Fantasy Forum: Ask Brad
Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shocker special); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders
| Start pct. | 36% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Patriots |
| BetMGM line | NE -2.5 |
| BetMGM total | 43.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | 8.9 fpts |
Next to revenge, money is the greatest motivator in human existence.
Stiff armed in his open desire to fuel a trade in the eleventh hour of the Preseason, Meyers enters into his final contract year with Las Vegas with thoughts of scoring a jackpot traversing the mind.
Pete Carroll's primary slot man is worth the lever pull. Last season in a more dire situation, he churned out a top-20 PPR line among WRs despite the shoddy QB play of Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew. He also ranked appreciably in multiple advanced analytics, including contested catch rate (WR18), total route wins (WR2) and expected points added (WR21). Generating consistent separation, he's one of most reliable and under-appreciated producers in the game -- whether in reality or the virtual world.
Squaring off against his former employer, Meyers, who suited up for the Pats from 2019-2022, likely pinned a motivational note on his bulletin board. Most often likely to clash with Marcus Jones in coverage, he could wind a profitable path on Sunday. Last year, Jones conceded an unimpressive 60.3% catch rate to his assignments. Overall, he checked in at a bland No. 48 in pass coverage grade per PFF. Sound the damn sirens.
Tacking on, Geno Smith finished 2024 QB8 in adjusted completion percentage. His general accuracy combined with Meyers' route savvy should lead to consistent connections.
Get your bag, Jakobi.
Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 66 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.1 fantasy points
Week 1 Bonus WR Flame
Matthew Golden, Packers
| Start pct. | 18% |
| Matchup | vs. Lions |
| BetAlytics proj. | 9.1 fpts |
The positivity gushing from this writer's pours about the Packers rookie is SpongeBob like. Downsides? What downsides?!?!
As spewed here and really everywhere, the rosy feelings about Green Bay's precious metal are completely warranted. In August, this BetMGM Tonight radio host interviewed several reporters who attended Packers camp. Their primary takeaway: Golden was the most impressive player, period. Heck his own quarterback, Jordan Love, labeled him "a stud."
Blessed with toupee-displacing speed, soft mitts and route versatility, Golden is unquestionably Matt LaFleur's deadliest and healthiest weapon. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks have fought through various ailments while Jayden Reed is currently dealing with a painful Jones fracture. With that in mind, the youngster attracting upwards of 25% of the team target share starting Week 1 feels like a foregone conclusion.
His opening week matchup is equally encouraging. Yes, Detroit's secondary is one of the best in the NFL, but it's not without weak links. Golden's projected primary assignment, CB Terrion Arnold, ranked No. 111 in pass coverage grade on Pro Football Focus last year. As a collective the Lions slotted No. 6 in pass EPA D in '24, but it had visible imperfections.
Golden gained steam in late fantasy drafts. However, it's clear many managers have a wait-and-see approach with the first-year wideout. Don't be a coward. Consider him a top-30 WR play straight away.
Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 68 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.8 fantasy points
Week 1 TE Flame
Ja'Tavion Sanders, Panthers
| Start pct. | <1% |
| Matchup | at Jaguars |
| BetAlytics proj. | 1.2 fpts |
This selection may seem as laughable as that out-of-sorts leaguemate who accidentally picked Brian Robinson instead of Bijan Robinson at No. 1 overall, but those who vehemently disagree are the ones presumably shooting the silly sauce.
The reportedly much improved pass catcher could be one of the most sought after deep-league waiver priorities after Week 1. In a game with scoreboard-smoking appeal and with Jalen Coker unavailable (quad), Sanders has sound odds of becoming a featured dirty worker between the hashmarks.
The former Longhorn's surface numbers (33-342-1) last year weren't anything to write home about. However, he finished No. 1 among all tight ends in average yards of separation per target (2.56), No. 4 in contested catch rate and No. 7 in explosive rating. Those advanced measurements clearly show he possesses deadly qualities operating downfield.
Jacksonville finished inside the top-10 in most fantasy points allowed to TEs a season ago. However, that was under an entirely different coaching staff. Still under new DC Anthony Campanile, wrangling oversized targets could remain an area of vulnerability. Keep in mind, the Jags were No. 26 in dropback success rate D in '24.
Admittedly this is a stab in the dark, but there's believable path for Sanders make a Week 1 splash.
Fearless Forecast: 3 reception, 36 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 11.1 fantasy points