Week 1 is just about in the books, and it's time to set our eyes on Week 2! There were a few surprises, both good and bad, this week, and one season-ending injury (J.K. Dobbins).
It's still early in the season, so be sure not to overbid your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) and exercise caution with your drops. After all, we don't expect Tee Higgins to lay an egg every Sunday. For the most part, you should exercise caution and be patient with those you drafted (Dak Prescott and Joe Burrow will have better days ahead), but with Week 1 behind us, we can start to speculate on some players with talent and opportunity.
If you want to improve your team and freshen your bench, consider these players who are rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Quarterbacks
Dan Powers/USA TODAY Sports
FAAB: up to 6%
The Jordan Love Era has officially begun in Green Bay, and his debut did not disappoint. Love threw for 245 yards and three passing touchdowns without Christian Watson, and he also earned the highest passer rating of the week (123.2) on his way to a QB3 finish (prior to Monday night’s game). Love completed passes to six different receivers and did not throw an interception. He could be your guy if you're looking for an upgrade at backup QB.
Mac Jones, PackersFAAB: Up to 3%
Jones finished as the QB2 for Week 1, and maybe that's why the Patriots felt comfortable cutting Bailey Zappe last week (Zappe has since been re-signed and elevated into the primary backup QB position). Jones looked great in Bill O'Brien's offense, throwing for 316 yards and three scores with one interception. That was good enough for a QB2 finish going into Monday night. Next week's matchup with the division-rival Dolphins, who just allowed 21 fantasy points to Justin Herbert, could be a favorable one, too.
Others: Brock Purdy, 49ers; Sam Howell, Commanders; Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
Running Backs
Kyren Williams, RamsFAAB: Up to 9%
We heard reports that Williams was a darling in training camp for the Rams and after Week 1, it looks like those reports could be true. Williams played nearly twice as many snaps as Cam Akers and ran 29 routes to Akers's four. Akers was extremely inefficient, though he saved some face with his fantasy managers by scoring a TD near the end of the game. Williams, however, totaled 52 yards and two touchdowns, taking most of the early-down work on Sunday.
Tyler Allgeier, FalconsFAAB: Up to 9%
If you didn't already take him as one of your late-round RBs like we suggested here, this is likely your last chance. It appears Arthur Smith's offense is indeed run-heavy enough to support both Bijan Robinson and Allgeier. On Sunday, Allgeier had 15 carries, 75 yards, two touchdowns, three receptions and 19 receiving yards for an RB4 finish in Week 1. Robinson finished as RB8. The Falcons would be foolish not to continue to take advantage of Allgeier's talents after his successful rookie season in which he averaged 65 rushing yards per game (more than both Rhamondre Stevenson and Tony Pollard) with an incredibly efficient 4.93 yards per carry on a healthy 210 attempts.
Justice Hill/Gus Edwards, RavensFAAB: Up to 7%
Sigh. Why can't we have nice things? Dobbins was finally fully healthy and off to a great start and dominating snaps before tearing his Achilles halfway through the contest. With Dobbins out for the season, Edwards and HIll become priority additions. Edwards played the first offensive snap after Dobbins left, but Hill had the better day with eight carries for nine yards and a score. Expect these two backs to share the load, with perhaps Hill being used more in a receiving role going forward. Also, do not rule out a free-agent signing in the near future.
Others: Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles; Joshua Kelly, Chargers; Zack Moss, Colts; Jaylen Warren, Steelers; Roschon Johnson, Bears
Wide Receivers
Steven Bisig/USA TODAY Sports
FAAB: Up to 8%
Well, so much for Matthew Stafford not relating to the younger players. The Rams offense exploded for 426 yards on Sunday vs. the Seahawks. Three receivers ran 35 routes (Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell and Nacua), but it was the rookie Nacua who was targeted 15 times. That led to an eye-popping 10 catches for 119 yards, making him the WR8 heading into Monday Night Football. We know Stafford likes to feed one primary receiver (think Golladay, Kupp), so if you're still looking for a replacement for Cooper Kupp, go ahead and scoop him up.
Romeo Doubs, PackersFAAB: Up to 8%
Doubs is expected to be an every-down player when he is fully healthy. On a snap count Sunday, Doubs tied rookie Jayden Reed with routes run (20) and targets (5), but he made the most of those opportunities, scoring two touchdowns and seeing 50% of the team's red zone targets. When Christian Watson returns, expect these two wideouts to battle for top dog.
Jakobi Meyers, RaidersFAAB: Up to 6%
Meyers ran his routes outside rather than in the slot as he did in New England, and he finished with a monster day. Meyers is the WR3 for Week 1 heading into Monday night. With Patrick Surtain all over Davante Adams, Jimmy Garoppolo was able to find Meyers and upset the Broncos. Monitor his health as he sustained a head injury at the end of the game, but it looks like Meyers will be the clear WR2 in this offense, running only five fewer routes than Adams and leading the team with 10 targets on Sunday.
Kendrick Bourne, PatriotsFAAB: Up to 3%
With DeVante Parker inactive on Sunday, Bourne dominated for the Pats, playing 91% of the team's offensive snaps with 11 targets on a team-high 54 routes in a negative game script. That added up to a WR4 finish heading into Monday night. Bourne has been boom or bust before, but he's clearly ahead of JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Josh Reynolds, LionsFAAB: Up to 3%
If you're looking for a replacement for Jameson Williams, it's probably Josh Reynolds, who caught four of his seven targets for 80 yards on Thursday night vs. the Chiefs. We saw Reynolds be successful as the WR2 last season when the team was waiting on DJ Chark, and he and Jared Goff still have chemistry from their time with the Rams. The Detroit offense is expected to be one of the top units this season, and this could be a nice piece.
Others: Tutu Atwell, Rams; Rashid Shaheed, Saints; Robert Woods, Texans;, Allen Robinson, Steelers; Michael Wilson, Cardinals; Nico Collins, Texans; Curtis Samuel, Commanders
Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta, LionsFAAB: Up to 4%
LaPorta should be rostered in all fantasy football leagues after he played 82.9% of snaps in his rookie debut and caught all five targets for 39 yards. T.J. Hockenson averaged six targets per game in this Lions offense, and LaPorta already looks like a reliable target for Goff, ready to pick up where Hockenson left off. The second-round pick out of Iowa has the potential to finish Top 12 at the position, and Week 2's matchup with the Seahawks is very favorable, too.
Luke Musgrave, PackersFAAB: Up to 3%
Musgrave led the team in snaps and routes run on Sunday and is the clear receiving tight end in this offense. He caught three of his four targets for 50 yards and is a tight end that should have a decent floor from week to week.
Zach Ertz, CardinalsFAAB: Up to 2%
Ertz was a surprise active on Sunday, and he immediately emerged as the favorite target for Joshua Dobbs, leading the team with 10 targets. He caught six of those passes for only 21 yards. Remember that Ertz averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game last year, and should this Cardinals offense start to gel better, Ertz could be a weekly start once again.
