Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) holds up the ball after an interception against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at Levi
Week 1 offered up a series of big injuries and surprise performances. All of it results in a laundry list of potential fantasy football sleepers. Who should you be focused on grabbing off the waiver wire?
San Francisco 49ers defense
You know this is going to be good. @NBowman53 was Mic'd Up tonight.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 15, 2015
Full video coming soon!https://t.co/4bAFf0KvGE
The hype around Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson playing together was palpable all week heading into opening night. Seems the San Francisco 49ers got sick of hearing about it as they effectively negated both players in a resounding 20-3 victory. Peterson had just 31 yards rushing, Bridgewater was sacked five times and threw an interception. Despite all their losses during the off-season, the depth of the 49ers roster and hiring of Eric Mangini were clearly understated.
Terrence Williams (WR, Dallas Cowboys)
Dez Bryant is out for at least four weeks after undergoing surgery on a broken foot. That puts the burden of the receiver position squarely on Trent Williams. Tony Romo needs that outside threat if he’s going to take proper advantage of defenses over the middle with guys like Jason Witten and Cole Beasley. Either way, fantasy owners can at least count on him seeing extra balls with Bryant out.
David Johnson (RB, Arizona Cardinals)
David Johnson rushed for 1553 yards with 17 TDs at @UNIFootball
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2015
No surprise his 1st NFL TD went for 55 yards #NOvsAZ http://t.co/pmojqBvVcr
Andre Ellington has a sprained PCL. That will leave him on the sideline for the next couple weeks, leaving a vacuum at the running back spot for Arizona. It looks like veteran Chris Johnson will get the first crack at it, but his recent track record says don’t count on that last. The real hidden gem is rookie David Johnson, who boasts good size and sneaky burst that he flashed in the win over New Orleans.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
When you’re down 5 TDs, but you have yourself on your fantasy team… http://t.co/1rjV5yORHd pic.twitter.com/4cQ0Khmy8n
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2015
There really wasn’t a lot of good to take away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first game as they got hammered by Tennessee. By far the brightest spot was second-year tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. After an injury-plagued rookie year, he is starting to show the vast potential he had coming out of the draft.
In all he posted five catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. That is certain to garner further attention from Jameis Winston in the weeks to come.
Alex Smith (QB, Kansas City Chiefs)
Alex Smith: 4th QB in franchise history with 3 Pass TD and no interceptions in a season opener (Len Dawson, Joe Montana and Steve Bono)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 13, 2015
Call him a game manager all day an all night but Alex Smith looks like he’s more immersed and confident in that Andy Reid offense than ever. He followed a great preseason with a stellar opener, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions against a tough Houston Texans defense. The emergence of tight end Travis Kelce and arrival of receiver Jeremy Maclin have had clear impact. If the Chiefs continue to run the ball like they can, this could be a career year for their quarterback.
Next: NFL Week 1: Mariota Magic And Other Takeaways
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