The Hot Sheet looks at which top prospects are excelling and which ones are struggling on a week-to-week basis. The consensus top-flight players may not always appear on this list because we are trying to help you find the next group of breakout players before your league mates do.
Hot List:
1) Sammy Watkins, WR BUF
It didn’t take long for rookie Sammy Watkins to take over the role as the leading receiver for the Buffalo Bills. After a quiet Week One, Watkins broke out in Week Two catching eight of his 11 targets for 117 yards and a score. Although the Bills are surprisingly 2-0 so far, I still expect them to be falling behind in many games, which bodes well for Watkins to continue to post gaudy fantasy numbers.
2) Niles Paul, TE WAS
After starting tight end Jordan Reed exited the Redskins’ Week One game with a hamstring injury, backup Niles Paul entered and performed well. Things fell perfectly into place in Week Two as Paul drew the start and was quickly paired with backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. With both players typically second teamers, it’s fair to assume they had some preexisting chemistry, at least it looked that way. Paul drew 11 targets and caught eight for 99 yards and a score. Considering Reed’s growing injury history, Paul may have earned an extended look with the first team.
3) Larry Donnell, TE NYG
Another relatively unknown tight end making a name for himself in the early season is the Giants’ Larry Donnell. After a nice Week One stat line, aided by a touchdown, fantasy owners seemed unsure of what to expect from Donnell. After all, the Giants have a nice pair of receivers in Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle, along with an above average pass catching back, Rashad Jennings. Could Donnell find a consistent role? Early on, the answer looks to be yes as he followed up that performance with a seven catch for 81 yard game in Week Two. Those hoping for an appearance from Adrien Robinson will have to keep waiting as the Giants may have found themselves a tight end for the next few seasons.
4) Giovani Bernard, RB CIN
Entering the season, there were concerns that Giovani Bernard’s dynasty value could be affected with the arrival of Jeremy Hill and a potential running back by committee. While Hill has been solid when given the chance through two games, Bernard has been remarkable, especially if you play in PPR leagues. Bernard already has 11 receptions through two games. Expect Hill to earn more carries as the season continues, but Bernard will maintain his value in the passing game, as well as the occasional big play.
5) Knile Davis, RB KC
The ankle injury to starter Jamaal Charles in Kansas City opened the door for talented backup Knile Davis, who totaled over 100 yards and found the end zone twice in Week Two. With Charles iffy, at best, for Week Three Davis is likely to get another shot to show what he can do. Regardless of Charles’ status any given week, Davis has proven he can handle a full workload and makes an excellent stash for Charles owners, along with any other dynasty owners.
6) Allen Robinson, WR JAX
After Week One, rookie receiver Allen Robinson was left in the shadow of fellow rookie and teammate Allen Hurns, as he exploded for two scores and over 100 receiving yards in the first half of the season opener. With Robinson now fully healthy, he took over as Hurns left the team’s Week Two game, hauling in four passes for 75 yards. While Hurns was a nice story, and should have dynasty value moving forward, it’s Robinson who is the true talent in Jacksonville and he should only get better from here.
7) Bobby Rainey, RB TB
Stop me if you’ve heard this one … after starting running back Doug Martin was injured, backup Bobby Rainey was elevated to the starter’s position and looked to be the better back. Yes, just like last season, when Martin missed the majority of the season and Rainey was the Bucs’ leading rusher, Rainey started for a banged up Martin and looked dominant, totaling over 170 yards. At this point, there has to be some question if Martin, even when healthy, is the best running back on the roster.
8) Davante Adams, WR GB
A few years ago, Randall Cobb was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, a team with a great offense, aided by their deep wide receiver corps. It was that same depth that hurt Cobb’s value as owners were concerned how long it would take Cobb to see the field. It wasn’t nearly that long as Cobb made a handful of memorable plays his rookie year before breaking out in Year Two. We may see history repeating itself with rookie Davante Adams, who was a highly ranked rookie receiver, but landing on the deep Packer roster gave some dynasty players pause. Just like Cobb though, Adams’ talent is shining through as he may have already eclipsed Jarrett Boykin for the third wide receiver’s job.
9) Darren Sproles, RB PHI
Quick, name the current top scoring running back in PPR leagues! I’ll assume Darren Sproles was not the first name that came to your mind. The trade that sent Sproles from New Orleans to Philadelphia was almost an afterthought, despite the fact that Eagles’ head coach Chip Kelly is known as an offensive genius. Sproles has racked up over 260 total yards in two weeks, and much of that came on the ground, breaking the trend of his time with the Saints.
10) Kirk Cousins, QB WAS
As I mentioned earlier, Redskins’ starter Robert Griffin III was forced from the team’s Week Two game with a severe ankle injury, which was later revealed to be a dislocated ankle. The reports on the Redskins’ timetable for Griffin’s return have varied from as little as four weeks to the entire season. The good news for Redskins fans, and maybe dynasty owners, is that his replacement, Kirk Cousins, played very well. Cousins was a top ten fantasy quarterback for the week and showed some upside. Considering there were reports that Cousins was in contention for the starting job during the pre-season, there is an outside chance he could steal this job from Griffin.
Others considered: Antonio Gates, http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/3653/Brandon-MarshallBrandon Marshall, Damien Williams
Cold List:
1) http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/2491/Adrian-PetersonAdrian Peterson, RB MIN
I won’t get too far into the off field issue facing Vikings running back http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/2491/Adrian-PetersonAdrian Peterson, as we already know the story. After briefly reinstating him earlier this week, it was later announced that Peterson would be placed on the NFL’s exempt list and will remain there until his current legal situation is resolved. The timetable on that is murky as the first hearing won’t be held until October 8. It seems to be a long shot that Peterson will be cleared of the charges by the end of the season as the legal system is not known for its quick processing. There have also been rumors that Peterson will never play for the Vikings again.
2) Torrey Smith, WR BAL
The mystery of Torrey Smith’s usage, or lack there of, in the Ravens’ offense has been one of the more surprising stories of the early season. After a quiet Week One, it was easy to assume the low number of targets thrown to Smith was a fluke, but Week Two was a repeat. After two games, Smith has four receptions for 60 yards. Smith is also third on the team in targets, tied with Owen Daniels and Justin Forsett. It’d hard to imagine this continuing as the Ravens have to use one of their best players, but until they prove the intent and ability to use him correctly, Smith’s value is flailing.
3) Doug Martin, RB TB
I mentioned the impressive play of Bobby Rainey earlier and that opportunity is due in large part to the injury woes of starter Doug Martin. Typically, a player wouldn’t land on the Cold List simply due to an injury, but after missing ten games a year ago, Martin is already dealing with a knee injury that has cost him multiple games. As I mentioned, when an unheralded veteran like Rainey is outplaying Martin, it’s cause for concern, even when Martin is healthy.
4) Justin Hunter, WR TEN
This appearance on the Cold List might be more about unrealistic expectations. Justin Hunter has just five grabs for 89 yards through two weeks, even though he got to face the Cowboys porous defense last week. Many had pegged that game as Hunter’s breakout, but it didn’t happen. Hunter is getting the opportunities as he’s second on the team in targets and has more than PPR monster Kendall Wright. Hunter has been criticized for poor hands and too many drops, so maybe those are things he’s yet to overcome. We might have been too early on the Justin Hunter breakout.
5) Kenny Britt/Tavon Austin, WRs STL
If you’re talking disappointing wide receivers, St. Louis is the place to go. While the Brian Quick breakout has been nice, his teammates, specifically Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt both continue to disappoint. The most frustrating thing about these two is that they’ve both shown the ability to be difference making players. Britt has run out of excuses after leaving the Titans and having nothing to show for it. Austin, on the other hand, got banged up last week and was forced to the sidelines. His athletic ability is amazing and I’d love to see him in a number of different offenses, or working under different coaches. For now, his growth and potential are being stunted.
Others considered: Jarrett Boykin, Ladarius Green, Marques Colston, Trent Richardson
