My initial reaction to the Week 2 early games.

In 2013, Delanie Walker was 12th among tight ends with 86 targets, ultimately finishing right about the same in fantasy points at the position depending on scoring system. With a new offense this season and a solid triumvirate of wide receivers in Tennessee, I expected Walker to take a step back. Instead, he’s taken a couple steps forward. His Week 1 was about what I expected—three catches on five targets with the occasional touchdown. His follow-up this week was a career day, hauling in 10 catches on a whopping 14 targets with a score. I’m going to go ahead and call this his best game of the season, but I definitely can’t ignore how much attention he got from Jake Locker.

 

While we’re talking tight ends, remember that Jordan Reed guy in Washington? Nah, me neither. Niles Paul stepped right into the starting lineup and hauled in eight passes for 99 yards and a score. And with Kirk Cousins looking solid and having the job for the foreseeable future thanks to Robert Griffin III’s dislocated ankle, both of these guys should be among the top waiver claims this week.

 

I’m worried about Toby Gerhart. Liked him as a guy you could grab after loading up on receivers/quarterbacks/tight ends early, but I’m gonna have a tough time recommending him as a starter for the foreseeable future. Yes, Jacksonville fell behind big early and Toby’s not 100 percent, but he’s on fantasy probation nonetheless.

 

C.J. Spiller, meanwhile, looks plenty like himself. The 5.8 yards per carry from Sunday was what everyone hoped to see from Spiller all of last year, and his 102-yard kickoff return showed the speed he lacked while dealing with the ankle injury last season. I wasn’t fully confident despite the touchdown against the Bears last week, and Fred Jackson is still going to take half the work, but Spiller’s going to be at LEAST in the flex conversation weekly regardless of opponent until further notice.

 

DeMarco Murray through two weeks has looked like the best running back in football. He’s certainly got that talent—it’s always the health that’s been in question. That health is still enough of a concern that I’m at least asking around to see what I might be able to get for him in trade. I’m not selling unless I get the moon for him, but with all the injuries out there, you may just get the moon from a desperate owner.

 

Drew Stanton had an even bigger negative impact on the Cardinals passing game in place of the injured Carson Palmer than I thought he would. Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald certainly came with more risk this week, and Floyd crapped out with just one catch on six targets. Fitzy had about what would be expected from a floor standpoint, but my apologies to Floyd owners—many of whom I recommended sticking with Floyd despite the risk.

 

I failed to get overly excited about the Atlanta Falcons last week after they put up video game numbers, in part because they did it at home. They certainly get a pass against a tough Cincinnati defense after only Julio Jones put up usable digits, but they still have to prove it on the road against a lesser opponent before I’m going to rank them at full value when playing away from Georgia Dome.

 

Speaking of the Bengals, their passing game took another hit with the loss of A.J. Green. If he misses significant time, that’s now three Cincinnati receivers (Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert) who are out. Mohamed Sanu scored and will be the No. 1 receiver if Green misses time. I was surprised Jermaine Gresham wasn’t more involved in the passing game this week without Eifert and the loss of Green early, so I’m less bullish on him than I was a couple days ago. I’d rather take a chance on the Giants’ Larry Donnell considering how much attention he’s getting from Eli Manning—17 targets in two games.

 

With a pair of first-half touchdowns, Antonio Gates proved that not only has his demise been greatly exaggerated, but the Seattle Seahawks aren’t necessarily a death knell to your fantasy players when matchup up together—at least not when Seattle’s on the road.