by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books, so we have a clearer picture of who are the top options in the league, who is destined to disappoint and which defenses we want to exploit, right? Of course not! One game is never going to bring real clarity and NFL teams are always evolving (whether it’s injuries, better game plans or something else entirely). It will take a few more weeks before we get true clarity, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a better idea. Let’s take an early look at how things shake out heading into Week 2:
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at Atlanta
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. New Orleans
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – at New Orleans
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – vs. New England
- Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders – vs. New York Jets
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – vs. Buffalo
- Philip Rivers – Los Angeles Chargers – vs. Miami
- Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Chicago
- Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Minnesota
- Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals – at Indianapolis
- Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – at Jacksonville
- Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – vs. San Francisco
- Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Philadelphia
- Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings – at Pittsburgh
- Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins – at Los Angeles Rams
- Jay Cutler – Miami Dolphins – at Los Angeles Chargers
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – at New York Giants
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Detroit
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cleveland
- Jared Goff – Los Angeles Rams – vs. Washington
- Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles – at Kansas City
- Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – at Carolina
- Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Houston
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys – at Denver
- Mike Glennon – Chicago Bears – at Tampa Bay
Thoughts:
- After torching the Seattle Seahawks for 311 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT it’s hard not to think that Aaron Rodgers is going to keep things rolling against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. Obviously we all know that he’s among the elite options in the league, but this type of yardage against Seattle (regardless of the number of attempts) shows that last year’s early season struggles should no longer be a concern.
- The Chicago Bears allowed 321 yards to Matt Ryan and company through the air in Week 1. While we haven’t seen Jameis Winston and company yet this season, we know the running game is going to be questionable and Winston has Top 5 upsisde.
- The New York Jets let Tyrod Taylor burn them for 224 yards and 2 TD in Week 1, and while the yardage isn’t a huge number can you imagine what Derek Carr and company will do to them in Week 2? Carr had a good showing himself (262 yards and 2 TD) and the biggest concern is Oakland getting off to a big lead and limiting the opportunities Carr has to throw the football.
- No one is going to argue the potential when it comes to Russell Wilson or Eli Manning, and while the latter will hopefully get Odell Beckham back at his disposal both quarterbacks face significant offensive line questions. Unless they get better protection neither is going to be able to perform like a QB1, and therefore both are going to be tough to trust in the short-term regardless of the opponent. Consider Wilson the better option and a borderline option but you may want to look to an alternative in the shorter-term.
- It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Joe Flacco was limited in Week 1 (9-17, 121 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and while things should expand in Week 2 he is still working his way back. Consider him a mid-lever QB2 given the matchup, but the questions remain.
- With the loss of David Johnson, the focus on Carson Palmer and company will only grow. With more opportunities to throw and a favorable matchup it’s impossible not to consider him a QB1 in all formats.
- It’s hard to trust Alex Smith, considering his track record, but his Week 1 performance also can’t be ignored. Consider him a borderline QB1, though we’d be much more comfortable using him as a QB2.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 rankings:
Quarterbacks |
Running Backs |
Wide Receivers |
Tight Ends |
Kickers |
Defenses |
Winston or Palmer? Standard, 10 player league. Thanks!
It’s close, but Winston
Palmer or cousins this week?
Palmer for me!
Hey Prof,
Quick speculative question. Would you pick up David Johnson if someone dropped him and you had to roster him until his return (i.e., no IR slot)? Nobody’s dropped him yet in any of my leagues, but with Arians’ comments about hoping to have him back by Christmas it could happen.
Thanks!
I wouldn’t be against it, at least until we get a clearer picture of when he is going to return and I wasn’t in need of the spot
Hey Eric,
I usually don’t panic after one week, but the Patriots DST really looked horrible so I think I have to change while there are decent options left.
Which DST do you prefer rest of season? I’m leaning Ravens, but there are also the Jaguars, Lions, Bengals, Bills, Chargers and Eagles.
Appreciate your thoughts!
I’d lean the Bengals, but thwere’s enough there that I wouldn’t push the panic button (as you said!)
who should i start this week mariota or rivers
I’d def. go Rivers
Who do you start: Dak or Alex Smith?
100% Smith, no question about it
Need to start one, Kirk Cousins, Alex Smith or Andy Dalton?
Surprisingly, Smith
You’re really down on Cousins this week
May want to look at #1 again.
Aaron Rodgers – New Orleans Saints – at Atlanta
Shouldn’t it be Green Bay Packers instead of New Orleans Saints?
Thank you,
You don’t like Denvers QB over Dak Prescot this week ??
Neither are particularly good options
Got them both. Do I roll with Denver AN over Dal. Or play Dal afraid Cowboys run all day.
I’d still go PRescott, but really could go either wat