Fantasy Football Studs and Stinkers of Week 2

Every Monday, The Fantasy Footballers release the Studs & Stinkers podcast episode.  Andy, Mike, and Jason discuss the high highs and low lows from the weekend.  In this Studs & Stinkers article series, you can find the full list of Studs & Stinkers from the weekend and my favorite names from Monday Pun-day.  I also provide commentary on a handful of notable studs and stinkers worth highlighting. To get the full breakdown, don’t miss Week 2 Studs & Stinkers + Injuries, Injuries, Injuries. 

Monday Pun-day Power Ranking

1. Potty Miller
2. Nyheim Hinesight (shout out our very own Rob Wilson – @TheFFGator)
3. Terry McScorin’
4. Stoolio Jones
5. Nyheim Hides
6. T. Why Hilton?
7. Dak Impress-scott
8. Tyler GigThree
9. Mo Alie-Rocks!
10. Julio Groans

What’s your favorite Monday Pun-day? You can find us on Twitter: The Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) and me (@TheFantasyEng).

Biggest Studs

Aaron Jones (RB | Packers)

Week 2 vs DET: 18 rushes for 168 yds & 2 TD | 4 rec for 68 yds & 1 TD

Upcoming Schedule: @NO, ATL, BYE

Aaron Jones wins MVP of Week 2.  He’s an animal.  As The Fantasy Footballers mentioned on Monday’s podcast, Jones was making catches that only elite wide receivers can make.  He also ran for nearly 10 yards per carry (ypc) and totaled three touchdowns on the day.  Just wow.  I was down on Aaron Jones coming into this year, and it doesn’t look good so far this year.  Jones is as talented as any skill position player in the league…And more importantly, it appears that Head Coach Matt LaFleur is willing to lean on Jones.

AARON JONES IS ON FIRE PEOPLE.  Over his past eight games, he’s averaged 18 rushing attempts for 99 yds & 1.4 TD per game…AND 3 receptions for 27 yds & 0.3 TD per game.  That’s equivalent to 19.9 fantasy points per game in ½-ppr scoring.  During that eight week span, his lowest fantasy performance was 13.6 pts.

Shout out to fellow writer Aaron Larson (@aalarson) for being a huge Aaron Jones advocate this offseason – check out his preseason Case for Aaron Jones in 2020.

Meanwhile, I was the one who wrote the article: The Case Against Aaron Jones in 2020.  But we don’t talk about that.  In all seriousness, it’s looking like Aaron Jones has the talent AND opportunity to be an elite fantasy football player this season.

Cam Newton (QB | Patriots)

Week 2 at SEA: 30/44 for 397 passing yards, 1 TD, & 1 int | 11 rushes for 47 yds & 2 TD

Upcoming Schedule: LV, @KC, DEN

Cam Newton looks incredible.  Not only does he appear to be 100% healthy, but he is also showing incredible talent as both a passer and as a runner.  In a tough Sunday night football game against Seattle, he managed to keep up with MVP front-runner Russell Wilson.  Cam is producing big fantasy numbers with his arm and the baseline from his rushing production is incredibly high.  Cam appears to be a fantasy football steal through two games of the 2020 season, granted he hasn’t faced an elite defense yet.  Cam Newton is an every-week starter until proven otherwise.

Russell Wilson (QB | Seahawks) – REPEAT

Week 2 vs NE: 21/28 for 288 passing yards, 5 TD, & 1 int | 5 rushes for 39 yards

Upcoming Schedule: DAL, @MIA, MIN

Russell Wilson is the front runner for MVP this season.  In real life and in fantasy football.  In a limited workload (!!!), Wilson has been absolutely legendary on the field.  His efficiency is perfect for fantasy football.  For reference, rookie stud Joe Burrow had more than double Wilson’s pass attempts in Week 2.  Wilson is worth his weight in gold in fantasy football in a season where injuries are through the roof and we have fewer data & film than ever.  Plug and play Wilson every week.

Calvin Ridley (WR | Falcons) – REPEAT

Week 2 at DAL: 7 receptions for 109 yards & 2 TD

Upcoming Schedule: CHI, @GB, CAR

Calvin HAS to be mentioned in this week’s Studs section – he had his second straight monster game this season.  Calvin Ridley is was my #MyGuy pick this offseason, and it’s looking like he’s entered elite territory, although we have a very small sample size.  Ridley has scored 2 TD in each of the past two games…that is clearly unsustainable.  The more important metrics to focus on are that he has logged two straight 100+ yard games while also cementing himself as Matt Ryan’s best red-zone receiver.  Fantasy GM’s who roster Ridley are sitting pretty with the Falcons’ most dangerous weapon of the first two games.

Biggest Stinkers

Everyone

Week 2 was miserable

Upcoming Schedule: better days ahead

I legitimately can’t bring myself to write about stinkers this week.  Eleven of the players drafted in the first three rounds of fantasy drafts this offseason have missed notable game time this offseason OR have significant injury tags at the moment.  That doesn’t even include defensive players or a dozen other offensive players. Let’s wish for a speedy and healthy recovery for the NFL players that put blood, sweat, and tears into their workday in and day out.

Other Studs

QB           

• Russell Wilson vs NE — 21/28 for 288/5/1 — 5/39/0 rushing

• • • Upcoming Schedule: DAL, @MIA, MIN

• Josh Allen @MIA — 24/35 for 417/4/0 — 4/18/0 rushing

• • • LAR, @LV, @TEN

• Dak Prescott vs ATL — 34/47 for 450/1/0 — 5/18/3 rushing

• • • @SEA, CLE, NYG

• Cam Newton @SEA — 30/44 for 397/1/1 — 11/47/2 rushing

• • • LV, @KC, DEN

• Matt Ryan @DAL — 24/36 for 273/4/0 — 4/16/0 rushing

• • • CHI, @GB, CAR

• Kyler Murray vs WAS — 26/38 for 286/1/1 — 8/67/2 rushing

• • • DET, @CAR, @NYJ

• Ryan Tannehill vs JAX — 18/24 for 239/4/0 — 4/12/0 rushing

• • • @MIN, PIT, BUF

• Patrick Mahomes @LAC — 27/47 for 302/2/0 — 6/54/0 rushing

• • @BAL, NE, LV

**Honorable Mentions at QB

• Joe Burrow @CLE — 37/61 for 316/3/0 — 7/19/0 rushing

• • • @PHI, JAX, @BAL

• Jared Goff @PHI — 20/27 for 267/3/0 — 7/13/0

• • • @BUF, NYG, @WSH

• Gardner Minshew @TEN — 30/45 for 339/3/2 — 4/19/0 rushing

• • • MIA, @CIN, @HOU

• Ryan Fitzpatrick vs BUF — 31/47 for 328/2/0 — 3/12/0 rushing

• • @JAX, SEA, @SF

RB

• Aaron Jones vs DET — 18/168/2 — 8 targets for 4/68/1

• • @NO, ATL, BYE

**Honorable Mentions at RB

• Nick Chubb vs CIN — 22/124/2 — 1 target for 1/9/0

• • • WSH, @DAL, IND

• Leonard Fournette vs CAR — 12/103/2 — 5 targets for 4/13/0

• • • @DEN, LAC, @CHI

• Kareem Hunt vs CIN — 10/86/1 — 2 targets for 2/15/1

• • • WSH, @DAL, IND

• Christian McCaffrey @TB — 18/59/2 — 5 targets for 4/29/0

• • • @LAC. ARI, @ATL

• David Montgomery vs NYG — 16/82/0 — 3 targets for 3/45/1

• • • @ATL, IND, TB

• James Robinson @TEN — 16/102/1 — 4 targets for 3/18/0

• • • MIA, @CIN, @HOU

• James Conner vs DEN — 16/106/1 — 2 targets for 2/15/0

• • • HOU, @TEN, PHI 

• Miles Sanders vs LAR — 20/95/1 — 7 targets for 3/36/0 — fumble

• • CIN, @SF, @PIT
• Chris Carson vs NE — 17/72/0 — 3 targets for 3/36/1
  • DAL, @MIA, MIN
• Jonathan Taylor vs MIN — 26/101/1 targets for  2/9/0
  • NYJ, @CHI, @CLE

WR           

• Player Name @/vs — receiving stats — rushing stats

• • • Next three matchups

• Calvin Ridley @DAL — 10 targets for 7/109/2

• • • CHI, @GB, CAR

• Stefon Diggs @MIA — 13 targets for 8/153/1

• • • LAR, @LV, @TEN

• Terry McLaurin @ARI — 10 targets for 7/125/1

• • • @CLE, BAL, LAR

• Julian Edelman @SEA — 11 targets for 8/179/0

• • LV, @KC, DEN
    

**Honorable Mentions at WR

• Tyreek Hill @LAC — 11 targets for 5/99/1 — 1/9/0 rushing

• • • @BAL, NE, LV

• Mike Evans vs CAR — 10 targets for 7/104/1

• • • @DEN, LAC, @CHI

• D.K. Metcalf vs NE — 6 targets for 4/92/1

• • • DAL, @MIA, MIN

• Diontae Johnson vs DEN — 13 targets for 8/92/1

• Chase Claypool vs DEN — 3 targets for 3/88/1

• • • HOU, @TEN, PHI

• John Brown @MIA — 6 targets for 4/82/1

• • • LAR, @LV, @TEN

• Odell Beckham Jr. vs CIN — 6 targets for 4/74/1

• • • WSH, @DAL, IND

• DeAndre Hopkins vs WAS — 9 targets for 8/68/1

• • • DET, @CAR, @NYJ

• Tyler Boyd @CLE — 8 targets for 7/72/1

• • • @PHI, JAX, @BAL

• Tyler Lockett vs NE — 8 targets for 7/67/1

• • • DAL, @MIA, MIN

• D.J. Moore @TB — 13 targets for 8/120/0

• • @LAC. ARI, @ATL

TE           

• Player Name @/vs — receiving stats — rushing stats

• • Next three matchups
• Tyler Higbee @PHI — 5 targets for 5/54/3
  • @BUF, NYG, @WSH
• Mike Gesicki vs BUF — 11 targets for 8/130/1
  • @JAX, SEA, @SF
• Jonnu Smith vs JAX — 5 targets for 4/84/2
  • @MIN, PIT, BUF
• Jordan Reed @NYJ — 8 targets for 7/50/2
  • @NYG, PHI, MIA
• Travis Kelce @LAC — 14 targets for 9/90/1 
  • @BAL, NE, LV

**Honorable Mentions**   at TE

• Hayden Hurst @DAL — 8 targets for 5/72/1
  • CHI, @GB, CAR
• Dalton Schultz vs ATL — 10 targets for 9/88/1 — 1 fumble
  • @SEA, CLE, NYG
• Noah Fant @PIT — 5 targets for 4/57/1
  • TB, @NYJ, @NE
• Mo Alie-Cox vs MIN — 6 targets 5/111/0
  • NYJ, @CHI, @CLE

Stinkers

*QB           

• Player Name @/vs — passing stats — rushing stats

• • • Next three matchups

• Kirk Cousins @IND — 11/26 for 111/0/3 (-1.48 fantasy pts)

• • TEN, @HOU, @SEA

**Honorable Mentions at QB

• Carson Wentz vs LAR — 26/43 for 242/0/2 — 2/7/1 rushing

• • • CIN, @SF, @PIT

• Tom Brady vs CAR — 23/35 for 217/1/1

• • • @DEN, LAC, @CHI

• Daniel Jones @CHI — 25/40 for 241/0/1 — 3/21/0 rushing — fumble

• • • SF, @LAR, @DAL

• Teddy Bridgewater @TB — 33/42 for 367/0/2

• • @LAC. ARI, @ATL

RB

• Todd Gurley @DAL — 21/61/0 — zero targets

• • • CHI, @GB, CAR

• David Johnson vs BAL — 11/34/0 — 4 targets for 2/16/0

• • • @PIT, MIN, JAX

• Nyheim Hines vs MIN — zero carries — 1 target for 1/4/9

• • NYJ, @CHI, @CLE

**Honorable Mentions at RB

• Derrick Henry vs JAX — 25/84/0 — 2 targets – no catches

• • • @MIN, PIT, BUF

• J.K. Dobbins @ HOU — 2/48/0 — 1 target for 1/13/0

• • • KC, @WSH, CIN

• Benny Snell (negative pts) — 3/5/0 — 1 target for  1/-4/0 —  fumble

• • HOU, @TEN, PHI

WR           

• Player Name @/vs — receiving stats — rushing stats

• • • Next three matchups

• Julio Jones @DAL — 4 targets for 2/24/0

• • • CHI, @GB, CAR

• Adam Thielen @IND — 8 targets for 3/31/0

• • • TEN, @HOU, @SEA

• Allen Robinson vs NYG — 9 targets for 3/33/0

• • • @ATL, IND, TB

• JuJu Smith-Schuster vs DEN — 8 targets for 7/48/0

• • • HOU, @TEN, PHI

• T.Y. Hilton vs MIN — 5 targets for 3/28/0

• • • NYJ, @CHI, @CLE

• A.J. Green @CLE — 13 targets for — 3/29/0

• • • @PHI, JAX, @BAL

• Marquise Brown @HOU — 6 targets for 5/42/0

• • • KC, @WSH, CIN

• Michael Gallup vs ATL — 5 targets for 2/58/0

• • @SEA, CLE, NYG

**Honorable Mentions at WR

• Scotty Miller vs CAR — 3 targets for 2/11/0 — 1/1/0 rushing

• • • @DEN, LAC, @CHI

• Darius Slayton @CHI — 6 targets for 3/33/0

• • • SF, @LAR, @DAL

• Mike Williams vs KC — 4 targets for 2/14/0

• • • CAR, @TB, @NO

• Anthony Miller vs NYG — GOOSE on 3 targets

• • @ATL, IND, TB

TE           

• Mark Andrews @HOU — 3 targets for 1/29/0

• • • KC, @WSH, CIN

• Rob Gronkowski vs CAR — GOOSE on 1 target

• • • @DEN, LAC, @CHI

• Zach Ertz vs LAR — 7 targets for 5/42/0

• Dallas Goedert vs LAR — 8 targets for 4/30/0

• • CIN, @SF, @PIT

**Honorable Mentions**   at TE

• Austin Hooper vs CIN — 4 targets for 2/22/0
  • WSH, @DAL, IND
• Chris Herndon vs SF — 4 targets for 1/5/0
  • @IND, DEN, ARI
• Logan Thomas @ARI — 9 targets for 4/26/0
  • @CLE, BAL, LAR
• Eric Ebron vs DEN — 5 targets for 3 /43/0
  • HOU, @TEN, PHI
• Greg Olsen vs NE — GOOSE on 1 target
  • DAL, @MIA, MIN

Cheat Sheat (2019 Baseline)

Whether this is your first fantasy football season or you’re a veteran, it’s helpful to place fantasy football production in context.  Before we look at both the huge performances and huge disappointments from Week 2, let’s look at what happened in 2019.  Last season, there were only 11 total fantasy performances of 40+ points from quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.  To put that into perspective, there were 79 such instances of 30+ points and 423 such instances of 20+ points.  What does that tell us?  A 40+ point game is legendary.  30+ games are great, and we should expect five or so players to reach this mark every week.  And finally, we should expect about 25 players every week to eclipse the 20+ point mark.  The table below summarizes the fantasy football stud games among QB, RB, WR, and TE in 2019.