Following a thrilling Week 1 in the NFL, more than a few players have emerged as primary contributors. This has led to a major shakeup among fantasy football managers’ rosters. New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson put on a show that earned him some attention. He led his team with eight receptions, accumulating 76 yards, in a tough loss to the Arizona Cardinals. First and foremost, Johnson’s performance is superb. At just 34.0% rostered in ESPN leagues, managers have been clamoring for trustworthy fills as they head into Week 2.
As Trey Benson proved in the victory against New Orleans, he can be a multi-faceted threat. He accumulated nine total touches and even produced a highlight 52-yard run. He’s currently rostered in 54.5% of ESPN leagues and looking to be a huge factor going forward. Other notable performances include Wan’Dale Robinson’s six catches for 55 yards in a loss to Washington, Michael Penix Jr’s impressive outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Aaron Rodgers‘ four-touchdown game against the Jets.
Whether they’re making immediate impacts, strong adds and/or helping fantasy managers for the rest of the season — these players have been essential additions/considerations for week 5 and beyond.
Juwan Johnson’s Breakout Performance
New Orleans Saints TE Juwan Johnson’s breakout Week 1 performance has caught the eye of fantasy football players everywhere. He led the team in catches, grabbing a team-high eight on 11 targets and reeling in 76 yards for a very solid 15.6 points. In that defeat against the Cardinals, Johnson proved he could do it all. He recently showed that he can be a crucial problem to opponents in the team’s passing game.
Johnson’s current roster percentage is just 34.0% in ESPN leagues. That makes him a savvy under-the-radar addition for fantasy managers who need to beef up their TE slots. His role in the offense should continue to increase as the season progresses. This allows him to be a plug-and-play option for teams looking to add position versatility and depth.
Additionally, Johnson’s burgeoning chemistry with quarterback Derek Carr should help him put up more steady production. As long he keeps getting high-value targets like the ones he has so far, he could become a solid depth play all year long.
Trey Benson’s Impactful Debut
Fleck made a great first impression, as did Trey Benson during Week 1 of the season. He turned those touches into 64 yards, with a long of 52 yards against the Saints that showcased his speed and burst. That combination of talent and playmaking is what makes him so special compared to the players who share his role. Now rostered in 54.5% of ESPN leagues, Benson’s potential is quickly catching on with the fantasy football community.
His explosiveness adds versatility to his game and makes Benson an intriguing prospect to build with going forward. He’s shown that he’s capable of succeeding in rushing and receiving scenarios. That kind of versatility will be important for any running back looking to step into a larger role on the offense.
As the season develops, it will be interesting to see how Benson produces. If he can keep up this pace of productivity, he might be the key to a fantasy championship for the teams that require rock-solid running back performances.
Other Notable Performances
Not every single one of the noteworthy performances had players counted as top-rostered talents in fantasy leagues. Wan’Dale Robinson had a big afternoon catching six of eight targets for 55 yards. Even with that outlier performance, he scored just 11.1 points in a dreary loss to Washington. His roster percentage sits at a paltry 30.6%. Fantasy managers in need of depth at wide receiver should be all over him.
On that note, let’s not forget about Michael Penix Jr’s incredible performance versus the Buccaneers. That earned him a creamy and delicious 24.02 point Game Score, thanks to him rushing for 21 yards and a touchdown. His fantastic performance underlines his potential as a dual-threat player. That opens the path for him to be a solid, streamable QB option for fantasy rosters looking for a low-rostered QB.
Olamide Zaccheaus is deserving of a mention with an impressive game while being virtually unowned at 0.5% rostered in ESPN leagues. He had already seen his targets spike before the trade, catching four passes for 42 yards and getting seven targets in the Monday night loss to the Vikings. His 34 percent target share is promising and could make him worth a shot for fantasy teams looking for extra wide receiver reinforcements.
Finally, speaking of impressive performances, Aaron Rodgers at four TD passes in the Week 1 win over the Jets. He’s still only rostered in 17.9% of ESPN leagues. His record and veteran know-how make him an intriguing pickup for squads looking to upgrade at quarterback.
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