Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (30.8 percent owned)
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
If you didn’t pick up Spencer Ware after we barked about him in articles, on the podcast, and on TV, well, then shame on you. Ware backed up all of the offseason hype with a dominant performance, taking his 18 touches (11 rush, seven receptions) for a whopping 199 yards and a touchdown. He only played one more snap than Charcandrick West (34 to 33), but massively out-touched (18 to nine) and out-gained him (199 to 23). Even when Jamaal Charles returns, he’s unlikely to resume full control of this backfield. Ware is the real deal, and he needs to be a top priority this week on waivers. FAAB Suggestion: 30 percent.
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons (46.8 percent owned)
John Bazemore/Associated Press
Mohamed Sanu was another player we hyped this offseason who delivered in a big way in Week 1, taking his eight targets for five catches, 80 yards and a touchdown. He tweaked his ankle a bit against the Buccaneers, but played through it. Still, it’s an injury to monitor throughout the week. Sanu is pretty widely owned in NFL.com leagues, but I wanted to include him this week just in case. Next up, he and Julio Jones head to Oakland to face a secondary that just got torched by Drew Brees and the Saints in Week 1. Sanu could be flex-worthy or even a low-end WR2 in that matchup and beyond. FAAB Suggestion: 15 percent.
Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons (42.8 percent owned)
John Bazemore/Associated Press
All offseason, fantasy players were wringing their hands over whether or not Tevin Coleman would eat into Devonta Freeman’s workload. After Freeman far outplayed Coleman in the preseason, those worries went away. Then Week 1 happened. The duo split the backfield snaps (Freeman 36, Coleman 32) almost in half, with both backs mixing in on the ground and through the air. Coleman had the better day thanks in large part to a 47-yard catch-and-run, but he did play well overall. This backfield could be a hot-hand approach moving forward, much to the chagrin of those who drafted Freeman in the second round. I’m not pushing the panic button on Freeman just yet, but Coleman became much more fantasy relevant after this performance. He needs to be owned in all leagues. FAAB Suggestion: 15 percent.
Mike Wallace, WR, Baltimore Ravens (23.5 percent owned)
Patrick Semansky/Associated Press
This Ravens wide receiving group is looking more and more like a committee, but Wallace could be the receiver to own because of his home-run ability. He only saw six targets in Week 1, but one of them was for a 66-yard touchdown leading to a quintessential Wallace stat line of 3-91-1. If you need wide receiver depth after Keenan Allen’s injury, or could use a big-play piece to rotate into your roster in the right matchup, Wallace should be a target this week on waivers. Next up, he faces a Browns defense that gave up big play after big play to the Eagles in Week 1 … with Carson Wentz under center. FAAB Suggestion: 5-10 percent.
Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans (9.1 percent owned)
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
One of the upsets of the weekend wasn’t between teams, but teammates, as Will Fuller led the Texans in targets instead of DeAndre Hopkins. Nuk hadn’t been out-targeted since Week 13 of 2015 (at Buffalo), and only failed to lead the Texans in targets three times last year. Yes, it’s one week, but the Texans made it clear this offseason that they wanted to get Hopkins help, and it looks like help has arrived. Fuller still had some drops, but Brock Osweiler trusts him, and he’s always a threat for a game-changing (in real and fantasy) deep touchdown. Fuller gets a tougher test this week against the Chiefs, but if he puts up another solid stat line, he’ll be much harder to acquire in fantasy. Strike now before the iron gets too hot. FAAB Suggestion: 5-10 percent.
Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans (8.8 percent owned)
Jim Brown/USA TODAY Sports
Few players received more offseason and preseason puff pieces than Tajae Sharpe, but the fifth-round pick backed up all of the digital ink with a solid NFL debut, catching seven of his team-high 11 targets for 76 yards. He seems to have the No. 1 wide receiver role on lockdown based on the preseason and this game, which makes him worthy of more fantasy attention. Next up on the slate for Sharpe and the Titans is a date with a Lions defense that just gave up 35 points and 450 total yards to Andrew Luck and the Colts. Don’t expect those numbers from the Titans, but a solid outing could be in store for Sharpe. FAAB Suggestion: 5-10 percent.
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions (7.6 percent owned)
R Brent Smith/Associated Press
Eric Ebron was building steam in fantasy circles as one of the potential beneficiaries of Calvin Johnson’s retirement, but an August ankle injury slowed his roll. A strong showing in Week 1 (five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown on five targets) puts Ebron firmly back on the fantasy radar. Ebron struggled with drops and miscommunications early in his career, but aside from one play late, it appeared as if he was focused and in sync with Matthew Stafford. Given the wasteland that was the fantasy tight end position in Week 1, Ebron should be flying off of waivers this week. He’ll face a Tennessee defense in Week 2 that just allowed Kyle Rudolph four catches for 65 yards, and Ebron has a better quarterback and more natural athleticism than Rudolph. FAAB Suggestion: 5-10 percent.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings (6.4 percent owned)
Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports
It’s an unsavory prospect attaching your fantasy hopes to a Minnesota passing attack led by Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford, but after a solid Week 1 outing, Kyle Rudolph will have streaming appeal in Week 2. The Packers were gashed by the combination of Julius Thomas and Marcedes Lewis for seven catches, 112 yards and a touchdown on seven targets in Week 1. With the Packers starting two young middle linebackers in Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez, a veteran like Rudolph could find some space to work and post solid fantasy totals. FAAB suggestion: 0-5 percent.
Tyrell Williams, WR, San Diego Chargers (0.1 percent owned)
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
While Dontrelle Inman led the Chargers in offensive snaps (57), Williams saw more targets (five) and produced better numbers (two catches, 71 yards). An undrafted free agent in 2015, Williams boasts an impressive combination of size (6-foot-4, 204 pounds) and athleticism (4.38 40-yard dash, 39.5 inch vertical, 127 inch broad). Williams figures to earn an even bigger roll with Keenan Allen suffering a major knee injury in this Week 1 (it’s OK to cry in the shower about Allen if you haven’t already). Don’t go crazy trying to add Williams by dropping a solid starter, but don’t let him go unnoticed either. FAAB Suggestion: 0-5 percent.
James White, RB, New England Patriots (8.7 percent owned)
Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press
So far, so good for James White’s attempt to pull off a several-week-long Dion Lewis impersonation. Jimmy Garoppolo remains hesitant to test defenses downfield, so the majority of his targets will be of the short-to-intermediate variety, which suits White’s skill set. He saw four targets in the first half of Week 1 alone, and figures to have a prominent role in this offense — at least until Tom Brady returns (Week 5). White carries more appeal in PPR formats, but players in deeper standard leagues might want to give him a look as a weekly floor play. He had the second-most snaps among Patriots running backs behind LeGarrette Blount. FAAB suggestion: 5 percent.
Chris Hogan, WR, New England Patriots (2.2 percent owned)
Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
The fantasy community seemed split on Hogan this offseason, with some viewing 7-Eleven as a sleeper, while others assumed he was just another versatile piece for Bill Belichick to use effectively but never feature prominently. We still don’t know which is the truer statement, but after a solid Week 1 outing, Hogan deserves a look on the waiver wire. He only played on two more first-half snaps than rookie Malcolm Mitchell, but his three targets, 56 yards and touchdown shouldn’t go unnoticed. I don’t think I’d start him next week against the Dolphins, but Hogan’s certainly a player to monitor, if not pick up in deeper leagues. FAAB suggestion: 5 percent.
Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (13.2 percent owned)
Michael Perez/Associated Press
While Darren Sproles didn’t light up the box score (seven touches, 36 yards), his usage in the Philadelphia offense speaks to the role he should have this season. Sproles led the Eagles backs in offensive plays with 38 (49 percent), though Ryan Mathews wasn’t far behind (37, 48 percent). With so few options emerging this week at the running back position on waivers, stashing Sproles on the bench could be a savvy move. He might be more game-script dependent, though, so owners will want to roll him out in more competitive games, or ones where the Eagles figure to be trailing. In addition, we all know Mathews carries a lengthy injury history with him, and the team didn’t give Kenjon Barner (six snaps) or Wendell Smallwood (two snaps) much run, meaning Sproles could have handcuff appeal as well. FAAB Suggestion: 0-5 percent.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (1.4 percent owned)
Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
While Tyler Boyd was a preseason star, Brandon LaFell slid right into the No. 2 wide receiver role for Cincinnati in Week 1, as many expected. He played the most snaps (55, 98 percent) of any Bengals wideout, and hauled in all four of his targets for 91 yards. A.J. Green is going to dominate the target share in this offense until Tyler Eifert returns (and probably will after, too), but until then LaFell will have some deeper league appeal as a low-end WR3. Next week he plays the Steelers, whose secondary was suspect in 2015, allowing the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. FAAB Suggestion: 5 percent.
Chris Thompson & Rob Kelley, RBs, Washington Redskins (0.1, 0.6 percent owned)
Associated Press
Both Chris Thompson and Rob Kelley have yet to play in Week 1, but if you’re in need of help for Monday night or have the ability to add/drop before then, both merit a speculative add. Thompson could see a large role as a pass-catching specialist out of the backfield (48 targets in 2015, fifth-most on the team), especially in potential shootouts like the Week 1 game against the Steelers. Matt Jones enters Week 1 with a tenuous hold on the starting gig, and if he aggravates his shoulder injury or falters, Kelley could swoop in and see plenty of work. This backfield is a bit of the mess, but it could be worth buying into the various pieces before the picture becomes clearer. FAAB Suggestion: 5 percent.
Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens (9.4 percent owned)
Gail Burton/Associated Press
Each week, I’ll try to offer up a low-owned quarterback to stream the following weekend. Looking ahead at the Week 2 slate, Joe Flacco could be an interesting add. The Browns defense looked lost in Week 1 against a former FCS player making his NFL debut (Carson Wentz), so what’s going to happen when they welcome in an elite quarterback like Flacco? The answer is (hopefully) a bunch of fantasy points for his owners. While starting the Ravens wide receivers might end up being a fool’s game, Flacco could turn into a nice matchup-based streamer in 2016. I’m down for testing this theory (and testing how bad the Browns defense is) in Week 2, especially with a quarterback attached to a pass-happy offense. Despite being in a close game in Week 1, Flacco still chucked the rock 34 times, so the volume should be there for him to produce in Week 2. FAAB Suggestion: 5 percent.
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