Throughout the fantasy football season, I'm going to take you inside the film room to break down what the tape is telling us on the key matchups of the week.
If we can figure out how coaches will use scheme and game planning to put players in a position to succeed -- and how opposing coordinators will try to limit them -- it should give us valuable intel to use when deciding how to set our weekly lineups.
Today, let's look at the Week 2 slate, with a focus on Jalen Hurts, Antonio Brown, James Robinson, Jared Cook and more, while also using Next Gen technology to break down some key offensive concepts.
Throughout the fantasy football season, I'm going to take you inside the film room to break down what the tape is telling us on the key matchups of the week.
Upgrade for Week 2
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts gets a tougher matchup this week versus the 49ers' defense, but I still see him as a must-start QB1 here. Last week, Hurts checked-in with 28.76 fantasy points in the win over the Falcons. He was efficient with the ball, reading it out from the pocket on schemed concept (see video below) and using his movement traits to escape and extend the pocket -- with eyes down the field. Plus, given the offensive structure in Philly, Hurts can get you 35-70 rushing yards on designed carries and scramble attempts.
Nelson Agholor, WR, New England Patriots
If you need a WR3 this week, take a look at Agholor in a matchup versus the Jets. The veteran led the Patriots in receiving last week (72 yards), catching 5 of 7 targets, including a touchdown on a schemed concept in the low red zone. I think the Patriots lack overall team speed on offense, but Agholor does give this unit some juice. Throw the in-breakers, seams and attack the boundary here with a rookie quarterback in Mac Jones who sees it fast as a pocket thrower.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Another matchup versus a split-safety-heavy defense in Indianapolis? We saw the vertical element Stafford brings to Sean McVay's offense in the Week 1 win over Chicago, with the veteran quarterback throwing touchdown passes of 67 and 56 yards. And those were "schemed" deep-ball concepts to beat split safety coverage. Stafford, who registered 24.3 fantasy points last week, is a must-start.
Antonio Brown, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brown is an easy play as a WR3 this week versus the Atlanta defense, especially after we saw how he was deployed in the Week 1 win over Dallas, catching 5 of 7 targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. Brown showcased his elite route-running traits in that game, winning one-on-ones outside the numbers, and seeing targets on schemed throws from quarterback Tom Brady (see video below).
Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots
Yes, Harris had the late fumble in the Week 1 loss to the Dolphins. But the Patriots' No. 1 running back also logged 23 carries for 100 yards, while adding another 17 yards (on two receptions) in the pass game. He's a downhill back, with second-level juice, in a Patriots offense that will continue to setup rookie quarterback Mac Jones off the run-game volume. You can lock Harris is as a lower-tier RB2 in all scoring formats.
Jared Cook, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
The veteran tight end posted 10.8 PPR points in Week 1 versus the Washington defense, catching 5 of 8 targets for 56 yards. He's a fit for this Chargers' offensive structure on intermediate throws from quarterback Justin Herbert. That's where you can get him loose on inside seams and deep corners/outs. I like him this week as a lower-tier TE1 versus the Cowboys.
Pittsburgh Steelers defense
The Steelers checked in as the third-highest-scoring D/ST last week, producing 13.0 points in the win over Josh Allen and the Bills. And, surprisingly, they went zone heavy, with a blitz rate of just 1.8% (the lowest in the league). However, I do see the Steelers bringing more pressure this week, and playing more man-coverage, in the matchup versus the Raiders. They will be in a position to muddy the pocket versus quarterback Derek Carr, which can lead to sacks and on-the-ball production in the secondary.
Hold steady
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts isn't leaving your lineup, but you do want to see the tight end play faster this week versus the Bucs. In Week 1, Pitts caught 4 of 8 targets for 31 yards in the loss to the Eagles. However, I think he can be much more aggressive at the catch point, and the game speed needs to increase given his ability to create matchups from multiple alignments. Throw the unders, seam balls and isolate him to get the 1-on-1s in a game that should feature heavy pass-game volume for Atlanta.
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow is right on that start/sit line for me, but the window is closing quickly on the Chicago defense. You can attack this Bears' secondary on timing and rhythm throws, which caters to Burrow's play-style. Plus, with the explosive-play-ability that rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase brings to the lineup, the Bengals will be in a position to dial up some short play throws. Burrow posted 18.64 points in the Week 1 win over the Vikings, and I would expect similar numbers here.
Downgrade for Week 2
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
No one is sitting Jackson this week versus the Chiefs, but the head-to-tape from the Week 3 matchup last season does lower expectations a bit. The defensive identity under Chiefs coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is to pressure and use late movement in the secondary to create post-snap confusion. The Chiefs heated up the pocket versus Jackson last year on zero blitzes in passing situations, forcing him to read it out quickly and throw with location versus tight man coverage. Jackson did rack up 83 yards rushing in that 2020 game, but he completed just 15 of 28 passes for 97 yards -- his lowest totals of the year.
Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears
Robinson will stay in your lineup, but until Chicago makes the switch to rookie quarterback Justin Fields, the Bears' wide receiver won't elevate past WR2 status. Remember, veteran quarterback Andy Dalton plays the position like a point guard. He's a ball distributor, which doesn't lead to a juiced-up, or vertical, pass game. You can still bet on the volume here with Robinson (11 targets in Week 1), but he needs more explosive play opportunities.
James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Robinson is a grinder, a volume runner who needs consistent touches over the course of the game to produce viable, fantasy rushing totals. And that's exactly why I have some concern here for the second-year back in this week's matchup versus a nasty Broncos defense. In Week 1, Robinson saw just five carries for 25 yards, and I don't know yet what the Jaguars want to be on offense under new coach Urban Meyer. With a lower-tier roster, and a game script that will most likely be pass heavy to compete this week, I see Robinson as a back-end RB2/Flex.
Mike Davis, RB, Atlanta Falcons
If you want volume, then you'll get it with Davis in Arthur Smith's offensive system. In Week 1, Davis totaled 18 touches. But after producing only 10.2 PPR points versus the Eagles' defense, do we really see a jump here in Week 2 with a matchup against the Tampa defensive front? Remember, Davis is a one-speed, one-cut runner. And I don't expect the Falcons' running back to see much daylight on downhill carries in this one. He's a flex play in deeper leagues.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins
After a Week 1 game where Gesicki didn't record a reception (on two targets), I would sit the tight end in all scoring formats versus the Buffalo defense. Yes, I expected much more here from Gesicki, especially on play-action concepts. Throw the flat ball on boot, scheme him up on seams and benders. I need to see more production and more defined throws to the tight end before he makes it back into the lineup.
Baltimore Ravens defense
Look, I love cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and I do believe the Ravens have one of the best defensive schemes in the league. But, in a home league where I roster the Baltimore defense, I'm now looking for streaming options this week with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on the schedule. In the 2020 game, Mahomes threw for 385 yards, plus four touchdowns. And even if the Ravens go with more zone/zone pressure this time, Andy Reid will have answers to scheme-up coverage.