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Field Yates
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Daniel Dopp
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Field Yates
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Daniel Dopp
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Field Yates
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Daniel Dopp
Focus Fantasy. Fantasy Focus. What's good, friends? Welcome into Fantasy Focus Football alongside Stefania Bell and Phil Jates. My name is Daniel Dopp and week one is officially in the books. With Monday Night Football wrapping up last night, we're going to dive into that here in a little bit, as well as dumping out the bucket on the rest of the things we didn't get to in week one. And most importantly, it's Tuesday, which means we have our first waiver wire segment of the year. But most importantly, I'm happy to see you too. How you guys doing after the first week of football? We may be having mic problems for you, Stefania, so I'm going to ask field and then we'll come back. That's how you take that's not me. That's not me. I got someone in my ear telling.
Field Yates
Me, yeah, I've got an announcement to make.
Daniel Dopp
Okay.
Field Yates
I'm going to bed at 7:10 tonight.
Daniel Dopp
Are you? Because you stayed up so late.
Field Yates
Thursday night Football, Friday night football, Michigan, Oklahoma. Saturday night, Sunday night football, Monday night football. Five straight nights of pushing close to midnight. Yeah. And my kids don't care about the fact that I go to bed late during the football season. They still wake up at three o'. Clock.
Daniel Dopp
You're so young and sprightly field. I thought you could do this.
Field Yates
Not feeling it these days, Daniel. So I will be going to bed before. I don't know, is there a popular TV show that airs on Tuesday nights? If there were. If there is, I will be going.
Daniel Dopp
To bed before that. Yeah, that'll happen.
Field Yates
But no, it's, you know, I gotta be honest with you, is there's so much evidence that what we should be doing right now is taking a deep breath, reminding ourselves that so many things that we saw in week one are going to look like absolute outliers by probably week four or five. And that we should know better than to believe that everything that took place is predictive of what's going to take place this week and the next week and the next week. And yet I'm still sitting here thinking to myself that I really screwed up by drafting Nico Collins or Brian Thomas Jr. Or Isaiah Pacheco. In the case of Pacheco, I might have screwed up.
Daniel Dopp
We'll find out. We'll find out.
Field Yates
But Nico Collins And Brian Thomas Jr. Should not be concerns for me at this point of my life.
Daniel Dopp
Yeah, well, we will.
Field Yates
They are.
Daniel Dopp
We'll dive into one of them a little bit later on in the show. But I was talking to my buddy Kurt on the way in, and we were commiserating about how bad the Lions week one went. We're going to dive into some Monday night Football with two other NFC north teams here in just a moment. However, he was like, just a reminder that week one is trying to decipher what is fool's gold and what is real gold. And you don't want to overreact too quickly. But it's so easy to overreact.
Field Yates
Of course, Daniel, we're humans, aren't we?
Daniel Dopp
Fantasy football. I mean, football is an emotional sport, and fantasy football is even more emotional.
Field Yates
It is. And last thing before we get into Monday Night Football. I know we have some news to discuss as well. I think I got the people going yesterday because I proposed this rule.
Daniel Dopp
Oh, I saw it.
Field Yates
Yeah. My rule suggestion was, once a season, you are allowed to. If a player on your team gets hurt without recording a stat, you can remove said player from your lineup retroactively. I think what I probably forgot to stipulate is that you need to have your replacement on the ready. It has to be predetermined. Right. So by Wednesday or before Thursday Night Football kickoff, you got to say, I am not starting Debo Samuel. Or I wasn't in week one, but he would have been my next guy up. Yep. If it's your quarterback and. And you don't have a second quarterback, too bad. Picker, tight end. Too bad. People were fired up.
Daniel Dopp
I loved it.
Field Yates
Yeah. I mean, I just. It's. It's food for thoughts, people, but a lot of, like, you know, you know, what, are we giving out participation trophies now in fantasy football? I was trying to give some grace. Apparently, it didn't work out. How is defying his mic is it.
Daniel Dopp
I think we're still working on it. Still working.
Field Yates
Bustering here. Should Daniel and I just start?
Daniel Dopp
I think so, yeah.
Field Yates
You want to share?
Daniel Dopp
Yeah, maybe we share.
Stefania Bell
Like, I just want to join in for a moment. I thought maybe you guys deliberately, like, that's not us.
Daniel Dopp
Absolutely not. No way.
Stefania Bell
Just so everybody knows I'm here.
Daniel Dopp
Okay. All right. That's right. And we will bring you back in. You're going to have a huge part of the show as well. Stefania, I'm sorry that right off the top things are not working out.
Field Yates
Let's do it. People want to hear from Stefania more. Go ahead. Fire away.
Daniel Dopp
No, we're good. Let's. Why don't we do the news first Feel because we had a bit of news before we get into Monday Night Football that happened yesterday. Tank Bigsby got traded to the Eagles in exchange for a couple of draft picks. I think there's a couple of things to be able to look at here, but Tank Bigsby seems like he's obviously going to come in and be that backup to Saquon Barkley someone. Do you believe that as an insurance back he needs to be rostered in 10 team leagues?
Field Yates
He definitely got way more important. I don't think Philadelphia would do this just out of the goodness of their heart.
Daniel Dopp
I would agree with that.
Field Yates
This is a team that certainly is playing to win this season, playing to repeat this season. I don't think you trade away a fifth and a six round pick after week one unless you expect Tank Bigsby to be the next man up if something happens to Saquon Barkley. Now this could be kind of like what we discussed with San Francisco. Brian Robinson Jr. Would be the next man up if something happens to CMC. Yep. But it's not going to be Brian Robinson Jr. Playing 90% of the snaps. Correct. It might be 60% for him, 35 or 40% for Isaac Garendo in Philly. It might be a lot of Tank Bigsby, but as we know, he's got limitations as a pass catcher. That would be Will Shipley, maybe a touch of A.J. dillon. I don't really know exactly what A.J. dillon's future is in Philadelphia because I thought on paper he was supposed to be that power back that Tank Bigsby sort of is. But I think the much more important part here, Daniel, the other side, Jacksonville side of it. So after week one it felt like Travis ETN stock had really boosted. Right. The guy was excellent. He had 143 rushing yards amongst the leaders in the NFL in week one. That, that Derek Henry guy, you know, he's new to.
Daniel Dopp
I've heard of most people.
Field Yates
Yeah. He of course paced the NFL with nearly what, 175 rushing yards in Week 1. But one fewer back for us to be worried about is Potentially taking over for Travis etn. So ETN feels for now like the clear cut. He's going to be at least for me, ranked as a top 20 option in week two. Bashel Tutin should play a little bit more than what we saw in week one. And then don't forget that laquint Allen actually had a role for them. Laquint Allen pass catching back out of Syracuse, seventh round pick this past year. He was going to play on some of those critical third down opportunities. But I think the biggest winner in all of this clearly by far is Travis etn.
Daniel Dopp
I agree with that. And it feels like when you look at what he did in this first week it's like all right now rather than have a three headed committee because we had talked about or potentially four headed committee with the way they want to get Laquint Allen involved, which is a tough one for us in fantasy football, it at least kind of shrinks down that, that touch count a little bit to those two guys. I think that Bashal Tutin maybe in a deeper league needs to still be added as a potential insurance back in this Jaguars backfield.
Field Yates
I think yesterday though was a good day for those that did draft Bashal Tutin as a late round flyer. Right? No one's drafting Basil Tuton is like a seventh round pick. Correct. Stefania's back.
Stefania Bell
See.
Field Yates
Stefania's back. You know I saw her before the show. She was getting fired up. She had a very, very difficult loss in a league and she, I saw her take her mic and just throw.
Daniel Dopp
It on the smash.
Field Yates
Gronk spiked it. So I'm just kidding. Of course. Stefania would never do that. Nor does she ever lose.
Stefania Bell
Well, no. Oh no, I did. I lost. I'm here for the people. That's why don't take my mic away because I lost in the war room league by 0.26 fantasy points. We all sat here and had to do the math. Took us a while.
Daniel Dopp
It did take us a while.
Stefania Bell
The numbers were very close. So I am, I am here to support all of you who lost your close matchups today for Field and I.
Daniel Dopp
We just want you to know that there is no losing in life whenever we get to do a fantasy focus with you.
Stefania Bell
But I'm bum.
Field Yates
Can I put a pin in the BAAL Tootin thought yeah, let's do it. No one drafted him as like a mid round pick. You were drafting him as like 12th, 13th round. You got a step up because he step up himself in the depth chart. So if you drafted him I don't think there was any reason to be dropping Bachelor Tootin after a very, very small role in week one because you didn't draft him for his week one contributions. This, to me, was a net positive for those that have Tutin. Probably a net positive for those that have Tank Bigsby, honestly, as well, to the extent that he was being drafted, he is now, again, likely the insurance back in Philadelphia. And if something happened to etn, I think it would have been much more of a committee in Jacksonville than I think it will be. It'll be a committee to some degree in Philadelphia. But he's, to me, a more important insurance policy in Philly.
Daniel Dopp
Agreed.
Field Yates
Than he was in Jacksonville.
Daniel Dopp
I am 100% with you on that. So we're going to see how that shakes out. Yeah, yeah, It'll. It'll be a very interesting thing to see. Really quickly before we move on with the rest of the show, we want you to go check out our friends over at Trophy. Smack. Trophy smack.com. use the promo code Focus10 to be able to get a number of different things for your league at the end of the season. You can hand out a trophy, a chain, a belt, or a toilet seat, which is sitting behind me.
Field Yates
Can I have that for you?
Daniel Dopp
Want to see it?
Field Yates
I just want to. Oh, Honestly, after some of my team's performances. Just for like, 30 seconds.
Daniel Dopp
Just for 30 seconds. Use the promo code Focus over at Trophy.
Stefania Bell
I just realized that it has, like, a stain on the.
Daniel Dopp
Oh, yeah. It's not great, Stefania.
Field Yates
I just feel some of my teams, they deserve this for a little bit.
Daniel Dopp
You know what?
Stefania Bell
Hall of shame. Yeah, Your team sucks. Maybe there's a lot on there.
Daniel Dopp
Maybe when we get into the focus league recap, we'll see tacto. Yeah. I mean, it's bad.
Stefania Bell
You can't lose it.
Daniel Dopp
You don't want one of these in your house. But what you want to do is buy it for the loser of your league to keep in their house.
Field Yates
I want some of my teams that stunk up the joint one.
Daniel Dopp
It was bad.
Field Yates
No, I want them to acknowledge that they sucked.
Daniel Dopp
Well.
Stefania Bell
For you with the toilet sand.
Field Yates
Yeah. So my teams broadcast no bueno in week one. I want you to see this. I want you to wear this shame. And I want you to think about your actions and see whether or not you have mental toughness to come back.
Stefania Bell
People might like that look, though. They might be rooting for your teams to not so that you pull out the.
Field Yates
On that note, probably should.
Daniel Dopp
We're going to Assume this wasn't used as an actual toilet seat before we put it up here. Right.
Stefania Bell
That would be a real punishment. That would be legit. All right.
Daniel Dopp
All right. Well, we're going to hope that doesn't fall on me while we're doing the show because I don't know if that's back where it's supposed to belong or not. But give me a, give me a heads up if it does. Let's dive into a Monday Night Football recap.
Field Yates
Monday night.
Daniel Dopp
Monday Night Football. I love John Sutcliffe. I cannot wait to hear him do more of this. Vikings and the Bears. I'll tell you what, this felt like a tale of two halves to me. I mean more like actually tale of 3/4 and 1/4. Yeah, it was, it was an interesting one.
Field Yates
Bears have no one to blame but themselves this morning of a comedy of errors late in that game between a missed 50 yard field goal from Cairo Santos and really a botched execution at the end of the game where they really, what they had to do was put the full, the ball somewhere out of bounds on the kickoff, whether it's through the end zone or whether it is to the sideline. And they instead kicked it deep, but not deep enough. Kyro Santos, very accurate kicker amongst the weaker legs kickers in the entire NFL. It was windy last night in Chicago too, so I'm sure the Bears are waking up very frustrated with a ton of pre snap penalties on offense. They the errors at the end of the game and blowing an 11 point lead because at one point the vibes were very high after a pick six of JJ McCarthy.
Daniel Dopp
Dude. And you looked at that very first drive for the Chicago Bears and you think to yourself, holy cow, Ben Johnson has unlocked Caleb Williams. And they looked fantastic on that first drive.
Stefania Bell
And I think if you're the Bears, you go back and you look at that and if, if you're a fantasy manager who has Bears on your roster, you go back and you look at that and this is what you focus on. You don't focus on the collapse, you focus on the 10 of 10 that Caleb had this 10 straight completions. He looked, you know, I, I've heard someone say he wasn't in a, he wasn't in a rhythm. But at that, for that section, he looked like he was in a rhythm and they were executing the offense the way that they wanted to do so and he looked much more poised. What I saw was the calmness and the good decision making and it felt to me like when things changed, when they panicked that's when he reverted back to some of the bad habits.
Field Yates
Yes, indeed. Let's talk about fantasy takeaways here, Daniel, because I think if you roster Justin Jefferson and you only watch the first three games of last night, you probably three quarters last night you probably went to bed a little bit sick to your stomach. Is Justin at that point I believe had one catch for like five yards. He had the four catches, 44 yards and a touchdown. Beautiful throw from J.J. mcCarthy on that touchdown pass. You have persistently described Justin Jefferson as quarterback agnostic. Temperature check from you after what you saw from JJ last night about Justin Jefferson going forward.
Daniel Dopp
It is my. Is the. Is high good or is high high temperature good or is high temperature?
Field Yates
I mean I like the warm weather. I don't know about you.
Daniel Dopp
So I don't I say that temperature check. I'm still like vibes are still high to me. First game of the season being able to figure things out. He still got in the end zone to me. I think you saw especially as the game went on, J.J. mcCarthy became a much calmer, more poised quarterback. I love the way he utilized his legs as well. That rushing ability was really nice. But just for Justin Jefferson, I think that we're going to continue to see things will level out where he will be a higher targeted player. I'm going to chalk this up to week one. It was a really tough Bears defense to start the game and I think there was some, you know, like we said, it was figuring things out in the first half. Once we got into the second half, mostly fourth quarter, things started to open up and feel a little bit better for Justin Jefferson managers.
Field Yates
Yeah, I mean he's still going to be started in every league as he should be. He's still going to be a top six wide receiver for me in my week two rankings, which should be out later on this afternoon. But what I will say is this, I think, and I'm saying this like hopefully because I have not just J.J. mcCarthy stock, but also several Vikings pass catcher stock. I think there's a chance that that fourth quarter could unlock some things for J.J. mcCurdy. I mean, three total touchdowns, two rush, two passing and one rushing for J.J. sometimes and not all the time, but sometimes it just takes one pivotal moment to build confidence. I don't think that JJ McCarthy lacked confidence, but when you haven't played in over a year and it's your first ever NFL game, that confidence needs to be reinforced. And so my Hope is that JJ McCarthy's fourth quarter sort of the unlocking of what will be even if it's not top five quarterback upside play. That will come close to where Sam Darnold was last year, where Kirk Cousins was the year before, which was very very functional offense. Very very solid for fantasy. Maybe not elite, but solid and great for all of the pass catchers from.
Stefania Bell
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Daniel Dopp
Yeah, especially with the way that he can utilize his legs more than Kurt Cousins and I think Sam Darnold can. So I'm in on that. If there was another wide receiver Last thing, sorry. I'm so sorry. If there was another wide receiver not named Justin Jefferson that had a bunch of targets, I'd be worried. But there was no one else that dominated the target share because of that. So I'm still in on Justin Jefferson because of all those things too.
Stefania Bell
Yeah, I think talking about JJ McCarthy and his fantasy value, if you look at things that were going wrong with the offense, first of all backup left tackle in there so then and there were there were some issues there up front. The run game didn't get going for a while that Also, I think hampered J.J. mcCarthy when those things there, there was some adjustments made. And credit Kevin o'. Connell. I mean, the guy knows how to keep his quarterback calm. And they did make some adjustments in the second half that really didn't start to, you know, take hold until the fourth quarter. But what JJ McCarthy did, I think the confidence with his leg, just talking from like the injury standpoint, there was a wrap up of him that happened and I think it was at one of the times where he was relatively unprotected, that grabbed around that surgical leg and he got whipped around and taken to the ground. That hasn't happened since he had the surgery. And you know, you've had a traumatic injury and a surgery now and I think you can appreciate once something happens that stresses you in that way and you bounce up and you're okay, like, at least that element is out of the way. So you combine all those things together and I think the way they ended on a high note and listening to Justin Jefferson talk about what happened with all of them in the fourth quarter, I have every confidence that you'll see JJ McCarthy run a little bit looser, throw a little bit more freely and be able to make some of the deeper passes. I think they want to get him going with some of the shorter release passes and that, that's part of why Justin Jefferson wasn't so involved.
Daniel Dopp
I think the other side of this Vikings conversation we need to have is even though Aaron Jones scored more fantasy points by getting in the end zone, Jordan Mason looked like the better running back to me. Went out there as utilized as a running back.
Field Yates
And by the way, he nearly outrushed him 2 to 1. It was 15 carries for Jordan Mason, eight carries for Aaron Jones. You know, I know that last year was kind of the revenge of the older running backs, but I, and we have had plenty of good debates. I think Mike's hesitation is that typically when it fades, it fades faster than you expected to. Aaron Jones is going to be a useful player, but the juice was definitely noticeable in terms of the difference between him and Jordan Mason running. Jordan Mason's fresh leg showed up well last night. Aaron Jones not the same level of runner that he once was, so definitely.
Daniel Dopp
More utilized in the passing game.
Stefania Bell
But this is, this is where I'm going to go with this is what's going to happen with the running back utilization. Are we going to see more of a split? Because you're going to see Jordan Mason be the runner, like when they need to get the yards on the ground and need that explosive burst short yardage situation trying to get a first down. Is that going to be the Jordan Mason and then Aaron Jones some of those sneaky pass catches that he can make and the touchdown like that's, that's the way you're looking for Aaron Jones and it does it diffuse the fantasy value because now you're going to get more of a split.
Field Yates
Yes, I do if you ask me and this is making it probably too simple but stock up or stock down for Aaron Jones after week one. Stock down. Yeah, right. Like Mason played a lot. Jones didn't look quite as vibrant as we're used to and there's probably some positivity because he catches a nearly 30 yard touchdown. Running backs don't do that very often. So I would say that probably stock down for Aaron Jones more flex than he is starting running back in the 10 team league.
Daniel Dopp
I'm specifically upset about that because that touchdown cost me a win against our friend Matthew Berry in our dynasty. I lost by 1.2 points because of.
Field Yates
That stupid touchdown touchdown stink, man. But yeah, I would just say this is that like the offense will get better and that to me I think the offense got better in the fourth quarter to play Atlanta. That's upcoming Sunday night. The offense will definitely get better. We'll see how much of a difference that makes on the fantasy outlook of Aaron Jones.
Daniel Dopp
Can we really quickly talk about the Bears?
Field Yates
Yeah, let's rip through it.
Daniel Dopp
Running back DeAndre, we asked this question. Yeah, I think you said it yesterday going into the show. Like it doesn't really feel like there's a lot of depth behind DeAndre Swift. It was basically just the DeAndre Swift show in the Chicago backfield.
Field Yates
Yep. Got some passing game utilization. Got plenty of running utilization as well. He did not run the ball great. Super excited run the ball great. But he was an outlet for Caleb very, very frequently. So he's going to be voluminous. Well, voluminous.
Daniel Dopp
Speaking of voluminous is the proper. As a, as a long haired guy you should know the wor voluminous at this point because that's what you're. That's what you look like field.
Field Yates
Thank you.
Daniel Dopp
I think feel like the big takeaway for me was the fact that it was Roma Dun and not DJ Moore that led this team in targets.
Field Yates
Yeah. He had nine to DJ Moore's five. Moore did get three carries out of the backfield. Not like wide receiver reverses. Like he was the back.
Stefania Bell
Was the running back.
Field Yates
Yeah.
Daniel Dopp
Yeah.
Field Yates
Yes. Adun and we talked about this Plenty during the preseason. Could Roma dun outpace DJ Moore as that Bears number one wide receiver? Wouldn't totally stun me. I don't know. At the end of the game, I wasn't like, oh my gosh, we had the dethroning of DJ Moore in favor of Roma Dunes especially because there were a couple of plays where Caleb Williams had two throws to DJ Moore that if he hits either one of them and both of them, I would classify. Not for me to make, but for an NFL quarterback to make, it's pretty makeable. There's one down the left sideline. There was one.
Daniel Dopp
Oh, the point on the left sideline was beautiful. Wide open.
Field Yates
Wide open. So I think the narrative feels a little bit different. But a healthy start for Roma Dunz. Not a lot of yards per catch, just six catches for, excuse me, six receptions for 37 yards. He's going to have more big play upside than that. He has the end zone near the. Has a touchdown near the end of the game. But yeah, I mean, maybe the gap between them is narrowed a little bit, but I still would rank more ahead of room.
Daniel Dopp
Adunze when you look at these two quarterbacks, Stefania, do you. Did you leave this week one Monday Night Football game, feeling more confident in either Caleb Williams or J.J. mcCarthy?
Stefania Bell
In both, actually, I. Because of what I saw from Caleb at the outset, which was the thing that people questioned whether he'd be able to do and that was to be patient and consistent and make the throws that he needed to make. And he did that. And we know he's going to use his legs when he to. He certainly scrambled plenty. But as he panicked a little bit, I felt like in the second half, that's when the decision making went a little bit sideways. He was making some throwing some passes that were errant and that didn't need to happen. It felt rushed. Like, you know when you're watching something and you feel like your stomach is getting nervous and you're not doing the thing, you're just watching it.
Daniel Dopp
Yes.
Stefania Bell
That's how I felt watching him last night. And I think if he. When he'll go back and learn from that and they'll look at what they did well. And I'm sure, you know, Ben Johnson's no fool. Like, look, he had that offense clicking early on. So I feel better about Caleb Williams, but we're going to need to see it and I'm not going to put it all in one game. So there's that, of course. Yeah. And J.J. mcCarthy, I mean, what he showed do you know his performance wasn't just good, it was historic. He is the first player in NFL history to account for three touchdowns, pass rush, receiving in the fourth quarter of his NFL debut. I mean, it's pretty amazing. I think when you go back and you look at some of the stuff that he did and where he came from there was last night. I loved our broadcast last night for so many reasons. The sound, like, I thought the sound was epic, but it was. When they'd go to break. Did you see the facial expression of JJ McCarthy when they were coming back? I mean, he looked fierce. This is a kid who meditates before the game who does all this calming thing. And you saw, like, this fire. What I saw from him in terms of how he responded mattered almost more to me than what he actually executed on the field. That and knowing that his leg was okay and knowing that they're going to go back and it's just going to continue to get better.
Field Yates
Can I just repeat that stat? He's the first player ever to run and throw for a touchdown in the.
Daniel Dopp
Fourth quarter to have three touchdowns, rush or receiving, have three touchdowns in their debut, in the fourth quarter, in their.
Stefania Bell
Fourth quarter of their NFL debut. I got that from our ESPN research. I mean, I didn't, like, come up with that. I didn't wake up and go, you know what he did?
Field Yates
I think I have that one tracked.
Stefania Bell
I'm following that. It was so impressive. That's why I brought it to the show, because I was like this. This kid didn't just have, you know, sort of a comeback. And. And he was the first player with two passing TDs and one rushing TD in his NFL debut since Cam Newton in 2011.
Daniel Dopp
Cam Newton's pretty good.
Stefania Bell
Yeah. And he turned out okay. So I think I. I just think it was the chain. It was the fact that he hung in there. And if you're picking quarterbacks out of a lineup to say who looks like the guy who's going to be the toughest, grittiest, not get down when I'm not picking JJ McCarthy, he looks angelic and young, and he looks like Elf.
Daniel Dopp
From Lord of the Rings.
Stefania Bell
Crazy what he did. And I so impressed by it.
Daniel Dopp
This will be my final thing, but I am just kind of piggyback off of those quarterback conversations. I did not feel like the moment was too big for J.J. mcCarthy. He absolutely stepped up in his NFL debut to be able to lead his team to victory. And like you said, Field, I think that fourth quarter is going to propel them to better things moving forward. That's what you wanted. I don't think that Caleb Williams didn't meet the moment. I just feel like there is still a little. He's got this. He's got a little bit of wildness in his game, a little gunslinger, a little. He, he wants to do some of that Patrick Mahomes stuff that I see, but he's just not quite there at that point. But the dude is a competitor and I think he's going to have plenty of opportunities to get all of his pass catchers involved in this offense. I didn't leave being like, oh shoot, I'm in trouble if I drafted any of these Bears or Vikings. I think I'm in a good spot with both of them.
Field Yates
You're not really a golfer, so this, this may fall on deaf ears, but you play golf with guys and they'll be 325 off the tee, a frigging bomb at a mile down the middle. And although they'll sink a 50 foot putt and you're just like, oh my God. When the player is dialed, he's dialed the next tee shot, they might put it 325 just completely to the right. And that's with Caleb right now. Is that like all the skills are there. He's got to harness it. I thought that it was more harnessed last night than we saw it last season. Agreed. He will have to continue to harness it. He was excellent as a runner last night. His first career rushing touchdown. So I think for fantasy purposes, stock up for Caleb. He draws your Lions this upcoming week. And Ben Johnson, Johnson Bowl 1.0. Let's go to emptying out the bucket for week one.
Daniel Dopp
Let's do it. We got a couple more things we want to get to from week one. We didn't get to yesterday. We barely talked about Brian Thomas Jr. Field. You kind of mentioned it right off the top, but like we barely know why.
Stefania Bell
We barely talked about him.
Daniel Dopp
He had one catch for 11 yards. He got bailed out with a rushing touchdown, which is not something that we expected to see necessarily from Brian Thompson. Thompson, Brian Thomas's game. The one thing that is positive for me is that he still had seven targets out, targeted his teammate and Travis Hunter. But this was not the start that I wanted for the Jacksonville Jaguars and very specifically for Brian Thomas Jr. Because if you drafted him, you drafted him with a lot of draft capital.
Field Yates
Yeah, definitely not. Can we either find a way for the 49ers to trade Mac Jones back to the Jaguars or the Jaguars to trade Brian?
Stefania Bell
We definitely cannot and we will talk about that later.
Field Yates
I mean, I would take him on the 49ers, that's for sure, because him and Mack had great chemistry down the stretch last season. So it has been noted by everybody and in the entire industry that if you go look at the splits of Brian Thomas Jr. With and without Trevor Lawrence, it paints a much different picture. It was bad on Sunday as well. Trevor, I thought, missed multiple throws that were easy. Again, starting quarterback level easy. And I was disappointed by those. They got to get things going here because they did. They got a great win. And it's definitely, you know, the vibes are feeling good. They ran the heck out of the ball. But the passing offense, I think the passing offense is the reason why Liam Cohen was hired. He was hired to fix the passing offense because if you fix Trevor Lawrence, you fix the passing offense. I thought that left something to be desired. So am I totally frenetic and panicked? No. But have I gone through some of the cap machinations to figure out what it would cost to get Mac Jones back to Jacksonville? Yes, I have done that.
Daniel Dopp
You have done that because you're a sicko. Field, that's what it's all about. I mean, no big deal.
Field Yates
A lot of reasons to explain why I'm a sicko. That one of them?
Daniel Dopp
Well, it wasn't just him that had a down week. Another guy that was really tough and I have him a lot of places. If I didn't get one of the top five quarterbacks, then this is one of the guys I wanted was Bo Nix. And I would love to nix this week from my fantasy. That's a shout out to our producer Tyler, who threw that in there. But honestly, three turnovers. I mean, he played a really tough Titans defense that you could tell he was under duress almost the entire game. But two interceptions and a fumble did not help us say that one more time.
Field Yates
He played a very tough Titans defense. That to me was actually my chief takeaway.
Stefania Bell
I was just going to say that nobody saw that defense coming the way that they played. I thought. And I don't think Denver saw them coming either.
Field Yates
Yeah, I mean they were.
Stefania Bell
They played above, you know, what is that they out kicked their own coverage.
Daniel Dopp
Yes.
Field Yates
Definitely was impressed. And Cam Ward, I thought was impressive too. Not to the level that we should be starting him in fantasy, but they got to get some help or the players needed to help Cam were way too many drops for Tennessee in week one. I think both gonna be fine.
Daniel Dopp
Me too.
Field Yates
The part That, I think was most encouraging. It's gonna sound weird is he had eight carries.
Daniel Dopp
Yep.
Field Yates
Like, I thought there was a chance that as we see coaches, as these quarterbacks get older is like, hey, the running and the scrambling is cool when you're young, but ultimately we want to dial that in.
Stefania Bell
He had an old joke on Bonix, an old reference, because you were saying as quarterbacks get older, but he's really. He's barely played, but he is old.
Field Yates
Yes, Bo was a very. Yes, he was a very seasoned quarterback coming into the NFL season, but he had eight carries. Some of those not designed runs. But still, if you could get somewhere between six and eight a game from Bo Nix, the passing will get on.
Stefania Bell
Track and he moves as well. Yep.
Field Yates
And they play the Colts this weekend, so. And the Colts are potentially going to be without their number one corner, Charvarius Ward, who was in concussion protocol. So we'll see whether Bo gets back on track. I suspect it'll happen sooner than later.
Daniel Dopp
I meant to ask you this on the previous one, and I didn't, so I'm gonna ask. I'm gonna go backwards really quickly to Brian Thomas Jr. Your overreaction meter on Brian Thomas Jr. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'm at like a 1.5.
Field Yates
Wait, so, like, what's. Is it overreaction? Is it confidence? Is it concern?
Daniel Dopp
Let's say concern. Let's say concern level.
Field Yates
1 to 10. 1 being the lowest.
Daniel Dopp
1 is the lowest. 10 is the highest.
Stefania Bell
Fire in the building.
Field Yates
Yeah. I'll go two and a half.
Daniel Dopp
Two and a half. I was at one and a half. Stefania, you. Somewhere in that same range.
Stefania Bell
Yeah. Somewhere else. Split the difference. Be it two. I think I would want to go back and look, knowing that.
Field Yates
Sorry, no. We struggle with math here. So I can confirm.
Stefania Bell
I said there would be no math.
Field Yates
Two is in between. Two and a half.
Daniel Dopp
Two and a half.
Stefania Bell
Thank you.
Daniel Dopp
For.
Field Yates
Bureau has confirmed that. Yeah.
Stefania Bell
We talked about in another podcast about how Liam Cohen had addressed Trevor. Trevor Lawrence's footwork and how this is a change for him. And I think there is still part of him that is thinking through how he is delivering the ball. And I want to go back and watch it more closely because like you said, for the number of targets and the lack of efficiency. You want to see where. Where was that breakdown?
Daniel Dopp
And when we're talking about Bo Nicks, that concern meter for me is a one. Those eight carries.
Stefania Bell
Oh, yeah.
Field Yates
Is.
Daniel Dopp
Was unbelievable. If you can tell me I'm going to get that from My fantasy quarterback, knowing the wheels that he can have. And I still think he's going throw the ball a ton this year in this Sean Payton offense. Is he going to have Evan Ingram this next week?
Stefania Bell
Stefania, that is a good question. Evan Ingram, their newly acquired tight end, had three catches but also left with a calf injury in the second half. He was listed as questionable to return, but he never did make it back. Remember, his last year as a Jaguar was marred by hamstring injury that cost him four weeks early on and then torn labrum in his left shoulder and then he had season ending surgery. So on the good side, you say okay, you know, he's 31 years old, didn't use the legs as much last year because he was injured, but also it was because he was injured. Now the labrum didn't have anything to do with the calf, but he had a hamstring injury earlier. He has had some soft tissue injuries in the past. Remember it was just two years ago that he had his career best season. So you hope that it wasn't from the career best to injuries to another story. You hope that this is minor and, and we get him back and we, we get a full season of Evan Ingram because he sure looked good two years ago.
Daniel Dopp
All right, well, we got a full answering the bell segment coming up a little bit later on in the show before we talk waivers. So we will dive into some more injuries there. I gotta ask you guys about this Denver running back situation. I actually felt like what I saw from both J.K. dobbins and R.J. harvey is what I think we thought we were gonna see from the Chargers before Najee Harris got hurt. Where it's the idea of even though we're really excited about the rookie running back, do we just see the veteran right out the gate because he's the established veteran in this backfield and that's kind of what we saw in Denver. J.K. dobbins clearly had more touches and more opportunities, more snaps than RJ Harvey. Although RJ Harvey, once you saw that like 50 yard run, you're like, guys, come on, let's just unlock this rookie, right?
Field Yates
Totally. Yeah. So I mean, I mean 16 to 6 was the carry edge JK Dobbins over RJ Harvey. On top of that, JK Dobbins had two catches on two targets. RJ Harvey had just one catch on one target. So yeah, it was a clear edge for now. Now do I think there is a chance that sometime soon that flips do. But for now, J.K. dobbins kind of like how he was last.
Stefania Bell
Just about to say this feels like Chargers 2.0 and that they'll put him out and, and run him. And if, if things start to fail or if JK Dobbins gets hurt, which unfortunately for him has been a common theme, then RJ Harvey has been acclimated to grown up football. And then all of a sudden maybe they're, they're unleashing him a little bit more.
Daniel Dopp
I could see the hot hand approach, Sean Payton just being like, listen, if J.K. dobbins is crushing it, we're going to let him continue to cook. But if we need a little bit of a boost, we got this guy in the backfield that we're also really excited about. So it still feels like a committee to me. If you drafted RJ Harvey to potentially use him as a starter, I think you're still going to be waiting for a little bit longer right now. But I do believe, like you had said field, eventually we will see this backfield swap and that we will have, have R.J. harvey as the RB1 and J.K. dobbins as the kind of change of pace guy. What about in Washington? Yeah, it's a similar kind of conversation, right? Yes.
Stefania Bell
Except for more on that. You know, Austin Eckler is their pass catcher. Very clearly he's their pass catcher and he's got some utilization as a veteran that I think they're going to rely on, but carrying the ball. And why is his name Bill?
Field Yates
It's his nickname.
Daniel Dopp
Cartoon?
Field Yates
Yeah.
Stefania Bell
Oh.
Daniel Dopp
Came from a cartoon.
Stefania Bell
I needed to understand the origin of because I'm like, I don't want to be calling him Bill if it's not.
Daniel Dopp
N. There was a cartoon I guess he used to watch when he was a kid or something like that. And he. So he went by the name Bill? Yeah, it's a great question. Okay, I'm gonna look it up while you guys talk. However, it was clear that Jakore or Bill Crosby Merritt was the more vibrant running back, let's say in this backfield. Even though Austin Eckler got more opportunities.
Field Yates
And they were going by series like it was. You get a turn, you get a turn, you get a turn, you get a turn. So we'll see come Thursday night. That was a game in which Washington kind of did what it felt like doing because they were playing the Giants, who can't score points. The packers on Thursday night. Can't wait for that game, by the way. Worth noting. And it's, it's very early on in the week. But we're, you know, 40 by the time some people listen to this. 48 hours away from kickoff, Austin Eckler was on the injury report for Washington. He was estimated to be a limited participant in practice. I think I saw shoulder for Austin Eckler. So we'll track that one more if we get any, any updated information.
Stefania Bell
Also, I would just say short weeks, especially veterans, they're going to limit their reps, especially early on in the season.
Field Yates
So the good news is this is you drafted Bill Crosby Merritt again. This is like what we were talking about earlier in the show. Not about what he's going to do in week one, like Basil Tutin, but what he could become over time. And encouraging start in week one. Chris Rodriguez, who at one point, I want to say Dan Quinn talked about how, like, he could be a goal line factor. He was a healthy scratch. Jeremy McNichols, not a factor. We've gone from four backs to two in like a matter of a week. That's a good sign. Plus the fact that Merritt looked good. He had the explosive run, he had the touchdown as well. So there aren't many players who qualified as late round running back. Lottery tickets. Bill Jacore, whatever you want to call him, definitely did. And the early returns are solid.
Daniel Dopp
Yeah, so far it looks fantastic, especially with where you likely drafted him. I think he was probably the biggest riser right. As we ended our draft weekend. Like he was the big guy that really jumped up the board to be able to give value to a couple of drafts.
Stefania Bell
Well, I think because Brian Robinson Jr. Was no more on the roster, so it made a lot of sense.
Daniel Dopp
We think that there's no reason they make that trade unless they have a lot of confidence in the young rookie. Right. So speaking of having confidence, I'm going to let you guys handle this next segment. What went wrong with the Detroit Lions?
Field Yates
Can I rephrase the question?
Daniel Dopp
Sure.
Field Yates
What went right for the Lions?
Daniel Dopp
Very few. You know, the only thing that went right for the Lions was segment over. Go Stefania.
Field Yates
One sweet catch by Isaac Tesla.
Daniel Dopp
Isaac Tesla was the big thing.
Stefania Bell
He's going to be immortalized with that catch.
Daniel Dopp
Oh, my gosh. That was absolutely beautiful. The only real positive for me other than Isaac Tesla, because I could talk about that kid all day long. But at least you got bailed out by having 10 receptions for Jameer Gibbs.
Field Yates
Yeah, he made 10 catches for 31 yards, the fewest yards by any player with at least 10 catches in a game. To me, it becomes a concern if we see this for. I Think the Bears defense is pretty good. It's dominant. You know who we play after top two corners? Once again, who do you. I'm trying to check it out. Who you guys play?
Daniel Dopp
The Baltimore Ravens.
Field Yates
Okay.
Stefania Bell
Okay. I'm sorry.
Daniel Dopp
So this is not a great start.
Field Yates
We have three weeks to decide whether this, this Lions offense is a problem or not.
Daniel Dopp
Yep.
Field Yates
If they hit in either of the next two weeks, we're back on track.
Stefania Bell
Track.
Field Yates
But if it does not, then we are officially. Who do they play after the Ben Johnson stock?
Daniel Dopp
That's a great question, because I don't.
Stefania Bell
I don't know that. You know, let's see what happens in. In three weeks. But that's a tough.
Daniel Dopp
The first eight games is a tough. Is a tough row for the Detroit Lions if I'm not.
Stefania Bell
If, if you're expecting their offense to hit against the Chicago Bears, who look pretty darn good.
Daniel Dopp
So let's say.
Stefania Bell
And then the Ravens, who. Forget about it. It.
Field Yates
Well, the Ravens, as long as they're not playing Josh Allen, are pretty good on defense.
Stefania Bell
That's what I mean. Oh, I meant it that way. Like the Ravens are going to be a tough matchup, so.
Daniel Dopp
No, I was, I was saying the opposite.
Field Yates
Right. I was saying when the Ravens are playing Josh Allen, they aren't good on defense.
Stefania Bell
Right. Right.
Field Yates
So we're.
Stefania Bell
We're saying the same thing.
Daniel Dopp
I have a lot of PTSD as a Lions fan anytime we play the Ravens.
Field Yates
So let's try. But let's try to suss this out here for a second. So what I would say is this kind of the perfect storm for a really tough start for the offense.
Stefania Bell
Yep.
Field Yates
They got behind early.
Daniel Dopp
Yes.
Field Yates
The packers pass rush was. Is. Is excellent. Obviously they.
Stefania Bell
I don't know. They have this guy.
Field Yates
They now have Micah Parsons, and it was the playing at home, first game from Micah Parsons, like a week or 10 days after the trade went down. Emotions are running high like it was a little bit of a hornet's nest for the Lions to walk into. The packers came out way more ready than they did. They executed better early than the Lions did. All of a sudden, this game felt like it was out of grass within like a quarter, a quarter and a half. And sometimes what happens is teams try to get it all back in one play, try to turn a 17 point deficit into a tie game, which is quite literally impossible to do. It felt to me like the Lions pressed right away. They got away from who they are. What do the Lions want to do at their very best? They want to run the football very effectively with two players. They want to be explosive in the passing game. The opposite came to be they had zero ability to protect Jared Goff, which is why Jameer Gibbs had 10 catches for 31 yards. It was all just basically holy crap, I'm about to get sacked. I'm going to shovel it basically to Jameer Gibbs. So if the offensive line plays a whole lot better this upcoming weekend.
Daniel Dopp
Big if.
Field Yates
Yep, if. But the Bears are a different challenge than the packers, then yes, this Lions offense will get much closer to form. But other than Sam Laporta and to a degree, Jameer Gibbs like nobody was to expectation in week one. No Jamo, Amon Ra Bad bad David Montgomery, even Monty like all of it underwhelming.
Daniel Dopp
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Stefania Bell
No, why would I do that?
Daniel Dopp
Yeah, you already got your jam about your feelings, but I feel that I'm 100% with you. It just felt like one the middle of that offensive line maybe we didn't talk about quite enough for the running game. The Ryan's Lions had 44 rushing yards combined between Jameer Gibbs and David Montgomery. It was really bad. We lost Frank Rag now and all pro center. We don't have a lot of offensive line talk on this on this show. But like that's the thing I think could potentially come back and be a problem for this squad now that Graham Glasgow is under center. So we'll see how that works out. But in order to be able to play well, the Lions want to run the football well to set up play action. But you can't set up play action if your quarterback doesn't have time to be able to set up play action. I also wondered how much of this is first game for new offensive offensive coordinator John Morton. Right. Being able to figure some things out. It wasn't what I wanted to see necessarily. And I also wonder and tell me if you think this is crazy, but the Lions are one of those teams that didn't play a single starter all of preseason and week one looked like a preseason game for this starting team.
Stefania Bell
Yeah, I think there's something that's by design. That's why people like Andy Reid play their starters some because they want to work out some kings and make sure everybody is kind of in a rhythm and ready to roll. There's a who whole thing about we've talked about this relative to injuries. I don't know if we've talked about it on this show, but there is a whole thing to getting dressed, getting the uniform on, going out for pre game warm ups, doing the thing and then playing some ball before the actual first meaningful game of the season. Because there's a whole different like your body changes physically, you get adrenaline, you get crowd sounds. It may sound silly, but there's a reason why teams who believe in that believe that going through that execution is a part of number one, being ready and number two, less injuries.
Daniel Dopp
Yep.
Stefania Bell
Out of the gate.
Daniel Dopp
They have a really tough schedule. I'm just going to read it really quickly after we play Chicago this year.
Stefania Bell
Why are you doing this to yourself?
Daniel Dopp
Take on the Ravens. The Ravens, the Browns, the Bengals, the Chiefs, the Bucks, the Vikings, the Commanders and the Eagles. That's just a run of playoff teams that the Lions are going to have to. We got to get some things figured out there. And Detroit. Detroit. I'm not panicked though. My panic meter is still pretty low on this.
Field Yates
Oh, for fantasy purposes.
Daniel Dopp
For fantasy purposes.
Field Yates
Okay.
Daniel Dopp
Yeah. My real life Lions fandom is through the roof. I am absolutely panicked. But from a fantasy perspective, it's not a problem. Last thing that I wanted to throw out here as a part of dumping out the bucket. Do you guys think that we can expect more targets for Travis Kelce after a game in which he did not have either Xavier Worthy because he left after three plays and Rasheed Wright, he only after bumping targets in the entire game. If you told me there was one guy that Patrick Mahomes doesn't need to have like a conversation with of like, hey, guess what? Now we got to like turn on our chemistry charm. It would have been Travis Kelsey and we really got bailed out by that touchdown there. Concern meter on Travis Kelce after more.
Field Yates
To come throughout the week, especially if we get some level of clarity on Xavier Worthy. Andy Reid said merely they are taking it day by day. We'll talk about that with Stefania in just a minute. But I expect more targets for Travis Kelsey. I'm going to leave it there. I want to spin it forward throughout the week. But yes, I expect more opportunity and more work for Travis Kelsey. He's going to have.
Stefania Bell
There is a little he there was one that he missed and Patrick Mahomes face and I was like, ooh, I don't think I've seen that before because you.
Field Yates
It was on the goal line.
Stefania Bell
Yeah. And usually because usually, you know, like they're like money in the bank.
Field Yates
So how are we talking about Travis Kelsey differently If he goes three catches for six 55 yards and two touchdowns on six targets as opposed to just two catches for 45, 47 yards on four targets. One touchdown, four targets. It could be a little bit of a different conversation.
Daniel Dopp
Yep.
Field Yates
Yeah.
Daniel Dopp
Well, more to come on that one. Yeah, we got a lot of tight ends that unfortunately me maybe we got banged up or had some issues with. So anytime we can get solid tight end play, we just really need that right now. Stefania, let's transition this into answering the bell. We got a bunch of injury questions to be able to make sure we get set up for the waiver wire this week. So I'm going to turn the show over to you.
Stefania Bell
Where else am I going to start? You want to feel better about your Lions?
Field Yates
Sure. I love that.
Stefania Bell
Right now, let's look at my 49ers in their injury report. So we knew already that George Kittle got hurt with a hamstring injury because you saw him on the sideline in a baseball cap. We talked a little bit about this yesterday and the fact that he was getting an MRI on his hamstring. Well, the MRI reveals what how much soft tissue damage there is, how much swelling there is. That's why we do them, because it helps grade the severity of the injury. When Kyle Shanahan comes to the meeting with reporters and says it's going to be weeks that George Kittle will miss, it tells you that they saw enough between the physical exam and the imaging that they do not expect him back within a week. Now, what does weeks mean? Does it mean 2? Doesn't mean 5? This we don't know because there's a lot of gray area in terms of returning people from these injuries. But what I would say, and you know the word is recidivism. That's right. And hamstring injury injuries, the most highly recurrent soft tissue injury in the NFL. And you do not want to bring a player back too quickly, especially a player that we know in the past has pushed to come back. That's his nature. You know, they were still discussing whether they were going to place him on injured reserve, designated for return. As far as George Kittle. So if he does end up going, that there's conversations happening, Shanahan said they hadn't arrived at that point yet. But if the conversations happen, they decide to do that would be a mandatory four games. And sometimes when you have a player like George Kittle, you decide to do that a because you think it might be four and you just want to have the extra roster availability. But also it tells the player, this is the amount that we're going to miss for sure. So stay tuned on that. But it's not just George Kittle.
Daniel Dopp
No, it's not.
Stefania Bell
So we saw Juwan Jennings leave holding his shoulder. Now, as of yesterday, the MRI came back with nothing significant, but they were also doing a CAT scan and they were waiting on the results for that. Why do a CAT CAT scan, you might ask? Because that has better imaging of the bony details. So if you're thinking that there might be some damage to the shoulder on the bony aspects of it, you want to see that more in greater detail. You order a CAT scan. So waiting to hear on Juwan Jennings and then the one we didn't know was coming. Quarterback Brock Purdy.
Field Yates
Yeah.
Stefania Bell
Who has not one injury but two. He's dealing with the left shoulder. So it's his non throwing arm and a toe injury and apparently he hurt hurt his shoulder throwing that incomplete deep ball to Ricky Piersol in the first half. Now Brock Purdy is the kind of guy who he just doesn't say anything like you're not going to even know that it's bothering him. He went on, obviously finished out the game. They ended up winning it, as you may recall. I have to bring that up because you know I'm talking about all the injuries. Have to make myself feel better, something positive. So right now, Shanahan said the toe is the greater concern over the shoulder, but it's enough of a concern that they do not know if they will have him for this week's game against the Saints. If he does not play, Mac Jones will be the starter. Hence my saying don't anyone come for Mac Jones right now. We need him. He's actually looked pretty good in the preseason. The Niners signed Kendrick Bourne on Monday to a one year deal. What's old is new again. Kendrick Bourne signed as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers back in 2017, was with them several years, had workouts with the 49ers and the commanders, which makes a lot of sense. There's a lot of sympatico between 49ers and commanders and I think this just felt like the place where he could go and get reps. That's why he's out of New England. He had a minor foot injury during the preseason, but remember he is now another year removed from the ACL injury he had in 2023. So if he has volume he, he could, he could do some things for the 49ers and he may get called into action. So there's a lot and I'm sure you have thoughts on the, for, for this, for, for the tight end situation there where we know we're going to have to fulfill it. But the wide receiver might also need replacing in San Francisco.
Daniel Dopp
I'm curious, do you guys feel like this is going to be one of those situations where because of the lack of pass catchers now in this offense, at least for the time being. Is Ricky Pearsall going to get a bump up because of this or are you worried about Brock Purdy's potential health and being able to get his wide receivers involved?
Field Yates
If there's one thing about Kyle Shanahan that we know with quarterbacks, he can find a way. I mean Nick Mullins has the second most passing yards in a player's first 16 career starts in NFL history, trailing only Patrick Mahomes.
Daniel Dopp
That's incredible.
Stefania Bell
I remember that.
Daniel Dopp
How do you know that stat by the way?
Field Yates
Because it's the most random thing Collins and also illustrates that Kyle Shannon's a genius. Right? I mean like the Niners have had. Brock Purdy has been the starter to begin the season now for this is his first fourth year of of getting to that level but prior to that like they were dealing with much more of a shuffle. Obviously last year he missed some time too. But my point is that we have seen The Shanahan led 49ers deal with quarterback injuries and the offense hasn't been that much worse for the wear for fantasy. But yes Pierce all if Joanne Jennings is out stands to get a bump and Kendrick Bourne might be asked to play like third wide receiver snaps in a hurry. Wow.
Daniel Dopp
That will be. We'll see how that one shakes out once we talk about some rankings a little bit later on this week. Stefania, another wide receiver that I think a lot of us have a lot of investment in this year, Xavier Worthy. We talked about him for a little bit before the earlier in the show. Do you have any updates on what we should expect with him?
Stefania Bell
Well, just Andy Reid's wording was that he's rehabbing and we're taking it day by day and we'll see as the week progresses. Now we know that he dislocated his left shoulder. That's been reported. Yep. And just for reference, just little thing of mine like he doesn't still have a dislocated shoulder. Ask Field what it feels like when your shoulder is out. Yeah, it does not feel good.
Field Yates
It does not feel good. It was pain in my life and.
Stefania Bell
Then the thing you want done is you want it relocated. So once they put the shoulder back in place, the issues are pain, swelling, stiffness, you lose your range of motion, you lose the strength of the muscles around the shoulder girdle and in essence since as a wide receiver what do you need? You need great range of motion because you need to be able to get your Arm up overhead and reach and stretch and land on it in order to be able to catch passes. So the idea, Let me ask you, field, do you think you would have been ready to play football a week later?
Field Yates
Ready to play football? I mean, there are a lot of reasons why I wouldn't be. The only thing I will say is, and this is going to sound a little bit weird, I'm not trying to put myself in the doctor's shoes, but I just was recalling this because two days from right now is the one year mark from when I had surgery last year. And so I was looking through photos recently to be like, like, did I take like a goofy like selfie before surgery? Like, here we go. I looked back at photos taken like just prior to that and there was one where like my hand was above my head. And I remember that, like I was out and about a little bit after the shoulder was relocated and prior to surgery. And people are like, dude, what do you mean you tore your labrum. Like, you look like you're totally normal right now. So it was disarming because you know that a significant thing is about to take place to your body in the meantime. Until that point happened, you didn't feel that much differently. So do I think it'll happen within a week? No. But if he goes for the non surgical option, I know nothing. But do I understand why it's possible he could be back in a month? I do, yeah.
Stefania Bell
Oh, no. He could be back and he could be back sooner than a month, depending how his shoulder feels. They will give him a harness to.
Field Yates
Where, but within a week I'd be like that.
Stefania Bell
Yeah. That's why the reason I say in a week because, you know, I've heard people saying, well, is do you think he'll play this week? I'm like, no. Now he hasn't been ruled out, but it's. And players can feel really good. Like you said, you feel good once it's sort of back in position, like, oh, it's not that bad. But then you try and get your arm away from your body and it starts feeling apprehensive, like maybe it's going to come out again and a problem. So the harness is an option if he does not go the surgical route. Now there it depends on the extent of damage and a number of things to why they decide whether to go for surgery or not. Or you start trying to do things, you find you can't. Maybe you need surgery. But if you do go the conservative route, you just go physical therapy. I'm going to wear a harness. Just imagine trying to be a wide receiver wearing a harness that is meant to keep you from taking your arm too far away from your body.
Field Yates
Yeah.
Stefania Bell
And that comes to the fantasy element of it, of if he decides to play, how effective will he be? So there are really two considerations. It's not just does Xavier Worthy come back into the lineup, it's does he come back and what does he look like if he does?
Daniel Dopp
Sure. I got a couple of names to give you guys on the waiver wire, but I'm going to save those. Stefania let you finish the answering the bell segment and then I'll jump into some options to potentially replace.
Field Yates
We got to get these.
Stefania Bell
Yeah, yeah, I know. Well, listen, those were the. Those were the big injury things. Brock Bowers, we already said that he felt like he could have gone back out there as far as the knee issue. So there's not really anything that has been updated there. Just watch practice reports.
Field Yates
They started on Thursday because they played Monday night.
Stefania Bell
Yes. And then Drake London landed hard on his shoulder. They're calling it a shoulder sprain. Again, it's really a matter of functionality. If it's a mild injury, there's a possibility that he could be back out there next week. Again. It's really about what he's able to do over the course of the week. Week.
Daniel Dopp
Okay, then let's dive into the week one waiver wire. Now that we know a couple people we need to replace, I'm going to give you guys a bunch of names to be able to consider here. The very first one is going to be under the category 5 pickups of Big fantasy point storms ahead. And I got to start, unfortunately with this Xavier Worthy conversation. We got to talk about Hollywood Brown. Hollywood Brown took over that Xavier worthy role. Saw 16 targets, had 10 catches for 99 yards, and after missing a major portion of 2024, he fit right in here in 2025. Picking up the bill when Xavier Worthy left. I think that he is going to be a flex option for fantasy managers that need to be able to replace Xavier Worthy. Another guy that I think needs to be added, Quinn. Sean Judkins had some really serious off the field issues earlier this offseason. Still think an NFL suspension is potentially in play at some point. But he has signed with the Cleveland Browns and he will absolutely be the future lead back of this squad. Not just in the future of 2026 and 2027, but here in 2025. I will have him run. Ranked close to being a top 25 running back with upside to be an RB2 once he is fully in the mix. But we got some things to be able to see how he's going to work out here in week two. But he is absolutely worth adding because he will be the future number one running back of this squad. I also like his backfield mate Dylan Sampson. 20 touches in week one field. You mentioned the way that Jerome Ford had to take a significant pay cut to stay with this team. It felt like the Cleveland Browns knew we are going to draft the future of our backfield here in this 2025 draft class and it was Quinton Judkins and Dylan Sampson. He wasn't super efficient on the ground, right? 12 carries for 29 yards but eight receptions for 64 yards. And that passing game work is what we're after here in a fantasy points, excuse me, points per reception league. So I'm in on him as well. And the last one that I need to consider is an insurance running back. Not someone I think is going to give you fantasy points necessarily right out the gate but at some point will be very valuable. And that is Trey Benson. He's going to be the insurance back to James Conner. We saw him have eight carries for 69 yards. He showcased that big playability on that 52 yard sweep around the edge. So love that as well. Not a starter but needs to be on benches. Those are the three, four people that I believe are must ads in 10 team leagues.
Field Yates
Push back on one thing.
Daniel Dopp
Yeah, go ahead.
Field Yates
Not push back but just sort of note something. Honestly doesn't really feel like Trey Benson is even like a must have. Like I think this is a sign of just how poor the waiver wire is this week.
Daniel Dopp
I am 100% winning is like you.
Field Yates
Had to choose the best guys. Feel as far as like you know, top four, week one waiver, I guess running back.
Daniel Dopp
He's an as an insurance back he needs to be on rosters. I don't think he's necessarily going to get you big fantasy points here in week two, but if anything happens with James Connor, you saw the ability that he has. But it is not something that some.
Field Yates
Of the guys you had in the past like Puka nukua, you have one, you're like crap, the guy had 15 targets. Sign me up.
Daniel Dopp
Yeah, that is not the waiver wire here in week one for no. All right. This next one is partly sunny with a chance of fantasy points. These are players that I would consider in potentially 12 team or deeper leagues. Cedric Tillman was on the field A ton more snaps than Jerry Judy. They both ran the same number of routes, both had eight targets, both had five receptions. Judy got more receiving yards but Cedric Tillman got in the end zone. I think that he's someone needs to be added if you're looking for a wide receiver, especially if you're dealing with with that Xavier Worthy situation. Kayshawn Booty trying to figure this one out. Nine targets, six receptions for 103 yards. A reminder Stefan Diggs was on a snap count, right? He wasn't out there playing a full game and Stefan Diggs still was involved as expected. But you love being able to see this from Kayshawn Booty. Like we were wondering who's going to be the number two wide receiver in this squad behind Stefan Diggs and I think Kayshawn Booty is that guy. He's going to be the Pats wide receiver too and should be on benches just to see see what that situation can develop into. I also think Quinton Johnston, again these names are not super great on the waiver wire but this is where we're at. It's week one. Quentin Johnston, five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns. More fantasy points than both of his teammates, KEENAN Allen and Lad McConkey. It was because he got two touchdowns. But I do believe that this can be an offense that can support three wide receivers and if either Lad or Keenan Allen get hurt, it feels like Quinton Johnston is going to be a part of the that I think he is worth an ad given what that relevant role could be. Okay, I've also got juju Smith Schuster and Tyquan Thornton, the other guys in this chief's backfield. JuJu Smith Schuster. I know this is that's going to be a tough one.
Stefania Bell
Like yeah, his name came up.
Daniel Dopp
JuJu Smith Schuster had five targets, five catches for 55 yards. Love to be able to see that. He's kind of like that short yardage, like that safety valve kind of guy. 5 for 5 for 55. You love being able to have that. So juju smarter could probably be the floor play if that's what you need. Tyquan Thornton, he's going to be that deep shot. He's going to be that home run option for you. Four targets, two catches for 41 yards. Mahomes almost had him a few times on a couple of deep shots and just overthrew him. But that 26. I know this is not always our favorite stat field but he had 26.75 air yards per target. That was first amongst all wide receivers in the NFL.
Field Yates
I just am less of an air yards guy.
Daniel Dopp
I hear that. I hear that. It was just, it's showcasing the ability that if there's going to be a deep threat, it seems like Tyquan Thornton is going to be Thornton because there's an N in there. I always, I got to make sure I get the N in there. He's going to be that guy. He'll be a boom bust option if you need to swing big off of that Chiefs offense. And the last one, we already talked about this, but it's Bashel Tutin. I think BAAL Tooton needs to be.
Stefania Bell
Added nickname Rootin Tootin.
Daniel Dopp
I'm in on that. Yeah, Rootin Tootin. Bashal Tutin is one of those guys that I feel like needs to be added. He's going to be an insurance back now that Tanks Bigsby is gone. Obviously it feels like Travis ETN is going to be the number one guy with how the stock has been sent. Stock has been trending up after that big week one, but Bashel Tutin is going to be the number two in that offense. All right, couple more really quickly because we did have some tight ends. Stefania, George Kittle, we are expecting to have to replace him probably in our fantasy lineup. So lightning in the distance, this is your George Kittle or potential Evan Ingram replacements. Again, this is not a great list of names, but if you need somebody. Juan Johnson had 11 targets, led the Saints in catches and yards. He had eight for 76. You know what? He doesn't feel he's not sexy. And this offense doesn't feel great. But doesn't it feel like the Saints are going to be losing most games and they're going to have to throw the ball a ton and because of that, Joanne Johnson can be involved.
Field Yates
So he played 99%.
Daniel Dopp
He played a bunch of the snapshots.
Field Yates
Sure.
Daniel Dopp
The other guy that I like that also played over 90% of the snaps, Hunter, Hunter Henry. In this, you know, Patriots offense, he's one of those guys that we kind of throw to every year.
Stefania Bell
Not exciting, but solid.
Daniel Dopp
If I find out also that there's going to be no Darnell Mooney, I would be more in on Kyle Pitts in week two than I was in week one, which you saw from him. Week two was not bad. Eight targets, seven receptions for 59 yards. The other passing game options are not super elite there with those guys. Casey Washington, Ray Ray McLeod, Kaderel Hodge.
Field Yates
Yeah. And by the way, it's not just Mooney as Stefania said it's Drake London. Drake London. Who's least banged up? We'll see may play. But he's at 100%, so I think.
Daniel Dopp
He'S at least a consideration. And I can't not mention Harold Fannin Jr. Just because he played so well. David and Joku still seems like the number one tight end there. I'm not sure why Harold Fannin Jr got so much run, but he's at least someone that you need to keep an eye on or make sure that you know their name heading into the rest of the season.
Stefania Bell
You don't have Jake Tonjas on your list?
Daniel Dopp
I did not have Jake Tonjas on my list. I'm really sorry about that.
Stefania Bell
That's okay. That's quite all right. I just A little shout out to, you know, a little love for the 49ers game for us.
Field Yates
Yeah, totally.
Daniel Dopp
And I don't really need to talk about quarterbacks yet. A couple quarterbacks. Obviously you consider I'm still in on on Trevor Lawrence after one week. I want to see what this Liam Cohen offense could be, but we don't. We're not really at a spot where we need him. Daniel Jones looked fantastic if you want to think about a streamer in future weeks.
Field Yates
But let's put it this way. On Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones will be a priority waiver wire ad if he does it again against the Broncos.
Daniel Dopp
I would agree with that.
Field Yates
The test is just a little bit different between the Broncos and the Dolphins that we saw in Week one. If he gets the job done again on Sunday. Sunday who, baby? All the conversations change.
Stefania Bell
I do have to say it was good to see him smile, man. I saw him on television yesterday and just smiling and I was like, you know, that just warms my heart, you know. Good for him. Enjoy it.
Daniel Dopp
Lot of names for the waiver wire. Not a lot of names. I feel a lot of confidence about though. Not a lot of conviction here. Yeah, some week ones like you said, we have some like bigger week ones where we're excited specifically to go out and add someone. Honestly, the. The two big ones for me right now probably just feel like quin on Judkins because he will have a role at some point and running back is as thin as it is and Hollywood Brown for the next couple weeks. If he's going to continue to play this role of Xavier Worthy in this offense, then I think he would probably be the other priority at for me.
Field Yates
Here on Dylan Sampson as well. I think that, you know, Judkins could also face a suspension.
Daniel Dopp
Yeah we'll see how that works out. That which is why Dylan Sampson made this because if he misses some time, it seems like the Browns are absolutely going to lean on this young rookie.
Field Yates
Yep.
Daniel Dopp
So that's going to be the waiver wire here in week one. Anything you guys want to close the show out with before we end it and turn the pace to week two tomorrow when Mike Field and I are back here talking rankings. Anything else you want to add?
Stefania Bell
Now, nobody can get hurt today because his players stay off.
Daniel Dopp
That's right. Hey, love that.
Stefania Bell
So I'm feeling good.
Daniel Dopp
All right, that's going to do it for us today. Thanks for hanging out with us here on this Tuesday. Make sure you get your waiver claims in. Go back and listen to Stefania segments. Stefania, do you have anything else that you put out on this injury?
Stefania Bell
I just. We have a buzz file where they're scrolling updates and I've written some things that go in there and they're already in there. More detail about the injuries and I will keep it updated.
Field Yates
Love that.
Daniel Dopp
All right, so go ch out the buzz file for the latest on all the injury updates from Stefania. But that's going to do it for us today. Don't forget to love each other, be kind to yourself, and we can't wait to see you back here on Wednesday.
Field Yates
See ya. You've seen the headlines, heard the debates.
Stefania Bell
The three point ball has created a monotonous rhythm to the game.
Field Yates
Has the three pointer ruined basketball? And how did we get here? The rise of the three point shot can be partially traced to an eccentric Kansas genius named Martin Manson, whose story didn't turn out quite the way he imagined. I decided I wanted to have one.
Daniel Dopp
Of the most organized goodbyes in history.
Field Yates
30 for 30 podcast presents Chasing Basketball Heaven. Available now wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode: The BEST Waiver Adds Ahead of Week 2
Date: September 9, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates, Stefania Bell, Daniel Dopp (with mentions of Mike Clay off-air)
Theme:
The hosts break down key reactions to NFL Week 1, analyze major waiver wire priorities for fantasy football heading into Week 2, and provide injury updates with implications for fantasy managers. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of not overreacting to early season results while finding value among widely available players.
The team kicks off the first major waiver wire show of the 2025 season, blending week one overreactions with critical injury analysis and actionable advice. They stress measured responses to surprising players and situations, and help listeners distinguish between trends to act on and those to ignore. The show features a spirited Monday Night Football recap (Vikings vs Bears), thorough waiver wire rankings, and Stefania’s in-depth medical perspective on key injuries.
“Category 5” Must Adds (10-team leagues):
Hollywood Brown (Chiefs WR): Stepped into Xavier Worthy’s role; 16 targets, 10/99. Clear top waiver add, flex-worthy until Worthy returns.
Quinshon Judkins (Browns RB): Immediate and future RB1 potential, especially if legal issues clear; “top 25 RB upside” upon full activation.
Dylan Sampson (Browns RB): Valuable in passing game (8 rec for 64 yards); worth rostering in all formats, especially if Judkins faces a suspension.
Trey Benson (Cardinals RB): Excellent insurance stash behind James Conner after big-play flashes (8/69).
Deeper Options: (“Partly Sunny with a Chance of Fantasy Points” – 12-team leagues+)
Tight End Streamers (Kittle/E. Engram replacements):
Quarterbacks:
The hosts keep the atmosphere light, self-deprecating, and listener-focused while delivering actionable advice and friendly debate. Stefania delivers medical breakdowns in layman's terms, Field provides statistics and “calm down” reminders, and Daniel keeps the mood lively and accessible for all listeners.
“Don’t forget to love each other, be kind to yourself, and we can’t wait to see you back here on Wednesday.” – Daniel Dopp (65:14)