Aaron Hernandez owners, I feel your pain. As the new offensive focal point and the best player in Patriots camp this summer, Hernandez was poised for a monster season before going down an ankle injury in the first quarter of the Cardinals game. I had drafted him as my tight end in all redraft formats this year.
Likely reeling from a Week 2 fantasy loss thanks to Hernandez's goose egg, owners have to turn to the waiver wire or the trade block for a replacement. Although regular readers of this column may have pulled the trigger on Dennis Pitta or Martellus Bennett a week ago, the two remain unowned in over 60 percent of Yahoo leagues.
As the "move" tight end in Baltimore's up-tempo offense, Pitta is leading all tight ends in targets and receptions. He's obviously earned Joe Flacco's trust. Bennett is behind only Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski in fantasy points, and only four tight ends have been targeted more frequently.
If Pitta and Bennett have already been snatched up in your league, it's not a bad idea to work the phone lines for a trade. I wouldn't buy low on Fred Davis, who appears to be an afterthought in the RGIII offense, but two options that may be available for a decent price are Kyle Rudolph and Brandon Pettigrew.
Rudolph has yet to "arrive" on the scene nationally while playing every snap, but there's still plenty of breakout potential in an offense that will score more points than commonly believed. Pettigrew is heading to Tennessee to square off against a defense that has allowed five passing touchdowns in two games -- all to tight ends.
On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 2. Full write-ups of each player are below.
Editor’s Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.
Tight Ends
Dennis Pitta
Martellus Bennett
Dustin Keller
Brandon Myers
Kellen Winslow
Dante Rosario
Running Backs
Andre Brown
Mikel Leshoure
Pierre Thomas
Rashard Mendenhall
Daryl Richardson
Bilal Powell
Mike Goodson
Wide Receivers
Austin Collie
Greg Little
Brian Hartline
Donnie Avery
Julian Edelman
Damaris Johnson
Golden Tate
Andrew Hawkins
Quarterbacks
Matt Cassel
Alex Smith
Sam Bradford
Christian Ponder
Jake Locker
Team Defense
Dolphins
Bills
Tight Ends
Dennis Pitta, Ravens - Emerging as Joe Flacco’s go-to receiver, Pitta leads all tight ends in targets and receptions through two weeks. As the “move” tight end in an up-tempo offense, Pitta’s TE1 production appears to be here to stay. In his last five games going back to Week 17 of the 2011 season, Pitta is averaging 8.6 targets, 5.2 receptions and 54 yards with three scores.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Martellus Bennett, Giants - Already featured heavily in the red zone, Bennett could have had a monster Week 2 game had he reeled in two end-zone passes that hit his hands. Big and athletic, Bennett is more than just a blocking specialist. Eli Manning targeted his tight end a whopping ten times versus the Bucs. Only Pitta, Jimmy Graham, Brent Celek and Owen Daniels have been targeted more frequently through two games. Bennett is fourth among tight ends in fantasy points. He needs to be rostered in all leagues.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Dustin Keller, Jets - Keller’s ownership is down to 40 percent in Yahoo leagues after missing Week 2 with a setback in his hamstring injury. Keep an eye on his practice participation this week. If it looks like he’s going to play at Miami, Keller is worthy of a roster spot for those owners desperate at the position.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Brandon Myers, Raiders - Drafted out of Iowa in 2009 as a blocking specialist, Myers has shown better hands than expected going back to his first training camp. Although he’s taking on a bigger role in Greg Knapp’s West Coast offense, Myers’ 11 targets are tied for 16th among tight end through two games. He’s just a low-end TE2 going forward.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Kellen Winslow, Patriots - Winslow will be joining the Patriots pending the outcome of his physical, but expectations for a fantasy impact should remain low. With no experience in Josh McDaniels’ offense, Winslow will have a tough time earning snaps as the second tight end in New England. He’s going to be well behind Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Lloyd, Wes Welker and Julian Edelman in the pecking order.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Dante Rosario, Chargers - A long-time special teamer and backup, Rosario had five career touchdowns in five seasons before finding the end zone three times versus the Titans. He’s headed back to the bench once Antonio Gates returns from his rib injury, likely this week. Hold off on adding Rosario until Gates’ Week 3 status is known.
Recommendation: Worth a look only in the deepest of leagues.
Aaron Hernandez owners, I feel your pain. As the new offensive focal point and the best player in Patriots camp this summer, Hernandez was poised for a monster season before going down an ankle injury in the first quarter of the Cardinals game. I had drafted him as my tight end in all redraft formats this year.
Likely reeling from a Week 2 fantasy loss thanks to Hernandez's goose egg, owners have to turn to the waiver wire or the trade block for a replacement. Although regular readers of this column may have pulled the trigger on Dennis Pitta or Martellus Bennett a week ago, the two remain unowned in over 60 percent of Yahoo leagues.
As the "move" tight end in Baltimore's up-tempo offense, Pitta is leading all tight ends in targets and receptions. He's obviously earned Joe Flacco's trust. Bennett is behind only Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski in fantasy points, and only four tight ends have been targeted more frequently.
If Pitta and Bennett have already been snatched up in your league, it's not a bad idea to work the phone lines for a trade. I wouldn't buy low on Fred Davis, who appears to be an afterthought in the RGIII offense, but two options that may be available for a decent price are Kyle Rudolph and Brandon Pettigrew.
Rudolph has yet to "arrive" on the scene nationally while playing every snap, but there's still plenty of breakout potential in an offense that will score more points than commonly believed. Pettigrew is heading to Tennessee to square off against a defense that has allowed five passing touchdowns in two games -- all to tight ends.
On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 2. Full write-ups of each player are below.
Editor’s Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.
Tight Ends
Dennis Pitta
Martellus Bennett
Dustin Keller
Brandon Myers
Kellen Winslow
Dante Rosario
Running Backs
Andre Brown
Mikel Leshoure
Pierre Thomas
Rashard Mendenhall
Daryl Richardson
Bilal Powell
Mike Goodson
Wide Receivers
Austin Collie
Greg Little
Brian Hartline
Donnie Avery
Julian Edelman
Damaris Johnson
Golden Tate
Andrew Hawkins
Quarterbacks
Matt Cassel
Alex Smith
Sam Bradford
Christian Ponder
Jake Locker
Team Defense
Dolphins
Bills
Tight Ends
Dennis Pitta, Ravens - Emerging as Joe Flacco’s go-to receiver, Pitta leads all tight ends in targets and receptions through two weeks. As the “move” tight end in an up-tempo offense, Pitta’s TE1 production appears to be here to stay. In his last five games going back to Week 17 of the 2011 season, Pitta is averaging 8.6 targets, 5.2 receptions and 54 yards with three scores.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Martellus Bennett, Giants - Already featured heavily in the red zone, Bennett could have had a monster Week 2 game had he reeled in two end-zone passes that hit his hands. Big and athletic, Bennett is more than just a blocking specialist. Eli Manning targeted his tight end a whopping ten times versus the Bucs. Only Pitta, Jimmy Graham, Brent Celek and Owen Daniels have been targeted more frequently through two games. Bennett is fourth among tight ends in fantasy points. He needs to be rostered in all leagues.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Dustin Keller, Jets - Keller’s ownership is down to 40 percent in Yahoo leagues after missing Week 2 with a setback in his hamstring injury. Keep an eye on his practice participation this week. If it looks like he’s going to play at Miami, Keller is worthy of a roster spot for those owners desperate at the position.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Brandon Myers, Raiders - Drafted out of Iowa in 2009 as a blocking specialist, Myers has shown better hands than expected going back to his first training camp. Although he’s taking on a bigger role in Greg Knapp’s West Coast offense, Myers’ 11 targets are tied for 16th among tight end through two games. He’s just a low-end TE2 going forward.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Kellen Winslow, Patriots - Winslow will be joining the Patriots pending the outcome of his physical, but expectations for a fantasy impact should remain low. With no experience in Josh McDaniels’ offense, Winslow will have a tough time earning snaps as the second tight end in New England. He’s going to be well behind Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Lloyd, Wes Welker and Julian Edelman in the pecking order.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Dante Rosario, Chargers - A long-time special teamer and backup, Rosario had five career touchdowns in five seasons before finding the end zone three times versus the Titans. He’s headed back to the bench once Antonio Gates returns from his rib injury, likely this week. Hold off on adding Rosario until Gates’ Week 3 status is known.
Recommendation: Worth a look only in the deepest of leagues.
Running Backs
Andre Brown, Giants - Exhibit A in the case for Achilles surgery not being a death knell for running backs. As explosive as David Wilson looked in preseason games, fumbling and pass protection issues have him buried in Tom Coughlin’s doghouse. Brown played 53 snaps to Wilson’s six versus the Bucs while Ahmad Bradshaw was sidelined with a nebulous neck sprain. Bradshaw missed Monday’s walkthrough, and his status is up in the air on a short practice week. Brown has top-25 fantasy potential if he gets the nod versus the Panthers Thursday night.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Mikel Leshoure, Lions - Exhibit B in the case for Achilles surgery not being a death knell for running backs. Despite a solid Week 1 performance, Kevin Smith appeared to lose the coaching staff’s confidence against the 49ers’ stonewalling front seven. The Lions have stated publicly that they expect Leshoure to make an impact right away now that he’s been reinstated from suspension. The Detroit Free Press nonchalantly adds that Leshoure is “expected to take over as the starter before long.” Whether he plays effectively enough to hold off Smith over the final 14 games is another story.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Pierre Thomas, Saints - Thomas was the best player on the Saints offense in Week 2, routinely carrying would-be tacklers for extra yards and refusing to go down on first contact. His 143 yards versus the Panthers were the fourth-most of his career and his highest one-game total since 2008. He’s outplaying Mark Ingram and the Saints have yet to use Darren Sproles as a runner through two games. Thomas should be owned in more than 48 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers - Mendenhall has been listed as a full practice participant the first two weeks, but neither the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette nor the Beaver County Times expects him to play before the Week 4 bye. After Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer failed to top 2.5 yards per carry versus the Jets, Mendenhall may not have much trouble resurfacing atop the backfield pecking order. He’s worth stashing in all leagues in the meantime.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Daryl Richardson, Rams - Showing more speed and decisiveness, the seventh-rounder out of Abilene Christian has been outplaying the more ballyhooed second-rounder Isaiah Pead since the beginning of training camp. Coach Jeff Fisher explained that Steven Jackson (groin) could have re-entered the Redskins game, but the Rams opted to go the cautious route due to Richardson’s high level of play. Jackson should be fine for this week’s game at Chicago, limiting Richardson to handcuff status in deeper leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Bilal Powell, Jets - Shonn Greene apparently was not concussed when he looked dazed and confused after a helmet-to-helmet hit. Greene returned to the game, carrying the ball four times for a grand total of zero yards after getting his bell rung. Powell earned 10 more yards on two fewer carries, looking like the better back of the two. As the one player Rex Ryan stood on the table for in the 2011 draft, Powell has the right man in his corner.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Mike Goodson, Raiders - Goodson is starting to emerge as the clear-cut handcuff to Darren McFadden in deeper leagues. While Taiwan Jones was relegated to special teams, Goodson scored on a 64-yard screen pass and added two more receptions versus the Dolphins.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Watch List: Lamar Miller, Chris Ogbonnaya, Bernard Scott, Bryce Brown
Hold Off: Jackie Battle
Battle is headed back to special teams with Ryan Mathews expected back this week.
Cut Bait: Rashad Jennings, Curtis Brinkley, Ronnie Brown, Isaac Redman, Isaiah Pead, Ryan Williams, Alex Green, Dion Lewis
Jennings is only worth owning as a handcuff to Maurice Jones-Drew. … Brinkley and Brown can be dumped now that Mathews is returning. … Redman is a fantasy team killer. … Pead is a third-stringer. … Williams has been one of the least effective players in the league through two weeks. … Lewis has lost the backup job to Bryce Brown.
Wide Receivers
Austin Collie, Colts - Coach Chuck Pagano keeps expecting Collie to be “full go,” but team doctors advised the concussion-prone receiver to sit out one more week. Collie makes for a fine roster stash because he’s slated to be an every-down receiver and potential fantasy WR3 once he does receive the green light to play. That could come as early as this week versus the Jags. Collie is owned in less than a quarter of Yahoo leagues; he should be owned in all of them.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Greg Little, Browns - Cleveland’s offense was downright frisky versus a shaky Bengals defense in Week 2. Although Mohamed Massaquoi led the team with 90 yards, Little is the superior fantasy play going forward. He’s going to be Brandon Weeden’s top target and should be owned in more than 48 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Brian Hartline, Dolphins - Despite missing offseason practice and all of training camp, Hartline has already emerged as Ryan Tannehill’s go-to receiver. Don’t go crazy with expectations, however. The Dolphins’ passing attack is still suspect and Hartline was working over Raiders backup CB Patrick Lee in Week 2. He has a much tougher matchup versus the Jets this week.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Donnie Avery, Colts - A major part of the Colts’ game plan with Austin Collie out, Avery took two handoffs and was targeted frequently on bubble screens and quick slants versus the Vikings. Although his fantasy value is dependent on Collie’s status, Avery is worthy of a roster spot after leading the team in targets, receptions and yards in Week 2.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Julian Edelman, Patriots - Edelman was the surprise starter opposite Brandon Lloyd in Week 2, playing over Wes Welker in two-receiver sets. With Aaron Hernandez sidelined, both Edelman and Welker are in line for steady snap-counts. Edelman won’t be a top red-zone option, but he should have value in PPR formats.
Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.
Damaris Johnson, Eagles - Dealing with a painful hip flexor injury, Jeremy Maclin’s status is touch-and-go for the second straight week. He’s not expected to practice Wednesday. If Maclin doesn’t play at Arizona, Johnson would fill in opposite DeSean Jackson. Undrafted out of Tulsa, Johnson showed flashes of playmaking ability in training camp and preseason action. He’s only an option in deeper leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look as an injury replacement.
Andrew Hawkins, Bengals - Hawkins got our attention with his speed and quickness in racking up eight receptions versus the Ravens in Week 1. Although his playing time was scaled back while the Bengals nursed a Week 2 lead, he still managed to find the end zone versus the Browns. We expect Cincinnati to be playing from behind more often than not this year. In which case, Hawkins has a shot at PPR value.
Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.
Golden Tate, Seahawks - Seattle wasted no time in plugging Tate back in for Braylon Edwards at split end. Although the box score doesn’t show it, the Seattle Times called Tate the “most explosive player not named Marshawn Lynch” in Week 2. Tate isn’t going to have reliable fantasy value in the Seahawks’ run-first offense, but he’s worth a look in deeper leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Watch List: Jerome Simpson, Armon Binns, Jon Baldwin, Leonard Hankerson
Simpson returns from suspension in Week 4 to add another playmaker to an offense that could have surprising fantasy potential in October and beyond. … Binns is playing the majority of the snaps opposite A.J. Green. … Baldwin was more involved at Buffalo after going underground in Week 1.
Cut Bait: Kevin Ogletree, Randy Moss, Andre Roberts, Josh Gordon, Rod Streater, Braylon Edwards, Doug Baldwin
Ogletree saw just one target versus the Seahawks. It remains to be seen whether he’s a one-game wonder or not, but he can’t be counted on to produce week-in and week-out. … Moss is playing just 20 snaps per game. … The passing games in Arizona and Seattle don’t support more than one fantasy receiver.
Quarterbacks
Matt Cassel, Chiefs - Playing from behind thanks to a generous defense, Cassel has turned in top-five fantasy numbers through two weeks. The Chiefs passing game is worthy of spot-start status against a struggling Saints defense that has allowed big games to Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton the first two weeks.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Alex Smith, 49ers - Smith isn’t going to flirt with 300-yard games on a regular basis in the 49ers’ conservative offense, but he’s playing well enough to be rostered in more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Second only to Matt Ryan in passer rating, Smith has a fine matchup versus the Vikings in Week 3.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Sam Bradford, Rams - Bradford lost his left tackle for the second game in a row, but turned in one of the best quarterback performances of Week 2. Through two weeks, he’s third in the NFL in both passer rating and completion percentage while standing just inside the top-10 in fantasy points. The offensive line remains a red-flag concern heading into a forbidding Week 3 game in Chicago.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Christian Ponder, Vikings - Guess which quarterback is leading the NFL in completion percentage through two weeks. It’s Ponder at an impressive 75.8 percent thanks in large part to excellent play after halftime of both games. Ponder is also fifth in yards per attempt and sixth in passer rating. The next step is to gain consistency behind a still iffy offensive line. Ponder is a solid QB2 heading into a tough matchup with the 49ers.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Jake Locker, Titans - The Titans have morphed into a one-dimensional offense, but there should be brighter days ahead for Locker. Difference-making wide receiver Kenny Britt should be ready to reclaim his starting job in time for a fantasy-friendly stretch that includes matchups versus the Lions, Vikings, Bills and Colts.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Hold Off: Brandon Weeden
I think Weeden’s Week 2 performance says more about the state of the Bengals’ secondary than his own fantasy potential. I need to see the rookie do it again before I invest a roster spot. … Tannehill is a better NFL prospect, but he has a tough matchup with the Jets this week.
Cut Bait: Mark Sanchez, Russell Wilson
Week 1 was an illusion for Sanchez and the Jets passing game. He can’t be trusted on a week-to-week basis. … Wilson is playing fine, but the Seahawks remain a run-first offense.
Team Defense
Dolphins - It’s not a great matchups week for streaming defenses. The Dolphins are hosting a Jets offense that couldn’t protect the quarterback, run the ball or make plays in the passing game in Week 2.
Bills - I need to see Brandon Weeden repeat his Week 2 performance against a defense tougher than Cincinnati’s. It’s become obvious early in the season that the Bengals’ secondary is one of the most porous in the NFL.