Complete Week One Player Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
Well, well, well. One week down and already so many headlines for wide receivers across the country.
How good is Robert Woods?
Where was Patrick Edwards?
When did Michael Crabtree clone himself as Darrin Moore?
And how bad do you feel for Ifeanyi Momah?
Now that we enter Week Two, it is just about time for the studs to continue to rise while the one-week wonders take a step back. But with plenty of nonconference action still going on, there are certainly some matchups to avoid or take advantage of this week.
But before we take a look at who to start and bench in Week 2, here is a recap of how our predictions worked out in Week One. An “A” grade means we hit the mark. An “F” means we missed the boat.
Last Week's Wide Receiver Starts:
D.J. Woods, Cincinnati vs. Austin Peay-4 catches, 59 yards, TD. Grade B+
B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State vs. Youngstown State-9 catches, 130 yards, TD. Grade A+
Greg Childs, Arkansas vs. Missouri State-2 catches, 29 yards. Grade F
Damarlo Belcher, Indiana vs. Ball State-4 catches, 101 yards, TD. Grade A-
Kelvin Bolden, Southern Miss vs. Louisiana Tech-Rush TD but left game with injury. Grade Incomplete
Last Week's Wide Receiver Sits:
Nick Toon, Wisconsin vs. UNLV-2 catches, 54 yards. Grade: A
Da'Jon McKnight, Minnesota vs. USC-4 catches, 48 yards. Grade: A-
Luther Ambrose, Louisiana Monroe vs. Florida State-0 catches, 1 rush 5 yards. Grade: A+
Dwayne Frampton, Arkansas State vs. Illinois-5 catches, 99 yards. Grade: C+
Nick Harwell, Miami (OH) vs. Missouri-Suspended for game. Grade: Incomplete
Total Grade: Considering a few incomplete grades and only one F, with plenty of A’s, I go B+ for the first week. Now here is the list of who to start and bench entering Week Two.
Start Em! Wide Receivers
BCS-Only
Van Chew, Syracuse vs. Rhode Island
Chew was the key component to the Syracuse win in Week One, scoring the game-winning touchdown after converting a two point conversion which sent the game to OT. Chew is the number one receiver and with a clear chemistry between himself and Ryan Nassib, so expect a huge performance against the Rams in Week Two.
Chris Owusu, Stanford vs. Duke
Owusu is the big play man for the Cardinal as he caught seven passes for 76 yards in Week One and against Duke, who is coming off a home loss to Richmond, Owusu should have a huge afternoon. And hey, he has the best quarterback in the nation tossing him the ball, so he is in line for plenty of targets.
Chris Givens, Wake Forest vs. NC State
Givens was unstoppable in the Demon Deacons shocking loss to the Orange in Week One. He recorded seven catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Givens should have plenty of opportunity to roam against NC State this week, the only issue is the health of starting quarterback Tanner Price, who left the game with injury against Syracuse. He is expected to play however, and Givens is a solid play this week.
All-120
Phillip Payne, UNLV vs. Washington State
Payne is a playmaker and despite the tough Week One matchup against Wisconsin, he still found the end zone en route to four total catches. Payne has a much easier matchup in Week Two against Wazzu. Expect seven grabs for over 100 and a score.
Robert Herron, Wyoming vs. Texas State
Simple formula. Receiver that catches 7 passes for over 100 yards and two scores + a team that just gave up 12 catches and 220+ yards to a single player = FANTASY GOLD. After allowing Darrin Moore those obscene numbers, Herron is a sneaky play for a huge day against Texas State next week.
Sit Em! Wide Receivers
BCS Only
Aaron Pflugrad, Arizona State vs. Missouri
Coming off a two-touchdown opener against UC-Davis, Pflugrad is going to be a hot name off the waiver wire, however with a possible injury to Brock Osweiler and the competition a bit better than that of the Aggies, he is a sure fire bench option this week. He is strictly a matchup play and this is not one of them.
Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State vs. Auburn
Another player who found the end zone in Week One was Bumphis, however that is the key issue for him. While his touchdown catch was 44 yards, that was his only catch of the game and against Auburn, we expect much of the same. Bumphis remains a boom or bust fantasy option that cannot be recommended this week.
Derek Moye, Penn State vs. Alabama
Moye was quiet in the Nittany Lions opener against Indiana State, catching only four balls for just over 50 yards, and things will likely continue when Alabama travels into town. The Crimson Tide will certainly key in on stopping Moye and there is no way to recommend him in any format this weekend.
Marquis Maze, Alabama vs. Penn State
On the other end of the field from Moye will be Maze, now the go-to receiver for the Crimson Tide. He had a solid opener for Alabama with eight catches for 118 yards and a score. The Tide will rely on the ground game when they travel to Happy Valley, and we expect Maze to be more of a possession threat in this one than the playmaker he appeared to be in the opener.
All-120
Tavarres Jefferson, Middle Tennessee State vs. Georgia Tech
Jefferson caught seven balls in MTSU’s opener, however against the Yellow Jackets he will struggle. While they will surely be trailing, despite his large target numbers, he is unlikely to find the end zone. In PPR leagues he is an OK play, but someone that should not be relied on with confidence just yet.
Eric Page, Toledo vs. Ohio State
While Page was solid in the Rockets opener, catching five passes for 60 yards and a score, Bernard Reedy burst onto the scene, catching two touchdowns and topping one hundred yards. The bigger problem for Page in Week Two is his opponent. Last week Toledo played New Hampshire. This week, the Buckeyes. Do not expect an offensive explosion from the usually reliable fantasy wideout.