Welcome into the Week 2 edition of Redzone Risers and Fallers for the 2022 season. This is a brand new series for our site, and uses the redzone touches information that is freely available on our site. The reason for adding this tool, and making it available is its importance in helping you make better decisions when it comes to your roster.
The idea is that if a player is starting to be used in the redzone more, then the opportunity to score is increased and you want to add them to your roster. If the opposite happens, you might look to sell that asset.
Now, in this series, we aren’t going to look at big-name players on the whole. That is to say, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara are expected to be used in and around the redzone. That is unless they start stop being used, in which case they will be included in the fallers.
Week 2 Redzone Risers
Jamaal Williams (RB, DET) 43% RZ Touches
The Detroit offense has taken a step forward, and fantasy owners are frustrated with the vulture that is Jamaal Williams. Fellow RB D’Andre Swift has been doing really well on the field, and getting the team downfield. Then, the team rotates in Williams to finish the job. Having over 40% of the opportunities is huge, and with Williams getting rotation elsewhere on the field, he is a solid flex option week to week.
Dameon Pierce (RB, HOU) 43% RZ Touches
Pierce had a lot of hype going into the season, then killed fantasy owners in Week 1. Then continuing the rollercoaster, he then had all-bar 3 carries in Week 2. There is of course the issue of how effective is the offense generally, and can it keep the red zone trips coming? But, for the meantime, Pierce seems to be getting the looks.
Garrett Wilson (WR, NYJ) 40% RZ Touches
Firstly, a 40% share of team opportunities, for a wide receiver, unsustainable. But, in the Jets’ offense, Wilson is getting plenty of looks in the redzone. As a rookie, that’s a great sign that he should have fantasy value for the season.
Zay Jones (WR, JAX) 14% RZ Touches
The Jacksonville offense seems like it flows through Christian Kirk, which is true. But, Jones had a decent outing for Week 1, before struggling against the Colts. The thing is, he still has a healthy amount of opportunity in the redzone. In deep leagues, he could be a viable flex addition.
Juwan Johnson (TE, NO) 20% RZ Touches
Johnson looks to be the traditional starting TE for the Saints, and outside of the trio of receivers leads the team in targets with 12 on the season. Unlike Taysom Hill’s involvement, Johnson feels like much more of a constant in the offense. With the share of RZ opportunities, he has great upside.
Week 2 Redzone Fallers
Michael Carter (RB, NYJ) 15% RZ Touches
Carter is currently leading the rush attempts for the team, but Breece Hall is nipping on his heels. Hall also has more opportunities in the redzone. So, there is an opportunity here to sell Carter as the lead back for the Jets before he loses the job.
Mike Evans (WR, TB) 11% RZ Touches
If a big-name falls, especially one with a track record of RZ looks, then I’ll look to highlight it. The Tampa Bay offense has struggled to start the season, and that is highlighted here. Tampa Bay started out against some tough defenses, but should have some breathing room in the next few encounters- especially as the team returns to health.
Hunter Henry (TE, NE) 10% RZ Touches
TE Henry is TD dependent. So, not having alot of the RZ work is a problem. The Patriots offense seems like it has actually pivoted away from Henry, with fellow TE Jonnu Smith with around double the amount of targets. The TE position being what it is, I’d look to add a different TE option for the season.
So, that’s this weeks edition of Redzone Risers and Fallers for the 2022 season, taking into account the action from Week 2. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or jump into our Discord server
Image Credit: Jake Roth – USA TODAY Sports
