There are so many things that are happening that are new. For me, it was making the quantum leap from the Big Apple to the Bayou. Honestly, I've felt a little like a fish out of water the first couple of weeks. But no matter what I'm glad that I'm here and I'm glad that I took the leap and made the move.

For you, if you're new to fantasy football, you may be feeling a similar type of fish out of water feeling. You may not know exactly what you're doing here but you know that after the draft and week one you find yourself semi-addicted to this magical world of fantasy football. If you're not new to the game, well, welcome back, glad you're here with us. Just bear with me while I do a little educating for the new guys and girls in the room.

You may be thinking, okay I've drafted, I've got through week one, win or lose, what do I do now? Allow me to try to help and explain.

The draft is where you build a foundation but the waiver wire is where your season can truly be won or lost. So please, add wisely. You don't always have to use your waiver wire claim. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to not use it, build your way up the waiver claim list, and claim a true difference maker.

However, in the sport of football, there's a 100% injury rate. There's no getting around it, injuries will occur, not to every player but to some. Big name players are bitten by the injury bug on a weekly basis. For example, Arizona Cardinals RB Davis Johnson has a dislocated wrist that will require surgery that'll sideline him for at least 2-3 months. Baltimore Ravens pass catching specialist at RB Danny Woodhead is out indefinitely with a hamstring issue. Then, there's number one WR for the Jacksonville Jaguars Allen Robinson with a torn ACL....  So, there are definitely some needs out there for a couple of your teams.

Then, you've got the guys who just burst onto the scene in week one, showcasing the talents they possess that you could only dream of possessing. These guys are going to make an impact no matter who's on the field for their team.

The choice is yours and yours alone. Choose wisely my friends.

 

Running Backs:

Tarik Cohen (CHI, Owned: 24% of ESPN Leagues)

Who!? You know, the Deacon Jones Award winner last year in college football at the powerhouse that is North Carolina A&T. The award is given to the most outstanding collegiate football player of the year among teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. On Sunday he showed up in an EXPLOSIVE way. He out rushed starter Jordan Howard on only five carries, he lead all receivers in catches and yards, yes he is a running back, and he caught a touchdown pass. He just looks like a different type of athlete out there on the field. Now, I’m not suggesting that he’s going to take Jordan Howard’s job but he made a case to get himself on the field whenever possible. When you take a look at what QB Mike Glennon has to throw to, why would you not try to get both Howard and Cohen on the field at the same time, they’re your two best weapons on offense.

Andre Ellington/Kerwynn Williams (ARZ, Ellington: Owned in 1% of Leagues, Williams: 6% of Leagues)

The David Johnson injury is a brutal one for fantasy owners who took him number one overall with extremely high hopes of riding his coattails to fantasy football glory this season. But those dreams have been quickly dashed after just one week and now you're in a little bit of a panic. Unfortunately, you won't be able to make up Johnson's production with one of the Cardinals backs. However, depending upon what kind of league you're in you could garner some help from either Andre Ellington or Kerwynn Williams. Head Coach Bruce Arians has already come out and told you that Williams is going to be the number one guy, cool thank you Bruce. Williams has been pretty effective when given the opportunity. During the past three seasons in a limited roll he's producing a 5.6 YPC (yards per carry) average with four touchdowns on 98 carries. While Williams will handle most of the ground work, making him a good add for you standard league players, Andre Ellington will thrive by air. Ellington will be the main third-down and two minute offense back with his prowess to catch balls out of the backfield. This quality makes him appealing to you PPR (points per reception) players.

Chris Carson (SEA, Owned in 4% of Leagues)

In fantasy football we're always looking for a player to become a trend, before they actually become a trend. I believe Chris Carson may be that guy in Seattle. I know what you're thinking, you're looking at the plethora of running backs in Head Coach Pete Carroll's stable and wondering how Chris Carson could come out on top? Well, Thomas Rawls is scheduled to return this week against the 49ers but I want you to look long term here. We've never seen Carroll shy away from playing a young back in an exclusive roll and it seems like the running back group for the Seahawks has been in flux since Marshawn Lynch left. Carroll loves what Carson brings to the table, with Rawls' injury history and the ineffectiveness by Eddie Lacy I think we could eventually see the youth movement in the backfield with Chris Carson. If you have a spot to stash him on your bench I would do it.

 

Wide Receiver:

Kenny Golladay (DET, Owned in 21% of Leagues)

This may be another name that has you frazzled, if it does, learn it and learn it quickly. This rookie out of Northern Illinois had himself one heck of a ballgame against a pretty good secondary in the Arizona Cardinals in Week one. He hauled in four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Now, I'm not suggesting he'll put up these type of numbers consistently but he could be a guy you add for WR depth or even a flex option in deeper leagues. At 6'4 and 213lbs he's a big, long target for Matthew Stafford to throw to and we understand that the Lions have virtually no running game. The passing game is what they lean on and if you look what a guy like Anquan Boldin did last year as the "number three wide receiver" in this offense (95 targets, 67 catches and 8 touchdowns) you'll take that from a young Golladay.

 

Tight End:

Austin Hooper (ATL, Owned in 51% of Leagues)

The Atlanta Falcons seemed to have a bit of Super Bowl hangover working on offense in Week one against the Chicago Bears and then, out of nowhere, Austin Hooper. The young tight end caught a ball and took it 88 yards to the house, utilizing a stiff arm you generally featured in the Madden video game, that really sprung him. He only had two catches on two targets on Sunday but surely made the most of them. Like I said, the Atlanta offense seemed to be out of sync most of the day but I expect them to roll much like they did last year. Matt Ryan loves to utilize his tight ends when he can't locate one of his two big wide receivers in Julio Jones or Mohammed Sanu. Hooper isn't going to be a monster for you but if you waited on drafting a tight end, he's someone who could fill in nicely for you.

 

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