SF/LAR Recap + Week 1 Sit/Start

A.J. Brown is expected to miss at least four weeks due to a high ankle sprain confirmed by MRI. Matthew Berry and Alex Cups agree he should be drafted behind players like Waddle, McConkie, and Mike Evans, placing him in the mid-range WR3 tier. Concerns exist regarding his age (30+) and whether he will retain his 'juice' after the injury, especially since his usage in Week 1 did not establish a clear, effective role before he exited.

A.J. Brown has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain following the season opener and is expected to miss at least four weeks.

Blake Corum saw limited usage in Week 1, recording a 25.6 utilization score. Alex Cupps suggests that Kalen Black may now be a more valuable draft target than Corum.

Matthew Berry is keeping it open on Caleb Williams as a starter for Week 1, ranking him at QB11. Berry highlights Williams' rushing ability—noting he was one of two QBs to rank top-seven in both passing and rushing yards last year—and a favorable matchup against a Panthers defense that struggled with pressure last season.

Matthew Berry and Alex Cups are keeping their outlook open on Caleb Williams for Week 1, with Berry noting he is closing it out on him for the week specifically, despite ranking him as QB15.

Despite a lower-than-expected 55% snap share in Week 1, Matthew Berry views McCaffrey as a 'buy low' candidate. The usage dip is attributed to a long flight to Australia and minor cramping. McCaffrey maintained high-value roles, including 83% of third-down snaps and both red-zone running back touches, and showed improved explosiveness in the run game compared to 2025.

Alex Cups and Matthew Berry are both keeping it open on Chuba Hubbard for Week 1. Cups ranks him as RB21, citing data that favors him against a Bears defense that ranked 24th in DVP against RBs last year. Berry notes Hubbard is not on the injury report, unlike Jonathan Brooks, and expects a run-heavy approach from Dave Canales.

Matthew Berry and Alex Cups are split on DJ Moore for Week 1. While both are higher than the consensus, Berry suggests closing it out in 10-12 team leagues with only two WR spots, but keeping it open in three-WR formats. They acknowledge the tough Houston secondary but note the potential for Josh Allen to force-feed his new receiver.

Matthew Berry ranks Dallas Goedert as his TE6 for Week 1, noting that the absence of AJ Brown significantly boosts Goedert's outlook. Berry highlights that Goedert had a 60% red zone target share when Brown was off the field last year and faces a Washington defense that allowed the second-most touchdowns to tight ends last season.

Matthew Berry and Alex Cupps identify Deebo Samuel as the primary beneficiary if Dejon Stribbling misses time. Samuel is recommended as a priority add in leagues where he is available and a viable weekly flex play.

Despite catching a touchdown in Week 1, DeMarcus Robinson only saw three targets. Alex Cupps views him as a 'field stretcher' who remains inconsistent for fantasy purposes.

Matthew Berry identifies Dontayvion Wicks as a player available in many leagues who is expected to see a larger role than the market currently anticipates following Week 1.

Drake Maye's fantasy outlook is downgraded following the A.J. Brown injury. Alex Cups is moving him down to the backend QB1 range (around Jared Goff or Brock Purdy) because his draft cost was predicated on having a true WR1. Matthew Berry agrees, noting the Patriots face a tougher first-place schedule this year, and prefers Justin Herbert or Caleb Williams over Maye.

Matthew Berry and Alex Cups are closing it out on J.K. Dobbins for Week 1. Berry notes Dobbins is touchdown-dependent due to a lack of passing game involvement (4% target share) and faces a tough Chiefs run defense. Cups expects a three-headed backfield committee including Jonah Coleman and R.J. Harvey.

Matthew Stafford struggled in Week 1, scoring only 4.1 fantasy points while being pressured on 45% of dropbacks. Both Berry and Cupps view this as 'noise' rather than a long-term trend, noting he had a similarly poor Week 1 last year before a strong season. They advise holding him for at least one more week, specifically against the Giants.

Matthew Berry and Alex Cups view Michael Mayer as a strong Week 1 streamer following Brock Bowers' meniscus injury. Mayer has averaged 12.2 fantasy points in games with at least an 18% target share and faces a Miami defense that allowed the 5th most yards to tight ends last season. However, they caution against dropping established starters like Mark Andrews or Travis Kincaid for him, as Mayer's value is likely temporary.

Alex Cups is closing it out on Michael Wilson for Week 1 against the Chargers. Cups cites the Chargers' strong DVP against wide receivers and the uncertainty regarding Wilson's utilization now that Marvin Harrison Jr. is healthy and active.

Matthew Berry advises sitting Michael Wilson in Week 1, citing a difficult matchup against the Chargers (4th in DVP against WRs) and historical data showing Wilson averaged only 5.5 fantasy points per game with a 13% target share when Marvin Harrison was on the field last year. While some sources suggest Wilson could play a 'Puka Nacua-style' role in the offense, Berry remains skeptical until he sees it in action.

Matthew Berry remains high on Mike Evans, comparing his potential outlook to Davante Adams. Evans looked good in Week 1 with a 20% target share, six receptions for 49 yards, and a touchdown.

Matthew Berry remains committed to Rhamondre Stevenson for the season despite a poor Week 1 showing against the Seahawks. Berry argues that Stevenson will continue to receive significant volume regardless of efficiency concerns.

Despite a poor Week 1 performance, Alex Cups identifies Romeo Doubs as the primary Patriots pass catcher to trust on a week-to-week basis. He views Doubs as a top waiver wire pickup for Week 2, citing expected usage in a high-potential offense and the likelihood of a bounce-back.