Week 1 Over-Reactions

Justin Pottinger : @JustinPottinger 

Week one was filled with surprises, but a lot of fantasy owners are coming off this week worrisome. There were plenty of high-talented players who failed to reach anywhere near their projected amount, but I’m here to tell you that everything is going to be just fine and do not overreact. Below are names that I believe are not players to be concerned about and also players who exceeded expectations, but won’t moving forward. 

Do Not Worry! 

Allen Robinson, WR, LA Rams 

It was clear that Matthew Stafford struggled to find Allen Robinson any success in week one’s contest versus the Bills. Robinson only recorded one catch on two targets for 12 yards. This is a game where owners should learn to move on and forget. After the week 1 loss, coach Sean McVay made it clear that the offense needs to get both Robinson and running back Cam Akers involved more moving forward. Another positive take away from this week is seeing that despite a poor performance, Robinson still played 97% of the Rams offensive snap count Thursday night. Many also forget that Thursday was Stafford and Robinson’s first real game playing together. No need to panic here, Robinson will bounce back next week against Atlanta. 

Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears

For Bears fans, Sunday was pretty exciting to watch. As for fantasy owners who had any sort of Bears shares, had quite the opposite reaction watching them play. In retrospect, all Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet and David Montgomery owners need to throw last week’s game away, as both the 49ers and the Bears were playing underwater for four straight quarters. It was impossible to get a true understanding on how fantasy relevant any of the Bears players could be. Mooney saw just three targets and caught one for eight yards. Despite weather conditions, Mooney still saw 90% of snaps in this game which is another positive takeaway moving forward. Mooney is also still the number one receiving option in this offense and that will not change. This week we will get a true taste of how Mooney will look in this offense as this time, the weather shouldn’t be a tsunami. 

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens 

Andrews was a let down for a lot of managers last week, as many drafted him in the second round as the first or second tight end taken off draft boards. Andrews only recorded five receptions for 52 yards against the Jets. It’s not like Andrews had an awful performance, however owners expected much more from the 2021 Pro-Bowler. I expect Andrews to have a monster week in week two, as he is facing a Miami team who has struggled against tight ends in the past. I wouldn’t worry about Andrews, as he is a top talent in the league and will continue to be a positional advantage for the managers who drafted him to be so.

One Game Wonders 

Devin Duvernay, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Duvernay had an excellent week one versus the Jets. Catching all four of his targets and found the endzone on two separate occasions. Duvernay also recorded 13.5 yards per catch along with seeing action on punt returns. After recording 20+ fantasy points week one, I’m here to tell you to slow your roll on Duvernay. Despite having a two touchdown performance, Duvernay only had four targets and played just 52 percent of offensive snaps. With tight end Mark Andrewers having a slower week one and wide receiver Rashod Bateman only catching two of his five targets, I see these two weapons out scoring Duvernay every week from now on out. Duvernay is a name to keep an eye on, but for now he is not a week two starter, or even a waiver wire pickup. 

Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions 

Is there a vulture in Detroit? Sorry DeAndre Swift owners, but I believe so. Williams recorded 11 carries week one for only 28 yards, but found the endzone on two separate occasions. Even though Williams had a decent fantasy day, he isn’t a player that should be rostered as it seems quite obvious that Williams will only be used as the goalline back. Swift out caught and rushed him in week one and that should be the expectation every week. Williams only played 33% of snaps and only had one reception. If Swift were to go down, Williams would be an intriguing pick-up, but for now I’m leaving him on the waivers. 

Carsen Wentz, QB, Washington Commanders 

Carson Wentz’s first game in a Washington Commanders jersey and he definitely surprised most of us. Wentz was the number three quarterback on the week, throwing for over 300 yards and had four throwing touchdowns as well. Wetnz also threw the ball 41 times and completed 27 of them. Wentz definitely looked a few years younger in week one, but this won’t maintain for the rest of the season. We have to remember that even though Wentz had a great game, he was playing against a weaker Jacksonville defense and rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson made some immaculate touchdown catches in the back of the endzone which bailed Wentz out of a 3rd down stop. We have seen this from Wetnz before, but we have also seen what usually comes next, a decrease in performance. I wouldn’t go racing to pick up Wetnz just yet, as I would wait till he has three solid weeks before considering picking him up off of the waivers or even starting him.