San Diego Chargers hope that wide receiver Tyrell Williams can fill Keenan Allen’s large shoes
Week 1 of the NFL season had plenty of surprises in the realm of fantasy. Todd Gurley struggled mightily against a very suspect 49er’s defense. Adrian Peterson could not get anything going against the Tennessee Titans. Cowboys’ receiver Dez Bryant may as well have stayed in street clothes as he hauled in 1 catch for 8 yards.
But, alas, it’s a new week and time for another installment of who you should start and who you should sit.
Start Em
Victor Cruz – WR New York Giants
Cruz played his first game since October of 2014 last weekend and finished the game with 4 receptions for 34 yards and 1 touchdown against the rival Cowboys. The salsa is officially back. This week he goes up against an awful Saints defense with the number 1 corner covering OBJ and the number 2 most likely shadowing rookie Sterling Shepard leaving Cruz with a tasty matchup against the nickel corner. This game is expected to be a shootout, and Cruz should have plenty of opportunities to catch the rock and put it into the end zone. He is only being started in 9% of Yahoo leagues so he will be a great sleeper start that should give you great production.
Tyrell Williams – WR San Diego Chargers
Talented young receiver Keenan Allen suffered another unfortunate season ending injury, and Williams is the receiver expected to take over Allen’s role. He is a big receiver (6-4, 205 pounds) which will make him a great target for Phillip Rivers. Typically, the Chargers are always playing from behind, meaning that they throw the ball early and often.
Philip Rivers on Tyrell Williams: "We need him to catch a bunch of balls this year — a bunch of balls and have some huge days and big gains"
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 14, 2016
Coby Fleener – TE New Orleans Saints
Fleener was projected to be a top tight end in the high-powered Saints offense. Week 1 saw QB Drew Brees spread the wealth all over the field, but only once to Fleener. While his performance was disappointing, he is going to have a big bounce-back game against a very weak Giants defense. If the Giants put too much focus on Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead, expect Fleener to have a monster game.
Sit Em
DeVonta Freeman – RB Atlanta Falcons
Freeman struggled mightily in week 1 and ended up getting out-touched by fellow running back Tevin Coleman. Freeman finished with 11 carries for a measly 20 yards and faces off against an Oakland defense that only relinquished 88 yards rushing against the Saints last week. DeVonta may end up being the feature back throughout the season, but I don’t like the matchup this week and should be put on your bench.
Frank Gore – RB Indianapolis Colts
The running game is not the focus in Indy as Frank Gore only ran the ball 14 times for 59 yards against the Detroit Lions in week 1. His week 2 matchup will be even tougher as the Colts travel to Denver to take on the stymie Bronco defense. Gore is still a consistent power runner, but unless he nabs a goal-line touchdown or two, his fantasy standards are bench worthy by my standards as his ceiling is too low.
Tavon Austin – WR Los Angeles Rams
Speedy receiver Tavon Austin is owned in 78% of Yahoo fantasy leagues but is a must sit against divisional rival Seattle. The Rams offense was a mess last week against a much lesser opponent and Austin was only able to haul in 4 receptions for 13 yards. Until the Rams can establish a running game with Todd Gurley, Austin is not a viable threat against any defense.