Week one is in the books. As we look toward week two of the NFL regular season, Jesse and Joe tackle a few hot topics right now in fantasy football.
It’s time for Fact or Fiction.
Mike Davis belongs on your bench in Week 2
Jesse: Fact
Mike Davis is the ultimate fade this week. Nearly every running back this year against the Buccaneers defense needs to be discounted, as the line and linebackers are that good. Given the issues the Falcons offensive line had in Week 1, Davis has a grim outlook in Week 2. Davis has pass-catching upside, but I do not see a path for him to be startable, barring him finding the endzone. If I am betting on any Falcons in Week 2, it is Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts; the players that Matt Ryan will consolidate the targets around.
Joe: Fact
The good news for Mike Davis, is he had 18 touches in Week 1. The bad were those 18 touches turned into only 72 total yards. Cordarelle Patterson was involved as well, managing to get his hands on the ball nine times. Tampa Bay shut down Ezekiel Elliott last week. I’m looking for better options this week if I have Mike Davis.
Jameis Winston will be a QB1 (Top-12) again in Week 2
Jesse: Fiction
Jameis Winston is an intriguing matchup, as the Saints’ defense will set the offense up in favorable situations in Week 2. I see the game playing out where the Saints rely heavily on the backfield to carry the load. Thus, picking their spots with Jameis to take advantage of the matchup. Jameis will need another touchdown explosion to bring him into the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks. In week one, the Saints ran the ball on 65% of offensive plays. Expect another game plan with well north of 50% runs.
Joe: Fiction
Jameis Winston looked great last week, but the numbers may have been a little misleading. The Saints offense was put in some dream spots versus the Packers last week. It’s hard to rely on that kind of efficiency every week. The Panthers in an actual road game will be a challenge. I don’t mind Jameis this week, but I do not think he will be a top twelve quarterback again in week two versus Carolina.
Ty’Son Williams will be a RB2 (Top-24) or better this week
Jesse: Fact
Ty’Son Williams out-snapped Latavius Murray 35 to 21 in week one. The Ravens relied on him early, as he was the better running back. Then, he broke a long run and showed the juice that Murray lacks at this point of his career. The bonus was that Williams saw four targets to Murray’s zero, as the Ravens began integrating that into the scheme. The issue for Williams is pass protection. If he can clean that up, he can take the lion’s share of work moving forward. The Chiefs struggled mightily against the Browns rushing attack in week one, so expect the Ravens to try and implement it early and often behind Lamar. I expect Williams to be first back up on Sunday.
Joe: Fiction
Ty’Son Williams is a great story. Many fantasy football managers plugged him into their starting lineups to begin the season, and he delivered. I’m not sure it’s to the point where I completely trust him just yet. While Latavius Murray didn’t exactly impress, he did manage ten carries. Williams saw less action later in the game as well after a hot start. Not sure if it was due to pass protection concerns or if it was trusting the veteran more. I’m expecting the situation to be pretty similar versus the Chiefs this week. I’m looking at Williams to command around 12-15 touches but the difference this week will be no score, leaving him outside the top 24.
Elijah Mitchell is a “Thing”
Jesse: Fact
While Mitchell will be a thing this year, I fully expect Trey Sermon to involve himself and be ‘a thing’ as well. Shanahan is tough to predict how he will deploy his running backs, dating back to his time as the offensive coordinator in Atlanta. To say it was a shock to see Sermon a healthy scratch was a massive understatement. While Mitchell seems to hold the job now, Sermon will slowly work his way into the rotation this season and earn more work. I like both players to have an impact this season in fantasy football. Determining which player will be the one to start will be quite the enigma each week. If I have to pick on one of the backs, Mitchell is the one I trust over Sermon to be a thing.
Joe: Fact
I’m going fact mainly based on the circumstances. Raheem Mostert will reportedly be out for the season. This leaves San Francisco with Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, and surprise inactive Trey Sermon. You have to like what you saw from Mitchell out of the blue on Sunday. He certainly needs to be rostered in all fantasy football leagues. We may need to temper our expectations a little, however. Trey Sermon should see his first action this week because of the injury to Mostert. Will Mitchell handle the load once again? Time will tell on that, but we have to at least account for what Mitchell did Sunday. There’s an opportunity in one of the best rushing backfields right now, that alone has to be taken seriously.
