Fantasy Football Takeaways You Need to Know Before Week 2 (Rookie Report)

Alec Pierce is expected to work his way into a full-time wide receiver role, which will likely reduce the route participation of Laquon Treadwell.

Antonio Williams is a deep-league waiver target who flashed efficiency on limited snaps (29% route share), turning 11 routes into four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. He has significant room to grow his route share and could potentially leapfrog Stefon Diggs by mid-season to command a 75%+ route share and displace Dyami Brown.

Ben Sinnott is a positive riser, having earned 46% of routes and 11.4 fantasy points in Week 1; the team is actively designing plays to get the ball in his hands, including end-around carries.

Brenton Strange is the primary tight end for the Jaguars, but he is not a recommended fantasy start due to low target efficiency.

Brian Thomas Jr. is a boom-bust flex play who is currently dealing with a shoulder injury that limited his route participation to 56%. While he has shown 21% targets per route run efficiency, his limited route share and injury status make him a risky fantasy asset.

Brock Bowers is mentioned as a tight end option currently working his way back from an injury.

Caleb Douglas is a priority waiver wire target after running 86% of routes in his debut. He demonstrated strong efficiency with a 24% target share, 2.94 yards per route run, and 94 yards on seven targets. While he is a promising full-time receiver, his fantasy outlook is significantly limited by the poor play of quarterback Malik Willis.

Carnell Tate is a full-time receiver but is currently a stash rather than a starter. While he tied for the team lead with a 22% target share, his per-route efficiency is poor, and he is struggling within a stagnant offense that lacks play volume.

Chris Bell is a stash candidate coming off an ACL tear. While his initial 54% route share and per-route efficiency were underwhelming, the source expects these metrics to improve as he gets further removed from his injury.

Christian Watson is a high-end WR2 with monster upside, provided he stays healthy. He remains a big-play threat, though the source would like to see his 16-yard aDOT decrease slightly.

Colston Loveland is a major breakout candidate in the Bears offense, evidenced by a strong 92% route share and a 13.5 average depth of target (ADOT).

DJ Moore looks awesome and has validated the source's previous research from their legendary wide receiver video, leading the source to regret not being more aggressive in drafting him.

Dalton Kincaid is a top-six tight end candidate who posted 18 PPR points and maintains a strong 27% targets per route run efficiency. He is seeing improved usage, recording a 68% route participation rate, which exceeds any single-game mark he achieved throughout the 2023 season.

Denzel Boston is the Browns' starting perimeter wide receiver, playing in one and two-receiver sets. While he scored a long touchdown on a deep ball from Deshaun Watson, he is not a high-volume target earner and his fantasy value is currently tied to that single big play.

Singletary remains a focal point of the Giants' backfield, evidenced by his touchdown catch in the flat. While he faces competition for the receiving role, he is a reliable option in a functional offense.

Dyami Brown is currently the third receiver in Washington with a 61% route share; Ron Stewart characterizes him as not a very good receiver.

Erick All is not a viable fantasy option, as he is running only 24% of routes behind Hunter Henry and commanding a low 10% targets per route run.

The source expresses significant concern regarding Gus Edwards, noting he is the top-12 running back they feel shakiest about. He was inefficient in his recent game with -42% rush yards over expected, no targets, and a fumble.

Hunter Henry is the clear primary tight end in the New England offense, dominating the route share at the position.

Isaiah Likely is a top-six tight end candidate with elite efficiency (35% targets per route run) and 25.8 PPR points in his opening game. He secured all of his team's end zone targets and benefits significantly from no longer competing with Mark Andrews for targets.

Ron Stewart advises fantasy managers not to panic over Ja'Marr Chase's low three-point performance in Week 1, emphasizing that early-season production is less predictive than ADP.

Jacob Cowing suffered a fractured wrist, which is a significant setback after he had shown efficiency with an 18% targets per route run rate.

Jakobi Meyers is categorized as a boom-bust flex player who typically runs 70-80% of routes, making him touchdown-dependent for fantasy production.

Despite a down statistical game against a tough Texans defense, Cook's underlying usage is encouraging, featuring a 56% route participation rate and a 15% target share. Ron Stewart remains optimistic about his upside and potential for a larger passing game role as the Bills increase pass attempts under Josh Allen and Joe Brady.

Jayden Reed is struggling for playing time, running only 63% of routes compared to 80%+ for teammates. He is currently a boom-bust flex play, and his target share is threatened by Jonnu Smith.

Jeremiah Love had a strong debut with 13 points in a part-time role, including 44% of snaps and a 37% rush share. His 11% target share on a 38% route participation rate is highly encouraging, and Ron Stewart views him as a 'smash' buy-low candidate if the Cardinals' offense continues to perform as a top-20 unit.

Jonnu Smith is negatively impacting Jayden Reed's fantasy value by siphoning off routes and targets in the Packers' offense.

Josh Downs achieved a 94% route share, his highest since his rookie year, though his target earning was inefficient at 9%. The source expects better days ahead as he is a high-volume target earner.

Ron Stewart believes Khalif Raymond's 50% route share and 35% target share from Week 1 are unsustainable and will not hold moving forward.

Ron Stewart doubts that Kendrick Bourne's Week 1 target and yardage lead among receivers will persist, expecting that usage to flow back to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.

Kevin Coleman is considered a non-factor for fantasy purposes, having recorded no production and only a 38% route share in his recent outing.

Kimani Vidal did not register a single snap in his recent game and is considered a drop candidate in fantasy leagues.

Ladd McConkey is identified as the heartbeat of the Chargers' offense. Data shows the team was a top-six offense with him on the field but struggled significantly without him, making him the primary target to trust alongside the running backs.

Luther Burden had a 71% route share and 18.5% targets per route run in Week 1; Ron Stewart suggests his lower 6.8 ADOT might be due to being eased in following an offseason groin injury.

Malachi Corley is a part-time player at 62% of routes, but he is earning a solid 19% targets per route run, showing promise as he competes for perimeter work.

Despite a 71% route share in his debut, Nabers commanded a 32% target share. Ron Stewart expects his usage to ramp up significantly as the season progresses, establishing him as a primary target earner in a Giants offense that appears functional.

Malik Washington played as a full-time receiver for the Dolphins, but the source prefers betting on the upside of other rookies over him.

Matthew Golden is a major winner in the Packers' receiver rotation, operating as a full-time receiver with a 30%+ target share and a 12.2-yard aDOT; he significantly outperformed his expected points in Week 1.

Michael Wilson had a fine Week 1 performance, and Ron Stewart expects his target volume to increase as the team's usage patterns normalize away from Kendrick Bourne.

Parker Washington has established himself as the alpha wide receiver for the Jaguars, commanding a 29% target share. Based on his 17-game pace over his last 10 games, he is trending toward fringe WR1 status, with projections of 85 catches, 1,300 yards, and 10 touchdowns.

Puka Nacua is a positive regression candidate who underperformed his expected volume in Week 1; he should have produced 16+ points.

Quentin Johnston is not a focal point of the Chargers' offense and is not currently a recommended start, as he is part of a rotating role with other receivers.

Stefon Diggs continues to operate as a part-time receiver, running only 66% of routes in his latest game. Despite his touchdown production, his limited route share suggests he remains a volatile fantasy asset with a capped ceiling.

Terry McLaurin remains the primary receiver in the Washington offense, maintaining a 90%+ route share.

Trey McBride is considered a top-five tight end candidate, bolstered by elite usage with an 87% route share. He recorded eight targets on plays involving motion, placing him among the league leaders in that metric alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, indicating a high-level, motion-heavy offensive scheme.

The source notes that Ty Johnson's return to the lineup could potentially shut the door on James Cook's receiving role, which is a key factor in Cook's path to becoming a 20+ point per game running back.