Joe’s Week 2 Notes & Observations

Be sure to listen to the Week 3 podcast that will post on the website late Thursday. I got over 200 hits on the podcast, so thanks for everyone’s support and feedback.

Here are my notes and observations from Week 2:

UPDATE: Texas A&M RB Jashaun Corbin out for the season (hamstring). Target Isaiah Spiller

Power 5 Notes

I thought I was going to take advantage of the UVA matchup against William & Mary by starting Wayne Tualapapa at a FLEX spot. He was surprising held out of the matchup because he was dinged up. Mike Hollins, a 5-10 and 214-pound true freshman, led the Wahoos in rushing with 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Wake Forest RB Cade Carney was a late scratch in Wake’s Friday night game at Rice. True freshman running back Kenneth Walker III led the team in rushing with 125 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Receiver Sage Surratt and Scotty Washington have both scored in consecutive games. Washington looks like a waiver wire candidate after catching seven passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the 41-21 win.
Eno Benjamin’s owners breathed a huge sigh of relief after he scored on a 72-yard reception with under 5 minutes to play against Scaramento State, another game in which the Sun Devils struggled running the ball. Both of Benjamin’s TDs this season have been receiving TDs. He has carried the ball 46 times in two games for 171 yards, but considering the opposition (Kent State and Sacramento State), his rushing numbers have been disappointing.
After Pitt’s Week 1 performance against Virginia, I think many fantasy owners were on the fence with WR Maurice Ffrench, but he was clearly QB Kenny Pickett’s top target, catching ten passes for 138 yards and a TD in Pitt’s 20-10 win over Ohio.
Syracuse. Last week the offense was bad at Liberty. This week the defense was bad at Maryland. Credit to Maryland, they do look much improved, but I’m worried a bit about the Orange offense. I was incredibly pleased that Trishton Jackson had a great statistical game, especially since I rolled the dice and started him.
Maryland RB Anthony McFarland has scored at least two touchdowns in both of the Terrapins games this year. If Maryland’s offense is going to score consistently, QB Josh Jackson should be given waiver wire consideration. He has seven TD passes in two games.
Kansas State RB James Gilbert did not need a heavy workload to post good numbers, as he carried the ball eight times for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
I voiced my concern about West Virginias’s running game on the podcast and there wasn’t anything they did against Missouri that makes me optimistic about Kennedy McKoy, who in my opinion, is droppable. The one fantasy bright spot for the Mountaineers has been WR George Campbell, who has scored in back-to-back weeks, but has only totaled three receptions.
I warned everyone on the podcast about unrealistic expectations for Rutgers RB Isaih Pacheco after his 4-TD performance last week. 10 carries for 42 yards at Iowa.
Iowa receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette has caught eight passes and three TD passes in two games. You should have some eyes on him if you play in a P5-only league.
For those of you sitting on freshman RB Zach Charbonnet, it’s time to start him after his 33-carry, 100-yard, 3-TD performance against Army.
For those of you that had questions about Ohio State WR KJ Hill, you got your answers. Hill’s eight receptions led the Buckeyes and he also found the end zone.
I was high on Purdue freshman receiver David Bell in the preseason. In Week 1, he caught a 49-yard TD pass, and in Week 2, he caught four passes for 82 yards. Keep him on your watchlist. Purdue TE Brycen Hopkins has now scored in consecutive weeks.
South Carolina RB Rico Dowdle got a lot more early game action than Tavien Feaster and ran for 87 yards and two TDs.
After rushing for 35 yards and two TDs in the season opener against ECU, NC State QB Matt McKay didn’t have a rush attempt in Week 2. I think we really need to pay attention to true freshman RB Zonovan Knight, who led the Wolfpack with 119 rushing yards and two TDs on 18 carries. Ricky Person had ten carries for 51 yards and a TD, but the fantasy potential seems like it’s with Knight.
Texas A&M suffered quite a few injuries at Clemson, but none may have been bigger than the injury to Jashaun Corbin. Corbin remained on the sideline after his injury, but did not return to the game. We will have to hold our breath with this one. The Aggies play Lamar next week and Isaiah Spiller could be a sneaky start if Corbin is out. WR Jhamon Austin has caught at least six passes in both of A&M’s games and he needs to be considered on this week’s waiver wire if available.
Going a game without scoring is a rarity for Clemson RB Travis Etienne. He scored in 13 of 15 games last year.
Freshman RB Jaren Mangham has scored three TDs in two weeks. Against Nebraska, he led Colorado in rush attempts and rushing yards, and I can see his role increasing as the season progresses. I’ve voiced my concerns about WR Laviska Shenault not being an elite fantasy receiver in 2019, and after two games, I have not wavered on that opinion.
I think it’s time to make a move for Nebraska RB Maurice Washington, who led the Huskers with 77 rushing yards and 118 receiving yards. I know there are many of you out there with Wan’Dale Robinson on your roster, but I’m not sure he is someone I would want tying up a roster spot right now.
12 Indiana players caught a pass against Eastern Illinois, but WR Nick Westbrook was not one of them.
I wonder how many fantasy teams that have Jonathan Taylor are taking losses right now. Can’t imagine there are many of you.
Mississippi State WR Osiris Mitchell has caught a TD pass in each of the Bulldogs’ first two games. Both QB Tommy Stevens and RB Kylin Hill left the game against USM with injuries. Stevens’ injury was described as an upper body injury and I’m not certain about Hill’s injury as of Sunday morning.
Georgia WR Demetris Robertson has caught a TD pass in consecutive games, but only has 44 receiving yards (6 rec.). Keep on eye on freshman George Pickens, who led the Bulldogs in receiving this past weekend, catching four passes for 78 yards and a TD. Please keep in mind that this is Georgia I am referencing. UGA receivers are good one-week substitutes, not particularly good enough to keep on your roster for a full season.
What a bounce back week for Baylor WR Denzel Mims, seven receptions for 101 yards and three touchdowns.
UCLA RB Joshua Kelley returned to action against San Diego State and rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. I’m sure his workload will increase next week.
Florida State RB Cam Akers has scored four touchdowns in the Seminoles’ first two games of 2019.
I know there were some of you on the fence about starting Oklahoma CeeDee Lamb against South Dakota. I never like sitting a top fantasy receiver, regardless of how many snaps you think they will play. It’s hard to find consistency at that position, so I’ll take my chances on a guy who could get limited playing time, but plays in one of the best offenses in the country.
I believe BYU RB Ty’Son Williams was on our Week 1 Waiver Wire, but if he’s still available, he’s worth an addition. Williams carried the ball 17 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns in a win at Tennessee.
Louisville RB Javian Hawkins has rushed for at least 120 yards in back-to-back games.
Michigan State receiver Darrell Stewart has caught at least six passes in both games this season. Elijah Collins led the Spartans in rushing against WMU, carrying the ball 17 times for 192 yards. Collins could be a waiver addition that lasts all season long or could be a one week blip on the map. If you need a running back, you need to take a shot on the redshirt freshman.
The Penn State RB situation is currently under construction.
Unfortunately, for AJ Rose’s fantasy owners, we have another name for the watchlist, Kentucky RB Kavosiey Smoke, who now has 18 rushing attempts for 170 yards and two touchdowns in 2019.
If you listened to my podcast this past week, you know I nailed the Auburn QB-RB-WR situation, specifically, Bo Nix, JaTarvious Whitlow, and Seth Williams. If I get any questions relating to those three players, I’m going to reply with a link to that episode.
If you own Ole Miss RB Scottie Phjillips or WR Elijah Moore, your patience has paid off, and hopefully, some of you were rewarded. My guess is that Phillips was in more active rosters than Moore.
Freshman Trey Knox led the Razorbacks with 88 receiving yards on six receptions. I am worried about Arkansas’ ability to score, so Knox is more valuable in PPR leagues. RB Rakeem Boyd has carried the ball at least 17 times in consecutive weeks.
I will not be surprised if LSU WR Justin Jefferson finished the season as a Top 10 fantasy receiver. In regards to QB Joe Burrow, I have a feeling I’m going to want to reference this podcast several times throughout 2019, CFF: On Campus Podcast, when I identified him as a sleeper QB. He definitely needs to be on a roster. I think we know who the Tigers trust at running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Press the pause button on John Emery in 2019….for now. WR Terrace Marshall has four TD receptions in two games.
To think I benched Texas WR Devin Duvernay this week. 😡 I think Duvernay, Collin Johnson, and Brennan Eagles should all be on a roster right now. I wonder if that dropped TD pass will have a lasting effect on RB Keaontay Ingram. Roschon Johnson looked better than Ingram Saturday night.
UNC WR Dyami Brown has caught a TD pass in back-to-back games. In a non-CFF observation: Mack friggin’ Brown 2-0.
Miami TE Brevin Jordan has 161 receiving yards in two games.
Receivers TJ Vasher and Dalton Rigdon are the only two Texas Tech players with at least 60 yards receiving in each of the team’s first two games.
USC RBs Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr have combined for 6 TDs this season, and knowing Graham Harrell from his OC days at North Texas, it is highly likely this two guys will have a big share in carries. Malepeai will probably get a 60/40 share based on watching them through two weeks.
It looks as if Stanford will put their RB1 hopes in Cameron Scarlett.
Sometimes you need a quality games to recognize a team’s depth chart. There were a lot of questions about Washington RB Salvon Ahmed that were answered Saturday against Cal. Some fantasy owners were putting too much stock into the Huskies Week 1 matchup against FCS E. Washington. The opponent was also the reason I advised many to wait-and-watch with QB Jacob Eason. Now, with that said, Eason could still go either way because Cal is a good defense. In my opinion, Eason will be an average of his Week 1 performance vs. Eastern Washington and his Week 2 performance vs. Cal.
I think Cal RB Chris Brown is going to be a weekly fantasy starter, and a solid one at that. Put Cal WR Kekoa Crawford on your watchlist.
Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman may just end up having a better fantasy season than teammate Tyler Johnson. Bateman already has a 2-TD and 100-yard advantage on Johnson.
For those looking for a big-time rebound season for Arizona QB Khalil Tate, I just don’t see it. In fact, I’m not sure Sumlin survives another season as head coach.
I mentioned on the Week 2 podcast that you were going to have to live with highs and lows owning Oregon State receiver Jermar Jefferson. Saturday night was one of the highs, as he carried the ball 31 times for 183 yards and a TD. Teammate Artavis Pierce scored two touchdowns on only seven carries. WR Isaiah Hodgins has 16 receptions for 266 yards and three TDs so far.

Group 5 Notes

I think Rice receiver Austin Trammell could be a nice addition in deep FBS leagues. Trammell caught a TD pass in the game against Wake Forest and now has 10 receptions in two games.
Boise State RB Robert Mahone reportedly suffered a shoulder injury in the game against Marshall and did not return to action after his seventh carry. Freshman George Holani led the Broncos in rushing with 103 yards on 22 carries. Andrew VanBuren is certainly third on the depth chart and is droppable. Receiver Khalil Shakir has caught at least five passes for 78 yards in both games this season.
Marshall RB Brendon Knox has scored three rushing touchdowns this season. For the season, he has 20 carries for 114 yards. Teammate Tyler King has 15 rushing attempts, but Knox has been more fantasy efficient. Tight end Xavier Gaines will do a little bit of everything for the Thundering Herd. Friday night, he threw a pass, had two rushing attempts, and caught three passes.
Ohio QB Nathan Rourke won’t get much love from his fantasy owners this week, but a road game at Pitt likely prompted many of you to put him on the bench this week. With that said, I was expecting more than 7 fantasy points in that matchup. O’Shaan Allison led the Bobcats with 14 rushing attempts.
Old Dominion QB Stone Smartt has at least 13 rush attempts, 45 rushing yards, and a rushing TD in each of the Monarchs first two games this year.
Army FB Connor Slomka returned this week and carried the ball 29 times for 92 yards against Michigan.
After back-to-back 1,100-yard rushing seasons, UAB RB Spencer Brown is off to a slow start, carrying the ball 39 times for 112 yards and no TDs in two games. Don’t abandon ship too soon because you aren’t going to find backs with that kind of resume on the waiver wire.
I took it on the chin with my pick of Kent State QB Woody Barrett in theCFFsite’s 3-in-1 Super Fantasy League. Dustin Crum got the surprise start on Saturday. WR Isaiah McKoy has caught a TD pass in back-to-back weeks.
Thank goodness I invested in Memphis RB Kenneth Gainwell. 123 total yards of offense and three TDs against Southern.
After a poor showing in Week 1, NIU WR Spencer tears bounced back in Week 2, catching five passes for 122 yards and a TD against Utah.
I’m 50/50 on holding USF RB Jordan Cronkrite because they played Wisconsin and Georgia Tech, and now move into a friendlier schedule, but if it means missing out on a waiver wire gem, I wouldn’t push back on you ditching him.
Ball State RB Caleb Huntley led the team in rushing with 64 yards and a touchdown. However, I thought he would get more than 13 carries after getting 22 last week against Indiana. QB Drew Plitt threw six TD passes and I would add his name to your watchlist, but I wouldn’t make a move on his unless you need a lot of help at that position.
Central Michigan RB Jonathan Ward was injured on the Chippewas first series of the game against Wisconsin and did not return. Hopefully, we’ll get an update sometime this week.
I can see quite a few emails coming in this week on suggestions for LA Tech WR Adrian Hardy. Six receptions for 69 yards is not what I envisioned in the preseason and it’s hard to hold on to a player with those type of numbers, especially when teammate Griffin Hebert has caught a TD pass in both games this year.
It will be interesting to see how USM utilizes WR Jordan Mitchell when Quez Watkins returns. Mitchell has 13 receptions for 227 yards and a TD.
UMass may be the worst team in the FBS, so expect to see Benny LeMay and CJ Marable in the Top 10 running backs over the next two weeks.
Add UTSA RB Sincere McCormick and QB Frank Harris to your watchlist, but a matchup against Army leaves them on the back burner for now.
Colorado State receiver Dante Wright should be on a roster if he’s available in your league. In two games, he has 11 receptions for 183 yards and has scored 4 TDs (2rush/2rec).
San Diego State RB Juwan Washington continues to struggle in the Aztecs’ new offensive scheme. He carried the bal;l 20 times for 41 yards against UCLA. In two games, Washington has 96 yards on 42 carries and has not scored a TD.
LA Monroe RB Josh Johnson has rushed for at least 125 yards and a TD in each of the Warhawks’ first two games. WR Xavier Brown has caught a TD pass in both of ULM’s first two games.
I think ECU RB Darius Pinnix has some fantasy value and could emerge as a spot starter throughout 2019. Through two games, Pinnix has carried the ball 32 times for 157 yards and 2 TDs.
SMU RB Xavier Jones’ six rushing TDs is too hard to ignore. In two games, Jones has carried the ball 34 times for 183 yards and six TDs.
North Texas WR Rico Bussey did not have one catch against SMU. 👀 However, my sleeper WR Jaelon Darden had 6 catches for 59 yards and a TD. Please let me know that some of you already moved on this guy.I’m not sure how to read into RB Tre Siggers’ performance against SMU (18-164-1), but it’s certainly not good for DeAndre Torrey, who I’ve been low on all preseason long if you go back and listen to my appearance on the CFF: On Campus Podcast After catching 3 TD passes last week, TE Jason Pirtle did not register a catch, either.
Middle Tennessee QB Asher O’Hara is worth a waiver wire look. O’Hara threw for 367 yards and four touchdowns, and added 103 rushing yards, in the Blue Raiders’ 45-26 win over Tennessee State.
I did not watch the Wyoming-Texas State game, but Trey Smith had six more carries than Xazavian Valladay. I’ll look into this one later.
According to a post-game interview, HC Josh Heupel stated that Brandon Wimbush did not play against FAU because he wasn’t 100% healthy. WR Tre Nixon did not have a catch against FAU. RBs Greg McCrae, Otis Anderson, and Adrian Killins have each scored in both of the Knight’s first two games.
FAU TE Harrison Bryant has led the Owls in receiving yards the past two games, and now that the schedule loosens up, I’m expecting much bigger weeks from here on out. RB Larry McCammon III seems to be the Owls’ No. 1 RB, so I would certainly give him a look on the waiver wire.
I have to admit that I could have missed on WKU RB Gaej Walker. After another solid outing (27-100-1), he probably needs to be on a roster, at least one that needs some depth. In two games, Walker has 46 carries for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
After a 5-TD game against Furman, Georgia State QB Dan Ellington proved he belongs on a fantasy roster. Ellington also led the team with 86 rushing yards. WR Cornelius McCoy could be a sneaky waiver addition. The sophomore receiver caught ten passes for 143 yards and a TD against Furman, and has scored in back-to-back games.
Add Western Michigan WR DaShon Bussell to your watchlist.
Buffalo WR Antonio Nunn returned to the lineup and caught five passes for 113 yards against Penn State.
Utah State RB Jaylen Warren has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games and has scored three touchdowns. I’m buying Warren as a long-term option. I think we also need to consider WR Siaosi Mariner, who has at least five receptions and a TD in each of the Aggies’ first two games.
I’m really stumped why many aren’t buying into Tulsa RB Shamari Brooks in 2019. I’m worried we ranked him too low in the Preseason fantasy Guide. If he is going to get 20-plus carries per game, he’ll be a fantasy stud. I understand there is some concern about rotation, but Saturday’s performance (29-140-1) at San Jose State was very positive.
It was great seeing Arkansas State WR Kirk Merritt return from a concussion. I know some fantasy owners stayed away from starting him, which was probably the wiser decision, but at least you know he’s back. It was also nice to see both him and Omar Bayless perform well together.
The toughest part of UNLV’s schedule is coming up and I don’t want any part of Armani Rogers. I would consider RB Charles Williams, though. He will still get RB1 carries and provides solid depth on your roster.
Fresno State RB Ronnie Rivers looks like he will be just as versatile for the Bulldogs in 2019 as he was in 2018.
As a JoJo Ward owner, it was fun watching Ward (10-189-4) do his Week 1 Cedric Byrd impression. It seems like Jared Smart will be the third-best fantasy receiver at Hawaii, but he will be more valuable in PPR formats because Ward and Byrd will catch most of the TD passes.