DeVonta Smith Moved Into the Slot
Expect a lot more consistency out of Smith this year with the move. He caught 7 of 8 targets for 84 yards and should be a PPR magnet as we’ve seen this be a staple of Kellen Moore’s offense through multiple teams. Easier coverage and layup routes for Smith all season long.
Zack Moss Leads the Bengals' Backfield
Moss had control of the situations that matter, with 65% of snaps while running more routes, getting all of the 2-minute work, most of the 3rd down work, and the lone goal line snap. He can move into low-end RB2 range once the Bengals bounce back. Chase Brown is not a 1B - he’s their RB2 and can be dropped in shallow leagues.
Bills, Cardinals Still Sorting Out Target Distribution
Keon Coleman ran the most routes of any Bills receiver and led the team with 5 targets, with a decent 21.7% target share. Mack Hollins got a lot of runs, and Curtis Samuel barely played with only 9 routes total. I’m assuming Samuel was still limited to the turf toe injury. Khalil Shakir got the TD, but had 3 targets and only ran a route on 70% of dropbacks, so he’ll need a bump in playing time to be a consistent factor. Kincaid’s 83% route participation is a good sign - don’t give up on him.
Marvin Harrison Jr had a rough start with 1 catch for 4 yards on 3 targets. If you chose to draft him early, you had to have expected some rookie pains. He ran a route on 95% of Kyler Murray’s dropbacks, so there’s hope. Trey McBride didn’t have the production but led with a 29% target share, the same amount he had during his run late last season. Greg Dortch’s 26% target share makes him worth rostering in PPR leagues.
Tank Bigsby Carving Out Role in Jaguars' Backfield
Bigsby led the Jaguars in rushing, with both him and Travis Etienne getting 12 carries each. Etienne is still getting the money touches at the goal line and is the primary receiving back with a very healthy 68% route participation. But Bigsby looked good, and we could continue to see a bit of a split on early downs.
Brian Thomas Jr. Shows Promise in Tough Coverage
BTJ was shadowed by Jalen Ramsey and didn’t shy away. He proved he belongs after beating him for a long pass PI that would’ve been a TD and then catching a red zone TD later in the game in his coverage. 4/47/1 isn’t breaking the stat sheet, but it’s a very encouraging sign of what’s to come.
De’Von Achane’s Usage Can Break Fantasy
We already know Achane is a great talent and can be efficient, but his 19% target share in this game matched Christian McCaffrey's last season. There was talk about him getting more work in the receiving game, so this usage matches the rumblings. He also got 100% of goal-line snaps in this game. After a record-setting 7.9 YPC last season, I would expect his rushing efficiency to bounce back to normal levels. He scored 23 fantasy points without that in this game.
Justin Fields Was Looking for George Pickens
Pickens had a very solid game - 6/85 on an elite 30% target share. But for whatever reason, Arthur Smith decided to only have him running routes on 79% of dropbacks. This is not typical for a team’s No. 1 WR, and this just goes to show how Smith is galaxybraining his offense. The good news is that Fields will find his guy.
Titans' Backfield Isn’t So Split After All
It is a split, but more so based on role and not in every situation like the coaches were leading us to think. Tony Pollard is the clear early down back (and looked good), getting 16 carries to Tyjae Spears’ 4. Spears ran more routes, but he’s just the passing down back - the same role he had last year. Pollard is getting the goal-line looks, and he was still able to get 4 targets with a solid 45% route participation. He gets an upgrade to becoming a lot more startable. Spears will have a bigger role in negative game scripts.
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