Fantasy News & Analysis

Fantasy risers and fallers from Week 1 of the season

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 10: Ty Montgomery #88 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with fans after scoring a 6-yard rushing touchdown during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field on September 10, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The opening week of the 2017 fantasy football season is in the books. There were plenty of surprises and a fair share of disappointments too. Injuries also took a toll on some key performers.

Regardless of how things went this past weekend, one week does not make a season. As we turn the page to Week 2, here’s a look at some players on the rise, some sliding down and a couple to keep on the radar:

Rising up

Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers

There are some knocks on Montgomery, but the fact that he is on a small list of current NFL bell-cow running backs cannot be denied. His 2.8 YPC was pedestrian, but he had 23 touches to rookie Jamaal Williams’ two in the contest. Montgomery did score a touchdown on a six-yard run and added four catches for 39 yards on his way to a RB7 finish. With only three runners (all rookies) behind him on the depth chart the anticipated volume alone in Green Bay’s high-powered offense gives Montgomery RB1 upside until further notice.

Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears

Cohen’s devastating speed was noteworthy during preseason action and was again on full display in Week 1 against the Falcons. The rookie only played 26 snaps, but he made the most of his opportunities. He only had three less touches than Jordan Howard (16), but still rushed for 66 yards on five carries and caught eight catches on 12 targets for 47 yards and a score. With Kevin White joining Cameron Meredith on injured reserve the Bears are paper thin at wide receiver. Look for them to keep Cohen involved in the passing game and as a change-of-pace option to Jordan Howard.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Many wrote off Stewart once the team drafted Christian McCaffrey, but in Week 1 it was proved that both can be fantasy relevant in the Panthers’ backfield. Stewart carried the ball 18 times for 65 yards, including 80 percent of his yards after contact. He also pulled in both of his targets for 17 yards and a touchdown. His 86.7 elusive rating was the second-best mark among running backs. The duo was impressive and it may be tough to have such a high-volume of opportunities against more formidable opponents, but if he stays healthy Stewart could prove to be one of the better mid-round values at the position.

Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions

Someone needed to step up in the Detroit passing attack in addition to Golden Tate, and Golladay did just that on Sunday. He was only targeted seven times, but pulled in four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie did have a pair of drops. He has the ability to be an outside threat and finished with a 17.9-yard average depth of target against the Cardinals. The Lions are hopeful he can fill the void left in the red zone by Anquan Boldin. Only two wide receivers had more red-zone targets in Week 1. The early results are optimistic.

Sliding down

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were once again overmatched up front and it created major problems for Wilson under center. He was sacked three times and pressured all day long at Lambeau. With no time to do much, Wilson only averaged 5.85 YPA through the air, completing just 14 of his 27 attempts without throwing a score. He picked up 40 yards on the ground, but was a non-factor (QB19) in fantasy. The matchups are a bit friendlier the next few weeks so there’s room for optimism that Wilson can right the ship, but the offensive line isn’t getting any better. Selling early on Wilson may not be a bad idea.

Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

The backfield in Cincinnati is one of the most crowded in football. Mixon led the way with 11 touches followed by Giovani Bernard’s nine and Jeremy Hill’s seven. In his debut performance, he had just nine yards on eight carries and three receptions for 15 yards. Coupled with the bad offensive line he’s playing behind, Mixon’s workload share is problematic. He definitely should not be viewed as the potential bell cow he was drafted as. His stock has fallen, so the best move is to wait things out with Mixon on your bench and hope that his talent eventually prevails.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts

The entire Indianapolis offense is seeing its fantasy stock drop with Andrew Luck out. That stings for Hilton’s owners the most, given his Round 2-3 asking price this summer. Hilton finished with a team-high seven targets and 57 yards on three catches on the road against the Rams. Scott Tolzien was so bad in the game that he was replaced by Jacoby Brissett, who just joined the team earlier in the week. With Luck’s return still unknown it’s hard to trust Hilton and the rest of his teammates in your fantasy lineup.

Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Giants

Playing without Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants struggled offensively and Marshall didn’t do anything to help. The veteran was unable to get much separation and was barely even looked at by Eli Manning. It wasn’t on all Marshall. New York’s offensive line was terrible and there was no running game to speak of. Still, Marshall had just one catch for 10 yards on four targets. At 33, Marshall may have finally hit his wall. He must be benched until he plays his way back in to the lineup. Another performance or two like this and it could be time to cut bait.

On the radar

Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams

After going 0-7 as a starter as rookie, Goff got a win in his first game of his sophomore campaign under new head coach Sean McVay. After years of Jeff Fisher, McVay is a breath of fresh air on the Rams’ sideline. The coach definitely is taking a different approach to his young signal-caller. Goff threw seven passes of at least 16 yards (24.1 percent). He only had 24 such attempts during his entire rookie season (11.7 percent). Los Angeles is on the rise, but they still have plenty of work ahead and much tougher defenses to face than Indianapolis. Keep Goff on your redraft radar though and his dynasty stock is slowly rising.

Charles Clay, TE, Buffalo Bills

All the talk at tight end in Week 1 was centered on Austin Hooper after he reeled both of his targets for 128 yards and a touchdown, but Clay is the tight end likely available on more waiver wires and he warrants attention. New offensive coordinator Rick Dennison’s pedigree suggested the tight end would be used more, especially around the goal line. It came to life against the Jets. Clay tied for second at the position in the opening week in targets (8) and was a top-five finisher in fantasy points catching four balls for 53 yards and a touchdown. With the Bills lacking depth at wide receiver, Clay is going to remain active.

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