Fantasy Sports

Fantasy managers were surely hoping for more than four “opportunities,” but no one can accuse Worthy of not making the most of them. The No. 28 overall pick was cannon shot on his 21-yard jet sweep touchdown in the first quarter. He was somehow left uncovered on his 35-yard score in the fourth quarter. It was a coverage bust, but that will be part of Worthy’s game — he’ll make you pay if you uncork the wrong coverage. Although he will undoubtedly be feast or famine, especially once Hollywood Brown returns, Worthy has already proven his WR4 bonafides and could quickly crash the WR3 ranks.

Mahomes averaged 10.4 yards per attempt, which would have been his highest in any 2023-24 contest, including the postseason. It wasn’t quite the return of anything goes down-field Mahomes, but he didn’t miss electric rookie Xavier Worthy on a freebie 35-yard touchdown. He also worked some of his freelance magic with Travis Kelce. Like last season, Mahomes relentlessly targeted Rashee Rice over the middle of the field. With Worthy showing off his world-class jets on a pair of scores and Hollywood Brown (shoulder) a week or two away from a return, it certainly seems like Mahomes will have more than one 10-plus YPA performance this season. The Bengals are on tap for Week 2.

This one is as bad as it looks, as Andrews got soundly out-produced by his position group mate Isaiah Likely, who posted new career highs in receptions (nine) and yards (111). Likely also gathered momentum as the game went on, clearly becoming Lamar Jackson’s first read. Pro Football Focus’ Nathan Jahnke charted Likely as overtaking Andrews in 11 personnel as the Ravens got deeper into the second half. For his part, Andrews fell down on what should have a long gain in the fourth quarter. It’s just one game that might say more about Likely than Andrews, but you’re allowed to be concerned. Andrews will still obviously remain a high-end TE1 for Week 2 against the Raiders as we let more data points roll in. This might be the rare offense where two pass-catching tight ends are fantasy viable.

It was a thoroughly sluggish Ravens debut for the Big Dog, who capped Baltimore’s marathon opening drive with a five-yard score and was then barely heard from again. It wasn’t all Henry’s fault, as the Ravens’ line couldn’t block or even line up right, while Baltimore spent almost the entire game in trail mode, leading to an avalanche of third-down snaps for Justice Hill. It wasn’t what we wanted to see, but the only thing Henry could need is improved Week 2 game script against the Raiders to get back on track.

The 100-yard effort was the third of Rice’s momentum-gathering career. Clearly the Chiefs’ No. 1 target, Rice’s nine looks were five more than any other pass catcher. He unsurprisingly feasted over the middle of the field, but also popped up along the sideline a time or two. Rice’s off-the-field issues remain a wild card for the remainder of 2024, but there’s been little indication a suspension is coming this season. Playing a different game than Xavier Worthy or a rehabbing Hollywood Brown, Rice should be considered a safe WR2 ahead of Week 2 vs. the Bengals.

Putting Mark Andrews on something of a milk carton, Likely was surprisingly the Ravens’ most-targeted pass catcher. Both his nine receptions and 111 yards were new career highs. He entered the evening with just one previous 100-yard effort. Astoundingly, his night was almost much bigger, but an inaccurate Lamar Jackson missed him on a back-corner touchdown throw with time running out. Likely did corral the game-tying or winning score moments later only to be ruled out of bounds by a shoe tip. For the TD the duo connected on, Jackson escaped the pocket and found a freelancing Likely, who provided a winding 49-yard YAC job. There will be much hand-wringing and consternation over Likely and Andrews’ usage vis a vis each other, but the one thing we know for sure is that Likely needs to be 100 percent rostered ahead of Week 2 against the Raiders. There’s a chance this goes down his best game of the season, but you don’t need us to tell you Likely is looking like a critical part of this offense.

Jackson also lost a fumble inside his own 20-yard line. This one contained multitudes, as Jackson — who was looking noticeably svelte, as promised — was continually thwarted by poor offensive line play and some “what might have been throws” from himself. That includes multiple missed connections on what was agonizingly close to being the game-tying or winning drive with time running out in the fourth quarter. The story of the game, beyond LT Ronnie Stanley’s constant illegal formation penalties, was Jackson’s 9/111/1 connection with Isaiah Likely and comparative struggle to connect with Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers. Jackson missed Flowers on what should have been a layup score on the aforementioned final drive, and also missed Likely on several critical throws. On the other hand, Jackson employed his skinnier frame as expected with his 122 yards rushing being the third most of his increasingly illustrious career. There is so much to clean up here, but the Ravens and Jackson were still ultimately a Likely shoe tip away from potentially pulling off a stunning road upset (the Ravens had planned to go for two). Jackson now has 10 days to rest up for what should be an easier matchup with the Raiders.

We haven’t seen any real concern Lockett will miss Sunday’s season opener against the Broncos, though we’ve also yet to see a clear indication he will play. With his health up in the air for most of training camp, Lockett has tumbled to the WR4/5 borderline as we wait to see how things play out in the Seahawks’ new-look offense under OC Ryan Grubb.

Wilson was added to Thursday’s injury report as “limited” after practicing in full with no designation on Wednesday. Coach Mike Tomlin named Wilson the starter over Justin Fields near the end of training camp, but Wilson’s calf issue has evidently continued to linger even after he played through it during the preseason. What a mess. Whereas Wilson has zero fantasy value, Fields’ dual-threat skill set would immediately put him in the low-end QB1 mix in fantasy. We should have a much better read on the situation 24 hours from now.

“We don’t overthink that,” Roman said Thursday. “They’re both going to play and whoever’s got the hot hand, as I tell them, has got the hot hand. So, we’re going to go with the hot hand. And they know that and they get that. Really nothing scientific.” Although in some ways frustrating, Roman’s comments are likely honest, and also just stating the obvious. Possessing a better recent health history with more overall experience in Roman’s system, Edwards will probably get the first crack, especially in the red zone, but Dobbins drew raves for his training camp work. J.K. is also the clear favorite to handle passing-down work in this committee. Both backs should be rostered as fantasy managers wait for the situation to play out.