In the very first edition of The Top Two According To Talon, we will predict who should be the top two fantasy performers for each position as well as the top two defenses. This can be used as an additional tool to help you set your lineup for fantasy every week and also help foresee who you may want to target on the waiver wire or add via free agency. We hope you enjoy the first edition of Talon’s Top Two.
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady
This Thursday the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay face off against an unfamiliar New England Patriots squad who have struggled in the first four weeks. The Patriots secondary has looked horrendous but you know who else allows a lot of passing yards? The Bucs. Brady made minced meat out of New Orleans and Houston so I do not expect the Tampa defense to do any better. Tom Brady should have a field day.
Matthew Stafford
Carolina and Detroit face off this week and Matthew Stafford should be looking forward to it. The Panthers defense looks like its old self this year but the Lions seem to be on the verge of breaking out and could at any moment. Statistically speaking, Stafford and the offense haven’t been all that impressive, that will change this week.
Running Backs
Le’Veon Bell
Le’Veon Bell finally went off last week, much to the delight of his fantasy owners. It could and should be an encore performance for Bell as he faces a Jacksonville front seven that has allowed an average of over 5 yards per attempt to opposing running backs thus far. Don’t buy into the nonsense of Jacksonville has the best defense in the league because they don’t. It isn’t even close. Bell might even reach some records this week, as long as crybaby Antonio Brown doesn’t get thrown to 25 times to keep him happy.
Carlos Hyde
I have been a huge fan of Carlos Hyde dating back to his days as an Ohio State Buckeye but I may be his biggest fan this week. Hyde hasn’t been too eye-popping this year other than his 124-yard performance in week 2 but he faces an Indianapolis Colts team that is not good against the run. Now the Colts will probably key on Hyde and the run game in order to make the 49ers beat them with Brian Hoyer but keying on Hyde and actually stopping Hyde are two very different things.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Mike Evans Photo Credit: Keith Allison-Under Creative Commons License
Wide Receivers
Mike Evans
I am anticipating the game between the Buccaneers and the Patriots to just obliterate the scoreboard. Both defenses look pathetic and the opposing offenses each have weapons that can make even solid defense point fingers. Mike Evans is the most talented receiver on the field in this matchup and he will look like a member of the United States Olympic track team with how many yards he is about to rack up.
DeVante Parker
You knew there was going to be a hot take sooner or later right? The Jay Cutler led Dolphins have been less than stellar the last couple of weeks. HOWEVER, they happen to be facing the Tennessee Titans who just got shellacked by the Houston Texans a week ago and who also lost their heartbeat in Marcus Mariota. The Titans will be reeling and deflated so I am foreseeing Parker having a day in the Sunshine State.
Tight Ends
Charles Clay
The tight end position has been pretty weak in fantasy this year. Outside of your normal studs, there just aren’t a lot of guys you can rely on. Charles Clay had a big game last week and is a huge target on waiver wires. He will not disappoint as the Bengals won’t stop him.
Hunter Henry
Perhaps the second hottest take on this list. Besides week 2, Hunter Henry has not done anything all year after a very optimistic rookie season. The Chargers face off with the Giants in a violent gridiron battle of two mighty unbeaten squads, oh wait, I mean in a tickle fight between two winless teams. The Giants have allowed over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year so Henry may be primed for big numbers.
Defense
Buffalo Bills
The Bills defense has been really good this year and they do not intend to end that against Cincinnati. In four week, the Bills have only allowed 54 points which is just under two touchdowns a game. The Bengals looked great last week, against the Browns. That gravy train will be derailed this Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings defense is a well put together squad and they are having a solid year. They are going to be chomping at the bit to get after rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in his first NFL start on Monday Night Football and I firmly believe they will get their wish.