Notes:
• The top news coming out of Week 1 is the injury to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Some names to consider in his place are Jameis Winston and Kirk Cousins.
• Speaking of injuries, it didn’t take long for injuries to strike down starting running backs. With injuries to Elijah Mitchell and Najee Harris, backups Jeff Wilson and Jaylen Warren are two of my top waiver-wire pickups for this week.
• Dameon Pierce and Travis Etienne were highly coveted in training camp, but it was veteran running backs Rex Burkhead and James Robinson who led their teams in touches. Be patient with both young running backs.
• Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and A.J. Brown all made fantastic debuts with their new teams and are locked in as top-10 receivers. Adams and Brown each had over 40 percent of their team’s targets in Week 1. The only other player to do so is … Kyle Philips.
• Don’t get caught up in the hype of one-week wonders, such as Philips. Greg Dortch and Devin Duvernay also had terrific season-opening games, but we need to see more before considering them fantasy relevant.
• Only two tight ends saw double-digit targets in Week 1: Tyler Higbee and Pat Freiermuth. Both are top-12 worthy players.
• There are two games on Monday night this week, so plan accordingly.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection.
Thursday Night Game: Chargers at Chiefs
Sunday Night Game: Bears at Packers
Monday Night Games: Titans at Bills and Vikings at Eagles
Top Pickups of the Week: Jameis Winston, Darrell Henderson, Jeff Wilson, Jahan Dotson, Josh Palmer, Gerald Everett
Buy Low: AJ Dillon, DJ Moore, Allen Robinson, Corey Davis, Zach Ertz
Sell High: David Montgomery, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Miles Sanders, CeeDee Lamb
Send to the Waiver Wire: James Cook, Kadarius Toney, Jalen Tolbert, Mike Gesicki
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
Running Back: Cordarrelle Patterson
Wide Receiver: Christian Kirk
Tight End: Gerald Everett
Defense: Steelers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Running Back: Rashaad Penny
Wide Receiver: Darnell Mooney
Tight End: Austin Hooper
Defense: Eagles
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Matt Ryan
Running Back: Jeff Wilson
Wide Receiver: Joshua Palmer
Tight End: Hayden Hurst
Defense: Commanders
NFL Picks for Week 2
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 7-7-1)
Chiefs (vs. Chargers)
Steelers (vs. Patriots)
Giants (vs. Panthers)
Browns (vs. Jets)
Colts (vs. Jaguars)
Ravens (vs. Dolphins)
Saints (vs. Buccaneers)
Lions (vs. Commanders)
49ers (vs. Seahawks)
Rams (vs. Falcons)
Raiders (vs. Cardinals)
Broncos (vs. Texans)
Bengals (vs. Cowboys)
Packers (vs. Bears)
Bills (vs. Titans)
Eagles (vs. Vikings)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 2-3)
Browns -5.5 vs. Jets
Saints +2.5 vs. Buccaneers
Giants -2.5 vs. Panthers
Steelers +1.5 vs. Patriots
Cardinals +5.5 vs. Raiders
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 3-2)
Patriots-Steelers under 40.5
Colts-Jaguars over 46.5
Dolphins-Ravens over 44.5
Bengals-Cowboys over 43.5
Titans-Bills under 49.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson each throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns against their former team. (miss)
Week 2: Four different wideouts finish with more than 100 receiving yards in the two Monday night games.