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September 9, 2024 • 1hr 21min
Week 1 Studs & Duds + Reactions & Reality Checks - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/9
Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
In this episode, fantasy football experts Andy, Mike, and Jason break down all the action from Week 1 of the NFL season. They discuss the biggest surprises, disappointments, and takeaways that will impact fantasy football going forward. The hosts analyze the studs and duds at each position, provide context for unexpected performances, and give advice on how fantasy managers should react heading into Week 2.
Week 1 Studs & Duds + Reactions & Reality Checks - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/9
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Key Takeaways
- Week 1 saw very low passing totals across the NFL, with an average of only 200 passing yards per quarterback and only 33 total passing touchdowns (compared to 51 in Week 1 of 2022)
- Top drafted tight ends largely disappointed, with only Kyle Pitts scoring double-digit fantasy points among the top 12 drafted TEs
- Rookie QBs Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud showed promise despite accuracy issues, with Richardson especially impressing as a rusher
- Several highly drafted RBs struggled, including Javonte Williams, D'Andre Swift, and Raheem Mostert
- Wide receivers like Chris Olave, Drake London, and Marvin Harrison Jr. had very quiet debuts that are concerning for their fantasy outlooks
- The hosts recommend not panicking on most underperforming studs after just one week, but to monitor situations closely in Week 2
Introduction
In this episode, fantasy football experts Andy, Mike, and Jason break down all the action from Week 1 of the NFL season. They discuss the biggest surprises, disappointments, and takeaways that will impact fantasy football going forward. The hosts analyze the studs and duds at each position, provide context for unexpected performances, and give advice on how fantasy managers should react heading into Week 2.
Topics Discussed
Low Passing Totals Across the NFL (8:38)
The hosts highlight the surprisingly low passing totals in Week 1:
- Average of only 200 passing yards per quarterback
- Only 33 total passing touchdowns, compared to 51 in Week 1 of 2022
- Several top QBs like Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, and Joe Burrow failed to reach 200 yards passing
Andy notes this led to disappointing fantasy performances across the board, especially at QB and WR. The hosts speculate this could be an anomaly or potentially a sign of more run-heavy offenses early in the season.
Tight End Struggles (11:55)
The tight end position was especially disappointing in Week 1:
- Only Kyle Pitts scored double-digit fantasy points among the top 12 drafted TEs
- Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson and other top options all underperformed
- Isaiah Likely was one of the only bright spots at the position
Jason advises not to panic on top TEs, as almost everyone at the position struggled. The hosts debate whether to aggressively pursue Likely on waivers or wait to see if any panicked managers drop a stud TE.
Rookie QB Performances (27:18)
The hosts break down the debuts of top rookie quarterbacks:
- Anthony Richardson - Impressed as a rusher with 40 rushing yards and a TD, but only completed 9 passes
- C.J. Stroud - Showed flashes but struggled with accuracy, completing only 28 of 44 passes
- Bryce Young - Had an abysmal debut, completing just 20 of 38 passes for 146 yards and 1 INT
The hosts are encouraged by Richardson's rushing upside but note his accuracy needs major improvement. They express serious concerns about Young and the Panthers offense as a whole.
Running Back Studs and Duds (32:30)
Notable RB performances discussed:
- Studs: Saquon Barkley, Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, Rhamondre Stevenson
- Duds: Javonte Williams, D'Andre Swift, Raheem Mostert, Zamir White
The hosts are very concerned about Javonte Williams' usage and effectiveness. They recommend benching him until he shows signs of improvement. Swift and Mostert are also major concerns after poor Week 1 showings.
Wide Receiver Disappointments (1:05:03)
Several highly drafted WRs severely underperformed in Week 1:
- Chris Olave - 3 catches for 20 yards
- Drake London - 2 catches for 15 yards
- Marvin Harrison Jr. - 1 catch for 4 yards
- Amari Cooper - 2 catches for 16 yards
The hosts express varying levels of concern for each player. They are most worried about Harrison Jr.'s usage and London's situation with an injured Kirk Cousins at QB. Olave and Cooper get more of a pass due to game script.
Quarterbacks to Monitor (51:30)
The hosts discuss QBs they are concerned about after Week 1:
- Joe Burrow - Looked rusty and inaccurate in loss to Patriots
- Kirk Cousins - Clearly limited by Achilles injury, may struggle all season
- Deshaun Watson - Continued his poor play from last season
They recommend closely monitoring these QBs in Week 2 before making any drastic moves. Burrow especially gets somewhat of a pass given his limited preseason.
Waiver Wire Targets (1:16:51)
Top waiver wire recommendations for Week 2:
- Isaiah Likely (TE) - Could be a top add but may be expensive
- Kyren Williams (RB) - Saw significant usage for Rams
- Zack Moss (RB) - Lead back for Colts while Taylor is out
- Puka Nacua (WR) - Breakout game for Rams rookie
The hosts debate how much FAAB to spend on each player. They note Likely could command over 50% of FAAB budgets in some leagues given the TE landscape.
Conclusion
While Week 1 saw many disappointing performances from top fantasy options, the hosts emphasize not overreacting after just one game. They recommend closely monitoring concerning situations in Week 2 before making drastic moves. Key players to watch include Javonte Williams, Drake London, and Kirk Cousins. The waiver wire will be crucial this week, with Isaiah Likely and Kyren Williams as top targets. Overall, fantasy managers should stay patient with most of their highly drafted players while being ready to pounce on emerging waiver options.