It’s only week 1 but in a week where many studs and high end players didn’t show up we introduce the “Concern-O-Meter”
What is the Concern-O-Meter?
It’s a traffic light system where we highlight five players at each position who underperformed as we identify if you should be concerned or not ahead of the forthcoming week’s schedule.
No Concern at all
Slight Concern
Very Concerned
Concern-O-Meter Week 1 QB - 12 points or less
Tom Brady (TB) 11.38Fpts
I mean it’s Tom Brady. A player who is always a solid fantasy player and he’ll rack up bigger numbers than this for sure. He never needed to get out of second gear against a below average Cowboys display.
Trey Lance (SF) 10.96Fpts
The increase in Lance’s ADP throughout the off-season would mean owners will expect much better numbers than he put up against the Bears. However, I’m not too concerned as the weather in Chicago made this game impossible to see his true potential. Next up the Seahawks, this should make for much easier reading next week for Lance owners.
Matthew Stafford (LAR) 10.80Fpts
I am not concerned at all by Stafford so long as he has options like Cooper Kupp at his disposal. Last week was a tough one against an extremely good Bills defense, a team who will stifle a lot of Quarterbacks this year.
Mac Jones (NE) 9.52Fpts
After the game it was reported that Jones was suffering from back spasms. He appears to be good to go this week however for a QB who doesn’t put up the most mind blowing numbers at the best of times, I’m just not convinced enough.
Aaron Rodgers (GB) 4.70Fpts
Rodgers came up against a Vikings defense with a point to prove which limited his scoring opportunities. It could have all been very different had Watson hauled in the home run pass into the end zone. Another player similar to Brady and Stafford, I expect normal service to resume this week.
Concern-O-Meter Week 1 RB - 9 points or less
Derrick Henry (TEN) 8.2Fpts
It’s the King and one of the best fantasy skill players however I would be a little worried this week. First, the Titans head to Buffalo and after seeing what they did to the Rams last week I think it’ll be difficult to see Henry get going. Second, Dontrell Hilliard could take away scoring opportunities as the third down back as we saw in game week 1.
Austin Ekeler (LAC) 7.2Fpts
Expect a bounce back week from Ekeler. Keenan Allen looks likely to be out and therefore I expect to see Ekeler involved a little more as a pass catching back. The Chiefs looked electric against the Cardinals but the Chargers will be much tougher opposition and it’ll be a high scoring game which Ekeler will benefit from, especially as he should exceed his 49% snap count in week 1.
David Montgomery (CHI) 5.0Fpts
I know that the weather in Chicago was atrocious but so was Montgomery’s performance. I am extremely worried about the outlook for Montgomery, especially when Khalil Herbert stepped in and did a much better job. For context, Montgomery averaged 1.6 yards per carry in comparison to Herbert’s 5.0 yards per carry and Herbert also contributed in the end zone.
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) 4.9Fpts
I am a little worried about Zeke as the Cowboys didn’t get going this week and when you factor in that Cooper Rush is their Quarterback for the next month it doesn’t fill me with confidence. It could go the other way as we may see a lot of handoffs. However against the Bengals they are likely to be chasing the game which will limit Elliott’s production.
Alvin Kamara (NO) 4.6Fpts
What a strange outing from the Saints in week 1 as they made hard work of the Falcons. They hardly used Kamara in the ground game and instead opted to release Taysom Hill in gadget plays to run the ball. This is something that I will be keeping an eye on as Kamara had a 62% snap count but only rushed 9 times. I expect better days ahead for Kamara but a game against the Buccaneers next for the Saints is a far from ideal bounce game.
Concern-O-Meter Week 1 WR - 8 points or less
Courtland Sutton (DEN) 7.2Fpts
I am not worried at all about Sutton as saw 7 targets for 4 receptions (the same as Jeudy) so it’s not like he wasn’t getting the looks. The Broncos will have better days ahead after a lacklustre loss to the Seahawks. A matchup against the Texans is one where Sutton could go off.
Juju Smith-Schuster (KC) 5.9Fpts
Any receiver who is a target hog of Mahomes will do well. JuJu was ranked second for targets in game week 1 for the Chiefs with eight, just one behind Travis Kelce. I am a truther of JuJu’s and I expect a huge year from him. Next up the Chargers, a game which I’d expect to be high scoring back and forth.
Diontae Johnson (PIT) 5.5Fpts
First off, What a game between the Steelers and Bengals. The Steelers defense lit it up which can’t quite be said of their offense. Burrow was a turnover machine yet the Steelers offense couldn’t put this away in regulation. My worry isn’t actually about Johnson as he is the clear lead target in Pittsburgh, however my worry is Trubisky who will struggle to get the Steelers going – only throwing one touchdown against the Bengals.
Brandon Aiyuk (SF) 4.7Fpts
I keep repeating myself but that game in Chicago doesn’t count as the weather was grim and restricted any controllable offense. Aiyuk hauled in both targets however Deebo and Jauan Jennings were targeted significantly more and when you factor in that Aiyuk featured on 99% of snaps this doesn’t look great. With Deebo likely to be involved more on the ground this week it opens up an opportunity for Aiyuk. However, I’d closely monitor his targets this week in a game where he should see a lot more game script.
Tyler Lockett (SEA) 2.8Fpts
Yes Seattle got the win but I still don’t want any part of their receiver room on my Fantasy rosters. Lockett had just 4 targets all game and with a game against the 49ers on the horizon I can’t see things getting any better. My main worry though, Lockett had an 80% snap count but he no longer has a QB such as Wilson who can throw the signature “moon ball” to make him explode and be as Fantasy relevant as years gone by.
Concern-O-Meter Week 1 TE - 6 points or less
Dallas Goedert (PHI) 6.0Fpts
No concern at all here. The Eagles passing game went through A.J. Brown and Goedert. The Eagles managed to have 4 rushing touchdowns from 4 different players, something that has only happened once in the NFL since 1980 so this isn’t going to happen every week, and will see receivers get more red zone opportunities – especially with a 92% snap count I can only see an upturn in fantasy production.
Tyler Higbee (LAR) 3.9Fpts
The Bills defensive juggernaut restricted the Rams (apart from Cooper Kupp, of course) in week 1. Next up, a much easier assignment against the Falcons however the only concern I would have is that the targets may be limited with a lot of mouths to feed in a solid Rams offense. The positive thing here is a 94% snap count which will see Higbee get his fair share of looks.
Kyle Pitts (ATL) 1.9Fpts
I feel for Pitts. New year, new Quarterback but the same old story. He had a solid 5 targets and hauled in 2 of them but only for 8 yards and it was another game without a score. There is no disputing Pitts talent but I do worry about their downgrade at QB and a case of history repeating itself. Will it be another frustrating season on the horizon for Pitts owners? It doesn’t get any easier as the Falcons visit the LA Rams.
Dawson Knox (BUF) 0.5Fpts
If you have Josh Allen throwing the ball to you in a high powered offense you’ll be just fine. Knox only saw 2 targets all game and I am more than confident he’ll see a lot more action this week against the Titans.
Irv Smith Jr. (MIN) 0.0Fpts
I didn’t know where to put my face on Sunday. This is a player I have hyped up all of the off-season and he put up a big fat egg. I expect an improvement moving forward, after all it can’t get any worse. I just struggle to see where Irv Smith can take a chokehold on this offense to get more targets. For reference, an underwhelming snap count for Smith in week 1 as he only featured on 31% of snaps highlights my concern.
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Image Credit: Daniel Bartel – USA TODAY Sports
