Underdog Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Travis Etienne Jr. faces usage concerns as the team splits the backfield three ways and utilizes other backs for goal-line work. While he saw eight targets in Week 1, his route participation was only 37%, suggesting his target volume could drop significantly in games with fewer pass attempts.

Brian Thomas Jr. is a key target in the Jacksonville offense, though his availability was impacted by an injury during the game.

Brenton Strange is a viable waiver wire tight end option because he plays in a high-scoring offense where touchdown upside can elevate his weekly fantasy finish from TE22 to TE12. He is effectively the de facto third option in the Jaguars' heavy personnel sets.

Mark Andrews is cited as an example of a tight end who has underperformed for fantasy managers who invested early draft capital in him.

Jakobi Meyers remains a notable part of the Raiders' offense, specifically highlighted for his ability to secure red zone touchdown catches.

Adonai Mitchell is rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues and saw 69% of snaps with 23 of 28 routes run in his debut. Despite only recording three targets, the source notes that the quarterback play was positive.

Kendrick Bourne is a speculative waiver wire buy who saw 67% of snaps and 33 of 42 dropbacks in his debut, recording eight receptions on eight targets for 75 yards. While he has a history of inconsistency, his role in the offense and connection with the coaching staff make him a target, especially as the Cardinals' scheme pushes other receivers downfield, creating underneath opportunities for him.

Despite leading the team in routes run and playing almost every route, Trey Tucker has failed to produce fantasy-relevant statistics, managing only two receptions for 27 yards in his recent outing.

Chigoziem Okonkwo left the game at halftime due to an injury, which could impact his availability and target share moving forward. The source notes that his return could negatively impact Antonio Williams' target share as they operate in the same area of the field.

Stefon Diggs was highly productive in the middle of the field in Week 1, serving as a primary target when the offense funneled away from the outside corners.

The source is not concerned about Terry McLaurin's poor Week 1 performance, attributing it to being shut down by Vic Fangio's defense and a historical trend of struggling against the Eagles. McLaurin has faced the Eagles in five consecutive games with target counts of six, four, four, two, and three; the source expects better usage moving forward.

While Williams showed high efficiency with four targets on 12 routes, the source views him as an injury-dependent stash rather than a viable Week 2 starter, as he is currently the team's fourth wide receiver in snaps. He saw targets in the middle of the field, but his future target share may be threatened if Chigoziem Okonkwo returns to the lineup, as they operate in similar areas of the field.

The source is not buying into Singletary's long-term fantasy value despite his Week 1 performance, noting he played only 36% of snaps and benefited from a repetitive, short-area dump-off role.

Kendre Miller is a recommended waiver wire pickup who saw 29% of snaps in Week 1 and handled carries inside the 10-yard line. While he lacks a passing game role, he could function similarly to Jordan Mason as a touchdown-dependent back. If there is an injury in the Saints' backfield, Miller could be the primary beneficiary and see a significant increase in opportunities.

The source expresses skepticism regarding Alvin Kamara's long-term fantasy value at this stage of his career, noting that the team is splitting the backfield despite his significant contract. There are also questions regarding whether he is dealing with an undisclosed injury given the team's decision to split work even when he is absent in certain situations.

Malik Washington played 98% of snaps in Week 1, serving as one of the Dolphins' top two wide receivers alongside Caleb Douglas. While he is often viewed as a PPR slot receiver, he saw significant deep-target volume with 136 air yards, though he only converted three of his eight targets into catches. The source views him as less consistent than Douglas and notes that his fantasy value relies on hitting chunk plays.

Caleb Douglas is a priority waiver wire target who played 91% of snaps in Week 1. He is a 'mystery box' asset with high upside due to his role as an immediate starter in an offense lacking veteran depth. His 42.7% team yardage market share is the third-highest for a rookie wide receiver in the last six seasons. The source prefers him over Malik Washington, noting his ability to eat up ground and create separation, which aligns well with Malik Willis's aggressive downfield passing style.

Michael Mayer is a strong waiver wire target while Brock Bowers is out, currently rostered in only 26% of Yahoo leagues. He is the primary tight end for the Raiders, evidenced by an 81% snap share and running 25 of 32 routes in his debut. The source views him as a top-12 tight end option for the immediate future.

Brock Bowers underwent surgery, a development that was not known during the fantasy draft season.

Matthew Golden is highlighted as a late-round wide receiver target who was being drafted too late during the draft season.

Jordan Mason is currently dealing with injuries and has been surpassed in the 49ers' depth chart by Isaac Guerendo, who has already accumulated more career snaps than Mason.

Despite a lower-than-expected workload in Week 1 due to potential cramps and a more active backup, the source advises against panic selling Christian McCaffrey. He still managed 13-14 fantasy points without a touchdown, and the source expects him to retain primary red zone and receiving duties, with better fantasy weeks ahead. Additionally, he shared the backfield workload in Week 1 with Kin Black, marking the first time in the McCaffrey era that a backup running back has received 10+ carries.

Isaac Guerendo is a priority waiver add and potential flex option after receiving 14 carries to Christian McCaffrey's 10 in Week 1. While some attribute this to McCaffrey's cramps, the source argues Kyle Shanahan's stated desire to rest McCaffrey more frequently suggests this usage could be a recurring trend. He has already accumulated more career snaps than Jordan Mason.

Jordan Tyson's injury is a significant factor in the current Saints' target distribution, as his absence opens up opportunities for other receivers like Devon Bell.

Sam LaPorta is expected to remain a significant part of the Lions' passing attack, which will naturally limit the target share available for secondary receivers like Kalif Raymond.

Despite a productive Week 1, Kalif Raymond is viewed as a low-upside waiver option. He is expected to be the fourth or fifth option in the Lions' offense once the team is fully healthy and utilizing more 12/13 personnel. The source also prefers Kendrick Bourne as a waiver pickup over Raymond.

Rome Odunze was a limited participant in practice leading up to Week 1, which likely contributed to DeAndre Carter seeing an increased 60% snap share.

Despite fantasy manager panic following a low-yardage Week 1 performance, DeVonta Smith remains the most reliable week-to-week option in the Eagles' passing attack. He out-routed Dontayvion Wicks in Week 1, and while the team's pass volume (25 attempts) needs to increase to the 30-35 range for consistent production, Smith is viewed as a stable asset compared to volatile teammates.

Carter played 60% of snaps and saw significant volume (eight catches, 84 yards), but the source remains skeptical of his long-term value, placing him in the bottom tier of waiver targets due to the expected return of Rome Odunze.

Dontayvion Wicks is a touchdown-dependent, bye-week fill-in option rather than a locked-in starter. While he played 91% of snaps and ran a route on 32 of 35 dropbacks in Week 1, the presence of Malik Lemon, who also ran a high percentage of routes, suggests a week-to-week rotation that limits Wicks' reliability. He is ranked behind Devon Vele by the source.

Noah Fant remains a target competitor in the Saints' offense, having recorded eight targets in Week 1; the source uses this volume as a benchmark for caution regarding secondary pass-catcher consistency.

Juwan Johnson is utilized in the intermediate section of the field for the Saints, benefiting from the spacing created by Chris Olave's deep routes. He recorded seven targets in Week 1, serving as a notable competitor for targets.

Chris Olave's Week 1 snap count and route participation were negatively impacted by him being in and out of the sideline and the blue medical tent. He remains the primary deep threat in the Saints' offense.

Demarcus Robinson is a viable deeper-league add who saw 63% of snaps and led the 49ers in route share at 77% following Stribbling's injury. While he has a history of popping up as a red-zone target, the team is expected to rotate him, Deebo Samuel, and others in two-receiver sets rather than relying on a rigid snap distribution.

Deebo Samuel is preferred over Demarcus Robinson for fantasy purposes. Despite playing only 42% of snaps and 20 of 37 dropbacks in Week 1, he produced 6 catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. His usage is versatile, involving slot and backfield alignments, and he is expected to benefit from Brock Purdy scrambling more when receivers are injured.

The source identifies Xavier Legette as a teammate of Jaylen Coker in Carolina, noting that the team lacks a clear wide receiver three, which contributes to the funneled target environment for Coker and McMillan.

Cade Stover is an undervalued asset in the offense; he is big, fast, and possesses the strength to break tackles and the sideline awareness to win contested catches. The source notes that the team's offense is becoming more funneled, and Stover is a primary beneficiary of a play-calling shift toward aggressive, downfield patterns.

The source notes Mike Gesicki being worked into the Cincinnati offense in week one as part of a broader discussion on how target distribution is more crowded in Cincinnati compared to Carolina.

The source mentions Andre Iosivas as the wide receiver three in Cincinnati, used to illustrate how target competition in other offenses differs from the concentrated target share in Carolina.

The source uses Tee Higgins as a comparison point for target distribution, noting that in Cincinnati, targets are spread among multiple players like Andre Iosivas and Mike Gesicki, contrasting this with the more funneled Carolina offense.