RUNNING BACKS
KENNETH GAINWELL, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: OWNERSHIP – 8% YAHOO | 4%ESPN
Gainwell of the Philadelphia Eagles rushed nine times for 37 yards and a touchdown. What is perhaps most interesting is that he averaged 4.1 ypc and was targeted three times.
True, the Eagles dominated the game, which skews the results. But the way injuries are dominating the headlines having this kind of insurance can’t hurt. And the next game is against the San Francisco Niners.
ELIJAH MITCHELL, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: OWNERSHIP – 8% YAHOO | 1% ESPN
On GoingFor2’s Sunday Wake the F!! Up! Start or Sit podcast (11am eastern Sundays) stats guru @FFJunkie85 told viewers that Trey Sermon would be a healthy scratch. He then mentioned a good pick-up would be Elijah Mitchell.
It happens Mitchell was a great pick-up. Raheem Mostert injured his knee, and the revolving running back by committee turned into Mitchell. Mitchell finished with 19 carries, 194 yards, one touchdown while averaging 5.5 ypc.
Okay, it was against the hapless Detroit Lions. And Sermon could be active for the next game against the Eagles. But with 5.5 ypc, having him on your fantasy team can’t hurt.
QUARTERBACKS
TAYLOR HEINICKE, WFT: OWNERSHIP – 0% YAHOO | 0% ESPN
Ryan Fitzpatrick went down with a serious hip injury. Heinicke is the next man up on a team that prepped all off-season with offensive weapons. For his part, he finished the game 11-of-15 for 122 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. Next week the WFT will play the New York Giants In a Thursday Night match-up where they are favored by four.
JAMEIS WINSTON, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: OWNERSHIP – 43% YAHOO | 26% ESPN
It is only a one-week sample, and well, his stats are somewhat befuddling (14-of-20, for 148 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions), but what you need to concentrate on is the zero interceptions.
There was never any doubt about Winston’s talents, just his accuracy. So roster the man. Next week the Saints go to Carolina and play the Panthers. The Saints are currently a three-point favorite.
WIDE RECEIVERS
KJ HAMLER, DENVER BRONCOS: OWNERSHIP – 2% YAHOO | 2% ESPN
This is another handcuff option as the status of Jerry Jeudy is currently a 4-6 week timetable.
After Jeudy’s departure, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was relatively equal with his targets. Tight-end Noah Fant led all with eight, but Hamler and Tim Patrick had four. Courtland Sutton, running back Melvin Gordon, and tight-end Albert Okwuegbunam had three.
Next week should be more of the same as the Broncos travel to Jacksonville and meet the Jaguars. The Broncos are early favorites by six.
CHRISTIAN KIRK, ARIZONA CARDINALS: OWNERSHIP – 13% YAHOO | 4% ESPN
The question for the Cardinals is, who is WR2? Deandre Hopkins, of course, led all receivers with eight targets. But both Kirk and rookie Rondale Moore came in with five. Kirk finished with five receptions, 70 yards, and two touchdowns.
Next week the Cardinals’ home opener will be against the Minnesota Vikings, whose secondary is still a work in progress. The Cardinals are an early four-point favorite.
Stats of ownership are from fantasypros.com
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Washington Football Team QB Taylor Heinicke. Photo Credit: All-Pro Reels | Creative Commons License