10 catches, 113 yards and a score in the first two games is not
what you’re looking for from a WR1. Metcalf’s quiet start is eerily
reminiscent of his 2nd half last year, but not a harbinger of things
to come. Last year it was a near complete collapse of the Seattle
offense that cooled Metcalf’s jets, this year, it's the white hot
play of his teammate Tyler Lockett and adjustment to a new passing
scheme. Eventually defenses will realize they do need to cover Lockett,
and Metcalf will shake free. What better time than Week 3 and a
Viking secondary yielding the 3rd most fantasy points to receivers.
About a thousand miles down the Pacific coast a similar situation
is playing out in LA. While teammate Cooper Kupp is smashing, Woods
has been cast as a passerby in the Rams' Hollywood production. Kupp
has a 22-13 lead in targets, and a massive share of the fantasy
scoring production. But with a beatable Tampa secondary on tap that
is sure to bracket Kupp, look for McVay to scheme Woods open a ton
this week on screens, and bootlegs.
Once is an anomaly, twice is a trend. Now I’m not sure if
there is a “thrice” in that saying, but the point I’m
trying to make is that Osborn needs to be in your lineup this week.
The rookie 5th rounder’s 15 targets barely trail Thielen and
Jefferson, and this passing offense can easily support him, especially
from the slot, where he is seeing the majority of his snaps. The
Viking defense is once again a mini-mess, so weekly shootouts, especially
this week against a reeling Seahawk defense are the perfect time
to cash in.
Someone has to figure out by now that Cooks is the ONLY viable threat
in this passing game. Of the Texans 32 targets to receivers, Cooks
has a silly 21 of them, which means he’s got a silly 65% target
share! Carolina’s defense leads the NFL in sacks with 10,
and with a rookie 4th round quarterback about to make his first
NFL start, I’m shying away from Houston’s only real
weapon.
A modern day Desean Jackson, Ruggs is the ultimate weekly tease.
On one hand he’s a 70-yard bomb waiting to explode, but on
the other, he’s a 2-25 floor receiver that simply disappears
for stretches. I’m much more comfortable starting Ruggs if
I have to, than if I want to. Chase points at your own risk.
I’m not ready to panic yet, but when Cordarrelle Patterson
has been the more productive receiver after two games than my highly
picked WR1, a little worry is warranted. Atlanta has been abysmal
over the first two weeks, and it’s become apparent that Matt
Ryan could be cooked. Ryan lacks the athletic ability that made
Tannehill so dangerous in this system, and the constant negative
game scripts makes the play-action pass game a joke. With only a
rookie tight end to take any heat, Ridley has been the focus of
defenses. The Giants haven’t been as great on defense as they
were a year ago, but this secondary is still stout, and should keep
Ridley in check.
