Last week, I started a series that I’ll be providing for you all season every Monday. Thanks to NFL Game Pass, I can watch every single play from the weekend first thing Monday morning and be done by lunch. While I do this, I’m always taking notes for the podcast and all my articles so I figured it couldn’t hurt to just share my notes with you all. Here are my top 10 takeaways from this week’s film session.
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#10) Keelan Cole is more than a one-trick pony
If you saw the highlights, you likely noticed that Cole made one of the greatest catches this weekend that any human has ever pulled in. He also hauled in a touchdown on his way to receiving for 116 yards and a score. This was not a flukey game. Rather, Cole was the best receiver on the field and that includes Chris Hogan. The difference, of course, is that Tom Brady does not equal Blake Bortles. I’m not suggesting that Cole will be a WR2 like Hogan, but the tape was evident that he is much more than a downfield threat. He can be a true WR1 for the Jags with Marqise Lee out. We saw a glimpse of it over the final five weeks last season when Cole led the NFL in receiving, and there may be much more to come the remainder of the year.
#9) Saquon Barkley is the most talented RB in football
I touched on this one last week and while I don’t want to make a habit of repeating takes, this week’s film demanded I reiterate my stance. If you want a superstar running back, this may be your last chance to go acquire Saquon for a reasonable price. He only went for 28 yards on the ground because of the game script and opposing scheme. When he touched the ball, though, it was magical. He picked up additional yards time after time on plays where the majority of NFL backs would have done much less. With a much easier schedule over the second half, Barkley is going to feast and you might as well be the one owning him if you can swing it.
#8) Ezekiel Elliott has lost a step or two
This was a major surprise to me, as I was supportive of taking Zeke second overall behind Gurley this preseason. Sure, the offensive line is banged up which doesn’t help, but it was more than that. He looked slow. And fat. Yeah, Zeke will still get his, and there is no denying the fact that he is the focal point of the Cowboys’ offense, but after comparing his tape to last year, there is a major difference. I’m no longer convinced Zeke will be a superstar this season so if you have him, don’t panic, but dangle him in a deal for a package like Joe Mixon and Keenan Allen. The other owner would likely pounce and come to regret it within weeks.
#7) Sammy Watkins is the best he has ever been
While we are talking about players changing speeds, it needs to be mentioned that fickle Sammy looked like the rookie version we were all geeked about. Last season he was painfully slow, running decoy route after decoy route. This year, the Chiefs are lining him up all over the field and he is flying around. Even his build is noticeably more athletic. Sure, he will kill you some games and is likely the 3rd option in the offense, but it is a great offense so Watkins will get his. Feel free to start him any week that the Chiefs aren’t up against an elite secondary (Jaguars, Rams, Vikings).
#6) Quincy Enunwa is a reliable WR3
I raved about him last week on the podcast, and while I still think Quincy is an inferior athlete to Robby Anderson, it is becoming clear that Sam Darnold regards him to be the #1 over Anderson. He was double-digit targets for the second straight game because he is creating separation with crisp routes. While it may be a much different offense, I can’t help but see Anquan Boldin when I watch Enunwa this season. Both have big physical bodies at 6’2″, 225 pounds, but are quick enough to get open and demand the ball. It won’t surprise me in the least bit if Enunwa secures 1,000 yards through the air with 80 receptions.
#5) Deshaun Watson‘s rust is already gone
The final stat line wasn’t ideal this week and I ripped on Watson after Week 1, but this game film was drastically improved. Watson is going to make boneheaded decisions from time to time, but interceptions never stopped us from drafting Brett Favre, did they? Not that Watson is Favre, but he is certainly a gunslinger who can make most of the throws. Don’t give up on Deshaun quite yet, as you can rely on the floor his rushing totals provide while he improves in the passing game. Watson won’t be the top fantasy QB this season or anywhere close, but he also won’t be the trainwreck his owners feared he may be after a Week 1 disaster.
#4) Pittsburgh has the worst secondary in football
You may want to give all the credit to Patrick Mahomes, and he has unquestionably been impressive, but the game film screams “Steelers secondary sucks” much louder than “Patrick Mahomes is the GOAT”. We didn’t get to see much of it in Week 1 since Tyrod Taylor had to throw in a tropical depression, but Vegas seemed to know this was coming with the 52.5 over/under they posted. The separation they left on Mahomes’ completion was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It was three years here, eight yards there. It wasn’t like classic Kurt Warner game where Mahomes was fitting falls into coverage and threading the needle. Most competent quarterbacks could have lobbed it to open receivers all day, it just looked more impressive because Mahomes has a cannon. I’ll be picking on Pittsburgh in DFS and with streamers moving forward.
#3) Andrew Luck doesn’t look like a QB1
I hate to say this mostly because I have to admit that I was wrong, but Luck does not look all that good. And sure, it is easy to see just by looking at the box score, but the film confirms it without question. His arm strength is now in the bottom half of the league and Luck almost looks like a rookie out there where the game is just too fast. Perhaps he will grow out of it with some more time, but this isn’t someone I want to trust from game to game moving forward. As far as I’m concerned, Luck has dropped into streamer-only territory with players like Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo and Andy Dalton.
#2) Blake Bortles can win a Super Bowl
Even though I 100% believe it, this is still difficult to say with a straight face. This wasn’t like the Mahomes game where Bortles executed what the defense gave him. Bortles flat out dominated. He was zipping balls into windows, throwing touch passes over defenders and most importantly, playing with a great deal of confidence. When Bortles is relied on, he is an entirely different quarterback, as evidenced by the team going 4-0 with over 30 points per game when Leonard Fournette is out of the lineup. Frankly, he looks like Philip Rivers with legs when we get the right version. We saw this to close last season too until the Jags took the ball out of his hands in the playoffs. Perhaps Bortles can continue playing this way for the remainder of the season now, and if he does, Jacksonville may not lose.
#1) You need to trade for Phillip Lindsay before it is too late
My biggest takeaway is that Royce Freeman is flat-out overmatched. I love Freeman so don’t get me wrong, he can be a little like Jordan Howard, but Lindsay is dynamic! The kid is lightning quick and big enough to run between the tackles. Do yourself a favor: Go watch Brian Westbrook highlights then jump over to Lindsay’s. If you notice any difference, ignore me, but if you are like me and see a near-replica, figure out a way to add Lindsay to your fantasy squad because he is unbelievable and in for a terrific season when the Broncos allow him to take full reign of their backfield.
Additional Notes
- The Panthers D/ST will be one to pick on with TEs
- Dallas is designating running plays for Dak Prescott
- Kenny Golladay is the most impressive receiver on Detroit
- Drew Brees may have hit the old-QB wall this off-season
- Matt Breida is going to run away with the 49ers backfield
- Kerryon Johnson is light years better than LeGarrette Blount
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