Quarterback
MVP: Drew Brees (Saints)
Week 1 was a rude awakening for the Saints, but at least their 39-year old signalcaller reminded fantasy players why he's a perineal MVP candidate. Brees ripped apart the Buccaneers secondary for 439 YDS, 3 TD and a 2-Point conversion in a stunning 48-40 loss for the defending NFC South champs. With an aggressive Browns secondary that got 3 picks in their opener coming into the Superdome on Sunday, Brees should come back down to earth a bit.
Honorable Mentions: Phillip Rivers (Chargers), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
LVP: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
It didn't take long for Road Roethlisberger to rear his ugly head and crush fantasy players souls in 2018. Big Ben's serviceable total yardage (335 passing, 16 rushing) against the Browns was overshadowed by the fact that he turned the ball over a whopping 5 times (3 interceptions, 2 lost fumbles) and only threw 1 TD on the day. Roethlisberger has a good chance of rebounding this week when he returns to the friendly confines of Heinz Field to square off against the Chiefs porous secondary.
Dishonorable Mentions: Matthew Stafford (Lions), Deshaun Watson (Texans), Matt Ryan (Falcons)
Running Back
MVP: Alvin Kamara (Saints)
Kamara picked up right where he left off at the end of his historic 2017 season. Playing more reps to make up for the absence of co-lead back Mark Ingram didn't hamper the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year's ability to make plays as he carved up the Bucs defense for 141 scrimmage YDS (29 rushing, 112 receiving), 3 TD and a 2-PT conversion on just 17 touches. Kamara is in line for another feast in Week 2 when goes up against a Browns D that just allowed 192 total YDS and a pair of scores to Steelers back James Conner in his 1st career start.
Honorable Mentions: James Conner (Steelers), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Todd Gurley (Rams)
LVP: Kareem Hunt (Chiefs)
The Chiefs offense turned a lot of heads with their 38-point offensive explosion against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon. However, reigning rushing champion Hunt didn't contribute too much to that success. Hunt only picked up 49 YDS on 16 carries and failed to register a catch for the 1st time in his career. The sledding won't get any easier for the bellow back as he faces the Steelers pretty stout front in Week 2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Devonta Freeman (Falcons), LeSean McCoy (Bills), Derrick Henry (Titans)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs)
Hunt's aforementioned struggles were in large part because Hill was too busy making plays for anyone else to get involved. The 3rd-year speedster posted 169 YDS and 2 TD's on 7 receptions against the Chargers banged-up defense without anything that even resembled resistance. Hill seems to have a special connection with new starting QB Patrick Mahomes and unless his target share takes a sharp, sudden dip in the coming weeks, he should be a top-tier WR1 all season long.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Thomas (Saints), Randall Cobb (Packers), Kenny Stills (Dolphins)
LVP: Chris Hogan (Patriots)
While Tom Brady turned in a good performance on Sunday in a relatively easy Patriots victory over the Texans, Chris Hogan ended up being a complete non-factor in that success. The Pats presumed #1 wideout heading into 2018 only reeled in 1 of his 5 targets for 11 YDS and surprisingly got outshined by notable draft bust Phillip Dorsett (7 REC, 68 YDS, 1 TD)-who only had caught 12 balls during his inaugural season with the Patriots in 2017. Hogan will likely draw A.J Bouye or Jalen Ramsey in Sunday's showdown with the Jaguars, so you at least consider benching him for a higher floor option.
Dishonorable Mentions: Amari Cooper (Raiders), Sammy Watkins (Chiefs), Jamison Crowder (Redskins)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
Any doubt of Rob Gronkowski's commitment to football following an offseason full of retirement rumors were emphatically put to rest on Sunday. Outside of a lost fumble, Gronkowski imposed his will against the Texans lowly secondary for 4 quarters and finished the day an impressive 7 REC/123 YDS/1 TD line. Even when Julian Edelman returns in Week 5, Gronkowski is the clear top target in New England and remains pretty much the only receiver in the league outside of Antonio Brown that is a near-lock to put up monster numbers every single time he steps on the field.
Honorable Mentions: Eric Ebron (Colts), Jordan Reed (Redskins), George Kittle (49ers)
LVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Despite a respectable 6 targets, Kelce struggled to get on the same page as Mahomes and only ended up with 1 reception for 6 YDS on the day. Hill will likely continue to be the favorite target of the big-armed young gunslinger, but it should only be a matter of time before Kelce returns to his role as the productive #2 option in this dangerous passing attack.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jimmy Graham (Packers), Trey Burton (Bears), Evan Engram (Giants)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Vikings
Last year's top scoring defense got off to an excellent start in 2018 by getting 4 takeaways (3 INT, FUM REC), 3 sacks and a TD in a victory against a 49ers team that was viewed as a dangerous upstart heading into 2018. As long as Aaron Rodgers doesn't stun the world and miss Sunday's game with the knee injury he suffered during last week's comeback win over the Bears, George Edwards' troops will have a tough time putting another performance like this.
Honorable Mentions: Ravens, Rams, Bears
LVP: Chargers
Apparently Joey Bosa is the glue that holds this defense together. The Chargers D was completely helpless on Sunday as they mustered 0 takeways, just a single sack and allowed the Chiefs to hang 38 points on them. They'll be a strong bounce back candidate, regardless of Bosa's status, this week when they take on the impotent Bills offense that just surrender 6 sacks and 2 INT's to the Ravens in a heinous 47-3 loss.
Dishonorable Mentions: Saints, Cardinals, Giants
No comments:
Post a Comment