Week 2: Player Upgrades
QB Matt Ryan, ---
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Ryan appeared to be back in Pro Bowl form. He utilized his weapons to perfection. Not only did Julio Jones and Roddy Whiteget their fair share of targets, Harry Douglas and return specialist Devin Hester also had a major impact on the passing game. Ryan spread the ball around and completed 31 passes for 448 yards and three TDs. He's looking like a steal in most drafts right now. If Ryan has returned to his previous level of excellence, he has top-five potential at his position. He faces a road test against a tough Bengals defense next.
RB Le'Veon Bell, ---
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Bell answered a lot of his critics in Week 1. He carried the ball 21 times and caught six passes, taking a lot of stress off fantasy owners who were worried about his touches. He totaled 197 yards and notched a TD. LeGarrette Blount received only four carries, although he did vulture a score. The workload and subsequent production vaults Bell up to the strong RB1 status everybody expected out of him early in the summer. It appears the DUI and concerns about Blount taking a good number of his carries are behind him for now. If you have Bell, you must put him in your lineup every week and should feel good about doing it.
RB Jonathan Dwyer, ---
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Dwyer is far from an elite NFL talent. Nevertheless, he might be in line for a month of steady touches. With reports last week stating that Andre Ellington's foot injury could sideline him for 4-6 weeks, Dwyer's stock is way up. Even if Ellington is not on the shelf for as long as the Cardinals fear or decides to try to play through the pain, he will still be potentially limited and susceptible to further injury. Dwyer is expected to get the bulk of the work for however long Ellington is out, with Stepfan Taylor being utilized as a change-of-pace back. If you scooped Dwyer up off the waiver wire, he could also be used as trade bait for panicking owners of Ellington and Eddie Lacy.
RB Marshawn Lynch, ---
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Beast Mode was in midseason form Thursday night. Lynch acquired an abundance of doubters and naysayers this offseason, and while one game is just one game, he sure did look good. He gashed the Packers' defense for 110 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. He also added a 14-yard reception. Lynch has a couple of average matchups coming up against the Chargers and Broncos. Then his following two games are great matchups against the Cowboys and Redskins. If you're under the impression that Lynch will break down at some point this season, he could be a sell-high candidate. His schedule does get tougher after those poor NFC East defenses; he will go up against the potentially dominant front sevens of the Rams and Panthers. Otherwise, just plug Lynch in your lineup going forward and enjoy watching him make grown men look like children as defenders bounce off him.
WR Andre Caldwell, ---
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With Wes Welker set to miss a month, there are a lot of targets to go around. We know Emmanuel Sanders is going to get his, but Peyton Manning makes stars out of No. 3 WRs. He utilizes them to perfection, even if they aren't exactly the most impressive talent. He bestowed fantasy relevancy upon the likes of Brandon Stokley, Anthony Gonzalez and Austin Collie. So, do you want to go with Cody Latimer or Caldwell? Caldwell does have the advantage in experience. He has played with Manning for two years while Latimer is just a rookie. Latimer has the higher ceiling and more potential for long-term relevancy. The second-round pick could be a major part of the future in Denver. Remember, even when Welker returns, he is still one big hit away from having to throw in the towel. With three concussions in 10 months, his health remains a major question mark. Nonetheless, if you are looking for someone to help you right now, you have to go with Caldwell. When it mattered Sunday night, Caldwell was catching passes while Latimer never made it onto the field.
