Quarterbacks

Alex Smith, KC – It isn’t necessarily unprecedented for Smith to have a big game, but it’s significant that it came against a heralded Pats unit in the opener. Smith’s 368-4-0 was the best QB performance of the week so far.

Carson Wentz, PHI – Wentz was about 35-40 percent owned in redraft fantasy leagues heading into Week 1, and he rewarded his minority owners with 307-2-1 and a lost fumble. He’s a solid pickup.

Jared Goff, LAR – The Rams have revamped the offense and have better weapons and it showed in Week 1. I had Goff in the “QBs to consider” section and Goff responded with 306-1-0 and looked sharp – albeit against a disjointed Colts defense. He’s owned in just 4.5 percent of ESPN leagues now, but you can expect that number to rise in the coming days.

Other QBs to consider: Tyrod Taylor (BUF), Mike Glennon (CHI)

UPDATES:

Carson Palmer, ARI – My recommendation of Palmer was a tepid one, and his performance Sunday (269-1-3) confirmed some of my worst fears about the veteran QB.

Joe Flacco, BAL – Flacco wasn’t asked to do very much (17 attempts) in his first game back versus a hapless Bengals team, and his defense did most of the work. He did hook up with new toy, Jeremy Maclin, on a TD and finished with 121-1-1 on the day.

UPDATE: Give Flacco a boost in the rankings this week against a less-than-stellar Browns secondary. He might even be a sneaky DFS play.

DeShone Kizer, CLE – Kizer finished among the Top ten fantasy quarterbacks on Sunday in his NFL debut versus a decent Steelers defense via 222-1-1 passing and five carries for 17 rushing yards and a TD.

UPDATE: Kizer faces a tough test in Baltimore this week but Hue Jackson said Monday the promising debut from the rookie “gives the team hope for the future.”

Deshaun Watson, HOU – I predicted Watson could be a hot commodity by Week 8, but it didn’t take that long for him to surpass Tom Savage as the starter. By halftime of Week 1 he was in charge, and finished with 102-1-1 on 12-for-23 passing, adding 16 rushing yards and a lost fumble on two carries. The rookie is expected to be under center Thursday night against Cincinnati.

UPDATE: Watson (ankle) was seen limping after the loss to Jacksonville and despite early reports may not start Thursday night. The Texans offense is an absolute mess, making it wise to stay away from this QB situation.

Cohen's Wk 1 efficiency isn't sustainable but it's clear he's got a significant role in the Bears’ offense.

Running Backs

Tarik Cohen, CHI – Cohen was also among my players to consider in last week’s column, but I didn’t expect Cohen to break out with a PPR diamond like he did in Week 1 (66 rushing yards, 8-47-1 receiving). He’s already being added to fantasy rosters and has seen his ownership jump to almost 8 percent in the past 24 hours.

Kerwynn Williams, ARI – David Johnson’s is expected to miss some time with his wrist injury. How much time? At this point we don’t know. Stay tuned, but Cards may take a long-term approach and not rush him back on the field. Williams had 10 yards and a TD, to go along with a catch on his lone target Sunday.

UPDATE: It was confirmed Tuesday that Johnson will have surgery and is expected to be placed on IR, meaning the earliest the stud RB will return is Week 10 against the Seahawks. Williams and Andre Ellington will split duties, with the latter handling passing downs and outside free agent help (Chris Johnson) still a real possibility.

Chris Carson, SEA - While Eddie Lacy (5 carries, 3 yards) got the start, it was Carson that dominated snaps in the Seahawks backfiled Week 1 and will likely have a bigger role moving forward.

Seahawks final HB snap count: Chris Carson 27, CJ Prosise 15, Eddie Lacy 7. Out of 49

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) September 10, 2017

Other RBs to consider: Charcandrick West, Jeremy Hill

UPDATES:

Shane Vereen, NYG – Vereen did not receive a carry Sunday night but exploded for 9-51-0 for a solid PPR line due to some garbage time dump-offs from Eli Manning. He’s a must ad in all formats, especially since the running game looks so pitiful for the Giants.

Samaje Perine & Chris Thompson, WAS – Thompson found paydirt on 4-51-1 through the air but had just three carries for 4 yards. Perine didn’t get any carries.

Marlon Mack, IND – I’ve been a believer in Mack since jump street and the rookie was one of the lone bright spots for the Colts in Week 1, finishing with 24 yards and a TD on 10 carries and adding s 21-yrd reception on his lone target. It’s not every week that a line that pedestrian will get you among the top 15 RBs, but such is the case in very low-scoring Week 1.

Dion Lewis, NE – Lewis was used sparingly in Week 1 and other teams are inquiring about his availability. Stay tuned.

Matt Breida, SF – Just four carries for 11 yards, but it was good to see him get some touches.

De'Angelo Henderson, DEN – Update coming Tuesday.

UPDATE: C.J. Anderson dominated Week 1 touches and Henderson is nothing more than a stash at this point. Still, he looked excellent in pre-season and could eventually get his shot.

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

Kenny Golladay, DET – I drafted Golladay in my oldest and most competitive league, but failed to start him alongside Matt Stafford (nice!) in Week 1. Still, he snagged 4-69-2 and promises to be a big part of the Lions’ plans in 2017, so I’m happy. He’s under 8 percent owned at ESPN leagues and makes worthwhile pickup in all formats.

Corey Davis, TEN – The Titans passing game could be very strong this season with such a solid blend of largely unheralded veterans (Rishard Matthews, Eric Decker Delanie Walker) and talented young players like Davis (6-69-0 on 10 targets in Week 1). Snatch this rookie up before it’s too late.

Nelson Agholor, PHI – Agholor’s 8 targets were a career high, and his 6-86-1 was a personal best. I wouldn’t say he’s mind-melding with Wentz just yet, but the two appear to be developing a significant connection and better rapport as they work together.

Marqise Lee, JAC – With Allen Robinson (torn ACL) out for the year, Lee promises to gain plenty of targets. He was blanked in Week 1 despite four targets, but don’t let that discourage you – he’s going to be a factor this season.

Allen Hurns, JAC – The Jaguars moved Hurns inside to the slot position during the pre-season but he could be asked to step back outside due to the loss of Robinson. Rookie Keelan Cole will likely have an increased role.

UPDATE: HC Doug Marrone expects both Lee and Hurns to step up in Robinson’s absence, making both decent additions as WR3/4s, depending on league size.

J.J. Nelson, ARI – Like Golladay and Lee, I included Nelson in my “others to consider” and was happy to see him get six targets, which he converted to 5-43-1 in the loss to Detroit.

Kendall Wright, CHI – Wright is the Bears slot receiver and even though he was quiet in Week 1 (3-34-0), he should have more opportunities moving forward as the Bears are now extremely thin at the position with Cameron Meredith and Kevin White (shoulder) on IR. Wright is probably a better add in PPR leagues. Deonte Thompson and Markus Wheaton are currently the favorites to start outside.

TE Jesse James, PIT – I had too many fliers on Vance McDonald and unfortunately forgot all about James heading into Week 1. The embattled TE caught 6-41-2 in defiance. Adding the veteran seemed to light a fire under him.

Other WRs/TEs to consider: Charles Clay (BUF), Jermaine Kearse (NYJ), Roger Lewis (NYG).

UPDATES:

Chris Hogan, NE – Hogan’s numbers, along with the rest of the Pats not named Mike Gillislee or Brandin Cooks on Thursday night, were pretty feeble, and he actually gained more rushing yards (17) on his three carries than he had on his one catch (8).

Cole Beasley, DAL – Beasley’s 3-32-0 on five targets was okay, and included a spectacular reacharound catch that saw him pin the ball to the back of his own helmet. Don’t forget about the Beas!

Cooper Kupp, LAR – Kupp had 4-76-1 on six targets in Week 1, and that was good for top 10 among fantasy WRs in a low-scoring week. He’s a WR3 with WR2 upside this season.

Taylor Gabriel, ATL – 3-36-4 isn’t awesome, but it’s a start. Gabriel will have some decent fantasy lines this season.

TE Julius Thomas, MIA – Week 1 game moved to Week 11.

TE Austin Hooper, ATL – Yeah! Hooper was the top-scoring TE of Week 1 (thus far) and appears to be more than just a safety valve for Matt Ryan. He’s clearly got TE1 upside this season and should be owned in all formats.

TE Jack Doyle, IND – The Colts were never in this game and Doyle finished with 2-41-0 on 3 targets. He’s in the discussion for low-end TE1 despite a lackluster Week 1.