target share as his route tree took him into the teeth of the Chiefs' defense while Likely soaked up targets underneath the coverage. Andrews is coming off of tight-rope surgery, so there is a chance he will struggle this year. However, he is only 28 and has five consecutive top-five finishes at the position, so we shouldn't jump to conclusions. Still, the emergence of Likely as a threat to playing time and another target to compete with isn't a positive for Andrews. He DOWNGRADES to mid-range TE1 status.
  • Pat Freiermuth: Freiermuth logged a 75% route participation and 18% target share against the Falcons. He is a mid-range TE2.
  • Sam LaPorta: LaPorta posted respectable utilization numbers with 84% route participation and 19% target share. However, the emergence of Jameson Williams could sap the top-3 ceiling out of LaPorta's range of outcomes. For now, I am standing pat on LaPorta, but if the Lions' run-balanced offense suddenly has three weapons to feed every week, he will get a downgrade.
  • Theo Johnson: Johnson didn't do much in the boxscore with 2.8 points, but he posted a surprising 76% route participation. The athletic rookie isn't worth rostering in most leagues at this point, but that could change quickly because the playing time is there.
  • Travis Kelce: Kelce bombed with only 6.4 points in Week 1, but his route participation remained ELITE at 84%. Kelce has more target competition than the last two seasons but remains a high-end TE1.
  • Zach Ertz: Erta posted an 82% route participation with a 17% target share as the Commanders' TE1. Ertz UPGRADES to high-end TE2 status and is available in 94% of Yahoo leagues. He is a great target if you need a TE and miss out on Isaiah Likely.