Fantasy Football Recap
Every fantasy football season there are surprises. Things that catch us off guard and make the season exciting. 2024 is shaping up to be no exception. With every injury, breakout performance, and disappointment comes speculation, suggestions, and the attempt find that player with league-winning upside before your opponents do. Perhaps no such player exists, at least not at this point in the season. Still, let’s take a look at ten things that surprised me this week and how they might impact your fantasy squad heading into Week 2.
Baker Mayfield (QB)
*Top-four in fantasy points
Baker Mayfield had a great 2023 season, but the question was whether it was a mirage or something that would carry into 2024. It appears he may have found a home that plays to his strengths. Against the Washington Commanders, Mayfield finished with 289 passing yards and four touchdowns while adding another 21 yards on the ground. It was a masterclass in spreading the ball around as Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Jalen McMillan found the end zone, and Rachaad White (who failed to score) caught six passes for 75 yards. It remains to be seen if this type of success is sustainable but Mayfield has the weapons and the offensive system to maximize his abilities which could mean many strong weeks ahead.
Chris Boswell (K), Jake Moody (K), and Blake Grupe (K.)
*All landed in the top 20 in fantasy points in half-PPR formats
It was a great week for kickers. Kicker is one of the most difficult roster spots to predict, but when they hit, it can be the difference between winning and losing. Moody, Chris Boswell, and Blake Grupe all had over 20 fantasy points. This was good enough to put them all in the top 20 regardless of position. Kickers are typically good for between 5-10 points, but when your kicker scores as many points (if not more) than your wide receivers or running backs (or in this case more than several quarterbacks) they can be a true difference maker. Some may argue that kickers are a relic of the past and that any respectable league does not include them. But if you’re a manager who happened to have any of the names mentioned above on your squad, then you’re probably not one of them.
Isaiah Likely (TE)
*Finished as the overall No. 1 TE
Going into the week no one expected Isaiah Likely to be the name mentioned atop most waiver wire columns, but after finishing as the No. 1 TE, that is the reality. In a 20-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Likely was dominant, hauling in nine of 12 targets for 111 yards and one touchdown. He almost had a second touchdown but was deemed out of bounds upon further review. It’s important to note that Mark Andrews was active in this game and played 74% of the offensive snaps to Isaiah Likely’s 66%. So even though the “star” was out there it was Likely who enjoyed the elite-level production. Perhaps Andrews was nursing an injury or maybe the Ravens plan to get both tight ends involved more consistently. Either way, Likely is someone to snatch up while you can.
Jordan Mason (RB)
*Top-three in fantasy points among RBs in half-PPR formats
When it was announced that Christian McCaffrey was inactive for a Monday Night contest against the New York Jets, fantasy managers everywhere scrambled to find a solution. If you had the foresight to handcuff McCaffrey with Jordan Mason then you ended up fine, but if not, it could have been a rough week. Mason ran it 28 times for 147 yards (5.3 yards-per-carry) and a touchdown. His 21.7 fantasy points were good enough to make him a top-three running back on the week. It’s unclear how much time McCaffrey will miss. If he misses more time, Mason will continue to reward his fantasy managers. Mason is only owned in 56% of leagues, so it’s possible he’s still available in yours. If that’s the case, go grab him. He is a set-it-and-forget-it RB2 with RB1 upside as long as McCaffrey is out.
Jayden Reed (WR)
*The overall No. 1 WR
When the Packers took the field in Brazil to face the Philadelphia Eagles no one knew what to expect. Both teams boast young, electric quarterbacks. Both teams have a stable of talented pass-catchers. Both also have a new lead running back in their backfield. This was shaping up to be an exciting and unpredictable matchup. But although Saquon Barkley had a game that reminded us of the Barkley of old and Jordan Love suffered a knee injury that will sideline him, the top story may be Jayden Reed’s overall No. 1 WR finish. Reed only had five touches but totaled 171 yards and two touchdowns. It is not the type of efficient performance we can count on, but with that amount of upside, Reed is someone worth considering putting in your flex.
Christian McCaffrey (RB)
*A surprise inactive
This one hurt. Christian McCaffrey was the No. 1 pick in most fantasy football drafts. The savvy fantasy manager selected his backup, Jordan Mason, late in drafts, but for those who didn’t, not having McCaffrey available could have led to a loss. McCaffrey is unlike any player in fantasy football. He’s almost like two players in one. Very few players have as much upside or impact the overall success of a fantasy squad as McCaffrey does. Hopefully, McCaffrey will be back soon. His absence will always be felt and his production cannot be duplicated, but if you have Mason he will be able to serve as a replacement until McCaffrey gets up to full strength. If you don’t, but he’s available, go grab him, and if that’s not an option, hope and pray that McCaffrey returns soon.
Jayden Daniels (QB)
*Top-five in fantasy points in half-PPR points
Coming into the 2024 NFL Draft many experts believed rookie QB Jayden Daniels should’ve been selected before Caleb Williams. That remains to be seen, but based on their debut performances, Daniels looks like the better fantasy asset. Daniels finished as the No. 3 QB (top-five overall player) with 28.2 points. The one concern is that while Daniels only threw for 184 yards, he ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns, meaning most of his production came on the ground. But in fantasy, a quarterback who can take off and run with the ball is a highly valuable commodity. As he continues to develop as a passer, Daniels will have a safe floor because of his ability as a rusher. If that development happens faster than expected, he could be a top-five option at the position and league-winner.
Chicago Bears D/ST and Minnesota Vikings D/ST
*Scored more fantasy points than all but five quarterbacks
Neither the Bears nor Vikings were playing against powerhouse offenses, but they still managed to put more fantasy points on the board than all but five quarterbacks. Both defenses finished the week with 22 points and needed at least one defensive touchdown to reach that number. But for a defense to hit the 20+ mark they are likely to need a defensive or special teams score. Both defenses looked good and should have plenty of opportunities moving forward with neither offense looking like a juggernaut at this point in the season. My preference of the two is Chicago since three of their next five games are against the Colts, Jaguars, and Panthers which could bode well for fantasy production.
Saquon Barkley (RB)
*No. 1 in fantasy points, regardless of position
If you had told me to start the season, that Saquon Barkley would be the highest scorer in the first week regardless of position, I would have thought you were crazy. To be fair, you would probably have to be a little crazy to think it. But Barkley looked solid in a 34-29 Eagles victory. Barkley had 132 total yards and two touchdowns. Unless his workload was a fluke, Barkley is a primary part of this offense. With Barkley there is always an injury risk built into his game, but if he continues to take on a workhorse role then that risk is worth it. I’m not ready to crown him the 2024 fantasy MVP yet, but he is a low-end RB1 with overall No. 1 upside.
J.K. Dobbins (RB)
*Finished as a top-four back
After suffering ACL and Achilles tears, fantasy managers and football fans in general were ready to write Dobbins off as a bust and a lost cause. But in his first game with the Los Angeles Chargers, Dobbins ran like a man possessed. Dobbins only carried the ball 10 times but managed 135 yards and a touchdown on those opportunities. This included explosive runs of 46 and 61 yards. It was nice to see from a player who has been dealt a tough hand throughout his career. It’s impossible not to hold your breath every time Dobbins takes off with the ball, but if he is fully healthy (and is able to stay that way) he could end up being one of the best steals of the draft.
