Week 1 From A to Z: The Gut Check No.687

Week 1 is in the books, and Matt Waldman shares notes, clips, and fantasy advice.

Matt Waldman's Week 1 From A to Z: The Gut Check No.687 Matt Waldman Published 09/16/2026

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Week 1

Week 1: Yeah, That Just Happened...

Week 1 is loaded with intel, but it hits you like a truck. You feel the impact of it all at once, so digging deep into one player or a single unit often feels too reactive. Instead, I'm sharing briefer thoughts and advice to consider. 

(A)rizona Won't Be Starting Carson Beck for a While

Jacoby Brissett's Week 1 performance justified why the Cardinals signed Brissett to a one-year guaranteed deal. He spread the ball around and showed good placement that you only see with top starters or starters possessing strong rapport with their elite weaponry. 

The surprising, but not-so-surprising Week 1 revelation was the quick-hitting adjustments to veteran Kendrick Bourne in the slot. Bourne's NFL experience was on display, pacing the wide receiver corps. He may not lead Cardinals' receivers every week like he did in Week 1, but he could have a fantasy WR3 ceiling this year. His experience in the Kyle Shanahan and Josh McDaniels systems makes him a valuable option in the middle of the field. 

(B)rown-Out Week 1

A.J. Brown's exit to IR is a sizable concern after the Patriots completely botched how they handled Kayshon Boutte. For years, New England could only draft slot receivers with any on-field value in an offense. Then, they signed Boutte as a UDFA -- an excellent slot-flanker type -- and stuck him at split end (the X). 

It was like asking a fox to play the role of a cheetah. Still, Boutte was an excellent prospect at LSU who dropped out of the draft due to gambling concerns and injury. Boutte not only survived his first year, he worked his way into a starting role and thrived as the cheetah. 

Instead of keeping a receiver who possessed excellent rapport with Drake Maye and replacing DeMario Douglas in the slot, or moving Brown to a slot-flanker role, or doing anything that showed foresight to maintain strong depth, the Patriots traded their second-best passing-down weapon only to watch A.J. Brown exit in Week 1 to IR. 

Kyle Williams might prove he's ready, but he's a boom-bust option still displaying trouble with the drops. Romeo Doubs? Same issue. 

Even when Brown returns, I'm wondering if what he does best is what Drake Maye won't do. This backside dig is Brown's signature route. While I soft-pedaled the idea that Maye didn't have time to make this throw, it's not true. 

I've seen even the likes of Bryce Young or Daniel Jones side-step this pressure to their left, re-set, and fire to the open lane. Maye can move, but he doesn't move intelligently and efficiently with certain pressure looks. Even Jaxson Dart showed this against the Cowboys, although the throw wasn't accurate. 

I'm concerned the Patriots made the wrong "all-in" move and that we'll see Drake Maye's fantasy value regress to figures closer to his rookie year (14-17 points per game) than his second season, when he delivered nearly 21 points per game. 

(C)olts Offense Won't Rebound

I showed this clip in this week's Top 10, but it's worth another look when we look at Week 1 in its totality.

This was the only boundary-side throw to the opposite field in Week 1 that I saw him attempt. If Jones can prove he can step into a throw and deliver it with a low trajectory and high velocity, at least at this distance, we'll see defenses forced to play the entire field against him. 

If not, opponents will shrink the field and pressure Jones with abandon. Jones is tough, but he's not the most adept against heavy pressure, especially when regaining his short-area explosion is still likely a year away. 

It means neither Alec Pierce nor Josh Downs will get quality deep shots as often, and opponents will risk letting Jones try to throw the ball over their heads. They'll play tight to the line and continue removing Tyler Warren's on-field relevancy in the short game as the Ravens did in Week 1. 

Warren's blocking has always been an overrated part of his game. His technique was sloppy at Penn State, and analysts overrated him due to physicality. 

I'd sell Warren, Jones, and Pierce in that order. I'd consider holding onto Pierce in case Jones' game degenerates further and we get the Anthony Richardson Sr. wild card option. I'd hold onto Downs for another 1-2 weeks. Jonathan Taylor is the Bijan Robinson of the AFC -- still good despite lacking a quarterback. 

(D)errick Henry Week 1 Testimonial

The age is scarier on a spreadsheet than turf. Henry's Week 1 performance also validated how nutrition is important.

Losing Patrick Ricard and Isaiah Likely seemed big, but it might be a wash in the running game with Durham Smythe and Matt Hibner replacing them and Lamar Jackson working under center instead of gun or Pistol. Likely isn't a great blocker, whereas Smythe and Hibner give you two steady options versus two extremes. 

Having a power back work downhill with the quarterback under center also makes it easier for the back to read the line of scrimmage. 

Buy, buy, buy. 

(E)van Engram Rebound?

Considering his Week 1, and the ease that you can stream tight ends during the opening weeks of a fantasy season, I'd consider it. I was already publicly considering it in my preseason rankings because of the spacing issues Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, and Pat Bryant present to a defense. 

When an opposite defense gets too wrapped up in one of these players -- mostly Waddle and Sutton -- it leads to mismatches and coverage mistakes. 

This was how I thought Engram would benefit. It's just Week 1, but it's also just a TE on the waiver wire with a healthy ceiling if you need it. 

(F)alcons You Should Start: Bijan Robinson and No One Else

At least not until they find a healthy, competent quarterback. Jack Strand, you say? Sure, let's wishcast a Kurt Warner phenomenon for an Atlanta squad with a good line, a standout big slot and tight end, and a scrappy defense. 

Put Bryce Young on this team, and the Falcons are a playoff squad. Strand isn't ready. He's intriguing, but let's give him time. 

(G)oedert Has a Career Year: Week 1 Testimonial

Philadelphia needs him without A.J. Brown. Dontayvion Wicks remains intriguing in my scouting brain even if the fantasy community has given up on him. Hollywood Brown? Nah. Makai Lemon? Maybe. 

The only definite answer as a complement to DeVonta Smith is Goedert. Week 1 is a sign, not a rarity.

(H)unter Henry Paying It Forward

When Hunter Henry was a rookie, he saw a lot of work in 12 personnel in the red zone with Antonio Gates drawing all the attention. Henry scored eight touchdowns as the wide-open option slipping by overzealous defenders. 

In Week 1, Henry drew the red-zone attention and rookie Eli Raridon was the beneficiary

Henry is no Antonio Gates, but he might be the most reliable weapon in the passing game the Patriots have with A.J. Brown on IR. Look for Raridon to get cheap red-zone points that could help you if you're desperate for a tight end. Maybe Raridon even catches an occasional sail route -- Maye throws those well. 

(I)f I Told You The Bears Would Score 59 Points in Week 1 And...

Colston Loveland posted a goose egg, you would have called me a liar if you didn't see it in the box score. Caleb Williams went 21-for-29 in the game and had two throwaways. I think 2-3 of the passes he missed were intended for Loveland. 

Still, the fact that the Bears delivered this point total without Loveland being a receiving factor and without a 100-yard game from any receiver will terrify the league. 

Don't you dare drop or trade Loveland. 

(J)ahmyr Gibbs Will Get a Christian McCaffrey Workload

Bob Harris said it on two podcasts in two days with me, referencing long-time beat writer Tim Twentyman's preseason analysis that the public had no idea just how big the workload would be. The public worries about workload when the back is under 215 pounds. 

Week 1 reinforces the fact that Gibbs understands how to play physical football. Just like Jamaal Charles and other smaller explosive backs, winning in the trenches or against contact and remaining healthy is about initiating the hit. 

The energy transfer is more impactful on the defender when the runner hits first with good technique. 

This doesn't look like an ideal hit, but the pads made first contact and the head was down. Congratulations on getting a top-three fantasy option. 

(K)endrick Bourne's Role

Bourne can play all three positions on the field. Week 1, Bourne earned a lot of this work from the slot. 

It makes him a reasonable bye-week WR3/WR4 in fantasy leagues right now if you're in need. If one of Marvin Harrison Jr. or Michael Wilson misses time? Bourne could become a weekly WR3/WR4. 

(L)ove Was Exciting in Week 1, But A Work In Progress

Jeremiyah Love could hold down a starting role in Arizona if needed this year, but Tyler Allgeier brings something to the backfield Love lacks: decision-making maturity. 

Love has the same Itis that Reggie Bush possessed early in his career: Big Play Itis. Love was bouncing everything unnecessarily in practices and camp. While this run warrants it below, his current go-to is trying to outrun the defense to the perimeter. 

You're going to get big plays this year from Love, but without an injury, look for Love to be TreVeyon Henderson to Allgeier's Rhamondre Stevenson.

(M)arvin Harrison Jr.'s Wheelhouse

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Tags:
strategy Matt Waldman the gut check week 2 fantasy football AJ Brown Drake Maye Jacoby Brissett Colts Offense jonathan brooks Bryce Young Brock Purdy Saquon Barkley Zay Flowers Jalen Coker Roman Wilson DK Metcalf Deebo Samuel Jameson Williams Jahmyr Gibbs Eli Raridon Kendrick Bourne Jeremiyah Love Omarion Hampton Evan Engram Marvin Harrison
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