Fantasy Football Player Notes

Due to Cooper Kupp's injury, Tyreek Hill has crept into the top-3 consensus WR season-long rankings. And after his monster season in his first year with Miami, it's hard to argue with the bump. As for Week 1, Hill slides in as the WR2 overall in the half-PPR projections with a high-end target share locked in versus a defense that he hung 81 yards and one TD on back in Week 14. Despite being inefficient - four catches on 10 targets - Hill still finished that week as the WR10.

Waddle was not as fortunate the last time he faced the Chargers. He busted out with just 4.1 fantasy points, with just two catches for 31 yards on 4 targets. His explosive skill set makes him an auto start every single week but bear his downside should the Bolts present more problems for Tagovailoa and company. View Waddle was a mid-range fantasy WR2 for Week 1.

The planets are aligning for Raheem Mostert in Week 1. Jeff Wilson Jr. was placed on IR and rookie De'Von Achane is returning from a shoulder injury. Mostert is hardly a player that fantasy gamers should be relying on for the long-term given his horrible injury track record and 31-year old age, but for Week 1 he looks like the clear-cut No. 1 rusher in the Miami backfield. And the matchup is divine versus the Los Angeles Chargers defense that does not stop the run. They have ranked inside the bottom-six in rushing yards per game allowed since Brandon Staley took over as the head coach in 2021. Consider Mostert, a low-end RB2 player for Week 1. If you can't start him this week with confidence, you'll likely never start him at any point during the season. Mike McDaniel has been vocal about running the ball more consistently, and Mostert has been his GUY through different rosters and coaching staffs. In Mostert we trust...for Week 1 that is. Have faith in the ex-49ers running back even if the Dolphins should fall behind against a high-powered Chargers offense. Mostert finished the 2022 season 15th in route participation among RBs averaging just under 3 targets per game.

Durham Smythe has seen inspiring route participation during the preseason contests with the first-team offense. It's clear that he is viewed as the TE1 on the Dolphins, but that role in itself may not be worth much given how concentrated targets are between the top two WRs. No need to dabble in Smythe unless you're manning some insane 16/18-team tight end premium league. But his usage is worth monitoring should it carry over into the regular season.