With two games of sample-size to examine, do I feel any more confident about my fantasy picks heading into Week 3?
The short answer is, not particularly.
About six weeks into the NFL campaign, not now, we'll know which booms and busts from pre-season drafts are real or fake. For any owners of slow starters such as David Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster, don't fret yet. Maybe Johnson owners should, though, as that's a pick that probably shouldn't have been made in the first round.
Anyways; my confidence in my picks can be better assessed by how my DraftKings lineup for Week 2 performed:
QB- Philip Rivers, LAC: 11.92 points
RB1- Mark Ingram II, BAL: 9.7 points
RB2- Nick Chubb, CLE: 19.8 points
WR1- Sammy Watkins, KC: 10.9 points
WR2- John Brown, BUF: 14.2 points
WR3- Tyrell Williams, OAK: 15.6 points
TE- Zach Ertz, PHI: 17.2 points
Flex- Josh Jacobs, OAK: 9.9 points
D/ST- Bears: 5 points
So 114.22 points overall; not terrible, but not enough to scratch the winning levels. I admire the consistency of guys like Chubb, Brown and Ertz, but Rivers killed me. Less than 12 points in Detroit? C'mon man!
Let's take another stab at it for this week. Like always; based on a 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 D/ST lineup with a $50,000 DraftKings budget:
QB- Josh Allen, Buffalo Billls (vs Cin, $5,900)
Last week, I said Allen was underrated and soon-to-be overrated. Turns out, despite another week with a rushing score against the Giants, he's still underrated. For now. I'll gladly take him at a price under guys like Jimmy Garoppolo. With the fleeting Bengals coming to town, Allen is ripe to let his legs and arm do damage. Expect at least one 40-yard touchdown bomb.
RB1- Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks (vs NO, $5,900)
The leader of the Seahawks committee, Carson has had 15 carries in each of his first two games. However, these were both close battles, and this one should be over within a half with Drew Brees sidelined. Plenty of second-half work will be in play for Carson as Seattle plays their grind-it-out style.
RB2- Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions (at Phi, $5,600)
Another slow starter, Johnson helped his case last Sunday with a 36-yard touchdown from a screen pass, giving owners hope this trend will continue. C.J. Anderson is already being phased out, and the Ty Johnson/J.D. McKissic combo won't factor in much. Add that to what should be a close contest, and the man seems like a no-brainer with the amount of touches I'm getting for $5,600.
WR1- John Brown, Buffalo Bills (vs Cin, $5,500)
A $300 rise in value from last week, I'll still roll with Allen's most consistent target. While his long-ball catching ability has been stifled to begin the season, Brown still caught seven of his eight targets against the Giants. The Bengals defense is similarly putrid to the G-Men, so I'll gladly take a repeat performance.
WR2- Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (at TB, $4,900)
Much has been said about Daniel Jones' NFL career before it has even begun. The Duke product has been the butt end of jokes and studying of his college statistics, mainly his completion percentages. Even if Jones completes 15 passes on the day, a reasonable floor, about half of those will go to the now-healthy Shepard. The Buccaneers' defense will be focused on stopping the short gains with Barkley and Engram as targets. I like Jones' arm, and as a Temple Football follower, watched him carve up the Owls with deep throws during a 2018 bowl game. He'll hook up with Shepard at least twice on long balls.
WR3- Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings (vs Oak, $6,700)
My most talented pick this week, Thielen has been a force in Minnesota, holding the "best white guy in fantasy" title until Christian McCaffrey showed up. Only targeted 11 times in two games, the Vikings have stuck to a run-heavy offense. However, much like last season's surprise home loss to the Bills, I think this Raiders-Vikings contest will be more competitive than it seems. Cousins will be forced to heave more than usual, with at least a six-for-80 statline reasonable for Thielen.
TE- Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (vs Det, $5,700)
Another selection off of last week's squad, Ertz's value is even higher this week against Detroit. Carson Wentz is one wideout injury away from tossing to Dennis Reynolds against the Lions. Darius Slay and company lie in the secondary, giving Ertz an advantage against weaker Lions linebackers. Another good performance is in line for the big man.
Flex- Sony Michel, New England Patriots (vs NY Jets, $6,000)
Getting into the endzone last week against Miami, the Georgia back gets another cupcake this week with the Luke Falk-led Jets. Much like Carson, Michel will get plenty of work in the second half, and I'm thinking another touchdown as well.
D/ST- Patriots (vs NY Jets, $3,800)
Say it with me now: Luke. Falk. Luke. Falk. LUKE. FALK. Watch the points roll in, folks.
Here are the full positional and flex rankings. Good luck to everyone this week.
QB:
1. Patrick Mahomes, KC (vs Bal)
2. Lamar Jackson, BAL (at KC)
3. Dak Prescott, DAL (vs Mia)
4. Tom Brady, NE (vs NY Jets)
5. Josh Allen, BUF (vs Cin)
6. Matt Ryan, ATL (at Ind)
7. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs Den)
8. Kyler Murray, ARI (vs Car)
9. Jameis Winston, TB (vs NY Giants)
10. Jared Goff, LAR (at Cle)
11. Baker Mayfield, CLE (vs LA Rams)
12. Russell Wilson, SEA (vs NO)
13. Philip Rivers, LAC (vs Hou)
14. Deshaun Watson, HOU (at LA Chargers)
15. Carson Wentz, PHI (vs Det)
16. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (vs Pit)
17. Andy Dalton, CIN (at Buf)
18. Jacoby Brissett, IND (vs Atl)
19. Matthew Stafford, DET (at Phi)
20. Kirk Cousins, Min (vs Oak)
21. Mitchell Trubisky, CHI (vs Wsh)
22. Kyle Allen, CAR (at Ari)
23. Mason Rudolph, PIT (at SF)
24. Daniel Jones, NYG (at TB)
25. Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA (at Dal)
26. Derek Carr, OAK (at Min)
27. Teddy Bridgewater, NO (at Sea)
28. Joe Flacco, DEN (at GB)
29. Case Keenum, WSH (vs Chi)
30. Luke Falk, NYJ (at NE)
RB:
1. Saquon Barkley, NYG (at TB)
2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (vs Mia)
3. Christian McCaffrey, CAR (at Ari)
4. Alvin Kamara, NO (at Sea)
5. Le'Veon Bell, NYJ (at NE)
6. Dalvin Cook, MIN (at Oak)
7. James Conner, PIT (at SF)
8. Sony Michel, NE (vs NY Jets)
9. Mark Ingram II, BAL (at KC)
10. Todd Gurley II, LAR (at Cle)
11. David Johnson, ARI (vs Car)
12. Marlon Mack, IND (vs Atl)
13. Nick Chubb, CLE (vs LA Rams)
14. Josh Jacobs, OAK (at Min)
15. Joe Mixon, CIN (at Buf)
16. Chris Carson, SEA (vs NO)
17. Austin Ekeler, LAC (vs Hou)
18. David Montgomery, CHI (at Wsh)
19. Matt Breida, SF (vs Pit)
20. Aaron Jones, GB (vs Den)
21. LeSean McCoy, KC (vs Bal)
22. Kerryon Johnson, DET (at Phi)
23. Peyton Barber, TB (vs NY Giants)
24. Frank Gore, BUF (vs Cin)
25. Miles Sanders, PHI (vs Det)
26. Phillip Lindsay, DEN (at GB)
27. James White, NE (vs NY Jets)
28. Devonta Freeman, ATL (at Ind)
29. Tarik Cohen, CHI (at Wsh)
30. Duke Johnson, Jr (at LA Chargers)
31. Kenyan Drake, MIA (at Dal)
32. Chris Thompson, WSH (vs Chi)
33. Ronald Jones, TB (vs NY Giants)
34. Raheem Mostert, SF (vs Pit)
35. Tony Pollard, DAL (vs Mia)
36. Jordan Howard, PHI (vs Det)
37. Giovani Bernard, CIN (at Buf)
38. Malcolm Brown, LAR (at Cle)
39. Rashaad Penny, SEA (vs NO)
40. Latavius Murray, NO (at Sea)
41. Jamaal Williams, GB (vs Den)
42. Royce Freeman, DEN (at GB)
43. Ito Smith, ATL (at Ind)
44. Justin Jackson, LAC (vs Hou)
45. Carlos Hyde, HOU (at LA Chargers)
46. Jaylen Samuels, PIT (at SF)
47. Nyheim Hines, IND (vs Atl)
48. Ty Johnson, DET (at Phi)
49. Adrian Peterson, WSH (vs Chi)
50. Rex Burkhead, NE (vs NY Jets)
WR:
1. Julio Jones, ATL (at Ind)
2. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE (vs LA Rams)
3. DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (at LA Chargers)
4. Michael Thomas, NO (at Sea)
5. Amari Cooper, DAL (vs Mia)
6. Adam Thielen, MIN (vs Oak)
7. Keenan Allen, LAC (vs Hou)
8. Davante Adams, GB (vs Den)
9. Julian Edelman, NE (vs NY Jets)
10. T.Y. Hilton, IND (vs Atl)
11. Chris Godwin, TB (at NY Giants)
12. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT (at SF)
13. Sammy Watkins, KC (vs Bal)
14. Stefon Diggs, MIN (vs Oak)
15. Mike Evans, TB (vs NY Giants)
16. Cooper Kupp, LAR (at Cle)
17. Robert Woods, LAR (at Cle)
18. Marquise Brown, BAL (at KC)
19. Josh Gordon, NE (vs NY Jets)
20. John Brown, BUF (vs Cin)
21. Brandin Cooks, LAR (at Cle)
22. Tyler Boyd, CIN (at Buf)
23. Kenny Golladay, DET (at Phi)
24. Sterling Shepard, NYG (at TB)
25. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI (vs Car)
26. Emmanuel Sanders, DEN (at GB)
27. Tyler Lockett, SEA (vs NO)
28. Christian Kirk, ARI (vs Car)
29. Calvin Ridley, ATL (at Ind)
30. Mike Williams, LAC (vs Hou)
31. John Ross III, CIN (at Buf)
32. Jarvis Landry, CLE (vs LA Rams)
33. Tyrell Williams, OAK (at Min)
34. Nelson Agholor, PHI (vs Det)
35. Alshon Jeffery, PHI (vs Det)
36. Allen Robinson, CHI (at Wsh)
37. Terry McLaurin, WSH (vs Chi)
38. DK Metcalf, SEA (vs NO)
39. Deebo Samuel, SF (vs Pit)
40. DJ Moore, CAR (at Ari)
41. Jamison Crowder, NYJ (at NE)
42. Demarcus Robinson, KC (vs Bal)
43. Marvin Jones Jr., DET (at Phi)
44. Randall Cobb, DAL (vs Mia)
45. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB (vs Den)
46. Phillip Dorsett, NE (vs NY Jets)
47. Curtis Samuel, CAR (at Ari)
48. Will Fuller V, HOU (at LA Chargers)
49. Robby Anderson, NYJ (at NE)
50. Courtland Sutton, DEN (at GB)
51. Mecole Hardman, KC (vs Bal)
52. Mohamed Sanu, ATL (at Ind)
53. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, PHI (vs Det)
54. James Washington, PIT (at SF)
55. Hunter Renfrow, OAK (at Min)
56. Danny Amendola, DET (at Phi)
TE:
1. Travis Kelce, KC (vs Bal)
2. Zach Ertz, PHI (vs Det)
3. George Kittle, SF (vs Pit)
4. Mark Andrews, BAL (at KC)
5. Evan Engram, NYG (at TB)
6. Vance McDonald, PIT (at SF)
7. O.J. Howard, TB (vs NY Giants)
8. Darren Waller, OAK (at Min)
9. Greg Olsen, CAR (at Ari)
10. Jason Witten, DAL (vs Mia)
11. Tyler Eifert, CIN (at Buf)
12. Eric Ebron, IND (vs Atl)
13. Trey Burton, CHI (at Wsh)
14. Demetrius Harris, CLE (vs LA Rams)
15. Will Dissly, SEA (vs NO)
16. T.J. Hockenson, DET (at Phi)
17. Kyle Rudolph, MIN (vs Oak)
18. Austin Hooper, ATL (at Ind)
19. Jack Doyle, IND (vs Atl)
20. Jimmy Graham, GB (vs Den)
21. Jared Cook, NO (at Sea)
22. Noah Fant, DEN (at GB)
23. Mike Gesicki, MIA (at Dal)
24. Vernon Davis, WSH (vs Chi)
25. Hayden Hurst, BAL (at KC)
26. Jordan Reed, WSH (vs Chi)
D/ST:
1. Patriots (vs NY Jets)
2. Cowboys (vs Mia)
3. Bears (at Wsh)
4. Vikings (vs Oak)
5. Packers (vs Den)
6. Seahawks (vs NO)
7. Eagles (vs Det)
8. Panthers (at Ari)
9. Rams (at Cle)
10. Steelers (at SF)
11. Texans (at LA Chargers)
12. Chargers (vs Hou)
13. Colts (vs Atl)
14. Browns (vs LA Rams)
15. Bills (vs Cin)
16. Lions (at Phi)
17. Broncos (at GB)
18. Cardinals (vs Car)
19. Redskins (vs Chi)
20. Falcons (at Ind)
21. Saints (at Sea)
22. 49ers (vs Pit)
23. Buccaneers (vs NY Giants)
24. Bengals (at Buf)
25. Raiders (at Min)
26. Giants (at TB)
27. Chiefs (vs Bal)
28. Ravens (at KC)
29. Jets (at NE)
30. Dolphins (at Dal)
K:
1. Greg Zuerlein, LAR (at Cle)
2. Brett Maher, DAL (vs Mia)
3. Stephen Gostkowski, NE (vs NY Jets)
4. Harrison Butker, KC (vs Bal)
5. Justin Tucker, Bal (at KC)
6. Matt Gay, TB (vs NY Giants)
7. Dan Bailey, MIN (vs Oak)
8. Stephen Hauschka, BUF (vs Cin)
9. Aldrick Rosas, NYG (at TB)
10. Chris Boswell, PIT (at SF)
11. Jason Myers, SEA (vs NO)
12. Adam Vinatieri, IND (vs Atl)
13. Eddy Pineiro, CHI (at Wsh)
14. Joey Slye, CAR (at Ari)
15. Mason Crosby, GB (vs Den)
16. Jake Elliott, PHI (vs Det)
17. Matt Bryant, ATL (at Ind)
18. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (at LA Chargers)
19. Mike Badgley, LAC (vs Hou)
20. Robbie Gould, SF (vs Pit)
21. Austin Seibert, CLE (vs LA Rams)
22. Zane Gonzalez, ARI (vs Car)
23. Matt Prater, DET (at Phi)
24. Wil Lutz, NO (at Sea)
25. Brandon McManus, DEN (at GB)
26. Daniel Carlson, OAK (at Min)
27. Dustin Hopkins, WSH (at Chi)
28. Jason Sanders, MIA (at Dal)
29. Sam Ficken, NYJ (at NE)
Flex Top 100:
1. Barkley, NYG (RB1)
2. Elliott, DAL (RB2)
3. McCaffrey, CAR (RB3)
4. Kamara, NO (RB4)
5. Jones, ATL (WR1)
6. Bell, NYJ (RB5)
7. Cook, MIN (RB6)
8. Conner, PIT (RB7)
9. Beckham Jr., CLE (WR2)
10. Hopkins, HOU (WR3)
11. Thomas, NO (WR4)
12. Cooper, DAL (WR5)
13. Thielen, MIN (WR6)
14. Allen, LAC (WR7)
15. Michel, NE (RB8)
16. Adams, GB (WR8)
17. Kelce, KC (TE1)
18. Ingram II, BAL (RB9)
19. Gurley II, LAR (RB10)
20. Johnson, ARI (RB11)
21. Mack, IND (RB12)
22. Chubb, CLE (RB13)
23. Ertz, PHI (TE2)
24. Jacobs, OAK (RB14)
25. Mixon, CIN (RB15)
26. Carson, SEA (RB16)
27. Ekeler, LAC (RB17)
28. Edelman, NE (WR9)
29. Hilton, IND (WR10)
30. Godwin, TB (WR11)
31. Smith-Schuster, PIT (WR12)
32. Watkins, KC (WR13)
33. Diggs, MIN (WR14)
34. Evans, TB (WR15)
35. Kittle, SF (TE3)
36. Montgomery, CHI (RB18)
37. Kupp, LAR (WR16)
38. Woods, LAR (WR17)
39. Brown, BAL (WR18)
40. Breida, SF (RB19)
41. Jones, GB (RB20)
42. McCoy, KC (RB21)
43. Johnson, DET (RB22)
44. Andrews, BAL (TE4)
45. Engram, NYG (TE5)
46. Gordon, NE (WR19)
47. Brown, BUF (WR20)
48. Cooks, LAR (WR21)
49. Boyd, CIN (WR22)
50. Golladay, DET (WR23)
51. Shepard, NYG (WR24)
52. Fitzgerald, ARI (WR25)
53. Sanders, DEN (WR26)
54. Barber, TB (RB23)
55. Lockett, SEA (WR27)
56. Sanders, PHI (RB24)
57. Lindsay, DEN (RB25)
58. White, NE (RB26)
59. Kirk, ARI (WR28)
60. Freeman, ATL (RB27)
61. Ridley, ATL (WR29)
62. M. Williams, LAC (WR30)
63. Ross III, CIN (WR31)
64. Landry, CLE (WR32)
65. McDonald, PIT (TE6)
66. T. Williams, OAK (WR33)
67. Agholor, PHI (WR34)
68. Jeffery, PHI (WR35)
69. Howard, TB (TE7)
70. Cohen, CHI (RB28)
71. Robinson II, CHI (WR36)
72. McLaurin, WSH (WR37)
73. Gore, BUF (RB29)
74. Metcalf, SEA (WR38)
75. Samuel, SF (WR39)
76. Moore, CAR (WR40)
77. Crowder, NYJ (WR41)
78. Robinson, KC (WR42)
79. Jones Jr., DET (WR43)
80. Johnson Jr., HOU (RB30)
81. Cobb, DAL (WR44)
82. Valdes-Scantling, GB (WR45)
83. Dorsett, NE (WR46)
84. Samuel, CAR (WR47)
85. Drake, MIA (RB31)
86. Thompson, WSH (RB32)
87. Waller, OAK (TE8)
88. Olsen, CAR (TE9)
89. Witten, DAL (TE10)
90. Eifert, CIN (TE11)
91. Jones, TB (RB33)
92. Fuller V, HOU (WR48)
93. Mostert, SF (RB34)
94. Ebron, IND (TE12)
95. Anderson, NYJ (WR49)
96. Sutton, DEN (WR50)
97. Hardman, KC (WR51)
98. Sanu, ATL (WR52)
99. Arcega-Whiteside, PHI (WR53)
100. Pollard, DAL (RB35)