Ladies and gentlemen, this isn’t just a trade column. This week mostly won’t be. In the spirit of week 1 overreactions, I want to provide a buy and sell of narratives and performances this week. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Josh Jacobs being on pace for 48 regular season touchdowns.
Too often, people get caught up in overreacting to week 1 boxscores without seeing the whole picture, but sometimes the reactions end up being valid. August didn’t give us a preseason to work with so the week 1 sample size is what we have to work with. There were things that every analyst was right and wrong about coming out of week 1, including me. But whether you are heading into week 2 1-0 or 0-1, there is still a ton of football to be played.
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Malcolm Brown is the Rams’ back to invest in
Cam Akers will likely be the lead back in Los Angeles either at some point in the 2nd half of the season or to start next season, but Malcolm Brown is going to be a big part of the Los Angeles in the near future and perhaps beyond. Brown was the man touching the ball in the red zone last night and he was very effective. Brown ran violently and efficiently and even caught 3 passes for 31 yards. To put it simply, you could tell experience was a big benefit for Brown. Brown would be one of my first waiver priorities after touching the ball 21 times Sunday night. I’m really not trying to rush to conclusions about a pretty open backfield but targeting players that have the coach’s trust in the red zone is pretty important especially in an offense that is going to see the red zone a lot.
Joe Burrow will be a good fantasy quarterback in 2020
Unfortunately, I had some skin in this game and ended up on the wrong side of it because kickers stink. My point being, I watched a lot of the Bengals’ drives on Sunday. The numbers weren’t there from a fantasy standpoint this week, but Burrow showed a lot of poise against one of the better pass rushing teams in the AFC. Burrow ran in a 23 yard touchdown on a designed QB draw without hesitation in the first half and that is something that you love to see as a fantasy player. I’m sure you saw the “push off” at the end of the game on what should have been a triumphant game winning drive for the first overall pick. He looked FANTASTIC in the two minute drill. Week by week, Burrow will become more NFL ready and fantasy relevant.
Put Nyheim Hines right behind Malcolm Brown on your waiver priority
I’d be happy getting either. Jonathan Taylor is now the starting back after the unfortunate season-ending injury to Marlon Mack. Nyheim Hines already has a built in role with the Colts’ offense but one less back should mean more snaps. Hines is a great change of pace back for Philip Rivers. Rivers loves to dump the ball off and that is Hines’ wheelhouse. He didn’t look too bad toting the rock either. Hines saw some red zone work as well on Sunday and that would be a nice bonus if that continues while JT grows into his lead back shoes.
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Nick Chubb concerns
You have to give this offense more time. The snap/touch count was discouraging and I admit that I may have brushed off Kareem Hunt concerns a little too quickly but hear me out. The value that you would get in a trade after this past week is not the value that you should get. The Browns are playing the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday who are missing their two best interior defensive lineman. We just watched Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley gash this defense so if you’re panicking about Chubb, hold it in for one more week.
Buccaneers’ offense concerns
I’m not a Tom Brady apologist by any means, but you have to keep in mind how good the Saints’ defense is. Things will get better and more smooth for this offense and I think it will start this upcoming week against the Panthers. Room to work will go a long way for getting the offense to gel and get their timing down with a new (old) quarterback. Ronald Jones should be in flex consideration for you after watching what Josh Jacobs was able to do against the Panthers.
