Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman 91%; Dalton Kincaid 42%
In a game that was never really in doubt, Keon Coleman played a lot of snaps. He actually saw an increase in snaps over Week 1 despite the overwhelmingly positive game script. I suppose you could read this finding two ways: 1) that Coleman is the clear WR1 for the Bills, or 2) the Bills used this lopsided game script to give Coleman more time to practice blocking, running routes, etc. Despite playing almost every snap, Coleman didn’t catch any passes (on one target). Meanwhile, Dalton Kincaid had four targets and four catches in limited snaps. Kincaid missed a few snaps while being evaluated for a concussion, but he did return to the game, so he was obviously cleared by the independent doctors. I tend to want to disregard this game entirely for the Bills given the wacky game script, another Tua concussion that took the air out of Miami, and other factors (like James Cook scoring just about every time he touched the ball). But both of these playing times are notable.
Conclusion: Kincaid looks to be okay, but I don’t think he is the clear target leader on the team as we expected. Coleman looks to have a solid role and is on the field a lot, which should bode well in games that are more competitive.
Los Angeles Chargers
Gus Edwards 48%; JK Dobbins 46%
JK Dobbins popped again for the Chargers, this time with a 43-yard rushing touchdown. Edwards led this backfield in terms of carries and snaps, but the difference was marginal.
Last week, I predicted that Dobbins would slowly take over this backfield. That hasn’t exactly come true because Edwards had a higher snap share than last week. However, the game was out of hand early, and the Panthers looked horrible. Moreover, Dobbins was the first running back to receive a carry in Week 2, when it was Edwards who was first up last week. That fact does suggest that Dobbins has passed Edwards on the depth chart.
It’s pretty clear to me that Dobbins is the better running back at this point. He’s consistently breaking off long runs, and he’s gaining trust among the coaching staff. In a more competitive game, he’d probably would have been given 65-70% of the carries. I am not sure that Edwards is playable anymore.
Conclusion: Dobbins has won this backfield.
New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave 71%; Rashid Shaheed 66%
It’s time to stop ignoring Rashid Shaheed.
No, I don’t think he has surpassed Olave or anything, but he is a big play waiting to happen.
In this game, they schemed three rushing plays for him and he was targeted four times in a game where Derek Carr only threw the ball 16 times (the Saints dominated the Cowboys right from the start). He only received two fewer targets than Olave and ended with more opportunities due to the three rushing attempts.
I like Shaheed’s game, and I like that he’s getting manufactured touches. The consistent workload plus the dynamic playmaking ability means that he should be a flex play or at least flex consideration every week. If he’s available, pick him up. If you have him, you might want to consider him over some running backs on bad teams.
Conclusion: Rashid Shaheed is worth throwing in your starting roster.
Detroit Lions
Jameson Williams 92%
Jameson Williams is a full-time NFL wide receiver, and he’s making the most of it. In a game where Goff threw 55 times, he saw 11 targets and had a rushing attempt. He ended the day with 94 total yards and almost had a touchdown. He’s a top-30 fantasy option every week, if not higher.
The problem for the Lions right now is that they are not converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns. The Lions were third in red zone efficiency in 2022 and fourth in 2023. Has the NFL figured out Ben Johnson, or are the Lions still shaking off the offseason rust? It’s hard to say for certain. I tend to believe that water will find its level and that an offense that accumulated 463 total yards will usually score more than one touchdown in a game.
Still, Jared Goff hasn’t looked particularly good. He threw one interception that was bad, but the other INT was a blatant illegal contact on Jameson Williams that wasn’t called, so that wasn’t exactly Goff’s fault. Beyond the turnovers, the issue was that Goff wasn’t threatening the end zone much through the air when the Lions got close. Again, I think this will right itself. Goff needs to slow down his decisions a little bit and trust his offensive line, which is excellent. Some better playcalling would help too.
Conclusion: Jameson Williams looks very involved in a good offense that will right itself soon.
Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce 95%; Michael Pittman 86%
Anthony Richardson seems to have something growing with Alec Pierce. Pierce tied Pittman with seven targets and did a lot more with his opportunities (five catches, 56 yards, and a touchdown; Pittman only secured three catches for 21 yards).
Richardson continues to be inaccurate and a bit insecure, but Pierce looks to be a safety blanket for Richardson. However, I am not sure I am playing any Colt receiver at the moment, while the team’s QB continues to complete only about 50% of his passes.
Conclusion: Alec Pierce is probably worth picking up to see if he continues to have a connection with Richardson.
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon was hurt in this game on a controversial hip-drop tackle that wasn’t called. He returned to the game, eventually, but the ankle injury is something to monitor.
In his absence, Cam Akers filled in and was more efficient (32 yards on seven carries; Mixon had 25 yards on nine carries; Mixon did more damage through the passing game, however). Akers is the clear backup and someone who would fill in for Mixon well if Mixon were to miss any time.
I am not reading too much into the lack of rushing efficiency. The Bears appear to be a very good defense, so bad outings against Chicago are nothing to scoff at.
Conclusion: Cam Akers is a high-value backup who should be rostered.
Cincinnati Bengals
Erick All 52%; Drew Sample 52%; Mike Gesicki 47%
The Bengals relied heavily on the tight end position against the Chiefs. The three tight ends combined for 16 targets (44% target share) and 151 yards. Most notable among them was Mike Gesicki who saw nine of those 16 targets and 91 total yards.
Gesicki appears to be a real part of this offense. Last week, he caught a touchdown pass, but it was called back due to a penalty. It’s possible that he takes a backseat to Tee Higgins when he returns, but this appears to be something real.
Conclusion: Given the lack of big-time TE production, Mike Gesicki looks like a real option.
Seattle Seahawks
Zach Charbonnet 96%
In games that Kenneth Walker misses, the Seahawks rely heavily on Zach Charbonnet. He was basically the only RB to see the field, and he was the only running back to receive an opportunity. The same can probably be said of Kenneth Walker if Charbonnet were to miss any time. This is a very valuable backfield to have pieces of.
Conclusion: The Seahawks’ backfield is only two players deep.
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/SPKk8qI
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