Don’t overreact to Week 1 performances, no matter how good or bad. However, it would also be malpractice to take Week 1 and throw it in the trash can. Speaking of garbage, we’re concerned about the quarterback situation in Atlanta, as Cooper Rush looked very much like…well…Cooper Rush. We’re therefore downgrading Kyle Pitts significantly, so consider him a fade.
Meanwhile, George Kittle is currently the TE10 according to FantasyPros ECR (Expert Consensus Ranking). He has a delicious matchup against the Miami Dolphins, but he looked slow and sluggish in his first game back from major knee surgery. Expecting a Top 10 finish feels like a tall ask, even against a defense that’s a fish out of water on NFL football fields. Fade Kittle in Week 2.
On a more positive note, I could talk all day about Juwan Johnson, who exploded after a quiet start and starred down the stretch this past weekend. He’s a weekly starter until further notice. Jake Ferguson squares off against a Washington Commanders defense shredded by Dallas Goedert last weekend. Expect the Dallas Cowboys offense to shake off a slow start and take out their frustrations on a different division rival. Ferguson, as a beneficiary, should offer Top 10-12 numbers at the tight end position.
Finally, we offer our deep dive of the week for true sickos and those in larger leagues. Many experts are predicting Romeo Doubs to see a sharp uptick in targets as a result of A.J. Brown‘s ankle injury. The star newcomer was placed on Injured Reserve and will miss a minimum of four games. Other analysts noted the unexpectedly high snap share enjoyed by Mack Hollins and foresee greater contributions from him instead. However, Drake Maye struggled, and quarterbacks in such situations often turn to their security blankets to get back on track. That’s where Hunter Henry steps in.
I don’t love the matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Maye and Hunter have a close bond off the field as well as on it, as evidenced by Henry’s TE9 finish last season. Maye looked to the TE position for his first and only touchdown pass last week. The only real surprise: it found the hands of Eli Raridon instead of Henry. Those looking for a dart-throw streaming TE can look for Maye to re-establish his trust in Henry in Week 2. Especially in the red zone. –Drew DeLuca