Fantasy Football 3: More concerning start, Rodgers or Wilson?

Each week, NFL Editors Ben Fisher and Mike Hetherington discuss three hot fantasy football topics. 

1) Whose slow start are you more concerned with, Aaron Rodgers’ or Russell Wilson’s?

Fisher: My answer is C) none of the above, but if I have to choose, it’d be Rodgers. You have to think Wilson’s slow start is a result of his ankle injury, and when he returns to full health his regular fantasy production will as well. Meanwhile, Rodgers is working behind an offensive line that could lead to some injuries. It’s just two weeks, and one against a tough Vikings’ defence, so Rodgers owners should mostly R-E-L-A-X but maybe W-O-R-R-Y a little.

Hetherington: Rodgers’ start is concerning since he’s playing at a similar level as last season, but he has still put up QB1 numbers. Wilson, however, ranks above only Case Keenum, Jay Cutler and Trevor Siemian in fantasy points for QBs who have started two games. Wilson has clearly been limited by his ankle injury, which has taken away his ability to scramble effectively. In addition to that, he’s no longer benefiting from a strong run game and his offensive line has been a mess. There’s plenty of reason to be concerned with Wilson right now. He’s a questionable fantasy start against the 49ers  this week.

2) If LeGarrette Blount keeps his full workload, how high in the running back rankings can he finish?

Fisher: I’ve long been a Blount fan and wondered why no team has ever trusted the monster back as their bell cow. With a full workload that includes goal line work, and on an offence that figures to score as much as the Patriots when Tom Brady returns, Blount is definitely an RB1. Blount lacks the receiving game of an elite back, but he could finish just outside the Top 5 with a consistent workload.

Hetherington: If, and that is a major if, Blount keeps the feature back load this season, he has the potential to finish as high-end RB2. His lack of a role in the passing game likely keeps him out of RB1, but he should see plenty of scoring opportunities once Tom Brady returns. It’s awfully tough to make any guarantees though when it comes the Patriots backfield; Bill Belichick likes to keep his opponents (and fantasy owners) guessing. Who knows when the next Jonas Gray is going to come around and steal Blount’s carries for a week.

3) Can Will Fuller outpoint his teammate DeAndre Hopkins?

Fisher: If I could have a do-over on my preseason picks, I’d flip Fuller and Ezekiel Elliott atop my Rookie of the Year rankings, and I’m guessing several fantasy owners would also make that trade. But Fuller is no Hopkins, and the veteran should still finish ahead of his rookie teammate in the WR rankings this year. But the combo should challenge to be the top pass catching tandem this year.

Hetherington: Fuller has been impressive through two weeks, but I’m not ready to put him above Hopkins. Fuller is benefiting from the coverage Hopkins receives from defences and has made the most of his looks to this point but Hopkins is an elite receiver and a better redzone target. It’s been a strong start for Fuller but he remains unproven. We’ve already seen him drop a couple of balls this season and who knows if he could hit a rookie wall down the stretch. He’s looking like a WR2 this season for me, while Hopkins will once again be a high-end WR1.