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- Big Backfield Surprises After Week 1
These NFL coaches can talk as much as they want at the podium.
They can screw around with preseason usage—I’m looking at you, Sean Payton.
But there is nowhere to hide once the games start, as actions speak louder than words.
It spoke volumes when the Commanders made Chris Rodriguez a healthy scratch on Sunday (Bill arrived quicker on Capitol Hill than any of us could have ever expected).
And it spoke volumes last night when the Jaguars shipped RB Tank Bigsby off to the Eagles in exchange for 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks. The writing was on the wall after Travis Etienne Jr. dominated touches on Sunday vs. the Panthers (16 rush attempts and 15 routes), but it is still surprising to see it inked.
This is obviously solid news for Etienne, but he had already won the job. The true big winner here is the rookie, Bhayshul Tuten, who now has a path to some immediate touches as well as multiple avenues to league winner status. He needs to be rostered everywhere.
As for the Eagles, they insist this move has nothing to do with Will Shipley’s rib injury and that they like Bigsby as a … kickoff returner? Who am I to question the defending Super Bowl Champs, but good luck with that.
In addition to the Commanders and Jags, here are three other backfields that really surprised me in Week 1 …
Seahawks: Um, I thought Kenneth Walker III was the lead back here? And yet he got out-carried and out-snapped by Zach Charbonnet (who also got the goal-line carry). Ruh, oh. I don’t think it is crazy to now suggest that their ADPs should have been flipped?
Steelers: I know I shouldn’t be surprised when it comes to anything involving Arthur Smith, and yet I was still flummoxed by Kenneth Gainwell leading the Steelers in snaps and rendering Kaleb Johnson—a third-round pick—a complete non-factor.
Browns. We won’t have the full picture for this backfield until Quinshon Judkins returns, but Dylan Sampson doubling up Jerome Ford in rush attempts (12 > 6) and earning 8 targets is notable. He’s going to have weekly FLEX appeal in PPR leagues even after Judkins returns.
Read on for the rest of the key Utilization takeaways from Week 1 and, in the meantime …
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About Last Night …
It was a Monday Night Football matchup of ballyhooed quarterbacks who both went in the Top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams vs. J.J. McCarthy. With the latter making his NFL debut, and Williams starting for the first time under new HC Ben Johnson, it was an uneven first half before both turned it on in a 27-24 thriller that had our own Thor Nystrom talking about alligator blood? Nice opener, huh?
What else happened last night?
First a little good-natured ribbing for Thor.
Then an epic fourth-quarter comeback in J.J.’s home city.
Caleb had some zip on this throw to Rome.
40 years since this last happened. Good company for J.J.
In other news: If you’re looking for a George Kittle replacement, here are some options.
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Editors’ Picks
Week 1 is in the books, and it’s time to turn our attention to Week 2. Tweaking rosters and adjusting based on what we saw, while also doing our best not to overreact—now that’s a fine needle to thread. Get a head start with some of the latest Fantasy Life content to come through the Week 2 pipeline …
 | Some may think it’s early for rankings, but Ian Hartitz is right on time with his look ahead to Week 2 rankings, especially QBs on the rise. |
 | Can you cut a player who just got traded? Geoff Ulrich showed that in fantasy football, there’s no time for sentimentality. He identified these players to cut before Week 2. |
 | One of the best parts of dynasty leagues is taking advantage of reactionary leaguemates. Jonathan Fuller outlines players who make for prime trade targets after Week 1. |
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The Week 1 King of Utilization Is …
None other than Bills WR Keon Coleman—who posted a week-winning Utilization Score of 95 (out of 100) in the Sunday Night shootout with the Ravens.
Now, more importantly, what do we do with Coleman moving forward? Per Dwain McFarland …
The Bills' early-second-round pick struggled to generate targets as a rookie with a 15% target share and 17% targets-per-route run rate (TPRR).
Week 1 for the Year 2 player was a different story. He was targeted 11 times (26%) and collected 141 air yards (33%) on his way to 25.2 fantasy points.
On the one hand, some of his Week 1 production was fluky (tipped pass for a TD on a scramble drill) in an offense that doesn't always throw so often without much scheme protection (2% motion, one-screen look). On the other hand, he made several great grabs and was a shoestring tackle away from another score, and he plays with Josh-Freaking-Allen, man.
It's worth noting that historical Year 2 and 3 comparisons with Coleman's profile haven't broken out often. Still, we play a game where outliers happen, and Coleman deserves an upgrade after a strong Week 1 performance.
Coleman UPGRADES to WR3 territory and will join the WR2 conversation with another strong outing in Week 2. If you are in a league where he is available, he is a MUST-ADD option. If you have him and someone is willing to pay a WR1 price, I would deal him.
For each and every one of Dwain’s utilization takeaways from Week 1, access his full Utilization Report below. ⬇️
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Week 2 Waiver Wire Adds
Did you really think we were going to get out of Week 1 unscathed by injuries? OF COURSE NOT! But that's why we love fantasy football. There were some key players who exited games, and there were others who felt like they just didn't even play.
Nonetheless, we've got names to go through for the Week 2 waiver wire. This is a really important week since we got a few answers to some running back and wide receiver rooms that we were questioning during the preseason, so stay focused and let Kendall Valenzuela do the dirty work for your waiver wire needs …
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants (5% rostered)
DANIEL JONES TRUTHERS, PLEASE COME FORWARD! What a performance from the QB1 for Indianapolis—Jones not only led the Colts to a win against the Dolphins, but he is now the first quarterback this century to lead a scoring drive in every possession, according to NFL Network.
Jones was 22-of-29 passing for 272 yards and one touchdown for the Colts and also notched seven carries for 26 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Will we get this kind of stellar performance every week? Probably not, after all the Dolphins vibes coming into the season were bad, and it was very evident on Sunday that it could be a long season. Miami was outgained 255-43 at halftime. Jones was connecting with Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, and he is definitely going to be on the cover of most waiver wire articles.
You will probably have a better option to start in Week 2 since the Colts are facing the Broncos at home, but he is definitely worth a waiver wire stash.
Hollywood Brown, WR, Chiefs (25% rostered)
Because we can't have nice things, Xavier Worthy went down in the Chiefs first game of the season against the Chargers. An MRI confirmed that Worthy has a dislocated shoulder, so we should expect him to miss a few weeks. The result? Hollywood Brown being one of the highest scoring fantasy receivers on the week. Brown finished Friday's game coming down with 10 of his 16 targets for 99 yards.
With Worthy hurt and Rashee Rice sidelined for another five games because of his suspension, we should expect Brown to continue being a focal point in this offense.
For more (and deeper 👀) waiver wire gems ahead of Week 2, read on … ⬇️
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Around the Watercooler
Just a few fun links on a Tuesday …
👀 In the market for a QB streamer? There are some fantastic options.
🐆 Time to recap Week 1. Big revelation in the Jaguars backfield.
🎯 And we have some more Week 2 waiver wire targets.
🪓 The first chop has happened. Now it’s time to set up your Guillotine LeaguesTM waiver wire.
🏈 A couple of QBs who could be 2026 NFL Draft prospects squared off on Saturday.
🚽 Kyler Murray battled the elements on Sunday. TMI, bro.
💪 The Niners beef up their WR room. They need the help.
🚑️ An update on Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury. Keep crossing your fingers.
🤦 Brian Callahan wishes he could have this one back. Oof.
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