Was it a foul recreation or dangerous signal for A.J. Brown, Brian Thomas Jr. and different Week 1 disappointments? – ESPN

Daniel Dopp explains why Brian Thomas Jr. remains to be a top-15 large receiver following a lackluster Week 1 fantasy efficiency. (0:50)
Outdoors of some video games in Week 1, I assumed the soccer was fairly common. And the decrease fantasy football numbers — from some big-time gamers — are likely to replicate that. I noticed it in my lineups, too. Tough.
However what does a foul recreation from one in all your fantasy starters actually imply?

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Typically, the anticipated quantity is there, however it was only a down day. The matchup comes into play right here, as does recreation stream. The decision sheet issues, too. We get that. On to the subsequent.
Nevertheless, Week 1 may also level to some adverse traits. And people do inform a narrative.
Under are 10 gamers who underperformed in Week 1. We’ll determine if it had been merely a foul recreation or was it a foul signal that would impression your lineup shifting ahead.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Brown was a nonfactor within the Eagles’ Thursday night time win, catching his solely goal with underneath 2 minutes to go within the recreation. One seize for eight yards (1.8 factors). That is it. Now, Dallas did play zone protection on 85.7% of Jalen Hurts‘ dropbacks, which forces the ball beneath. I noticed defenders attending to depth and squeezing zone home windows.
Nevertheless, the Eagles can scheme higher to create extra open voids for his or her No. 1 large receiver. Assume in-breaking ideas right here. Positive, Week 1 was fairly tough if you happen to rostered Brown, however I haven’t got main issues after one recreation. Search for the Eagles to flip the script for Brown in Week 2 at Kansas Metropolis, which implies a bump in quantity and third-level throws.
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow and the Bengals’ passing offense struggled within the Week 1 street win over the Cleveland Browns. Burrow, who completed with 8.82 fantasy factors, accomplished solely 14 of 23 passes for 113 yards and one landing, whereas Ja’Marr Chase (4.6 factors) and Tee Higgins (6.3 factors) mixed for 59 yards receiving on 5 grabs.
The Browns protection has offered points for Burrow earlier than. Return to Week 7 of final season, additionally in Cleveland. Burrow accomplished 15 of 25 throws for 181 yards and two scores (14.9 factors). Not sufficient for fantasy managers. The season opener in 2023? One other street recreation in opposition to the Browns, and Burrow had 3.2 factors coming back from a preseason calf harm.
Nevertheless, for this week’s residence opener in opposition to the Jaguars, the place the Bengals will see split-safety zone protection and optimistic perimeter matchups, Burrow is correct again in my ranks as a top-five QB.
Omarion Hampton, RB, Las Angeles Chargers
Hampton’s professional debut in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs yielded 8.1 fantasy factors, which did not meet the summer time hype on the rookie. It occurs (loads). But it surely’s necessary to deal with his total utilization within the Chargers backfield.
Hampton was clearly the lead runner on this matchup, ending with 17 touches, in comparison with solely two for veteran Najee Harris. And whereas Hampton averaged simply 3.2 YPC — on 15 speeding makes an attempt — I’d inform managers to belief Jim Harbaugh’s system, the place the run recreation is a foundational piece. Early within the season, particularly after one recreation, I take a look at quantity first. That tells a narrative. Preserve Hampton within the lineup as your RB2 this week in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
I used to be actually excited to observe Thomas underneath new coach Liam Coen in a optimistic matchup in opposition to the Carolina Panthers. Nevertheless, Thomas completed with just one catch for 11 yards. The alternatives had been there, although, as Thomas did see seven targets from Trevor Lawrence, plus he scored on a schemed speeding try (reverse) within the second quarter. I’d hope that got here from a bit on Coen’s recreation plan that reads: “Get the ball to Brian,” as a result of he’s a difference-maker.
So, what occurred right here? Wanting on the tape, Lawrence had some flat-out misses when concentrating on Thomas, and it began on his first go of the sport, an underthrown fade ball. We have to see higher ball location from Lawrence this week in opposition to Cincinnati. The performs are there to be made. However I will take the seven targets, with a devoted effort to get the ball in Thomas’ fingers on that run play. He is a three-level playmaker. Be affected person.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
The Texans-Rams recreation was a slugfest. Nothing fairly about it, which occurs usually in Week 1. Collins caught three of 5 targets for 25 yards within the loss. The 5.5 fantasy factors will not be almost sufficient in your lineup, however I nonetheless see some positives right here. Collins led the Texans with an 18.5% goal share, and he performs an outlined function on this offense.
Collins will align because the boundary X to the bottom of 3×1 units, the place he will likely be an isolation goal for quarterback C.J. Stroud — at a number of ranges. Throw the fade, slant and deep curl, which we noticed within the recreation in opposition to the Rams. The schemed targets will likely be there, too. And Collins strikes across the formation to see the ball on screens and frontside mixture routes. It is a greater matchup for Collins on the perimeter on Monday night time in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Flip the web page.
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Is it honest to say Goff will take a step again this season with out his former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson within the combine? Sure. Johnson introduced a way of calm to Goff’s recreation, and we noticed that in his pocket motion and eye degree. He made main enhancements underneath Johnson’s teaching. Whereas I do not need to use Week 1 as a barometer for a complete season, particularly in opposition to Inexperienced Bay’s upgraded protection, Goff completed with 10.9 factors — and just one completion of 20 or extra yards.
Final season, Goff averaged 19.9 factors and completed as QB6 in total scoring. An enormous-play offense, explosive within the go recreation. And Goff nonetheless has high-level targets in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs, so I am not anticipating this offense to fall off a cliff. That is not taking place. However I do imagine Goff’s numbers may decline, making him extra of a streaming choice this season.
Miami Dolphins go recreation
I do just like the Week 2 matchup for Miami in opposition to New England, because the Patriots protection simply gave up 362 yards passing to Geno Smith, together with 9 completions of 20 or extra yards (most within the league final week). However after the Dolphins’ blowout loss to the Colts on Sunday, there should be some sense of pause right here, no?
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a timing and rhythm thrower. He will get the ball out, with location. I did not see that at a constant fee in Week 1, although, and Tagovailoa turned the ball over 3 times (two interceptions, one fumble). Tyreek Hill accounted for 8.0 factors, catching 4 of six targets for 40 yards, whereas Jaylen Waddle caught 4 of 5 targets for 30 yards (7.0 factors). For this offense to go, and for managers to see massive numbers of their lineups, the massive performs should hit. There ought to be loads of alternatives for that to occur with Tagovailoa, Hill and Waddle, however that first week did not create a lot confidence.
RJ Harvey RB, Denver Broncos
Harvey flashed his big-play potential on his 50-yard rush within the win over the Tennessee Titans. He has some juice in his recreation. However Harvey completed with solely eight touches on the day, whereas veteran J.K. Dobbins paced the Broncos with 18 touches and a speeding rating. Primarily based on the utilization, Dobbins has the look of the Broncos’ lead again heading into this week’s assembly with the Indianapolis Colts.
This does not imply you need to look to commerce Harvey, as he has all of the traits to suit as Sean Payton’s No. 1 operating again. He is obtained upside within the league. However after one recreation, with Dobbins seeing many of the quantity, Harvey’s fantasy worth does take a success. For now, he is a deeper-league flex who will want extra time to earn an outlined function.
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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I used to be concentrating on Johnson constantly in my summer time mock drafts. The scheme match sells in Pittsburgh. And Johnson created splash performs on his school tape. That is why I envisioned him carving out a task because the early-down runner when paired with Jaylen Warren within the Steelers backfield.
As an alternative, it was veteran Kenneth Gainwell who shared the backfield with Warren within the win over the New York Jets, and Johnson noticed only one carry (for minus-2 yards). Not the debut managers anticipated once they drafted Johnson, however this early within the season you merely maintain on to the rookie as a result of he does have the power to provide within the Steelers’ run recreation. He is a bench stash till additional discover.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Kupp confirmed indicators of decline on his 2024 tape, together with diminished lower-body quickness and separation pace, which might result in extra contested throws. And Kupp did not flash a lot in any respect within the Seahawks’ loss to the 49ers, catching two of three targets for 15 yards.
Sure, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak can manufacture extra manufacturing for Kupp with formations and motions that give the veteran free entry off the ball, and the play-action go recreation may also open extra home windows. But it surely’s clear Jaxon Smith-Njigba (9 receptions, 124 yards in Week 1) is the amount goal in Seattle. Kupp could be began in Week 2 versus the Steelers, however he is a greater slot in deeper codecs.

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