Author: Bobby McMann, Staff Writer
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Week 2, go out and buy yourself a lottery ticket. As we know, a positive byproduct of players getting hurt is opportunity for others to step in. We’ll see if players like Charles Sims, Jerick McKinnon and Cody Kessler can increase their Fantasy worth over the next few weeks. As R.E.M. would say, “Take comfort in your friends. Everybody hurts. Don’t throw your hand Oh, no. Don’t throw your hand. If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone.”
Aaron Rodgers has struggled to get the Green Bay offense on track. Can he take advantage of a beat up Lions defense on Sunday? (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
The Coldest Rap (Part 2) by Ice-T
Matt Ryan (QB, Falcons) – “From the womb to the tomb, I run my game. Cause I’m cold as ice, and I show no shame.” Last year Ryan threw for just 21 TDs, his lowest total since his rookie year. While 2015 was full of uneven performances, Ryan still put up over 4,500 yards, his fourth such season in a row. This year, he is off to a great start through two games with a 5:1 TD to INT ratio and 730 yards. It doesn’t hurt having Julio Jones to chuck the ball to. He is the fifth highest priced QB on DraftKings ($7,400), but he’s also averaging almost 30 Fantasy points per game and gets a tasty matchup against the Saints on Monday Night. He could very well return QB1 value this season. Start him in all formats this week.
Can We Go Back by Kelly Clarkson
Aaron Rodgers (QB, Packers)- “Can we go back to how we used to be. Cause livin and lovin was easy. We gotta find a way to fool reality. And go back to the way we used to be.” When Rodgers didn’t look right last year, we wrote it off due to the absence of Jordy Nelson. Well, Nelson is back and the entire offense still doesn’t look right. Eddie Lacy doesn’t look explosive, Randall Cobb has turned into a mediocre receiver and Jared Cook is still one of the biggest unicorns in the NFL. Now he gets a decimated Lions defense at Lambeau, which sounds like a recipe for getting Rodgers and company back on track. A Rodgers / Nelson stack does make sense in what could be a back and forth matchup against Matthew Stafford. Even if Aaron Rodgers never gets back to the level of play we have been accustomed to for his entire career, he’s still a QB1 option. At 32 years old, he has plenty of strong football left in him. He’s a definite hold in Dynasty leagues, especially while his value has dipped a bit.
Days Like This by Van Morrison
Todd Gurley (RB, Rams) – “When it’s not always raining there’ll be days like this. When there’s no one complaining there’ll be days like this. When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch. Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this.” Gurley might be the most physically talented RB in the league who just so happens to be on one of the least talented offenses in the league. That was the major concern with his Fantasy value for 2016 and through two games, we’ve seen subpar performances. A well-rounded back of his abilities should be able to stay involved in the passing game when his team is trailing, but that has not happened for Gurley yet. He gets a bounce back matchup against the Bucs this week, but does it make him worth the first round pick you spent on him? Probably not, but there are still less than a handful of RBs you’d rather have. If you can sell high in seasonal formats after this weekend, go for it. Your best bet is to hold tight and hope the Rams’ defense can keep them in games. He makes for a nice contrarian play at RB this week in DFS ($7,100 on DraftKings), especially with all of the affordable options at the position.
The Way I Am by Eminem
Jeremy Langford (RB, Bears) – “And I am, whatever you say I am. If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am? In the papers, the news, everyday I am. Radio won’t even play my jam.” While not particularly effective on a per touch basis last year, the Bears were comfortable rolling into the season with him as their lead back. Good thing they drafted Jordan Howard from Indiana in the fifth round this past April. He has good size and runs with power and purpose. If I was looking for a speculative addition to my bench in seasonal formats, Howard would top the list this week. Langford has a loose grasp on the starting job and now Ka’Deem Carey is dealing with a hamstring injury. That might be all the opening Howard needs to carve out a role. Carey is backup material, and if we are being honest, Langford is as well.
No Diggity by Blackstreet
Stefon Diggs (WR, Vikings)- “I like the way you work it. No diggity, I got to bag it up, bag it up.” Holy Diggs. We saw flashes from Diggs last year, but QB play and offensive play calling limited his upside after a fast start. This year, he has had big games with both Shaun Hill and Sam Bradford. It was his rapport with the newly acquired Bradford that was very impressive on Sunday night. While Diggs is clearly an exciting playmaker, he’s still in the high upside WR3 range for seasonal formats until we see that consistency. Long-term he may settle in as a Top 20 receiver, but he’ll also have to compete with potential go-to target Laquon Treadwell. It would not hurt to float his name out and see what you could get in return in keeper and dynasty leagues. Someone might be willing to overpay.
You Get What You Give by New Radicals
Michael Floyd (WR, Cardinals) – “Don’t give up. You’ve got a reason to live. Can’t forget. We only get what we give.” Do not be frustrated by Michael Floyd’s lack of production so far this season. He is taking a clear backseat to Larry Fitzgerald just as he did in the beginning of last season, but he’s playing more snaps than John Brown. Floyd has the potential to be a lead receiver, he just happens to be on a team with two other very capable receivers (one of them being a Hall of Famer). He may get an opportunity to prove himself should anything happen to either Fitzgerald or Brown. If not, he may have inconsistent game to game production this year. His ceiling is that of a Top 20 receiver, as evidenced by his torrid second half last year. Floyd will be a free agent after this season and could get paid handsomely as a go-to receiver for a new team. It is for that reason that he is a buy in dynasty formats right now. For seasonal leagues, he should be considered a high ceiling WR3 option. He’s also a very affordable $5,800 on DraftKings this week against a Bills defense that just got torched by the Jets.
With A Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles
Dennis Pitta (TE, Ravens) – “I get by with a little help from my friends, I get high with a little help from my friends, Going to try with a little help from my friends.” Pitta was out of the NFL for two years with a career-threatening hip injury. Now back in the saddle, he has emerged as the Ravens top tight end target once again. He and Joe Flacco have a clear connection and it showed last week, as Pitta racked up 9 catches on 12 targets for 102 yards. At 31 years old, it is fair to wonder if he can hold up for the entire season after being limited to seven games over the past four years. With the tight end landscape hurting right now, it is best to enjoy the production while you can get it. If you are rostering Pitta, it is likely that he is being rotated with another option. There is not much dynasty appeal here, with Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore looking for expanded opportunities.
Changes by David Bowie
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, FA) – “Ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strange). Don’t want to be a better man. Time may change me. But I can’t trace time.” Seferian-Jenkins has 559 yards, 42 catches and 6 TDs in 16 career games played over two seasons. He has seemed to be squarely in Coach Koetter’s doghouse this summer, playing behind Cameron Brate and loses opportunities to Brandon Myers as well. He has the size and overall athleticism to be a force in the passing game. Injuries and attitude issues are holding him back. His latest DUI on Friday morning was the final nail in his Tampa Bay coffin. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him reach his full potential. On talent alone, ASJ is a buy low in keeper/dynasty leagues.
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