Sunday Six Pack: Week Two

Austin DeWitt Posted On September 15, 2019

Week one played out just as everyone expected. Kirk Cousins threw for ten passes, Gardner Minshew had an 88% completion percentage, Jamison Crowder led the league in targets, and Antonio Brown was, well, a roller coaster.

There are lots of questions on everyone’s minds, so let’s dive into what I consider the biggest dynasty questions heading into week two.

1. Is Gardner Minshew Legit?

Near the end of the first quarter of the Jags vs Chiefs game, Nick Foles took a hard hit and fractured his collarbone in the process. He now finds himself on IR. In his stead, the mustachioed Minshew went 22-25 for 275 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His 88% completion rate was the highest in NFL history for a rookie QB debut with at least 15 attempts. To be fair, this was against the Chiefs defense. His collegiate profile does not look like one of an elite NFL QB, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t be a high-end QB2 moving forward.

My guess: At best, he’s an average QB; at worst, a backup.

2. Were We Too Low On The 2019 WR Class?

Marquise Brown, Terry McLaurin, and AJ Brown all posted at least 100 yards receiving in week one. Along with DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, and even Miles Boykin, this class is starting to show some promise. Were these just one-week wonders or is there real long-term potential in this group?

All throughout the draft process, the 2019 WR class seemed to be a real testing grounds between the processes of film study and data analytics. Week one goes to the film grinders, but it’s a long season and player careers are even longer.

My guess: AJ Brown is the only one of this group who is fantasy-relevant in 2022.

3. Will A New Tight End Join The “Big Three”?

Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Zach Ertz are the three biggest tight ends in dynasty. However, in week one it was the young guys who dominated. Evan Engram, TJ Hockenson, and Mark Andrews were the three highest scorers. Other young players like Austin Hooper, Darren Waller, and David Njoku highlighted the top ten. Now, it’s only one week, and I fully expect the “big three” to once again finish near the top of the standings come season’s end. Don’t be surprised though if the Tier One of tight ends expands to four or five guys.

My Guess: Evan Engram will join Tier One, and maybe Mark Andrews, David Njoku, or TJ Hockenson.

4. Has Derrick Henry finally reached his potential?

For three long years, we’ve been waiting for the beast to awaken. Misuse, injuries, competition, and bad teams have plagued his career thus far. At the end of 2018, Henry absolutely smashed to end the season. Much debate was had as to whether this was a fluke or a sign of things to come. Well, things are starting to lean in Henry’s favor.

There’s just one problem from a dynasty aspect. How many running backs can you name that “broke out” in their fourth year and continued to be a worthwhile dynasty talent? The most recent one I can think of is Mark Ingram. So, it is possible. The question still remains though: “Do you trust Derrick Henry?”

My Guess: If you still have him rostered, you might as well wait and see how this plays out, but I understand wanting to “sell high”.

5. Were We Way Too High On The Cleveland Browns?

The most surprising result was the Tennessee Titans manhandling the Cleveland Browns. Unless you started David Njoku or Odell Beckham, you were likely disappointed with how your Brown’s players fared. Chubb missed out on 100 yards and was vulture on a TD by Dontrell Hilliard, Jarvis Landry had a floor-like result, and don’t even get me started about Baker Mayfield.

Is this a sign of things to come or was it just a fluke? We know Cleveland has some of the most talented skill position players in the league, but they were unable to put it together. Was the hype deserved? I think so. Was it overblown? Potentially.

My Guess: In week one of 2018, the Buccaneers beat the Saints. Let’s not draw too much from one game so early in the year. Browns players will be just fine.

6. Is This The Rebirth Of Sammy Watkins?

Disappointment. Wasted potential. Unhealthy. These aren’t just words to describe my life after high school; they are an accurate summary of Sammy Watkins’s career thus far. After two promising seasons to begin his career, injuries and changing teams cratered Watkins’s value. He was mentioned in the same breath as Josh Doctson, DeVante Parker, and Corey Coleman.

There is a big difference between Watkins and the others though. According to my WR model (shameless plug, I know), Sammy Watkins actually had the profile to be a star in the NFL and was on that track after the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Now that he is healthy, can he get back on that track? Or is it just a flash in the pan?

My Guess: Week one sure was promising with Tyreek Hill down, but I need to see more. It would be a lie though if I said that his performance gave me no hope for a rebirth.