Week 1 is in the books, and the fantasy football landscape is already shifting. Whether it’s breakout performances, disappointing starts or injury fallout, the expert consensus rankings (ECR) are moving fast. Let’s break down the biggest risers and fallers heading into Week 2.
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Fantasy Football ECR Risers & Fallers: Week 2
Fantasy Football Quarterback Risers
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC) | +7 ECR
Justin Herbert looked like a man on a mission in Week 1, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Breaking the mold of the pure run-first offense of Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman, Herbert is back in the QB1 conversation.
J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN) | +4 ECR
The rookie impressed in his debut, showing poise and mobility. He didn’t light up the stat sheet, but his command of the offense and rushing upside have fantasy managers intrigued, especially in Superflex formats.
Fantasy Football Quarterback Fallers
Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA) | -4 ECR
Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins were a mess in Week 1. They struggled in every aspect of the game and played as if they were in pure panic mode.
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI) | -4 ECR
The former No. 1 overall pick had a rocky start with presumed offensive mastermind Ben Johnson. While the talent is obvious, the Bears’ offense lacked rhythm and poise in the passing attack.
Fantasy Football Running Back Risers
Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAX) | +13 ECR
Travis Etienne exploded in Week 1 with over 120 total yards and a score. He dominated touches and looked electric in space. His ECR surge reflects RB2 confidence going forward. Combined with the trade of Tank Bigsby to the Eagles, Etienne’s path to re-emerge to his 2023 excellence is clear.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WSH) | +10 ECR
One of the biggest surprises of Week 1, Jacory Croskey-Merritt capitalized on limited touches with a touchdown and solid yardage. He’s a hot waiver wire add if available, and the path to more than replacing Brian Robinson Jr. is clear.
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) | +3 ECR
Breece Hall looked fully healthy and explosive, breaking off a couple of big runs. Receiving 19 of the 26 running back carries and going for over 100 yards, Hall is alive and well.
Fantasy Football Running Back Fallers
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE) | -6 ECR
Rhamondre Stevenson’s usage was concerning, splitting the carries seven to five with TreVeyon Henderson, but showing no burst or efficiency. The most worrisome aspect was the receiving work, with Henderson recording six catches to Stevenson’s two.
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA) | -5 ECR
Kenneth Walker struggled with efficiency and saw Zach Charbonnet eat into his workload with 12 carries to Walker’s 10. Fantasy managers are right to worry about this becoming a full-blown committee.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG) | -4 ECR
Tyrone Tracy didn’t make much of an impact in Week 1, getting the first crack at the touches but failing to shine with 24 total yards on the ground. Look for the Giants to try to find something in Week 2 to jump-start an offense that was dismal versus the Commanders last week.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Risers
Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB) | +11 ECR
Emeka Egbuka made an immediate impact with four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns, plus a designed run in his first game in the NFL. Being the slot option in the pass-first Buccaneers offense is the place to be for this first-round draft pick to shine as long as Chris Godwin is out.
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF) | +8 ECR
Ricky Pearsall balled out with 108 yards in Week 1. With George Kittle now on injured reserve (IR) and Jauan Jennings banged up, expect Pearsall’s workload to only increase moving forward.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR) | +6 ECR
Tetairoa McMillan was one of the lone bright spots for the Panthers’ offense that failed to pick up where it left off in 2024. Bryce Young looked like the one who got him benched. However, McMillan’s size and speed should keep him as the primary pass-catcher in an offense that should rebound moving forward.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Fallers
Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA) | -8 ECR
Tyreek Hill’s ECR drop is tied to the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles. Becoming nothing more than a boom/bust option, his best days are clearly behind him.
DJ Moore (WR – CAR) | -6 ECR
DJ Moore’s connection with Caleb Williams hasn’t materialized yet. He saw limited targets and is slipping out of WR2 territory. With only three catches, he fell to third in the target pecking order under new coach Ben Johnson.
DK Metcalf (WR – SEA) | -5 ECR
DK Metcalf failed to find the end zone in Week 1 while Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns. The hope of going into this year in a new environment was that Metcalf would become Rodgers’ new Davante Adams. Sadly, that was not the case as Rodgers distributed the ball to seven different pass-catchers.
Fantasy Football Tight End Risers
Tyler Warren (TE – IND) | +7 ECR
Wow, did Tyler Warren ever live up to the hype. He found the end zone and saw solid usage in Week 1 with nine targets, converting them into seven catches for 76 yards. At a tight end position that saw some significant injuries and flops, Warren is a bright young star you want to follow.
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) | +3 ECR
It feels almost dirty talking up Kyle Pitts after the hype-flops we have seen the last couple of years. However, with eight targets and seven catches in Week 1, we can’t deny the upside he brings. Given the injury concern for Drake London, Pitts is definitely someone to keep an eye on.
Fantasy Football Tight End Fallers
David Njoku (TE – CLE) | -2 ECR
David Njoku was barely involved in Week 1, with rookie Harold Fannin Jr. taking the bulk of the tight end targets away. He’s slipping out of TE1 territory.
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL) | -2 ECR
In a game that featured 81 total points, Mark Andrews was an afterthought with only one target. The ravens kept the ball moving on the ground, keeping Andrews as a run blocker rather than breaking him out wide.
Final Word
Week 1 always brings overreactions, but ECR movement can help you spot trends early. Whether you’re looking to buy low, sell high or find the next breakout, these shifts offer valuable insight.
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