Three and Out: Is Winston a QB1?

Each week, TSN.ca Fantasy Editor Scott Cullen and NFL Editors Ben Fisher and Mike Hetherington discuss three hot fantasy football topics. 

1) How much will the rest of the Rams’ offence hurt Todd Gurley’s fantasy numbers this year?

Cullen: This was exactly my concern while watching the Rams stumble around at San Francisco on Week One. It’s one thing for the quarterback play to be subpar and maybe opposing teams will focus a little more on stopping the run, but after seeing Case Keenum against San Francisco and acknowledging that No. 1 pick Jared Goff wasn’t even in uniform, there is a big chasm between subpar quarterback play and what the Rams could be looking at this season. I wouldn’t be ready to bury Gurley off that one tough outing (it was still better than Adrian Peterson!), but it suddenly has to be considered that the Rams could undercut Gurley’s value.

Fisher: No doubt, Week 1 looked bad, but Gurley built his tremendous 2015 season (fifth in RB scoring with 187 points, despite missing three games) with just as bad an offence. In fact, Case Keenum – the source of most angst on the Rams offence – started five of the Rams’ last six games last season and Gurley averaged 17 points a start during that stretch. Week 1 should prove to be an outlier on an otherwise solid season for Gurley.

Hetherington: Monday night was ugly, but I’m not giving up on Gurley just yet. He is still a strong RB1 and the lack of skill around him ensures a high volume of carries each week - eventually he’ll wear down defences, right?! On the other hand, Gurley was the first running back taken in a lot of fantasy leagues and the concern is legitimate as to whether or not he can live up to that standard. It won’t get any easier this week Gurley, who’s going up against the stout Seahawks defence.

2) Did Jameis Winston prove he’s a QB1 this week?

Cullen: Winston was probably a QB1 coming into the season anyway, at least on the cusp, and after dropping four touchdowns on the Falcons, slimmed-down Winston could have a breakthrough second season. He has the weapons around him for the Bucs to take a step forward – I have some doubts that they are ready to make that leap – but if Winston builds on his Week One performance, the Bucs could challenge for a playoff spot. 

Fisher: I thought Winston was a borderline QB1 heading into the season so his four-touchdown performance against the Falcons solidifies that status and more. Winston is about to join the group of 5-6 elite level QBs – both in fantasy and real life – and could really propel a team to a fantasy league championship with his 10th round ADP.

Hetherington: Winston finished just outside the top-12 quarterbacks in fantasy last season and made my list of QB1s entering the year. Winston has enough talent around him to shine this season and he proved that while torching the Falcons defence. Winston likely won’t be the most consistent quarterback this season, but he’s worth starting most weeks. His value will be tested in the coming weeks though as he faces the Cardinals, Rams, Broncos and Panthers. 

3) Does a healthy Kelvin Benjamin belong in the WR1 conversation?

Cullen: I don’t know if I’m ready to move Benjamin to WR1, but he sure looked good against Denver. Even if he’s not especially quick, Benjamin is so big and strong that corners have a really tough time with him in coverage and Cam Newton loves throwing to him (12 targets at Denver). So, I could see him pushing towards WR1 at some point, but I’m not there yet.

Fisher: Benjamin’s consensus WR3 ranking ahead of the season was a little ridiculous, but I can’t go so far as to rank him among the WR1s. He’s catching balls from the top fantasy QB out there, but Cam Newton’s greatness is half in part to his work on the ground, tempering any gains Benjamin gets with the Panthers. A middling WR2 his rookie season before losing last year to a torn ACL, that’s where a healthy Benjamin should end up again this year.

Hetherington: Cam Newton turned Tedd Ginn into a WR2 last season. The year before, Benjamin, who’s supremely more talented than Ginn was a borderline WR1. Coming off an ACL tear, Benjamin is a little bit tough to trust as he redevelops his chemistry with Newton. The two appeared be right back on the same page last week as Benjamin had 91 yards and a TD against the tough Broncos defence. He’s Carolina’s top option and ready to emerge as a WR1 this season.