Terrific call on Robert Griffin III last week. That made up for me sitting Adrian Peterson! Anyways, would you start RG3 again this week? I also have Philip Rivers at quarterback. - @Tgoogs13 (via Twitter)
Michael Fabiano: Peterson's performance was amazing, right? I couldn't have been more wrong about him! On the flip side, I have expected big things from Griffin III ever since he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in April. And yes, I would continue to start him in Week 2 ahead of Rivers based on what looks like a terrific matchup against the St. Louis Rams. If RG3 continues to thrive in the stat sheets over the next few weeks, I'd both quarterbacks on the trade block and see what offers are made. It never hurts to sell high on a signal-caller in what has become a pass-laden National Football League.
What are your thoughts on Jonathan Dwyer? I like the way he runs, almost like a mini Jerome Bettis. Should I start him over Frank Gore, Trent Richardson, Kevin Smith, Ben Tate or Michael Turner at running back? - J. Smith (via Facebook)
M.F.: I've said that Dwyer is the sleeper of the Pittsburgh backfield for weeks, and last Sunday night did nothing to change my mind. He led the backfield in snaps with 42 and looked like a superior running back compared to the plotting Isaac Redman. With that said, I'm not so sure Dwyer is someone to start ahead of Gore, Richardson or Smith. While I am not a huge fan of Turner's, I'm not going to put the nail in his fantasy football coffin after one bad week (though the nail is coming soon). For those owners in need of a runner, Dwyer is worth adding and stashing from off the waiver wire. I just fear that once Rashard Mendenhall returns, whether it's later this month or at the start of October, the Steelers backfield will morph into a messy and confusing committee that saps the value of all runners involved.
What do you think about C.J. Spiller? Can he be a No. 2 fantasy running back With Fred Jackson out? - N. Silvius (via Google+)
M.F.: Spiller sure has looked awesome in the absence of Jackson. In his last four games dating back to last season, he's carried the football 55 times for 431 yards (7.8 YPC) and scored three touchdowns on the ground. He has also been effective as a pass catcher with a combined 17 receptions for 168 yards with an additional two scores. Assuming Jackson (knee) is out four weeks, which has been reported, I think Spiller becomes about as a close to a must-start runner as a back can get without being Arian Foster, Ray Rice or LeSean McCoy. He also has somme nice matchups in the coming weeks, facing the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
What happened to Wes Welker? I played him ahead of Torrey Smith! - @Dantehavok (via Twitter)
M.F.: As a fantasy football owners who has Welker in a few leagues, I wish I knew! The veteran wideout played in just 43 of 67 snaps against the Tennessee Titans, and even lost time to Julian Edelman. By comparison, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez played in all 67 snaps, Brandon Lloyd played in 57 and Edelman was on the field for 23. In 2011, Welker played in 89.2 percent of the team's total snaps. So what has changed? Well, the first thing I thought of was his contract situation. New England refused to ante up during the offseason, and the conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Welker might be phased out of the pass attack somewhat so the team has more leverage in future contract talks. Who knows. I'm just hoping Welker sees more work in Week 2 than the five targets he received in the opener.
I have the No. 1 waiver wire spot this week. Should I burn it on Alfred Morris? I also have Fred Jackson, Steven Jackson, Doug Martin and Spiller at running back. Maybe I can use Morris as trade bait? - J. Ellington (via Facebook)
M.F.: This one is all about your team's needs. If you're hurting for a running back, which could be the case after losing Jackson, then making a claim for Morris is worth the risk. I also like your thought process in terms of grabbing Morris now and putting him up on the trade block if his success continues. Remember, the rookie has a tremendous matchup this week against the St. Louis Rams and their horrid run defense. So if Morris rumbles for another nice stat line, his value could rise even more heading into Week 3. Just keep in mind that Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is unpredictable with his backfield, so you might pick up Morris only to see him lose the starting job in a few weeks. Such is the world of Shanahanigans!
Is it OK for me to crow about Chris Johnson not being a No. 1 fantasy running back? I told everyone he's not a first-round runner! - B. Paone (via Google+)
M.F.: That was not what we were hoping to see from Johnson, who rushed for just four more yards than I did against the Patriots. However, I wouldn't throw dirt on his fantasy grave just yet. Titans coach Mike Munchak gave his veteran back a vote of confidence earlier in the week, and you have to place at least part of the blame on an offensive line that clearly has some issues. If he doesn't start turning things around sooner than later, however, Johnson will become a matchup-based starter once again.
Which running back would you start in Week 2: Jamaal Charles or Donald Brown? - @TUSSIN15 (via Twitter)
M.F.: Brown (10.80) did score more fantasy points than Charles (8.70) last weekend, but I'm still starting the Chiefs runner ahead of him. He has an attractive matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who allowed 18.30 fantasy points to running backs in their loss to the New York Jets. That includes a 97-yard, one-touchdown performance from Shonn Greene. Brown is decent flex option against the Minnesota Vikings, but I still prefer Charles in Week 2.
Is Stephen Hill a legitimate fantasy option? Would you pick him up? - J. Braverman (via Facebook)
M.F.: If you have what I like to call "dead wood" on your fantasy football roster (a second tight end, kicker or defense), then it makes all the sense in the world to pick up a hot free agent. I don't see Hill as the best free-agent pickup at his position, however, as players like Randall Cobb and Ogletree are more attractive. But the rookie wideout did post impressive numbers in the opener and is well worth a look as a No. 4 or 5 fantasy wideout. I wouldn't start him in Week 2, though, as Hill and J-E-T-S face a tough road contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Is Maurice Jones-Drew a safe start this week against the Houston Texans? - T. Herrera (via Google+)
M.F.: Jones-Drew looked no worse for wear last week despite an extended holdout, posting 77 yards on 19 carries (4.1 YPC) in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. To me, that performance and his tremendous career resume now makes MJD worth starting in all leagues regardless of the opponent. This week he goes up against the Houston Texans, who allowed a combined five receptions, 240 scrimmage yards and one touchdown to "Pocket Hercules" last season.
I'm in need of a tight end. Any suggestions? - @jaredmysko (via Twitter)
M.F.: There are a bunch of tight ends to consider off the waiver wire this week, so you shouldn't have a problem adding some help. Jared Cook led the Titans in receiving last week and is still available in over 60 percent of NFL.com leagues. Dennis Pitta (13.30 fantasy points) was terrific against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Marcedes Lewis is back on the fantasy football radar after a 52-yard, one-touchdown performance in the opener. Kyle Rudolph, Greg Olsen and even Martellus Bennett are also worth a look at the position.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
