After a fantastic week one of the 2016 NFL season, it is time to recap what happened around the league from a fantasy perspective. After week one fantasy owners either feel excited or disappointed from their team’s fantasy performance. The good news is each team can make trades to improve their squads before it is too late. Who were the winners & losers of fantasy in week one?
WINNERS:
- Broncos Offense:
Coming into this season I basically took almost every single Broncos player off my fantasy board. After their Thursday night win over the Panthers, maybe it is time to admit I was wrong. C.J. Anderson was a star in the backfield rushing for 92 yards and two touchdowns in what looks like a bounce back year. Emmanuel Sanders also looked like a nice dependable target for new signal caller Trevor Siemian. This Denver offense never looked this good last year and are probably more than a 3rd place team that I predicted.
2. Travis Benjamin
The Chargers offense was moving and grooving and eventually built a 21 point lead over Super Bowl contender Kansas City. That quickly changed when Keenan Allen suffered a non contact injury tearing his ACL in the process. San Diego went on the blow the game but the bigger story line is Travis Benjamin. With Allen out look for the targets to now be shifted Benjamin’s way causing his fantasy stock to soar.
3. Jameis Winston
Wow did this guy ever put on a show. Winston threw for 4 touchdowns in the win over Atlanta showing that he has made huge strides for his rookie season. All of the sudden Winston becomes a must start for fantasy owners unless you have a superstar quarterback.
4. Carson Wentz
This guy is the real deal. Wentz is no doubt the best quarterback prospect from the 2015 NFL Draft just as I predicted back in March-April during the combine. Depending on potential match ups Wentz could be a nice fantasy start.
5. Theo Riddick
Riddick has to be on the top of everyone’s radar now. If you’re in a fantasy league this guy should be first on your waiver wire. The question is how did no one see this coming. First he signed a contract extension with the team. Of course he also plays in Jim Caldwell’s offense that doesn’t believe in running the ball. Riddick caught 100 passes in 2015 and could become a fantasy superstar in 2016.
6. Carlos Hyde
Hyde had potential bust written all over him based on Chip Kelly coming over. Kelly ruined DeMarco Murray in Philadelphia and I was scared that could happen with Hyde in San Fran. Hyde went on to torch the Rams defense for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns.
LOSERS:
- Jamaal Charles – Le’Veon Bell
Both backs missed their season openers for different reasons. Unfortunately for them their back ups stole the show. Spencer Ware put up over 200 all purpose yards while DeAngelo Williams rushed for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns. This isn’t a question of whether Charles and Bell will lose their starting jobs because that simply won’t happen. The real impact of this will be whether or not their back ups will eat more into their carries once their season starts. That question remains to be seen.
2. Brandon Marshall – Eric Decker
Many people expected the Jets wide out combo to be productive again in 2016. Of course no one expected tight end Quincy Enunwa to steal this many of their targets. Enunwa caught 7 of the 8 passes thrown his way and caught a touchdown in the process. Marshall and Decker on the other hand caught 5 passes combined. It may be too early to panic but dealing away Marshall or Decker now may not be such a bad idea.
3. Adrian Peterson
The Minnesota quarterback situation may wind up taking a toll on Peterson. Against a poor Titans defense, Peterson had 19 carries for 31 yards. That number is just unacceptable for the future hall of famer. This could be the opportunity to deal Peterson now before it is too late. There could be hope once Bradford starts but as long as it is Shaun Hill, Peterson’s outlook doesn’t look too high.
4. Thomas Rawls
One hit wonder! That’s what Thomas Rawls is and was a part of my Don’t Eat The Cheese series for a reason. Christine Michael looks like the better option and received more carries and yards in the win over Miami. With rookies C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins expected to contribute more as the season progresses, Rawls fantasy outlook appears bleak.
5. Michael Floyd – John Brown
People wrote off Larry Fitzgerald a bit too soon. Fitz recorded 8 catches, for 81 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Floyd had 3 catches and was semi productive. John Brown had 1 catch and didn’t appear to be to involved with the offense. Brown and Floyd may be a part of an offense that has to many weapons to put up big fantasy stats.
6. Robert Griffin III
This may end up being the end of the road for RG3. Griffin was placed on injured reserved designated for return. That means the earliest he could return is week 9. Don’t be shocked if either Josh McCown or Cody Kessler steals his job for good.
