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Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season brought unexpected fantasy football surprises and busts. Mike Riggall analyzes overreactions to Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Howard, Leonard Fournette, and more.
In Week 2, the quarterback position was fairly predictable as Dak Prescott, Cam Newton, Josh Allen, Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray finished in the top-five with Matt Ryan and Patrick Mahomes finishing as QB-6 and QB-7, respectively. The main surprise from Week 2 was Lamar Jackson's modest performance, barely finishing inside the top-20 as the Ravens Defense was spectacular and Jackson simply didn't need to do a lot in this one. Tight end was a little problematic in Week 2 as both Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert both underwhelmed. Chris Herndon figured to have an active day for the Jets with Jamison Crowder out of the lineup, but he was almost non-existent in the Jets offense. On the positive side of things, Hayden Hurst appears to have emerged for the Falcons and Jonnu Smith continued to ascend for the Titans.
At wide receiver, Davante Adams flopped after scoring 41.60 points in Week 1 which was a big surprise. Mike Evans followed up his poor Week 1 performance with a top-five showing while Calvin Ridley found the end zone twice, finishing as the top wide receiver on the week. Chase Claypool caught a bomb that he took to the house which propelled him into WR2 territory, but he was only targeted three times so he's not really on the radar in re-draft leagues yet unless you're in a very deep league.
Aaron Jones had a massive game in Week 2, scoring three touchdowns against the Lions, while both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt dominated the Bengals Defense on their way to top-five performances. James Robinson finished the week as an RB1 while James Conner and Miles Sanders returned to action in Week 2, both registering RB1 performances.
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Braxton Berrios, New York Jets
Week 2 Stats: 8 targets, 6 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD
Sam Darnold loves throwing short passes to the middle of the field and with Jamison Crowder out of the lineup, Braxton Berrios filled that role, playing on 71% of the Jets snaps in Week 2. The slot seems to be the only position the Jets can get any success out of in the passing game which makes Berrios appealing.
Bottom Line: If Jamison Crowder remains out of the lineup, Berrios is a viable option, especially in PPR formats.
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns
Week 2 Stats: 6 targets, 4 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
Odell Beckham Jr. was clearly Baker Mayfield's favorite target in Week 1 and and he followed it up with another six targets in Week 2. While Beckham failed to haul in any deep shots in Week 1, he did come through with a big play in Week 2 which he took for a score. Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. both looked bad in Week 1 which caused many people to panic. Both Mayfield and Beckham looked better in Week 2 against the Bengals, however, Mayfield only threw the ball 23 times because the Browns controlled the game on the ground with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Bottom Line: If you were uneasy about Odell Beckham Jr. after his Week 1 performance, then you should consider this your window to trade him while he's coming off a hot game. If you are bullish on Beckham and are willing to accept the peaks and valleys of his production given the Browns offensive philosophy to run the ball, then hold steady.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 Stats: 4 targets, 2 catches, 24 yards
Julio Jones narrowly missed a long catch in Week 2, but regardless, he was only targeted four times. On the season, Calvin Ridley has 22 targets, Russell Gage has 21 targets and Julio Jones has 16 targets. While Julio Jones has yet to score in 2020, that will likely correct itself. Jones is also being targeted an average of 17.06 yards down the field which is one of the best marks in the league.
Bottom Line: Julio Jones is still an elite wide receiver and is still being treated as such by the Falcons. Monitor Jones' injury status because he appeared to be a little gimpy at times on Sunday, and if he remains off of the injury report, consider him a buy-low candidate.
Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers
Week 2 Stats: 10 targets, 9 catches, 109 yards
Through the first two weeks of the season, Robby Anderson has 18 targets which ties him for sixth-most in the NFL. Anderson is currently a top-five wide receiver in PPR with the fourth-most receiving yards in the league.
Bottom Line: Robby Anderson appears to be the real deal in Carolina. The Panthers are going to be playing from behind a lot in 2020 and Anderson is clearly one of Teddy Bridgewater's favorite targets. Anderson is still available in 38% of leagues, so if he's still out there in your league, you should be proactive getting him on your roster.
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 2 Stats: 12 carries, 103 yards, 2 TD, 5 targets, 4 catches, 13 yards
Ronald Jones II fumbled early in the Buccaneers Week 2 contest against the Panthers and Leonard Fournette took over from there. Fournette played 43% of the snaps compared to just 34% for Jones who had played 47% of the snaps in Week 1.
Bottom Line: When games are on the line, a coach's actions can speak volumes. Ronald Jones fumbled in Week 2 and it was the Leonard Fournette show from there on out. Fournette should be considered an RB2 moving forward.
Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers
Week 2 Stats: 3 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD, 1 target
After Raheem Mostert went down with an injured knee, Jerick McKinnon played just 21% of the snaps for the 49ers in Week 2 which was actually down from the 31% he played in Week 1. Tevin Coleman actually led the way for the 49ers backfield in Week 2, playing 49% of the snaps, but he was very inefficient, carrying the ball 14 times for just 12 yards against the Jets run defense. McKinnon didn't touch the ball much in Week 2 but he did take one of his carries 55 yards to the house.
Bottom Line: The 49ers have a much easier matchup in Week 3 against the Giants Defense and if you're in a pinch, McKinnon will be a viable option. Monitor Tevin Coleman's injury status throughout the week, because if he misses Week 3, McKinnon could get some serious run and produce in a big way.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 2 Stats: 26-of-43 passing, 242 yards, 2 INT, 2 attempts, 7 yards, 1 TD
Through the first two weeks of the regular season Carson Wentz has four interceptions compared to just two touchdowns and he's thrown for just 512 yards. Wentz has less fantasy points than Ryan Tannehill, Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater. This is now two weeks in a row when the Eagles had a matchup against a great defensive line, and Wentz struggled.
Bottom Line: Wentz got Lane Johnson back at tackle this week but the Rams defensive line still gave the Eagles major problems. In Week 3 the Eagles will play against a Bengals defense which has been a very giving unit so far this season. If Wentz can't get the job done against the Bengals then you need to hit the panic button.
Jordan Howard, Miami Dolphins
Week 2 Stats: 5 carries, 4 yards, 1 TD
Through two weeks of football, Jordan Howard has carried the ball 13 times for just 11 yards and two touchdowns. To make matters worse, Howard hasn't been targeted in the passing game. Through the first two weeks of the season, Howard is only playing 12% of the snaps compared to 64% for Myles Gaskin. Howard currently sits at RB-50 on the season.
Bottom Line: Myles Gaskin is clearly the running back to roster in Miami. Howard is borderline droppable at this point unless Gaskin suffers an injury. Howard should only be rostered in deeper formats.
Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers
Week 2 Stats: 8 targets, 7 catches, 50 yards, 2 TD
George Kittle was out of the lineup in Week 2 because of a sprained knee and Jordan Reed had a decent game in his place. While Reed scored twice, he still only played 46% of the offensive snaps.
Bottom Line: George Kittle should return to the lineup in Week 3 which means Jordan Reed will return to the bench. Kittle does, however, get banged up from time to time, so this has at least shown us that Reed can come through if he's forced into action.
Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals
Week 2 Stats: 9 targets, 7 catches, 45 yards
Drew Sample isn't known for his catching abilities but after C.J. Uzomah went down with a torn achilles, Sample was one of Joe Burrow's favorite targets. While Sample didn't light the world on fire with yardage, he is clearly going to see a lot of volume because Burrow has success in the short and intermediate passing game.
Bottom Line: Drew Sample looks to be a top-20 option moving forward, and if you're having trouble at tight end you should make him a priority on waivers, especially in PPR formats.
Darrell Henderson Jr., LA Rams
Week 2 Stats: 12 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD, 3 targets, 2 catches, 40 yards
Darrell Henderson Jr. played on 42% of the Rams offensive snaps in Week 2 after Cam Akers suffered an injury to his ribs which is a massive increase from the 7% he played in Week 1.
Bottom Line: Henderson looks to be a viable option in deeper leagues as long as Cam Akers remains out of the lineup. The Rams backfield is going to be a tough situation to navigate once Akers returns.
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