If NFL Week 1 was the we can’t make a kick week, Week 2 was we can’t hold a lead to save our lives. The Browns, Ravens and Raiders suffered excruciating, head-scratching losses, and in the midst of all that faced target monsters in the fantasy football realm. Let’s jump right into Week 2 target observations and analysis…Â
Waddle like a duck? Nah, Waddle like a fantasy football MONSTER
I had Jaylen Waddle as one of the best and most versatile wide receivers in the NFL heading into the season, and boy he did not disappoint in the Dolphins’ dramatic comeback victory over the shell shocked Ravens. Waddle led all players with 19 targets on the week, and he turned those looks from his buddy Tua Tagovailoa into 171 yards and two pivotal touchdowns. In the canon of wide receivers, all considered, Waddle has the route versatility of a Cooper Kupp or Antonio Brown in their superstar careers. Simply put, Waddle is one of the best all-around players in football right now. There’s certainly more to come.Â
Three rookie receivers go HAM
As a lifelong Jets fan, I tend to complain about them an awful lot. But how can I complain after that dramatic comeback victory, one highlighted by rookie WR Garrett Wilson‘s breakout performance. With Old Man Flacco under center, Wilson garnered 14 targets – good for second-best on the week – which he turned into 102 yards and two touchdowns, including the jaw-dropping game winner against a baffled Cleveland secondary. Wilson seems to have quickly bypassed Elijah Moore as the Jets’ No. 1 receiver, as Moore had just five measly looks on a day where Flacco inexplicably threw for over 300 yards.Â
Over in New Orleans, with Jameis Winston battling a serious back injury, rookie Chris Olave shined with 13 targets resulting in 80 solid yards. We’d like to see a better conversion rate going forward, but the looks themselves were mighty encouraging. Michael Thomas had nine targets, while wily veteran Jarvis Landry fell back to earth with just five. These Saints’ receivers are tough to call, in general.Â
At the defending-champion Rams, rookie Drake London picked up 12 targets, 86 yards and a TD as he continued to outshine Kyle Pitts in Atlanta’s bizarre passing scheme. Obviously, now is the time to buy-low on Pitts, who has probably been the biggest bust in fantasy thus far. London, on the other hand, looks like the real deal operating with veteran Marcus Mariota. Pitts will probably be a smart DFS play in Week 3.Â
Jakobi Meyers eats a Big MacÂ
Jakobi Meyers came into the season a bit banged up, but he certainly looked himself in Week 2 on his way to 13 targets, nine receptions and 95 strong yards. Meyers remains Mac Jones’ “guy” in the passing game, as DeVante Parker turned two targets into a big fat bagel. Nelson Agholor shockingly popped off as New England’s No. 2 guy, going for 110 yards and a TD on just six targets. Agholor was simply doing what he does – turning limited opportunities into long and explosive impact plays.Â
Welcome back, vets!Â
After ghostlike performances in Week 1, veteran receivers Amari Cooper and Tyler Lockett bounced back in their second games of the season. Cooper looked sharp against my Jets, turning 10 targets into nine receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown (insanely efficient), while Lockett turned 11 targets into 107 yards in a blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers, who unfortunately lost starting QB Trey Lance for the season. You can trust Lockett going forward, in that he and DK Metcalf account for most of the looks from journeyman QB Geno Smith.Â
I’ll see ya right back here next week!Â
John Frascella is a published sports author who has been covering the NFL for 18 years. Follow him on Twitter @LegendSports7 for all things football throughout another exciting season.Â
