Quarterback
MVP: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
A good portion of the league's top QB's got off to surprisingly hot starts considering the unique offseason circumstances that the 'Rona caused, but no one was as downright dominant as Wilson. The 31-year old sliced through the Falcons pass defense with stunning efficiency and consistency-finishing the afternoon with 322 YDS and 4 TD's on 31 of 35 passing while also adding 29 YDS on the ground. Wilson isn't likely to have the same level of success against the Patriots vaunted secondary in Week 2.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Josh Allen (Bills)
LVP: Jared Goff (Rams)
Here's a terrific example of the disparities between fantasy and real football. Goff looked pretty comfortable under center and consistently put together solid drives that ended with him registering a 275 YD performance that helped guide the Rams to a narrow victory over the Cowboys, but getting blanked in the TD column and throwing an INT made it an innocuous start to his 2020 fantasy campaign. Goff will return to his familiar toss-up QB1/2 perch for this Sunday's matchup against an Eagles team that may be out for blood after their brutal week 1 loss to the Washington Football Team.
Dishonorable Mentions: Carson Wentz (Eagles), Baker Mayfield (Browns), Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
Running Back
MVP: Josh Jacobs (Raiders)
Buzz had been building around Jacobs in recent weeks as glowing reports continued to trickle out of Raiders training camp. He lived up to that preseason hype in his 1st bit of game action against the Panthers. Jacobs found paydirt 3 times on his 25 CAR/93 YDS day on the ground and was even pretty active in the passing game hauling in 4 receptions for 46 YDS. It's pretty clear that Jon Gruden is going to heavily feed Jacobs once again in 2020 and if he can continue to haul in passes and physically endure the beating that comes with that type of extensive workload, he should finish the season as a top-tier RB1.
Honorable Mentions: Christian McCaffery (Panthers), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys), Raheem Mostert (49ers)
LVP: Mark Ingram (Ravens)
Containing the run was the only thing the Browns did well in their atrocious 38-6 loss to the Ravens and since rookie J.K Dobbins vultured a pair of scores to prop up his line on a similarly uneventful afternoon (7 CAR/22 YDS), this left Ingram-who turned his 10 carries into just 29 YDS-alone in the fantasy RB doghouse. Aside from the poor statistical output, there was also some disheartening evidence that the Ravens will be utilizing a committee (in addition to Ingram and Dobbins, Gus Edwards also received 4 carries) at RB this season-which would make Ingram a terrible value at his 5th-6th round ADP.
Dishonorable Mentions: Joe Mixon (Bengals), Nick Chubb (Browns), Cam Akers (Rams)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Davante Adams (Packers)
Aaron Rodgers came out pissed off and slinging the football downfield against the Vikings in Week 1, which proved to be a huge blessing for the people who used a top 10-15 pick on Adams. The Packers top pass catching option feasted on the Vikings overhauled, young corner group all game long-securing 14 catches for 156 YDS and 2 TD's. Redzone prowess has always been the driving force behind Adams' fantasy value and if he can add a high yardage total to that (he's only cleared 1,000 YDS 1 time in his previous 6 seasons in the league), he'll be the single most dangerous fantasy asset at the WR position.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Thielen (Vikings), Calvin Ridley (Falcons), Darius Slayton (Giants)
LVP: Michael Thomas (Saints)
Thomas had an uncharacteristically quiet performance against the Buccaneers, making only 3 catches for 17 YDS in a game where the Saints offense had visible struggles at times. Making matters worse is that he suffered a high ankle sprain in the 4th quarter that could effect his productivity for the next 6-8 weeks. Despite drawing a plus matchup against the Raiders, Thomas will be a dicey WR1 play in Week 2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Odell Beckham Jr. (Browns), A.J. Brown (Titans), Tyler Boyd (Bengals)
Tight End
MVP: Mark Andrews (Ravens)
Andrews wasn't the most productive receiver (5 REC/56 YDS) for the Ravens on Sunday, but he cashed in on 2 of Lamar Jackson's 3 TD throws against the Browns. While Marquise Brown's explosiveness will allow him to have his moments as the top dog, Andrews' status as a lethal redzone threat paired with his ability to haul in contested catches in the middle of the field make him a solid bet to hold onto his status as the Ravens most consistently reliable passing game option.
Honorable Mentions: Dallas Goedert (Eagles), Noah Fant (Broncos), T.J. Hockenson (Lions)
LVP: Evan Engram (Giants)
It was a classic dud from Engram as he had a couple of bad drops and an egregious offensive PI call in the 2nd quarter that greatly overshadowed his positive contributions to the team (2 REC/9 YDS) in the Giants up-and-down 26-16 MNF loss to the Steelers. Even if he's able to stay healthy for 15+ games for the 1st time since his rookie season in 2017, the freakishly athletic Engram will remain the most volatile TE that's on the starting radar in all of fantasy.
Dishonorable Mentions: Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers), Austin Hooper (Browns), Chris Herndon (Jets)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Saints
While the Saints offense failed to produce consistently, the Saints defense/special teams helped them gain a clear advantage over the undisciplined, turnover-prone Buccaneers. The reigning NFC South Champions picked up 3 sacks, 2 INT, a FUM REC, blocked field and TD in their 34-23 win. With their strong pass rush, secondary and continuity, this group continues to be an underrated option at this spot.
Honorable Mentions: Ravens, Patriots, Steelers
LVP: Eagles
Things didn't go as planned for the Eagles in Week 1 as they blew a 17-point lead against a rebuilding Washington squad and ended up losing by 10 points. As bad as their offense was following that early 17 point explosion, this group deserves their part of the blame in the collapse. Allowing 27 points to a Dwayne Haskins-led offense that leans on a middling run game to move the ball is downright unacceptable for a defense that has this level of talent and experience. They'll look to get back on track against the Rams in Week 2.
Dishonorable Mentions: 49ers, Colts, Bears
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