Quarterback:
MVP: Matthew Stafford (Lions)
In a wonky week where little-owned guys topped the fantasy leaderboards (Alex Smith, Jared Goff, Sam Bradford), Matthew Stafford was the only longtime fixture of this beautiful fake game to deliver a stellar performance. The 29-year old justified the record-breaking $135 mil contract extension he received last month by shredding the Cardinals defense for 306 total YDS (292 passing, 14 rushing) and 4 TD's on Sunday afternoon. Even with his well-documented history of struggling against teams with winning records, Stafford should be a viable fantasy play most weeks.
Honorable Mentions: Carson Wentz (Eagles), Tyrod Taylor (Bills), Marcus Mariota (Titans)
LVP: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Despite looking healthy for the 1st time in nearly a year, Russell Wilson put together a thoroughly underwhelming performance during the NFL's kickoff weekend. A combination of horrific offensive line play and a surprisingly effective Packers secondary that prevented the Seahawks WR's from getting separation for most of the day led to Wilson having a very quiet afternoon (208 total yards, 0 TD's and a lost fumble) at Lambeau Field. The Seahawks signal-caller has a decent shot of rebounding against the lowly 49ers in Week 2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Eli Manning (Giants), Tom Brady (Patriots), Kirk Cousins (Redskins)
Running Back:
MVP: Kareem Hunt (Chiefs)
Ladies and gentleman, the league's next headline-grabbing star might've been born in Week 1. The rookie recovered from a brutal fumble on his 1st-ever NFL carry in triumphant fashion by putting together a record-setting performance (246 total YDS and 3 TD on 22 touches) that helped the Chiefs pull off a massive upset victory over the Patriots last Thursday night. While he clearly won't put up insane numbers like this every week, Hunt should be a key cog in the Chiefs offense and a legit RB1 option all season long.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Gillislee (Patriots), Leonard Fournette (Jaguars), LeSean McCoy (Bills)
LVP: Le'Veon Bell (Steelers)
Le'Veon Bell's performance on Sunday should serve as a poignant cautionary tale for any player that's thinking about holding out of training camp for a new contract in the future. The Steelers star back looked sluggish and aloof as he mustered a sad 48 total yards (32 rushing, 16 receiving) on 13 touches against the Browns on Sunday. With the Vikings stalwart D traveling to Heinz Field this weekend, I wouldn't bank on Bell suddenly returning to form.
Dishonorable Mentions: Joe Mixon (Bengals), Paul Perkins (Giants), Ameer Abdullah (Lions)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Stefon Diggs (Vikings)
Stefon Diggs had the distinct pleasure of being the 1st receiver to steamroll the Saints hilariously inept secondary in 2017. The Vikings top WR picked up 93 YDS and 2 TD on 7 receptions in the Norsemen's impressive victory on Monday night. Diggs will be in the low-end WR2/high-end WR3 mix against the Steelers on the road in Week 2.
Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Antonio Brown (Steelers), Adam Thielen (Vikings)
LVP: Jamison Crowder (Redskins)
Jamison Crowder's bid to become a breakout star in 2017 hit a bit of a snag in Week 1. Pierre Garcon's projected replacement as the Redskins go-to underneath receiver was nothing short of abysmal against the Eagles, picking up 14 YDS and losing a fumble on just 3 receptions. Crowder and his cohorts on the Redskins offense will look to wash away their miserable home opener in a road bout with a thoroughly unpredictable Rams squad.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers), Martavis Bryant (Steelers), Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)
Tight End:
MVP: Austin Hooper (Falcons)
Austin Hooper made the most of his 2 receptions against the Bears on Sunday, posting 128 YDS and scoring what proved to be the game-winning 88-yard TD early in the 4th quarter. Even with this impressive line, Hooper still strikes me as a huge boom-or-bust play this season in the Falcons high-powered aerial attack.
Honorable Mentions: Jason Witten (Cowboys), Coby Fleener (Saints), Zach Ertz (Eagles)
LVP: Jimmy Graham (Seahawks)
You know shit was ugly at the TE position when Greg Olsen's 18-yard performance against the 49ers' god awful defense wasn't the biggest dud of the week. The debut of the new leaner, quicker version of Jimmy Graham was a complete disaster as the 30-year old Pro Bowler mustered an alarming 8 YDS on 3 receptions against the Packers shockingly stout passing defense. Like the rest of his offensive counterparts, Graham has a nice chance to redeem himself against the 49ers in Week 2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Greg Olsen (Panthers), Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), Jordan Reed (Redskins)
Defense/Special Teams:
MVP: Los Angeles Rams
The Wade Phillips-era in LA got off to one hell of a start as his group feasted on the Scott Tolzien-led Colts, picking up 4 sacks, 3 takeaways (2 INT's, 1 FUM REC), a safety and a pair of defensive scores in their huge 44-9 win on Sunday afternoon. We should get a more accurate gauge of what this defense is capable of when they take on Kirk Cousins and the Redskins, who are coming off a 4-turnover performance against the Eagles, in Week 2.
Honorable Mentions: Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers
LVP: Houston Texans
In a week that was stuffed to the brim with notable underperformers, the Texans D registering no sacks or takeaways against a Blake Bortles-led offense might've been the most stunning. This heavily-lauded group looked collectively flat in their home opener as they allowed 23 of the 29 total points the Jaguars scored in this shocking upset. There's too much talent spread throughout this group to write them off completely, but this is definitely not a good sign for their prospects in 2017.
Dishonorable Mentions: New England Patriots, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings
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