Surprises, Disappointments, Colts, Giants, Pats Offenses: Going Deep w/Brandon Angelo & Matt Waldman

The Patriots' reliance on a 30-year-old A.J. Brown, who has degenerative knees, is criticized as negligent. Following a four-week injury absence and his return from a high ankle injury, there is significant uncertainty regarding his performance level and health status at this stage of his career.

The source expresses uncertainty regarding AJ Brown's performance and health status as he returns from a high ankle injury, noting that his current level of play is difficult to project.

The source was surprised by the volume of play A.T. Perry received for the Saints, noting his ability to make plays on targets and his potential as a high-upside receiver similar to Christian Watson in build and early-career issues.

The source identifies Alec Pierce as a 'buy' because he appears healthy and the team is effectively moving him around the formation to create opportunities within the Colts' offense.

Antonio Williams was the most productive Washington receiver in Week 1 despite limited snaps; he displayed excellent route-running ability, specifically getting in and out of breaks quickly. The source argues he is the lone bright spot in a struggling offense and needs to see increased playing time for Washington to be competitive.

Bijan Robinson is compared to Jonathan Taylor in terms of the high-volume, heavy-workload role he is expected to carry for his team.

Braelon Allen impressed the source with his decisiveness and marked improvement in quickness compared to previous evaluations. Initially considered an afterthought, he played better than Breece Hall in the source's film review. The source suggests he could form a 'poor man's Sonic and Knuckles' duo with Hall, which would be beneficial for the Jets' ball-control offense.

While Breece Hall had a solid statistical game (22 carries for 102 yards and a score), the source felt Braelon Allen actually played better ball during the game film review. The source initially expected the Jets' backfield to be the 'Breece Hall show,' but his role is now being challenged by Allen's emergence.

The source compares A.T. Perry to Christian Watson, noting they share a similar build and early-career route-running challenges.

Daniel Jones is struggling to drive the ball downfield and escape pressure, leading to a limited offensive scheme that relies on short, underneath concepts. The source expresses skepticism regarding his ability to make boundary throws and compares his current state to Kirk Cousins' initial return from an Achilles injury, suggesting Jones is not yet ready to play at a winning level.

The source criticizes the 49ers' handling of Deebo Samuel's injury, noting that he was allowed to return to the field despite clearly hobbling and showing signs of a lower-body injury.

Demario Douglas serves as the primary slot receiver for the Patriots. While he is a key part of the 11-personnel rotation, the source suggests his role could have been shared with Kayshon Boutte to improve the overall receiving corps.

Drake Maye is highlighted as a quarterback who struggles against talented defenses because he cannot effectively work through progressions when under pressure or facing complex looks. Matt Waldman classifies him as a 'thrower' who waits for confirmation before releasing the ball, leading to stalled drives. The source advises trading him away in dynasty formats, noting that early MVP hype was ridiculous and that without simplified half-field reads, he risks a developmental trajectory similar to Mitchell Trubisky.

Eli Raridon is suggested as a deep-league tight end option for red zone sets. He may provide occasional points for fantasy managers in desperate situations when the team utilizes two-tight-end sets.

Hunter Henry is currently the Patriots' best receiver. He is considered a viable fantasy option in a pinch, particularly due to his role in red zone sets.

Due to the team's inability to throw the ball effectively, Jonathan Taylor is projected to see an extremely high volume of carries, similar to the heavy-workload role expected of Bijan Robinson.

Josh Downs is highlighted for his route-running ability, specifically a 'shake move' that impressed observers, though his fantasy production has been limited by the team's inability to protect the quarterback.

Matt Waldman characterizes Herbert as a 'thrower' rather than a 'quarterback,' noting that he struggles with anticipation and waits for confirmation before releasing the ball. This tendency to wait for receivers to be clearly open allows defensive backs to recover and contest targets, leading to stalled drives and interceptions. Waldman also highlights technical flaws in Herbert's footwork and a lack of high-level processing, specifically struggling with full-field reads and anticipatory throws in high-leverage situations.

Kayshon Boutte is identified as the Patriots' best current option for beating man coverage. The source argues that the team made a mistake by moving on from him, suggesting he should have been utilized in the slot alongside Demario Douglas to bolster the receiving corps.

Malachi Fields is noted for his superior route-running technique, specifically his ability to drop his weight into hard breaks, which currently looks better than Malik Nabers' post-injury movement.

While cleared to participate, Malik Nabers is not back to his prior performance levels, showing less explosiveness and sloppy transitions in his route running compared to his pre-injury form. The source believes he has a ways to go to return to his elite status and is not yet ready to consistently beat elite corners like Christian Gonzalez.

Mitchell Trubisky is used as a historical comparison for quarterbacks who show temporary promise but fail to sustain a career as a starter because they cannot eliminate high-gravitas mistakes. The source also uses him as a negative developmental comparison for Drake Maye, suggesting that if Maye is not given simplified reads, he could follow a similar path of failing to progress as an NFL quarterback.

The source is critical of Romeo Doubs, citing his ball-dropping issues despite good route running and expressing concern over his lack of focus and past disciplinary issues. He is currently functioning as the Patriots' wide receiver one, which the source suggests makes it difficult for the team to score points in bunches.

Tua Tagovailoa is recognized as a high-level quarterback who excels at anticipatory throwing and timing when reading defensive rotations. Matt Waldman notes that when healthy, Tagovailoa demonstrates a strong understanding of the position, distinguishing him from players who are merely throwers.