Puka Nacua or Jahan Dotson?
Our fantasy expert answers your questions before lineups lock for Week 2.
Renee Miller
September 17, 2023 at 2:09 PM EDT
(Photo: Steven Bisig / USA Today)
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Time for kickoff. Here's where to follow.
Puka Nacua or Jahan Dotson?
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Puka Nacua or Jahan Dotson half-PPR? -Dominic G.
Hey, I get to give a positive answer on a Puka question! The expectation here is that the Rams will have to throw, and last week in this situation, they threw to Puka Nacua – 15 times! That kind of volume is irreplaceable, so while I want to love Sam Howell and Dotson, I’m just not there this week.
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Higher upside: Justice Hill or Jayden Reed?
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PPR, 2 Flex League: Justice Hill or Jayden Reed (opponent had D. Swift on Thursday so looking for upside). -Adam P.
With Christian Watson doubtful, I’d look to Reed for the upside you need. It’s a sweet matchup with the Falcons, and he saw just as many targets as Romeo Doubs last week. Hopefully the Packers throw a bit more with Aaron Jones’ status uncertain.
Pick two at the flex spot: Jahan Dotson, Tyler Lockett, Samaje Perine, Sam LaPorta
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Pick two at flex, PPR w/ 1.5 TEP: Jahan Dotson, Tyler Lockett, Samaje Perine, Sam LaPorta. Thanks! -Zach R.
After catching all five of his targets in Week 1, LaPorta should be in line for more work today. The correlation with Lockett is nice, and this game should be among the highest-scoring of the week. Those are your two: Lockett and LaPorta.
Half-PPR Flex: Christian Kirk, Courtland Sutton, Nico Collins or Luke Musgrave
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Half-PPR Flex: Christian Kirk, Courtland Sutton, Nico Collins or Luke Musgrave? -Michael R.
Nico Collins has the advantages of solid volume and a great matchup. 11 targets last week is nothing to sneeze at. If you need miracle upside, I’d probably go with Kirk vs. the Chiefs with the hope that Trevor Lawrence passes 50+ times.
Kyle Pitts or Evan Engram?
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-Alexander C.
Ugh, give me Engram in the potential shootout game of the week.
Allen Robinson or Courtland Sutton?
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Allen Robinson or Courtland Sutton? PPR. Thanks. -Glenn H.
I’m not a big fan of using Denver players today, but in this case, I think Sutton is your guy. Even with Jerry Jeudy back in action, I trust him over the Steelers’ receiver
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Bigger upside: Joshua Kelley or James Cook
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Josh Kelly or James Cook? Who has more upside / higher floor? -Christopher B.
Ekeler is indeed out, but this might be the one time I don’t answer Kelley! Tennessee boasts a really good run defense, while Cook gets the lowly Raiders at home. Buffalo should be looking to go scorched Earth today after last week’s disappointing loss to the Jets. I give the edge to Cook in both floor and ceiling projections today.
Dameon Pierce or Dalton Kincaid?
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Dameon Pierce or Dalton Kincaid? -Jack S.
Oh boy, you’re going to make me choose a tight end over a running back I really like. See below, re: scorched Earth. I think all the Bills are startable today and that includes Dalton Kincaid. If you got off to a great start from Thursday’s game and just need to maintain your lead, Pierce is a safer and totally fine play.
Dalvin Cook or Khalil Herbert?
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Dalvin Cook or Khalil Herbert? -Elliott P.
Yikes! These are both tough rushing matchups with play-from-behind game scripts and neither guy is even the best player in his committee. I prefer Cook simply because Breece Hall is on a snap count and the opportunities should be there for him, especially in the short passing game.
Pick 3: DJ Moore, Garrett Wilson, Amari Cooper or Jerry Jeudy
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Pick 3: DJ Moore, Garrett Wilson, Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy. -Brendan F.
Cooper is the odd-man out for me today. Not only is he dealing with an aggravated groin injury, he doesn’t play until Monday night. It’s too risky.
Kendrick Bourne or Christian Kirk?
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Kendrick Bourne or Christian Kirk? -Zach W.
Both? I love that Mac Jones threw 54 times last week, 11 times to Bourne, and will likely have to approach that again tonight as New England hosts Miami. As good as the Dolphins are offensively, their defense leaves a lot to be desired. Jones isn’t Justin Herbert, but he genuinely seems to have taken a big step forward. Kirk also gets that juicy game script and a matchup with the Chiefs, but was an afterthought in Week 1 and already feels behind Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones. Kirk’s a guy I’m rooting for, but this week I trust Bourne more.
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Pick One: Tyler Lockett, Zay Flowers or Puka Nacua
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Pick One of Tyler Lockett, Zay Flowers or Puka Nacua
The WR is a tough one. I can see all three having big games, especially since I think Seattle is a sneaky good option today. Also, how often do we see a receiver get 15 targets?! Not very. That said, Flowers is my play today. I think Baltimore will have to pass here, and Lamar Jackson showed a lot of trust in his uber-talented rookie in Week 1.
Pick one: Rachaad White, James Conner or David Montgomery
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Pick One of Rachaad White/James Conner/David Montgomery -Scott B.
Lastly, I’m high on White; at home, great matchup, and game script. I know Jake has Montgomery higher, but I think we’re going to get a bigger dose of Jahmyr Gibbs today, so I’m hesitant to go with the Lion.
Half-PPR Pick two: David Montgomery, Miles Sanders, Jamaal Williams, Raheem Mostert orJosh Kelley
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Two of David Montgomery/Miles Sanders/Jamaal Williams (NO)/Raheem Mostert/Josh Kelley
Josh Kelley is always my answer at RB, if you haven’t noticed. For your second question, I’d pair him with Williams (NO) expecting a favorable game script and a matchup with Carolina, whom Atlanta destroyed on the ground last week.
Flex option in a PPR league: Jake Ferguson, Brandin Cooks or Joshua Kelley?
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Jake Ferguson, Brandin Cooks or Joshua Kelley at Flex? PPR league -Andre Y.
Josh Kelley and don’t look back. Yes, Dallas is a big home favorite, but the Jets’ D is very good and neither guy contributed to a 40-point victory in Week 1. It’s also true that Tennessee won’t make it easy on Kelley, but he makes something out of nothing every time he touches the ball.
Which WR to start in a standard format: George Pickens, Jahan Dotson, Garrett Wilson?
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Standard. George Pickens, Jahan Dotson or Garrett Wilson? Can’t believe this is now even a close question -Les G.
The game moves fast. It’s a little easier with Pickens popping up on the injury report and not playing until Monday night. But honestly, it’s still Wilson. Go re-watch his TD catch…Zach Wilson just has to get the ball in his neighborhood and he’ll make it work. It is a tough matchup in Dallas, so don’t expect miracles, but Wilson is the best of this bunch.
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Tyler Allgeier or Raheem Mostert?
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Tyler Allgeier or Raheem Mostert? -Scott L.
I have to assume people are asking about Allgeier due to the presence of Bijan Robinson, but Allgeier is legit good. He rushed for over 1000 yards last season averaging 5.0 YPC and out-touched Robinson in Week 1. Both backs were Top 7 in rush yards over expected per attempt in Week 1. Atlanta is committed to this run-all-the-time approach, making both every week starts.
Deshaun Watson or Brock Purdy?
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Deshaun Watson or Brock Purdy? -Adam R.
I’m the biggest Purdy fan and one of the biggest Watson haters, so this isn’t a fair question for me, but I’ll put my personal feelings aside and tell you to start Watson. Purdy’s likely to be harassed by the Rams defense all afternoon and though I think he’ll find a way to get his two touchdowns today, the volume is likely to be lower. Watson plays Monday night in Pittsburgh, where Purdy just had a lot of success, and has the higher rushing upside of the two.
Pick two: James Conner, Joshua Kelley, Tyler Allgeier or Dameon Pierce
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Pick two, PPR! James Conner, Joshua Kelley or Tyler Allgeier. Who knew this would be a dilemma? -Chad D. Same question but substitute Dameon Pierce for Allgeier, please. -Rick W.
Joshua Kelley is a no-brainer for me. With Austin Ekeler out, he’s gold today. I mean, he was gold last week with Ekeler being amazing. I like Allgeier a lot too. Even though he’s in a time share and Conner really isn’t, Atlanta is going to keep running like crazy with him and Bijan Robinson. Pierce or Conner is a tougher choice. Both get favorable matchups, both are home in low-scoring game environments. Conner had slightly more volume in Week 1, in rushing attempts and targets, so I guess use that as the tie-breaker?
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