Saquon Barkley is back. And Curtis Samuel's versatility is elevating the wide receiver. Let's get in the film room and talk more fantasy football here. I'm looking at players to upgrade based on the upcoming NFL slate, along with those I'm pushing down in my Week 2 PPR rankings. And I'll give you the players to monitor, too.
Vets, rookies, quarterbacks. Here's what I'm seeing on the tape.
Upgrades for Week 2
RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Everyone is in on Barkley after Week 1. And they should be. He dropped 33.4 PPR points on the Titans' defense. But I wanted to write on the Giants running back because of just how far he elevated in my ranks. Entering last week, I had Barkley as a mid-tier RB2. Had to see it first. This week, with a matchup versus a Carolina defense that was just shredded by the Browns' run game, Barkley is my RB4. I think he's back. Yeah. Explosive, sudden and powerful. An upper-tier, dual-threat fantasy player at the position.
WR Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
The Week 1 tape told us a story on Samuel's usage and versatile deployment in the Washington offense. He caught eight of a team-high 11 targets for 55 yards and a score. Plus, he added another 17 yards rushing on four carries. He's a motion/movement player who will be schemed up in the pass game to get free access off the ball, then find space there. And those rushing totals were from backfield alignments. Take the volume and the creative offensive approach in Washington. Samuel is a WR3 in my ranks this week with a matchup versus the Lions.
RB AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
There's no question the Packers are going through a major transition at wide receiver to start this season. So, let's stick with the foundational approach of Matt LaFleur's offense, which is the run game. Dillon logged 91 total yards -- on 15 touches -- and a touchdown in Week 1, good for 20.1 PPR points. While Aaron Jones will get his looks in Green Bay's backfield, too, I like Dillon as an early-down/goal-line runner who can also catch the swing and flat passes against a zone-heavy Chicago defense on Sunday night. He's an RB2 for me this week.
Downgrades for Week 2
QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
It's really not the five Week 1 turnovers with Burrow. Sometimes, on an NFL Sunday, things go south, and when the wheels come off the tracks, forget about it. However, I have Burrow as my QB11 this week because of Micah Parsons (league-leading 57.1% pass rush win rate in Week 1) and that Dallas front, plus defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's ability to send situational pressure. The rebuilt Cincinnati offensive line struggled in pass protection last week against Pittsburgh. Without knowing the status of wide receiver Tee Higgins at this moment (concussion), I see Burrow as a fringe QB1 this Sunday. There are safer plays out there -- like Carson Wentz -- with a little more upside in Week 1 for me.
I'm not down on Hall after one pro game, because the traits are there for him to be a dual-threat back with juice in this league. But if you look at total volume, Hall is going to share touches again with Michael Carter in the Jets' backfield against a Browns defense that has matchup advantages. Carter out touched Hall 17-to-12 in Week 1. I see Hall as a lower-tier flex play in deeper leagues with more PPR upside. Cleveland has the front four to pressure Joe Flacco, and it will play zone coverage, meaning underneath throws and check-downs to the running backs.
TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Higbee saw 11 targets in the Rams' Week 1 loss to the Bills. While that's a big number, Higbee caught just five of those 11 targets for 35 yards. The Rams' offense looked disjointed with no real rhythm and was really tough to watch. Even with a pretty good matchup against Atlanta in Week 3, I see a Rams script that blends the run and pass game, with more schemed concepts to get the ball to wide receiver Allen Robinson II. I have tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz ranked higher than Higbee this week.
Players to monitor in Week 2
TE Taysom Hill, Saints
Hill was designated as a tight end in fantasy but only had one catch for two yards in Week 1 against Atlanta. Hill was much more effective as a rusher, totaling four carries for 81 yards and one touchdown. He did most of his damage on designed QB runs. Hill will remain a TE2 this week, but let's see how he's deployed against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Will more rushing attempts equal pass game targets? He could be a TE with unique upside this season.
WR Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
Dotson is dynamic. I see it and so do you. He should be a priority waiver pick up after posting two touchdowns in Week 1. One of them on a RPO play in the red zone. He ran a glance route and got great separation. The next one was a double-move (out and up) in the strike zone (20-35 yard line). Both scoring plays were scripted for Dotson as a primary receiver. If his target volume continues to jump(only five targets in Week 1), then Dotson will elevate into the WR3 range.
WR Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans
There's no question that Burks is a scheme fit in the Titans' offense. He can run play-action crossers, catch quick screens and and separate on vertical throws. With more reps and pro game experience I expect Burks to move up my ranks.
More notes from the tape...
• Michael Pittman Jr. is my WR9 heading into the the Colts' Week 2 matchup against the Jaguars. Pittman had nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown last Sunday. With Matt Ryan running the offense, the duo's timing and rhythm on throws and the play-action concepts should only get better as the season goes on.
• Drake London has the traits -- within Atlanta's defined passing game -- to continue climbing the ranks. London had five receptions for 75 yards in Week 1.
• Keep an eye on Bears running back Khalil Herbert against Green Bay. He's a better fit for Chicago's run game than David Montgomery right now. Herbert rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in Week 1.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster can produce consistent WR2/3 numbers in Kansas City. Smith-Schuster caught six of his eight targets for 79 yards in Week 1. He excels on quick screens outside the numbers, crossing routes and over routes. He will continue to be a prime target for Patrick Mahomes in the Chiefs' offense.
• Don't give up on Green Bay's defense after one poor week of football. I'm still starting this D/ST in my home league. There's too much talent and speed at all three levels, and the Packers have a really positive matchup against the Bears' offense this week.
• The route structure for Tyreek Hill in Week 1 meshed well with Tua Tagovailoa's strengths as passer. He relies heavily on timing and delivers the ball with location to the second level of the field. Hill caught eight passes for 94 yards in Week 1.
• Travis Etienne Jr. is in the flex range for me this week. There were a couple of missed opportunities in the pass game last week that changed the narrative on Etienne. I still see a player with receiving upside and explosive-play juice.
• I have Dak Prescott at QB in my home league and had to find an streamer after he injured his thumb Sunday night. So, I'm streaming Carson Wentz this week. I like the Commanders' matchup against Detroit, and Wentz excels at running play-action and throwing deep balls.