Start/SIT: RBs & WRs Week 2
Start ‘EM
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB (NEP)
After a lackluster start to the season, Stevenson should get back on track this week. The Dolphins gave up 208 yards and 2 TDs on 32 carries to Chargers running backs. That is huge! They were getting gashed left and right and for over 5 yards a carry and a long of 55. Stevenson has a good opportunity in front of him in a vulnerable run D. The Patriots went down early to the Eagles and for the most part they had to abandon the run but they did not go away from Rhamondre. They had to throw to get back in and they threw to Stevenson often. He got 6 targets and caught them all for 64 yards through the air. He is vital to the offense and even if they go down and have to run less they still keep him on the field and he sees targets. They may be down early again this week against an electric Miami Dolphins offense but Stevenson is their main guy and will continue to see lots of opportunity. You drafted him pretty early to be your starter, and don’t shy away after one off-game. Keep him in your lineups.
David Montgomery, RB (CHI)
This team is rolling behind the toughness and kneecap-biting of Dan Campbell. He has done a fantastic job changing the culture and the Lions are 9-2 over their last 11 games played. They were a top 5 offense last year including a very solid top-10 run game that got major upgrades in the offseason. They got an athletic freak in the draft in Jahmyr Gibbs and upgraded to David Montgomery behind PFF’s 5th-ranked O-line. They ran in 23 touchdowns last season and I don’t see them slowing down at all. Gibbs will see more of the workload as the season goes on, but I want to give you the confidence in Montgomery who plays the Jamaal Williams role in this offense which resulted in 17 TDs last year. This 1-2 punch will be viable all season long especially this week against a Seahawks defense that conceded 92 yards and 3, YES 3, touchdowns to Cam Akers and Kyren Williams and they got a much tougher task this week in Detroit. Play both Lions running backs with confidence this week.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR (IND)
The Colts have something promising brewing. They have a beast In Anthony Richardson and that’s going to work in the favor of Michael Pittman Jr. Even without the threat of a fierce run game in Jonathan Taylor at the moment, Richardson will keep teams very honest with his running ability. On top of that, he has a cannon for an arm. These things are very good for Pittman. Mike led the team in targets and receptions and put up almost 100 yards and a score. He has touchdown potential every week now with Richardson throwing the ball. As A.R. gets more comfortable in the NFL he will start taking more shots way downfield to the benefit of the athletic 6’4 Michael Pittman Jr. If there’s ever a week to take shots it’s against the Houston Texans. Rookie Zay Flowers went for 9 for 78 yards last week against this D and he was just learning the NFL game. 4th-year lead receiver Michael Pittman Jr has an opportunity to take advantage of this matchup for a big game. Fire up Pittman with full confidence.
Romeo Doubs, WR (GBP)
The pack looked good in week 1! Their offense was clicking on all cylinders posting a whopping 38 on the Bears. Jordan Love was dialed in and dropped 245 yards and 3 TDs for a 123.2 QBR and looked good doing it. He has developed a much better connection with Doubs since last season which resulted in 2 of those 3 TDs. Doubs also tied for the team lead in targets and led the team in receptions. He is currently benefitting from the absence of Christian Watson and now Aaron Jones is dealing with his own hamstring issue as well. Hopefully, they are good to go but even if they are they will most likely see slightly reduced workloads coming off injury which should give Doubs another big day of opportunities and the young receiver has a great chance to continue on his stellar start to the season. The Falcons’ defensive numbers against receivers are inflated because the Panthers receiving core is lacking, to say the least. The Falcons have a stud corner in AJ Terrell but I think the great opportunity combined with his athleticism and the connection with Love will overcome. Go Doubs go.
Chris Olave, WR (NOS)
This one may seem a bit obvious since he was a borderline 2nd round draft pick this year but I couldn’t leave my excitement for his potential this season off this list. Olave led the team in targets and receptions going for 8 for 112 yards and a long of 45. He is an incredible receiver with great hands and speed and separation. He doesn’t have a long history with Carr but they looked very in sync last Sunday. I thought Derek Carr played great on his new team and I think they have room for growth. As they develop a real connection the sky is the limit for Olave here. The Panthers didn’t give up a lot of receiving yards last week but that is because the Falcons didn’t even try as they ran it down their throats. I think that changes this week as the Saints come to town and Olave looks to continue on his 1900+ yard pace. Chris Olave is a star and should always be in your lineups.
Sit ‘EM
Alexander MAttison, RB (MIN)
I’m sure the start of the season was not what the Vikings had in mind. After a fantastic season of a 13-4 record last season the Vikings seemingly had a good matchup against Tampa Baker. Cousins was able to drop a 344-yard start to the season but that did not open up the game for Alexander Mattison who struggled on the ground running for 34 yards and barely 3 yards a clip. If he didn’t fall into the endzone on a short pass to the flats then it would have been a horrendous day if you started him. This week they face a much tougher task vs. the Eagles who held Rhamondre Stevenson to 25 yards on 12 carries. The Philly front is ferocious. Alliteration aside, I’m scared of that run D. I don’t envision Mattison having a big day against the Eagles who jumped out to an early lead last week and who dominated this matchup last season in a 24-7 win and should win handily again. I would look elsewhere for options at RB this week.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB (WAS)
Coming off a touchdown-scoring performance and 66 all-purpose yards, I think Brian Robinson Jr. will slow down a bit this week against a tough D. Now he should see just as much opportunity as last week which is promising but he was only able to run for 3.1 yards per carry against a week Cardinals D. He may even see a few more touches with Gibson fumbling the ball yet again. This week Robinson will see a Broncos D that held rushing champ Josh Jacobs to 48 rushing yards and 2.5 a carry. If they get near the goal line he has the ability to get in the end zone but I think it’s going to be tough to rack up a lot of yards in this matchup this week. I wouldn’t bench him at all costs, but if I have decent options then I’m looking their way.
George Pickens
The darlings of the preseason Steelers start off with some extremely tough matchups. Last week the Steelers ran into a brick wall in the 49ers and this Monday night they get the Browns who held the highest-paid player in the league Joe Burrow to a measly 82 yards and 3 total points. Fellow receivers Ja’marr Chase and Tee Higgins were held to 39 yards and 0 yards respectively. Obviously, the rain was a big factor but there is no denying the Browns D were a force out there and Myles Garrett looked just as unstoppable as usual. This week Pickens will see a lot of Denzel Ward and Pickett has to face Garrett and that strong pass rush which are both difficult to handle, to say the least. I think George Pickens is a phenomenal receiver who can make amazing plays any time and brighter days are ahead for this budding star but I’m going to take a wait-and-see approach this week with him.
Kyren Williams + Cam Akers
The Rams came out firing dropping 30 points on the Seahawks. Stafford was locked in and led the Rams to plenty of scoring drives including 3 TDs for his running backs. If you drafted Akers or just picked up Williams you might want to play them after scoring performances but this is not the week. They face the mighty 49ers defense which held opponents to less than 80 rushing yards a game last season and started off their 23 campaign allowing less than 50 and no touchdowns to the Steelers on the ground. The 49ers have one of the toughest defenses in the entire league, which is why I would pump the breaks and look for other options than the Rams this week.
Garrett Wilson
This one is very unfortunate to even talk about after all the excitement of the off-season with the addition of Aaron Rodgers and Hard Knocks buzz. Garrett Wilson is a rising superstar and one of the most exciting receivers in the entire league to watch but after the terrible injury to Rodgers I think the offensive output will be lower than expected for the entire team. Wilson had the catch of the week with an extraordinary one-handed grab in front of the defender. He’s obviously incredibly talented but the change in quarterback will slow the Jets for now. Not only are the Jets dealing with a big change at QB but they have to travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys defense that absolutely obliterated the Giants with a dominant 40-0 win. They held Daniel Jones to about 100 yards passing and no wide receiver more than 25 yards and obviously no touchdowns. Garrett Wilson will most likely see a steady dose of Trevon Diggs and Zach Wilson will not only have to deal with the pressures of being thrust into the starting job but he has to stare down Micah Parsons and that savage pass rush. Jets offensive players are in for a rough day this week. If I have another option, I’m looking to bench Garrett Wilson
