Eric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments".
One week down, 16 more to go. Welcome to the first 2019 in-season edition of the end-of-season rankings! Each week up until the fantasy playoffs we shall rank the players -- and defenses -- for the remainder of the season, by position and overall, in an effort to monitor relevant changes and aid in trade talks, barroom conversation, whatever you like. This season, we are merging an oldie and a goodie -- the Stock Watch -- into this file, so look for players on the move within each position with brief discussion points as well.
Each team has played only one game that counts in the standings, so let us just say that the preseason rankings have not exactly been overhauled. That is not my style. If you liked Baker Mayfield, Aaron Jones and Stefon Diggs a week ago, um, did something really change? They simply did not have impressive Week 1 games. Be patient. If we are still talking about them -- and myriad others -- as disappointments in a few weeks, then sure, it will really reflect here in their rankings. I am more patient than that.
That noted, there are some changes, either due to injury or opportunity or just because I do feel differently about a player than I did a week or two ago. No, Lamar Jackson is not a top-five quarterback. Not yet.
As always, enjoy and good luck this season!
QB stock up
Tom Brady, New England Patriots: Something tangible clearly changed, and it had little to do with how great he looked picking apart the Steelers defense on Sunday night. The Pats added a significant wide receiver to Brady's crew of targets, a great one. That matters.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: How can we not be impressed, even realizing just how awful the Dolphins appear to be? I think Jackson is capable of 20-plus touchdown passes -- which really is not that many -- and we know he can run. If only he could face Miami again.
Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars: We know many of you compete in deeper formats than the ESPN standard, and truth be told, I enjoy the 2-QB leagues more. Minshew cannot complete 88 percent of his passes for long, but with the Nick Foles injury, he might play more than 88 percent of the season. I ranked him ahead of numerous veterans.
QB stock down
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: Things could have gone better for the first three quarters of his debut, certainly. The final numbers look fine, though we covet him because he can do special things with his legs, too. He still can be a QB1. Keep him rostered!
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He probably turned the football over while you were reading this. Hey, not trying to be mean, but with the erratic way he plays, this is who he is and we should stop expecting top-10 performances on any consistent basis.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears: He and his teammates looked mighty uncomfortable in scoring all of three points at home in the opener. Do not panic, as Trubisky ended up with nice 2018 numbers, but he was anything but consistent along the way.
RB stock up
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers: His was quite the opening-week performance and a reminder of how well he played last season, with or without Melvin Gordon. The Chargers are currently without Gordon, and will be for what could be two more months. Ekeler is a clear RB2 for a while.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: Do not get the idea he will become a PPR star, but his 75-yard scoring reception -- and the meager play of Dion Lewis -- could be a harbinger of more.
Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Good for him. Jones topped his rookie output for total yards in one game. It hardly means he is safe, but the Bucs should go with Jones over Peyton Barber and so should you. There is flex attraction here.
RB stock down
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams: The exciting rookie from Memphis has to see more than two snaps in future games, but the first look at him was brief and disconcerting and Malcolm Brown appears to be next in line, for the goal line work and more.
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: The Vikings shut Atlanta down, but Freeman looked especially ineffective, and his fumble did not help. We need to remember Freeman missed most of the 2018 season with a groin injury and he might not return to safe RB2 territory.
Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers: Freeman's former teammate is already hurt, but this running back situation looked like a time-share even before the injury. Matt Breida moved up, by the way, but it is hard to trust a 49ers player except George Kittle.
WR stock up
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts: The night Andrew Luck announced his retirement, I sought out a trade for Hilton in one of my leagues. Look, I think Jacoby Brissett can play. He is not Luck, but Brissett can keep Hilton a safe WR2.
Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs:Tyreek Hill getting hurt does not change the fact that Watkins missed six or more games in two of the past three seasons. His Sunday outing matched his 2018 touchdown total. I have to move him way up, but be careful here. He breaks fantasy hearts.
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles: Just a reminder that he led the NFL in yards per reception a season ago and now he has a better quarterback. The only issue is Jackson is unlikely to pile on the receptions, Sunday notwithstanding. Jackson has topped 63 catches in just one season.
WR stock down
Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers: In this case, perhaps we should have all listened to the coaches when they said Pettis was hardly a lock for playing time. No 49ers wide receivers need rostering at this point.
Keke Coutee, Houston Texans: Inactive for Monday night with an ankle sprain suffered more than a month prior, Coutee missed more than half of his rookie campaign with injuries, and one can reasonably wonder about his durability. The late-August addition of Kenny Stills does not help his value, either.
TE stock up
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions: It seems a bit premature to call him the next Rob Gronkowski, but he went from relative fantasy afterthought to borderline TE1 quickly. It also speaks to the position, somewhat. We know what Kyle Rudolph is and Hockenson could be a major upgrade.
TE stock down
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins: What a player he used to be, before the concussions. I understand why fantasy managers cling to his skills as reason to invest, but be realistic. Cincinnati's Tyler Eifert suited up and looked strong in Week 1, but again, if you roster him, you probably need another tight end later as well.
