These players saw their fantasy values increase or decrease most based on their performances in Week 1:
Sizzlers
QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts: Perhaps no other player had as many question marks swirling around him entering Week 1. But Luck passed his early audition with flying colors, passing for 319 yards and a pair of touchdowns (on 53 attempts), albeit in a losing effort.
RB Dion Lewis, Tennessee Titans: Running mate Travis Henry was the earlier draft pick in most drafts, but Lewis looked like the better back after the Titans moved away from Henry. Lewis’ combination of rushing and receiving makes him an intriguing fantasy prospect going forward.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It’s not every week a likely free agent has the highest fantasy point total, but Fitzpatrick did just that in standard-scoring leagues. He threw for 417 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing TD in what was the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history.
Week 1 fantasy takeaways:Fitz-magic, Conner star in openers
RB James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers: With Le’Veon Bell holding out, Conner carried the ball 31 times for 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Conner retains RB1 status for as long as Bell remains out.
WR Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins: With DeVante Parker nursing a finger injury, Stills took the lead role in the opener, catching a pair of touchdowns and posting 104 receiving yards.
Fizzlers
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Don’t push the panic button, but it is worrisome that Kelce caught just one pass on six targets. WR Tyreek Hill might have been the Week 1 star, but Kelce should get his chances in the near future.
WR Chris Hogan, New England Patriots: With Julian Edelman suspended for four games, Hogan was a fantasy darling. His one catch for 11 yards was a result of the team spreading the ball around to so many receivers and TE Rob Gronkowski acting as a target sponge.
Waiver wire:Veteran tight end is a top target
TE Jimmy Graham, Green Bay Packers: It is never a good sign when your tight end doesn’t know the playbook and it costs you a timeout. Graham’s two receptions mirrored the fact that he wasn’t always where he was supposed to be. Better days should be ahead.
WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks: Baldwin was already nursing a knee ailment he admitted wouldn’t be 100% healthy this season. Now he has a Grade 2 MCL tear in his other knee. Those knees will cost the Seahawks their No. 1 receiver and fantasy owners several weeks’ worth of headaches.
New Orleans Saints defense/special teams: After dominating last year it was a bit of a shock to see the Saints defense give up 529 total yards and 48 points at home to Fitzpatrick and friends — with no sacks or turnovers.
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