Yeah, buddy. I made this proclamation on "NFL Fantasy LIVE" last week. And I felt like a boss last Thursday night, too. I missed the first half of the Thursday night opener. No, it wasn't a lack of interest. I have "NFL Fantasy LIVE" on Thursday. We shot Episode 1 of "The Weekender" (hey, it's a work in progress, give it a chance). Plus, we had a rehearsal for a brand new show I will be hosting on Fridays this fall. And it starts this week at 4 p.m. Right before "NFL Fantasy LIVE". (Sorry, I won't be on the Friday show. But you can DVR it and skip through until Like/dislike.)
So I had my phone safely in the glove box when it started to blow up on my drive back to my Orange County compound during the first half of the game. I instantly knew one of two things had happened. Either Rob Gronkowski had a monster performance. Or (more likely in my pessimistic mind) James White had four rushing touchdowns to completely ruin everybody's fantasy team.
To my pleasant surprise, it was Gronk. And it was amazing. Gronk added a third, my Twitter mentions were glowing mentions of how rad I am. I even took a swig of my Diet Pepsi and laughed to myself as I thought this fantasy (stuff) was way too easy. And to think, some scoffed at the notion.
There was no doubt I was at the very apex of the fantasy world. There would be absolutely nothing that could knock me off that lofty perch.
And then I said this.
Suddenly my Twitter mentions were less than glorious. Actually, people were upset. Threats were made. Credibility was questioned. Just a typical day. I mean, I can't be mad at anybody. I myself have been blocked by a pretty well-known sports writer, so I know what it's like to take out some frustration on somebody of note. (Although, if I'm your person of note, you should clearly have higher standards.)
I only mention this to say, yes, I'm absolutely aware Josh Hill kind of sucked last week. Brutal might be more accurate. I had multiple teams that suffered. Understand that I only give my highest endorsements to players I've actually played.
Funny aside. I had Julius Thomas on a bunch of teams. In the leagues I played with nonprofessionals, I had to play Hill because he was the best option available. In two industry "experts" leagues, had to settle for Jason Witten on the waiver wire. Un-freaking believable.
So this is a long way to say we will be better this week. And for the record, I'm the kind of idiot who likes to double-down on my bad decisions. I follow up a Jaeger-bomb shot with a Fireball shot. So I will play Hill again.
Oh boy. I don't blame you if you don't want to read on.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills (vs. Patriots) He's more of a daily fantasy play this week. He had close to 16 points in his debut against the Colts. He wasn't sacked the entire game. The Patriots gave up a ton of passing yards to the Steelers in Week 1. The Bills don't have an Antonio Brown, but I could see Taylor doing some damage.
David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Bears) Johnson appeared in one play and hot damn, he made it count. He's scored a touchdown on every NFL touch! Coach Bruce Arians has tempered expectations because he doesn't want the rookie to get a big head. But at some point Arians will realize he likes to eat and he needs to put the best players on the field. He's a better option than Chris Johnson.
Lance Dunbar, RB, Dallas Cowboys (at Eagles) He had eight receptions for 70 yards against the Giants. Understand that all of the targets typically reserved for Dez Bryant won't all necessarily go to receivers. Expect Dunbar to be a bigger part of the passing game this week. Especially if the Cowboys get into a high-scoring affair with the Eagles.
Benny Cunningham, RB, St. Louis Rams (at Redskins) This could be a risky play if Todd Gurley plays this week. I highly doubt that will happen. But Cunningham played really well against the Seahawks last week with 12.20 points and led the team with 20 touches. The highest touch total in the last 17 games. The Redskins have allowed 130 rushing yards in three of their last four home games.
Buck Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens (at Raiders) He had 10 touches last week for 34 yards. Not great, but the Broncos defense is pretty good. The Raiders allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs in Week 1, and the most to running backs last season. I'm still bullish on Justin Forsett, but Allen could do enough damage this week for people who play in 14-team leagues and have some injury concerns. Yep, this is coming from experience.
Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jets on MNF) My mentions took a beating this summer when I said Moncrief was a better option than Dre Johnson headed into this season. He had a nice Week 1 against the Bills, as he had six receptions for 46 yards and a touch. This is only the start, folks. He's owned in just 30 percent of leagues. Jump aboard when you can.
Devin Street, WR, Dallas Cowboys (at Eagles) Street stood in for Dez when he missed OTAs during the offseason. Terrance Williams is the obvious play. But coverage will roll towards him. Cole will stay in the slot. So Street could get some single coverages. The Eagles allowed the second-most fantasy points to receivers in Week 1 (36.60) and the most in 2014. BTW, all three of Tony Romo's touchdown passes came with Dez off the field.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Saints) He had a very nice game against the Titans with a pair of touchdowns. So you obviously caught him on the highlights. I'm here to let you know this dude is for real. Plus he has a nice matchup against the Saints.
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions (at Vikings) Ebron was the most targeted Lions pass catcher in Week 1. Seriously, does Matthew Stafford think he has to be that cool to everybody? Sheesh. But we must take this seriously. The Lions sort of wasted a high draft pick on him. I like the matchup against the Vikings, who allowed seven receptions for 92 yards last week.
Carolina Panthers D/ST The Panthers had five sacks, two picks, a fumble recovery and an INT return for a touchdown in Duval County, Florida. That's 21 fantasy points to you and me. Here comes another great matchup against the Texas this week who turned the ball over a ton. If the Panthers are already gone, hit me up on Twitter.
-- You can hit Rank up for more advice or let him know how lousy his picks are on Twitter @adamrank. Don't be thrown off by his # wars, though.
