Week 2 Start and Sit wide receivers
Well, well, well. One week down and already so many headlines for wide receivers across the country.
How good is
Where was
When did Michael Crabtree clone himself as
And how bad do you feel for
Now that we enter Week 2, it is just about time for the studs to continue to rise while the one-week wonders take a step back. But with plenty of nonconference action still going on, there are certainly some matchups to avoid or take advantage of this week.
But before we take a look at who to start and bench in Week 2, here is a recap of how our predictions worked out in Week 1.
Last week's wide receiver starts
D.J. Woods, Cincinnati vs. Austin Peay: 4 catches, 59 yards, TD. Grade: B+
B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State vs. Youngstown State: 9 catches, 130 yards, TD. Grade: A+
Greg Childs, Arkansas vs. Missouri State: 2 catches, 29 yards. Grade: F
Damarlo Belcher, Indiana vs. Ball State: 4 catches, 101 yards, TD. Grade: A-
Kelvin Bolden, Southern Miss vs. Louisiana Tech: Rush TD but left game with injury. Grade: Incomplete
Last week's wide receiver sits
Nick Toon, Wisconsin vs. UNLV: 2 catches, 54 yards. Grade: A
Da'Jon McKnight, Minnesota vs. USC: 4 catches, 48 yards. Grade: A-
Luther Ambrose, Louisiana Monroe vs. Florida State: 0 catches, 1 rush 5 yards. Grade: A+
Dwayne Frampton, Arkansas State vs. Illinois: 5 catches, 99 yards. Grade: C+
Nick Harwell, Miami (OH) vs. Missouri: Suspended for game. Grade: Incomplete
Total Grade: Considering a few incomplete grades and only one F, with plenty of As, I go B+ for the first week.
Now here is the list of who to start and bench entering Week 2:
Start Em! Wide Receivers (BCS only)
Van Chew, Syracuse vs. Rhode Island: Chew was the key component in Syracuse’s win in Week 1, scoring the game-winning touchdown after converting a two point conversion that sent the game into overtime. Chew is the No. 1 receiver and has a clear chemistry with Ryan Nassib, so expect a huge performance against the Rams in Week 2.
Chris Owusu, Stanford vs. Duke: Owusu is the big-play man for the Cardinal as he caught seven passes for 76 yards in Week 1. Against Duke, which is coming off a home loss to Richmond, Owusu should have a huge afternoon. He has the best quarterback in the nation tossing him the ball, so he is in line for plenty of targets.
Chris Givens, Wake Forest vs. North Carolina State: Givens was unstoppable in the Demon Deacons’ shocking loss to Syracuse in Week 1. He recorded seven catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Givens should have plenty of opportunities to roam against North Carolina State this week. The only issue is the health of starting quarterback Tanner Price, who left the game with an injury against Syracuse. He is expected to play however, and Givens is a solid play this week.
All-120
Phillip Payne, UNLV vs. Washington State: Payne is a playmaker and despite the tough Week 1 matchup against Wisconsin, he still found the end zone en route to four total catches. Payne has a much easier matchup in Week 2 against Washington State. Expect seven grabs for more than 100 yards and a score.
Robert Herron, Wyoming vs. Texas State: It’s a simple formula: Receiver that catches seven passes for more than 100 yards and two scores plus a team that just gave up 12 catches and 220-plus yards to a single player equals Fantasy gold. After allowing Darrin Moore? those obscene numbers, Herron is a sneaky play for a huge day against Texas State.
Sit Em! Wide Receivers (BCS only)
Aaron Pflugrad, Arizona State vs. Missouri: Coming off a two-touchdown opener against UC-Davis, Pflugrad is going to be a hot name off the waiver wire. However, with a possible injury to Brock Osweiler and the competition a bit better than that of the Aggies, he is a sure fire bench option this week. He is strictly a matchup play and this is not a good one for him.
Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State vs. Auburn: Another player who found the end zone in Week 1 was Bumphis. However, that is the key issue for him. While his touchdown catch was 44 yards, that was his only catch of the game and against Auburn. We expect much of the same. Bumphis remains a boom or bust Fantasy option and he simply can’t be recommended this week.
Derek Moye, Penn State vs. Alabama: Moye was quiet in the Nittany Lions’ opener against Indiana State, catching only four balls for just over 50 yards, and things will likely continue when Alabama hits town. The Crimson Tide will certainly focus on stopping Moye and there is no way to recommend him in any format this weekend.
Marquis Maze, Alabama vs. Penn State: On the other end of the field from Moye will be Maze, now the go-to receiver for the Crimson Tide. He had a solid opener for Alabama with eight catches for 118 yards and a score. The Tide will rely on the ground game when they travel to Happy Valley, and we expect Maze to be more of a possession threat in this one than the playmaker he was in the opener.
All-120
Tavarres Jefferson, Middle Tennessee State vs. Georgia Tech: Jefferson caught seven balls in MTSU’s opener. However, against the Yellow Jackets he will struggle. While they will surely be trailing, despite his large target numbers, he is unlikely to find the end zone. In PPR leagues he is an OK play, but someone who should not be relied upon with confidence just yet.
Eric Page, Toledo vs. Ohio State: While Page was solid in the Rockets’ opener, catching five passes for 60 yards and a score, Bernard Reedy burst onto the scene, catching two touchdowns and topping one hundred yards. The bigger problem for Page in Week 2 is his opponent. Last week Toledo played New Hampshire. This week, the Buckeyes. Do not expect an offensive explosion from the usually reliable Fantasy wideout.
