In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Experian:
It’s nearly impossible not to overreact to Week 1.
We’ve been waiting months for real football and now that it is here WE MUST ACT ON IT!
But it’s important to remember that it’s a long season.
De’Von Achane was a healthy scratch in Week 1 last year and we all know how that played out …
What’s really eerie, though, is that a very similar dynamic appears to be unfolding in the Miami backfield for the second straight year.
The Dolphins once again selected an explosive RB in the draft (Jaylen Wright). And once again that rookie RB was a healthy scratch in Week 1.
Now Raheem Mostert has already been ruled out for the Dolphins game vs. the Bills tonight, and Achane is listed as a game-time decision.
I’m not saying Wright will be Achane, but both he and Jeff Wilson need to be rostered in all leagues before inactives are announced (even if Achane does end up playing).
How to play it: If you need an RB start this week, I’d lean Wilson. But if I have the luxury of stashing an RB, it would absolutely be Wright.
Check out Dwain’s thoughts on Week 2 rankings below …
What else is in today’s newsletter?
- Dwain’s Week 2 Rankings: Players set to smash
- Watercooler: Injury updates
Week 2 Rankings Risers
- by Dwain McFarland
Justin Fields | QB | Steelers
The Steelers are preparing like Justin Fields will start against the Broncos in Week 2. While the former first-round NFL Draft pick fell flat with 11.9 fantasy points in Week 1, the underpinnings of a high-end performance were there. Fields commanded 10 designed rushing attempts and tallied four scrambles on his way to the third-most rushing yards on the week at 57.
Denver was gashed for 146 yards in Week 1 by the Seahawks and gave up the third-most rushing yards per game in 2023 (137). The Steelers' identity is the run game, as evidenced by their -15% DBOE, so expect Fields to run early and often in this game.
Fields UPGRADES to borderline QB1 status. He is my QB14, right behind Mayfield but ahead of Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, and Joe Burrow.
James Conner | RB | Cardinals
Conner totaled 17.3 points in Week 1 against the Bills and posted an RB1-worthy Utilization Score. He dominated Arizona's backfield with 73% of the rushing attempts and handled the short-yardage work and two-minute offense.
We could see rookie Trey Benson eventually carve out a more significant role, but Conner looks like the clear-cut RB1 heading into a juicy matchup against the Rams in Week 2. Last weekend, Los Angeles coughed up 163 yards and 2 TDs on the ground against Detroit.
Conner is a SMASH PLAY, ranking 10 spots above industry consensus as my No. 14 player overall.
J.K. Dobbins | RB | Chargers
Dobbins ripped the Raiders for 135 yards and a TD on 10 carries in Week 1. The Chargers utilized a committee approach with Dobbins and Edwards closely dividing the carries. However, Dobbins led the team with a 59% snap share, posting a sturdy 59% route participation versus only 17% for Gus Edwards.
While the rushing attempts were close, Dobbins got the hot-hand treatment in the second half, bogarting 57% of the attempts. The fifth-year back tallied 131 of his 135 yards in the final two frames.
This weekend, the Chargers face a Panthers defense that the Saints destroyed with 180 yards and 2 scores on the ground. Look for Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman to lean into their run-heavy ways (-3% DBOE) as 7-point favorites.
I have kept Dobbins in a tight timeshare (14 attempts and 3 targets) with Edwards in the projections, but he still comes out as the RB23 in this matchup. However, his opportunities could quickly push north of 20 if the Chargers dominate snaps or if Dobbins' splits more closely resemble the second half of Week 1.
Dobbins UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status and offers multiple paths to a high-end RB1 finish.
D.J. Moore | WR | Bears
Rome Odunze is day-to-day with an MCL sprain, and Keenan Allen continues to deal with a heel injury. That leaves the door open for a massive target share for Moore, whose robust underlying Week 1 utilization data was masked by a bad day from Caleb Williams. Moore commanded a mouth-watering 29% target share.
On paper, Houston looks like it should be a formidable pass defense, but last year, the Texans gave up the ninth-most yards per game (252), and the Colts might have torched them for 300-plus with a few more accurate throws by Anthony Richardson, who missed at least 2 TDs.
Moore UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 territory and offers high-end WR1 upside if Williams has a bounce-back game.
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The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:
💪 What to do with Alexander Mattison? An NFL OL shares his thoughts!
🚑️ Injury updates: Jake Ferguson, David Njoku (OUT), Tee Higgins
🔍 Three players to monitor in dynasty leagues … Jamo breakout is here.
😱 Don’t click this if you drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. A concerning quote from Kyler.
🚨 Tyreek Hill weighs in on the incident. Handled it well.
💎 Adonai Mitchell … Buy, sell, or hold?
😆 A Saints fan giving out advice? Listen up, Derek Carr.
🤝 Dolphins … Bills … Thursday Night Football. Let’s have a night.
