Stanley Holditch
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I drafted Deebo Samuel basically by mistake in the ninth round in my money league…I mean I meant to take him, but I wasn’t really targeting him, and wasn’t that thrilled with the pick. What a difference a week makes:
A faster Anquan Boldin? Those of us who drafted Deebo, meaning to or not, basically hit the lottery week 1 and could be looking at a season-long ride. He is for the time being the unquestioned number 1 wide receiver and if my theory on what is going on with both Sermon and Aiyuk is correct, could be for the whole season.
Other than Aiyuk going without any targets, there weren’t any earth-shaking surprises at wide receiver, so let’s get to the wide receiver rankings week 2.
Wide Receiver Rankings Week 2
| Rank | Name | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyreek Hill | Ravens |
| 2 | Deebo Samuel | Eagles |
| 3 | Davante Adams | Lions |
| 4 | DeAndre Hopkins | Vikings |
| 5 | Chris Godwin | Falcons |
| 6 | Amari Cooper | Chargers |
| 7 | Justin Jefferson | Cardinals |
| 8 | DK Metcalf | Titans |
| 9 | Keenan Allen | Cowboys |
| 10 | CeeDee Lamb | Chargers |
| 11 | Antonio Brown | Falcons |
| 12 | Stefon Diggs | Dolphins |
| 13 | AJ Brown | Seahawks |
| 14 | Calvin Ridley | Buccaneers |
| 15 | Cooper Kupp | Colts |
| 16 | Jamaar Chase | Bears |
| 17 | Corey Davis | Patriots |
| 18 | Courtland Sutton | Jaguars |
| 19 | Mike Evans | Falcons |
| 20 | Tyler Lockett | Titans |
| 21 | Devonta Smith | 49ers |
| 22 | Adam Thielen | Cardinals |
| 23 | Diontae Johnson | Raiders |
| 24 | Mike Williams | Cowboys |
| 25 | DJ Moore | Saints |
| 26 | Terry McLaurin | Giants |
| 27 | Sterling Shepard | WFT |
| 28 | Brandin Cooks | Browns |
| 29 | Laviska Shenault | Broncos |
| 30 | Tim Patrick | Jaguars |
| 31 | Marquez Callaway | Panthers |
| 32 | Robert Woods | Colts |
| 33 | Allen Robinson | Bengals |
| 34 | Tee Higgins | Bears |
| 35 | Jakobi Meyers | Jets |
| 36 | Jarvis Landry | Texans |
| 37 | Marquise Brown | Chiefs |
| 38 | Sammy Watkins | Chiefs |
| 39 | DJ Chark Jr | Broncos |
| 40 | Terrace Marshall | Saints |
| 41 | Rondale Moore | Vikings |
| 42 | Jaelen Raegor | 49ers |
| 43 | Bryan Edwards | Steelers |
| 44 | Robby Anderson | Saints |
| 45 | Jaylen Waddle | Bills |
| 46 | Chase Claypool | Raiders |
I’m fine counting on a major bounceback from Davante Adams this week but until I see it it’s not enough to unseat Hill who is already ballin. Deebo Samuel could be the real deal and I think Slay is serious when he compares him to Anquan Boldin. Without a challenger in the receiver room and no real pass-catcher at running back with Mostert out, he’s likely 1a to Kittle’s 1b in targets once again.
Godwin saw 14 targets week 1 against the Cowboys and think he will feast on the Falcons. Antonio Brown and Mike Evans should have good days as well, as I don’t expect their opponent to come close to stopping the Bucs passing game. Or anyone’s game for that matter.
Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen saw basically identical snap counts and targets, so I expect this to be a Jefferson game against the Cardinals, and I don’t expect a repeat of the Cardinals’ monstrous defensive performance against the Titans. Minnesota should have time to pass and I expect both to have good lines.
Miami’s Xavien Howard is just the type of challenge Stefon Diggs will rise to, and he got the targets (13) last week continuing last year’s trend. Expect over 100 and a touchdown.
As for AJ Brown, I need to see Taylor Lewan actually block someone before I can put him any higher, and I’m not ranking Julio on purpose. This is a team that is seriously struggling to protect the passer and I expect them to get slightly more creative in their run game and lean a little more on Firkser to help get the ball out quickly.
Similarly, Calvin Ridley and the entire Atlanta offense is in serious trouble. Whatever worked for Arthur Smith in Tennessee is not working in Atlanta, and Smith’s playcalling was absolutely horrific. He will either respond this week and start utilizing Atlanta’s strengths (hint: it’s not Mike Davis) or this will be a long season for Falcons fantasy owners.
I would not be afraid to bench McLaurin for better options: backup QB, Thursday night game, and he draws James Bradberry, #5 ranked corner according to PFF. I like Chase against the Bears but Tee Higgins not so much, as the Bengals have already broadcast a commitment to a conservative game plan against the Bears, and as long as Nagy starts Dalton, that’s all anyone needs to win.
Lockett, Devonta Smith, and Mike Evans are my favorite WR2s for the week as I think all will produce. Don’t overreact to any of their week 1 games in either direction. I do like Callaway as a WR3 despite being victim to poor game script last week, as well as Shepard, Cooks, and Shenault. I think Shenault stands the best chance of contributing because he will likely see fewer coverages from either Surtain or Fuller and should be able to get open underneath and use his quickness in space to get yards.
In terms of darts, I like Claypool in what should be a shootout, Waddle against suspect coverage from the Bills, and both Brown and Watkins against the Chiefs since I expect the Ravens to be down big in the second half.
