Smith-Njigba’s fantasy outpouring was stymied when a 49ers defensive lineman punched the football loose after Smith-Njigba turned upfield on a screen pass. Aside from that blemish on his fantasy record, Smith-Njigba was marvelous. The third-year wide receiver was getting open at will in the center of the field and Sam Darnold continued looking his way from start to finish. Smith-Njigba ended the day with five explosive 15-plus-yard gains. Although he faces the Steelers’ top-tier defense next week, his talent and target volume keep him on the WR1/2 border.

He did this on only 38 snaps after being pulled for a concussion evaluation once — he left with a bloody head — and then being pulled a second time by the independent spotter. NFL players: They aren’t like us! Nacua smashed in a tough matchup and should again be on the WR1 line in Week 2 against the Titans.

On the plus side, Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are already walking in lockstep. The duo connected for an easy 18-yard game on the first play from scrimmage that set the tone for Seattle’s passing offense moving forward. Unfortunately, the game ended on a sour note. 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa drove Seahawks RT Abraham Lucas backward and into Darnold’s throwing arm as he was set to uncork a pass from the 49ers’ nine-yard line. The 49ers recovered and the day was done. Darnold is just a QB2 against the Steelers next week.

The fact that he dominated snaps (53 of 63, by far the most among Texans receivers) and did that little with them tells you something about this new Texans offense. And not something good. This would have been Collins’ lowest target total all year in 2024 if we didn’t count games he was hurt in or left early. It’s usage that we haven’t seen since the middle of 2023. Fantasy managers have little choice but to trust this can get better next week against the Buccaneers, but it’s an ominous beginning for someone who was already stuck being the bright spot in a bad offense last year.

Ward played much better than his stat line would indicate. Titans pass catchers dropped five well-thrown passes from the rookie in his NFL debut, including two late-game drops that spoiled the team’s chance of a last-minute comeback win over the heavily-favored Broncos. Ward threw from a variety of arm angles, and almost connected with downfield threat Elic Ayomanor on a few deep shots in the first half. Ward had plenty of time to operate in the pocket; only five quarterbacks in Week 1 had a higher average time to throw, according to PFF. Ward did not record a rushing attempt. That’s something of a concern for his fantasy prospects. The rookie isn’t a fantasy option for Week 2 against the Rams. Not yet, anyway.

McCaffrey entered Week 1 just three days removed from an in-practice calf tweak. His five first-quarter touches were reasonable, though admittedly a team-high. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan threw caution to the wind as the game progressed, loading up McCaffrey with 8-9 touches in each of the next three quarters. Both George Kittle (hamstring) and Jauan Jennings (shoulder) were forced from play, helping McCaffrey earn a team-high seven targets in the second half. The veteran running back looked good as a receiver, but was unable to get things going on the ground. He gets a far softer defensive front next week, against the Saints, keeping him firmly locked into the elite RB1 tier.

Williams played on 48 of 60 snaps — about the same 75-80 percent on-field rate as last year — and no matter what Sean McVay says he keeps just playing the hits. The touchdown run was a gritty fourth-and-goal pitch from the one-yard line that Williams managed to turn into a score. There will be better matchups for a running back than this tough Texans defense, and one of them will occur next week when Williams is on the RB1 line against the Titans.

Dobbins had a comfortable lead as the Broncos’ primary rusher, with 16 totes to just six for RJ Harvey, who was phased out of the offense in the second half in favor of the wily veteran. Dobbins didn’t do much with his opportunity — he averaged 3.9 yards per rush — but managed a fourth quarter touchdown after slipping a tackle at the line of scrimmage. The score put the game away against a lifeless Tennessee offense. Harvey led the backfield in pass routes (14) but drew just one target from Bo Nix. Tyler Badie, weirdly, led the Denver backfield with 14 pass routes and was targeted on a stunning seven of those routes, ending with two catches for 16 yards. Dobbins, meanwhile, logged 14 routes and had two targets. The Broncos backfield is more muddled than anyone could have guessed, but for now Dobbins appears to be the lead guy. He’ll be a top-24 option next week against the Colts.

The Rams only scored twice, but that was more about Stafford’s receivers getting crushed when they got the ball — Houston might have one of the league’s best defenses — than about Stafford looking bad. He had good chemistry with Davante Adams from the jump. And though he took three sacks and will always be a threat to take one bad hit too many this year, he came out of Week 1 looking like a fine QB2 superflex value pick. A tasty matchup against the Titans should have Stafford a solid start in superflex leagues again next week.