Believe the Hype - Week 1

Football is back! Week 1 brought us insane comebacks and insane… ties?? Yes I think we could confidently say Week 1 was a welcome sight for NFL fans worldwide. With the week that passed, we’ve seen some standout performances from players all around the league.

As Fantasy Football managers, you always want to have one leg up on your competition. One way a lot of fantasy managers win their league is by being very efficient and active on the waiver wire. Each year, you have these standout players by seasons end that we’re barely drafted (or even undrafted) in most leagues!

Although usually highly improbable to predict, we are here to hopefully help you decipher which strong performances will continue and which are just a fluke.

Alvin Kamara, Carson Wentz and Evan Engram were all fantasy studs last year found on the waiver wire (for the most part). The only way you will find a waiver wire stud this year is if you “Believe the Hype”.

James Conner

Week 1 performance: 31 Rushes, 135 Yards, 2 TDs, 5 Rec, 57 Yards, 1 Fum Lost

Believe the Hype? As long as Le’Veon Bell sits out

We’d be foolish to not start with one of the best performances of the week. The 2^nd year running back out of Pitt had his breakout game with Le’Veon Bell sitting out amidst contract dispute with the front office of the Steelers.

After this game, its clear to see that talent is there (and the bad haircut choices are there too). With talent + opportunity being a clear recipe for success, Conner should be destined to be a stud running back for the Steelers as long as Bell is off the field. He’s proven his workhorse abilities and should be trusted with the majority of carries if Le’Veon remains off the field.

 Le’Veon had 8 games last years with at least 20 carries, if you give Conner that volume behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, he can become an extremely reliable RB2 if not even a stretch RB1 by seasons end.

Austin Ekeler

Week 1 performance: 5 Rushes, 39 Yards, 6 Rec, 87 Yards, 1 TD

Believe the Hype? His production will go down unless Melvin gets hurt

Ah the interesting case of Austin Ekeler. This man was feature on the tail end of last year’s Believe the Hype as somebody to grab if you wanted PPR points and/or if Melvin Gordon went down injured.

For us at this time, we aren’t ready to roster Ekeler just yet. Last season he was extremely inconsistent in terms of touches per game and no team is at the stage yet where they should be handcuffing their running backs (unless it’s a Dion Lewis/Derrick Henry type of deal).

Ekeler will have a couple of these games throughout the season, so look at him on a DFS standpoint at certain points. However, for long term fantasy teams, he should remain on the waiver wire until later in the season or Melvin Gordon goes down with an injury.

Geronimo Allison

Week 1 performance: 5 Rec, 69 Yards, 1 TD

Believe the Hype? As long as Aaron Rodgers stays healthy

            That is the key for most Green Bay Packers receivers to have fantasy relevance, a healthy Aaron Rodgers. Seems even more pertinent for Allison in his case, being a popular deep sleeper for fantasy analysts.

            Aaron Rodgers himself actually praised Allison this preseason, pumping “G-Mo” up in interviews to many, leading us to believe a connection can be real there.

            The departure of Jordy Nelson has now opened up space for Allison to become that #3 WR in Green Bay and subsequently a larger target share.

            Anyone who saw the game on Sunday Night can understand the difference having Aaron Rodgers makes to a team, therefore keeping Rodgers on the field is crucial for Allison to have fantasy success. Scoop him if he’s still available.

Jared Cook

Week 1 performance: 9 Rec, 180 Yards

Believe the Hype? Not at all, we have a lot of doubts here

            Jared Cook has had flashes of being great his entire career, but one way or another he’s never really figured out the consistency needed to be considered one of the better tight ends in the league.

            Last year, he was also featured on “Believe the Hype” but ultimately provided no end of season value for fantasy owners. We believe the same to happen here, even if he gashed a top defence like the Rams for 180 yards.

            A strong belief of Ethan is that the Raiders offense will struggle mightily this year and that just means poor performances for each individual in that offence. Cook may have that impressive game here and there, but we do not believe it merits him being considered a top fantasy tight end, let alone being owned on fantasy rosters (unless you need him with Greg Olson and Delanie Walker now injured for the season).

That was week 1 of "Believe the Hype"! Remember to check back every Tuesday for a new article release of "Believe the Hype" on our website casualsportstalk.com!

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