Week one always provides panic in fantasy football, especially for those who saw little to no production from their first-round pick.
In this edition of Sam’s Section, I will calm down the fantasy football team owners who are stressed and alert those who should be stressed about their teams.
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs (6.4 points) – Don’t Panic
I wouldn’t panic about one of the greatest tight ends of all time. Wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy showed out in the NFL’s opening game of the season, while Kelce, known as quarterback and Patrick Mahomes’s trusty target, didn’t contribute the same way he has in past seasons. The reason I wouldn’t panic is that Noah Gray, the Chiefs’ other tight end, matched his reception total and only outgained him by three yards. I expect a good bounce-back game fantasy-wise against the Bengals next week.
Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens (3.4 points) – Panic
Fantasy football owners with Mark Andrews on their team have a great reason to panic. Despite Andrews being regarded as one of the NFL’s top tight ends, Isaiah Likely has emerged as someone who can prevent Andrews from having more boom performances than bust performances. With Andrews’s injury last season, Likely emerged as a player who can fill in his shoes just as well. Don’t be surprised if Likely overshadows Andrews as the Ravens’ TE1 at some point this season.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals (1.4 points) – Panic
I would panic about the rookie wide receiver despite how talented he is. Only three targets shocked me and the scrambling ability that quarterback Kyler Murray has doesn’t help him in fantasy football. Murray scrambles every opportunity he gets. I would keep him on the bench until the Cardinals unleash his potential.
Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals (8.06 points) – Don’t Panic
I wouldn’t panic about Burrow’s lackluster performance, mainly because Tee Higgins, one of his top receivers, was out due to a hamstring injury. Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase could not play a full complement of snaps thanks to an illness. He hasn’t had as much practice time over the last month. The Bengals are an excellent team, especially on offense. I am not surprised by the slow start, but I expect Burrow to return to his usual game next week at Kansas City.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Bears (5 points) – Don’t Panic
The Bears were behind by two touchdowns at the half in a game where they were able to complete a comeback to beat the Titans. Half of his attempts went for one or fewer yards, and he finished the game with 30 yards on 10 carries. That is not the workload expected from Swift, a player who first broke out in fantasy football with the Detroit Lions. It doesn’t help that the Bears want to see everything they asked for in their top pick, Caleb Williams at quarterback, but I expect the Bears to at least be in a better position to hand the ball off to Swift.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions (5.3 points) – Don’t Panic
I do not have a confident opinion, but I lean towards the “Don’t Panic” side for St. Brown. He is one of the league’s most talented receivers, but I believe that the emergence of Jameson Williams, who had 121 yards and a touchdown, means that you are not as likely to get 20-point games out of St. Brown as you were last year. However, I want to reassure owners that I think St. Brown will ball out this year for the Lions, a team I think could end up winning the NFC this season.
Caleb Williams, QB, Bears (7.22 points) – Don’t Panic
I agree with ESPN’s Field Yates. I do believe in Williams despite a poor performance during Week one. He is a rookie, so everyone should expect growing pains. However, Williams has enough around him to bring the Bears’ offense back to relevance. The Bears won thanks to defense and special teams, meaning that Williams does not have to be heavily relied on. That said, the Bears are expecting more out of their franchise quarterback.