Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 2 of the 2023 NFL Season
It’s important not to get carried away after 1 week, but it’s also crucial that we make the moves we need to make to set our teams up for success this week. This is the fallout going into Week 2 of the NFL season…

Lions – 21 @ Chiefs – 20

Rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs(9/60) had a positive first outing, but it was David Montgomery(21/74/1) who carried the Lions running game on Thursday night, to victory nonetheless. It may have been more game plan specific, as it’s probably best to do anything except allow Patrick Mahomes and co. onto the field, but it cements Montgomery in the Jamaal Williams role that won him the TD title last season. He’s still unowned in 5% of leagues, so maybe you’re lucky enough to be able to snag him this week.

Amon-Ra St. Brown(6/71/1) was everything we thought he was on Thursday, but Josh Reynolds(4/80) proved himself to be a decent 2nd option until Jameson Williams returns. He even bested Sam LaPorta in targets 7 – 5. The Lions have arguably the worst SOS for TEs in the league, so Reynolds could really get some traction.

Woe to those waiting for a lead pass-catcher to emerge in the vacuum that Travis Kelce left in WK1, as 12 different players caught at least one pass on Thursday, and none of them went for at least 50 yards receiving on the night. The worst of the bunch was Kadarius Toney(2/0), who looked like a child who’d wandered onto a football field for the first time in his little life. Marquez Valdes-Scantling(2/48) “led” the team in receiving, but we’ve heard the song and dance before. I pray he doesn’t stay fantasy relevant if for no other reason than so I don’t have to type his name on a weekly basis. If there’s one bright spot to reflect on, it’s Rashee Rice(3/29/1), who converted one of his team lead tying 5 targets into a score.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire(7/29), another name I don’t want to type, had way too many touches on Thursday for Isiah Pacheco(12/54) and Jerrick McKinnon’s(1/10)owners’ taste. Pacheco will still get enough action to remain fantasy viable, but a performance like this renders McKinnon unstartable.

Texans – 9 @ Ravens – 25

Devin Singletary(7/15) played in a complimentary role to Dameon Pierce(13/47), but surprisingly, not one of his touches was a reception. Pierce was targeted 3 times on the other hand, while Mike Boone(3/18) was the back with the most targets(4). If nothing else, it’s good to know that Pierce’s increased use in the passing game was not just hyperbole.

Nico Collins(6/80) led the Texans in receiving on a team high 11 targets, with Robert Woods(6/57) Right behind him on targets(10). This wasn’t unexpected, as these two were running in 2-wide sets during camp. Might sweet baby Tank Dell(3/34) made the most of his 4 targets, one of which was an overthrown ball that might have otherwise given Dell a fantasy worthy day. His 48% snap share was promising though, and he’ll only get more action, as he gets used to the pros.

CJ Stroud(28/242) was serviceable if nothing else on Sunday, creating only one turnover, a lost fumble against an ever formidable Ravens defense. He was able to deliver the ball efficiently though, and he’ll have better days ahead. Considering it was his first foray into NFL action, Stroud wasn’t half bad.

What a snake bitten career JK Dobbins has had. Yet another season has been shortened by injury, this time an achilles tear. Gus Edwards(8/32) is a must add in the wake of this, but so is Justice Hill(8/9/2), who scored twice on Sunday.

Welcome to the NFL Zay Flowers(11/87), the leading pass-catcher for the Ravens on Sunday. Flowers immediately slotted in as the no.1 WR option for Baltimore in his first game in the league, being utilized in a myriad of ways including 2 carries. 10 of Lamar Jackson‘s 22 attempts went his way, and though this isn’t quite the “pass heavy” scheme we might have expected from the new look Ravens offense, it bodes well for Flowers’ outlook.

Bengals – 3 @ Browns – 24

It became all too apparent that Joe Burrow(14/82) missed the preseason with a calf injury in the Bengals pitiful loss to the Browns on Sunday. Ja’Maar Chase only had 5 catches for 39, but even worse was Tee Higgins(0/0) who didn’t bring in any of his 8 targets. The good news is that the looks are there. We just might have to wait another game or two before the accuracy is.

Jerome Ford(15/36) logged 15 touches on Sunday behind Nick Chubb‘s(18/106) 18 touches. But whereas Chubb had an impressive 5.9 YPC average, Ford only averaged 2.4 YPC – The inclement weather probably didn’t help. I wouldn’t be surprised if Pierre Strong works his way into the active lineup soon, but for now Ford makes for a quantity based flex in deep leagues.

Elijah Moore(3/43) led the Browns in receiving and tied Amari Cooper(3/37) for targets(7) on Sunday, a welcome surprise to anyone who drafted him. Arguably the most physically talented pass-catcher on the roster, Moore profiles to be at least the no.2 moving forward. He needs to be owned in all formats.

Buccaneers – 20 @ Vikings – 17

Rachaad White(19/49) did little to prove that he deserves a lead back role in Tampa, though the Brian Flores’ led Vikings defense might just be a new juggernaut. I’m keeping an eye on Sean Tucker(7/24) where i can in any case. Rookie WR Trey Palmer(2/8/1) only caught 2 passes, but one of them was for a score. If Baker Mayfield(24/173/2) can improve as a pass thrower, there may yet be fantasy space for a 3rd Buccaneer WR.

Alexander Mattison(14/44/1) wasn’t any more impressive than White on the other side of the ball, though he did manage to score. Tampa has a historically stifling front so, maybe we can chalk it up to that.

Aside from Justin Jefferson(9/150), the most impressive offensive player for the Vikings was rookie Jordan Addison(4/61/1), who made the most of his 6 targets. He looks every bit the Adam Thielen replacement he was meant to be.

Titans -15 @ Saints – 16

Neither Malik Willis nor Will Levis could have been much worse than Ryan Tannehill(16/198/0/3) on Sunday, though the Saints defense was a swarming bunch. The Titans get the Chargers this week, a team that just got torched by Tua Tagovailoa for 466 yards and 3 TDs, so we’ll likely see the ceilings of anyone attached to Tannehill’s arm this week.

Treylon Burks(3/27) had a forgettable day, but he did lead all Titans WRs with 54 snaps. If there’s another week to give him a look it’s this one against the Chargers. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (4/58), enough with these hyphens already, was 2nd in targets(7) behind DeAndre Hopkins(13) and could prove problematic for Burks’ ascension.

Rookie RB Tyjae Spears(4/28) only had 4 touches on the day, but his 9.0 YPC was impressive. He should get more looks moving forward.

WR Rashid Shaheed(7/99/1) had a coming out party against the Titans, getting use as a pass-catcher and ball carrier. He should continue to get plenty of usage, especially while Alvin Kamara is out.

Panthers – 10 @ Falcons – 24

Bryce Young(20/146/1/2) was a mixed bag in his first NFL outing, but he did get the ball to 8 different pass catchers. Atlanta bottled him up pretty well, and things probably won’t be much better against the Saints this week. He’s a hold in dynasty.

Anytime a RB gets double-digit touches my interest is piqued, and that’s the case with Chuba Hubbard(11/69). Miles Sanders doubled him in touches(22), but with Young set to struggle for the time being, Hubbard makes for a decent deep league flex.

TE Hayden Hurst (5/41/1) led the Panthers in receiving and targets(7), which isn’t a surprise considering he’s paired with a rookie QB. Owned in only 11% of leagues, he’s perhaps the top TE pickup this week.

Tyler Allgeier(18/94/2) actually out touched Bijan Robinson(16/83/1) 18-16 on the day. Robinson outgained him on the ground, but Allgeier proved that he should be considered in all fantasy formats. With 2nd year QB Desmond Ridder serving as more of a game manager, we can expect this 1-2 punch to continue for the foreseeable future.

Ugh, this was an ugly one for the Falcon’s “no.1” WR Drake London(0/0). He’ll certainly have better days ahead, but as long as the Falcon’s running game is firing on all cylinders, he’ll be a luxury. Right now he’s more of a flex than someone who should fill one of your WR slots.

Jaguars – 31 @ Colts – 21

Calvin Ridley(8/101/1) showed why he was deserving of so much preseason hype, but Zay Jones(5/55/1) actually logged the most snaps(61) of any Jaguar WR. Christian Kirk(1/9) seemed like an afterthought with only 3 looks on the day, but as teams start to key in on stifling Ridley, perhaps he’ll reemerge. As is, Ridley is the top downfield target.

Tank Bigsby(7/13/1) made the most of his 7 touches, but he had an uneven day, losing a fumble in the process. Bigsby looks like the potential shorty-yardage/goal line back for the Jags, something that Travis Etienne(23/114/1) owners hate to see.

Anthony Richardson(24/223/1/1) scared us all when he bruised his knee in garbage time against the Jags. He should be good to go against Houston this week, but it’s worth monitoring the situation. Richardson was fantasy viable if a little uneven in his NFL debut, adding 40 yards and a score on the ground.

Deon Jackson(18/28) was woefully inefficient as the Colts lead back, averaging an abysmal 1.1 YPC on the ground. Fortunately for him, rookie RB Evan Hull sustained a knee injury, entrenching Jackson as the starter, at least until Zack Moss becomes active(forearm).

He didn’t do that much with them, but rookie speedster Josh Downs(3/30) bested Alec Pierce(1/5 ) 7 to 3 targets on the day.

49ers – 30 @ Steelers – 7

Brandon Aiyuk(8/129/2) seems to have supplanted Deebo Samuel(7/63) as the no.1 receiving option for the 49ers, though the biggest loser here may be George Kittle(3/19). I suppose they’ll all have their big games, but with the offense funneling through Christian McCaffreya(25/169/1), they’ll probably all be up and down this season.

It’s a little early, but Brock Purdy(19/220/2) looks like the real deal, once again. Only owned in 56% of leagues, he should be a solid streamer most weeks, as long as McCaffrey stays healthy.

It’s hard to say anything definitive about the Steelers offense with them trailing a 49ers team with a dominant defense for the entirety of the game, but it does appear that Jaylen Warren(8/18) may retain standalone value behind Najee Harris(8/33) moving forward.

Surprise, Allen Robinson II(5/64) led the Steelers in receiving against the 49ers. We all hate to see it, as most of us were hoping George Pickens(5/36) and Diontae Johnson(3/48) would lead the way, but it is what it is. Robinson is available in 97% of leagues.

Cardinals – 16 @ Commanders – 20

Well we pretty much assumed the Cardinals offense would be a garbage fire, and that was the case on Sunday. They weren’t bad so much as lackluster, with QB Josh Dobbs throwing for 132 yards on the day. Marquise Brown‘s(4/57) usage in the running game gives him a bit of a bump in fantasy as does Zach Ertz‘s(6/21) 10 targets. Rondale Moore(3/33) actually led the Cards in receiving and could be worth a dart throw in DFS against the Giants this week.

Brian Robinson(20/66/1) out touched Antonio Gibson(4/19) 20 – 4 on Sunday, kicking ideas of an even timeshare to the curb. I’m still of the mind that Gibson is the more explosive and versatile back, but we can’t ignore the usage.

TE Logan Thomas(4/43) led the Commanders in targets(8), which again lends credence to the rookie QB to TE connection. The oft-forgotten Curtis Samuel(5/54) led the Commanders in receiving though, and he’s worth consideration in deeper formats, though Terry McLaurin(2/31) figures to get more involved moving forward as he gets healthier.

Raiders – 17 @ Broncos – 16

Jakobi Meyers(9/81/2) led the Raiders in receiving, but he suffered a possible concussion in the process. Davante Adams(6/66) should feast this week. DeAndre Carter could see a boost in targets as well, if Meyers sits.

Russell Wilson(27/177/2) didn’t do much to dispel rumors of his continued demise, though he did remain largely error free and threw for 2 scores. No pass catcher had more than 37 yards through the air, though his top option Jerry Jeudy was not on the field. Cortland Sutton(4/32/1) salvaged his day with a score and should remain the most viable WR as long as Jeudy is absent.

Samaje Perine(12/78) led the Broncos in receiving(4/37), so though Javonte Williams was “on a snap count” he should remain fantasy viable as long as Jeudy sits and perhaps even after that.

Dolphins – 36 @ Chargers – 34

Every available Dolphin on the roster seemingly got involved in the air assault against the Chargers, but only Durham Smythe(3/44), aside from the usual suspects of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, is probably worthy of streaming this week. His 7 targets were 2nd on the team to Hill(15).

Joshua Kelley(16/91/1) matched Austin Ekeler for carries(16), and he didn’t waste his opportunities. The passing game suffered, with only Keenan Allen(6/76) getting more than 5 targets, so things will probably balance out this week, but Kelley warrants ownership in most formats based on this performance.

Quentin Johnston(2/9) only played 22 snaps to Josh Palmer‘s(1/ 4)) 55 snaps, and though neither player did much with their few targets, Johnston still has a ways to go before he becomes fantasy relevant.

Eagles – 25 @ Patriots – 20

On a day marred by inclement weather, Kenneth Gainwell led the backfield with 74 yards on 18 touches. No other back had more than 2 touches, so it’s safe to say that Gainwell was in fact the lead back. He wasn’t particularly effective, but he wasn’t terrible enough for anything to change this week. At least it doesn’t look like we’ll have to deal with the headache of choosing which of the Philly backs to start for the near future.

It’s bad news for Rhamondre Stevenson(18/89) owners when Zeke Elliott(12/33) comes in on the first possession. Stevenson led in total touches, but Elliott led in rushing yards(29) and targets(7). Elliott retains standalone value going into WK2.

With both Tyquan Thornton and DeVante Parker out with injury, Kendrick Bourne(6/64/2) led the Pats in receiving on 11 targets. Demario Douglas(4/40) and JuJu Smith-Schuster(4/33) followed with 7 targets a piece. Bourne is a familiar face to QB Mac Jones and could bring some real fantasy value while those other WRs are out.

Hunter Henry(5/56/1) out targeted Mike Gesicki(3/36) 6 – 3. Again, this looks like familiarity with Jones winning out. Henry should offer streaming value with Parker and Thornton sitting.

Packers – 38 @ Bears – 20

As I predicted on the radio show Saturday, the Packers leaned heavily on their backs with Christian Watson out and it being the occasion of Jordan Love‘s first game this season. AJ Dillon(15/36) actually out touched Aaron Jones(11/127/2) on the ground, though Dillon was much less efficient with his touches. Both are startable going forward, though Jones needs to be monitored this week with a potential hamstring injury.

TE Luke Musgrave(3/50) was the leading non RB pass-catcher for the Pack on Sunday, but he was behind in targets(4) next to Romeo Doubs(4/26/2) and Jayden Reed(2/48) ,who each had 5. Reed had a cramp scare but was able to come back to the game. Doubs’ usage in the red-zone keeps him viable should Watson return this week, while Reed’s fantasy outlook is murky if that happens.

Rookie RB Roschon Johnson(11/55/1) scored when the game was well out of hand, though his production was enheartening in any case. I’m not sure I want to play him yet, until we see what he does against Tampa in what should be a closer game.

Johnson, Darnell Mooney(4/53/1) and Cole Kmet(5/44) all had 7 targets on Sunday, with Mooney leading the way in yards. The opposite side of DJ Moore in 2-wide sets, it makes sense that he would reap the benefit of defenses keying in on Moore. He’s worth adding.

Rams – 30 @ Seahawks – 13

Kyren Williams(15/52/2) may be the pickup of the week at the RB position, as he outperformed Cam Akers(22/29/1), who out touched Williams 22 to 15. The Rams were looking for playmakers with Cooper Kupp sidelined, and they certainly found one in Williams. I’ve always thought Akers was overrated, so maybe the Rams will finally realize that he is. In any case Williams needs to be owned, though I’m not sure I can openly advocate for starting any Rams against the 49ers this week.

I think we may have been sold a bill of goods on Van Jefferson(4/24), as it was actually rookie Puka Nacua(10/119) and Tutu Atwell(6/119) who picked up the slack for Kupp in the receiving game. Nacua led in targets 15 – 9, so he projects to be the higher WW priority. They’ll both have to find success this week, if the Rams want to compete with SF.

Ken Walker(16/67) out touched rookie RB Zach Charbonnet(3/11) 16 to 3 on Sunday, dispelling rumors of an even split. It boggles my mind that an excellent pass catcher like Charbonnet wasn’t utilized in that way in a game in which the Seahawks had fallen behind, but maybe that’s why I’m not an OC. Charbonnet should be held in whatever format you have him, but you can’t start him yet.

Rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba(3/13) tied Walker(4/3) and DK Metcalf(3/47/1)for the team lead in targets(5), though none of them could get much going. It’s still good to know that he’s not being crowded out by Metcalf and Lockett(2/10) for looks.

Cowboys – 40 @ Giants – 0

The Cowboys’ maybe league best defense ended this one before it pretty much started, so it’s difficult to take away anything as far as the offense is concerned, other than Tony Pollard(16/82/2) being far and away the lead back. We’ll get a better idea this week against the Jets. TE Jake Ferguson(2/11) did lead the team in targets(7), so that’s something.

The Giants offense was laughable at best in this one, but it seems obvious to anyone watching that they moved the ball best whenever Darren Waller(3/36) was the focus of the passing attack. Hopefully they stick to that plan in the future.