Just like that we are on to week 2 of the NFL season. Starting off the week we have a huge match up of two playoff teams from 2022. The Minnesota Vikings head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. Lets go over which players belong in your line up and which belong on the bench.
MUST STARTS
Justin Jefferson – Despite Tyreek Hills monster week 1 Jefferson is the WR1 in all of fantasy football. I would consider starting him even if he had to play with his hands tied behind his back….He would probably still catch better than Kadarius Toney.
Jalen Hurts – Hurts, along with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow are elite QB options that belong in your lineup every week. Hurts was only the 19th ranked QB in total points in week 1, but he will have a much more productive day against the questionable Vikings defense. If the middling QB Baker Mayfield managed to toss two TDs against the Vikings in week 1, the dynamic Hurts should have a very productive day. In the teams 2022 match up Hurts passed for 333 yards and 1 TD while rushing for 57 yards and 2 TDs.
AJ Brown – AJ Brown is a special talent with a dynamic QB. He drew 10 targets in week 1 hauling in 7 of them for 79 yards and 0 TDs. I really like his chances to score a TD this year and hit the century mark in receiving.
DeVonta Smith – Smith is a route technician that makes defense pay when they give special attention to AJ Brown. In PPR leagues Smith is an every week must start when healthy. He matched Browns target share and catches in week 1 managing to score a TD with less yards receiving (47).
TJ Hockenson – Targets are king in fantasy football and Hockenson gets them. The yardage wasn’t there week 1, but the targets (9) were. TJ is a top 5 fantasy football tight end every week until further notice.
STRONG STARTS
Kirk Cousins – Cousins is a beneficiary of a heavy passing offense and I expect the Vikings to throw ball a lot against the Eagles Thursday night. If you can stomach the turnovers put Kirk in your line up and pencil him in for 300 yards and a couple touchdowns.
FROM THE GUT/FLEX STARTS
Dallas Goedert – While I wouldn’t recommend him as a flex I do like his chances to have a nice rebound from his goose egg in week 1. He is too talented of a player to only earn 1 target. I just would not expect too much from him.
Alexander Mattison – A volume based runner who did not look too special in week 1 averaging 3.1 YPC and catching 3 balls for 10 yards and a score. Mattison has no real competition at the running back position, that alone paired with the Vikings high scoring offense gives him decent TD scoring chances.
Jordan Addison – The first round draft pick drew 6 targets from Cousins in week 1 catching 4 of them and taking one 39 yards for his first career touchdown. Like Devonta Smith does with AJ Brown, Addison has the route running ability and technique to take advantage of defenses when they give too much attention to Jefferson. Until I see if Addison can be consistent he is on my “From the gut/flex” start list.
BENCHED
Philly RBs – We heard all off season about how involved former Lion D’Andre Swift would be, but in week 1 it was Kenneth Gainwell that dominated the backfield touches. I still like Swift to emerge as the RB1 in Philly, but until I see him get more involved he will remain on my bench. Gainwell and Boston Scott do not belong in your fantasy line up and Rashaad Penny was a healthy scratch.
*Edit* Gainwell is now listed as out for the contest. I still am in wait and see mode with Swift and Penny
Pro Football Debate 
Leave a comment