after two weeks, there are some players who are still under the radar

By Martin Richardson

Week 2 is in the books and we are underway with week 3 already. The NFL wheel is well and truly turning and I am loving every minute of it. We’ve already got some shocks and early season questions about some teams: with the 0-2 Ravens losing a surprising game against the Raiders; the Bengals have made yet another slow start but it’s the Pittsburgh who top the AFC North with two wins from two; the Jaguars are not purring in the AFC South as they are struggling to find early season form and who would have thought that Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr would be the best two quarterbacks in Fantasy football after two weeks?


We’ve had our first QB benching of the season and we’ve got more and more little injuries that are taking some big fantasy players out of the mix for a few weeks. We’ve lost Cooper Kupp for a while, as well as Puka Nacua (I can’t help but feel as though my Jordan Whittington hype last week will come good), and now we’ve lost Deebo Samuel for a few games too with a calf injury as well. Let’s not forget that we’ve had Tua Tagvailoa placed on IR whilst he recovers from a nasty looking concussion. So having those solid back-ups could well be crucial in your fantasy leagues.

MICHAEL WILSON

Firstly, let’s look at a name that I believe very few people are talking about: Michael Wilson, WR at the Arizona Cardinals. Did I draft him late in my league? Yes, I did. Was I happy when I managed to snag him and stash him? Yes, I was. Is it a gamble, I don’t think it is. I think people have focused so much on Marvin Harrison, and after last week’s destruction of the injury hit LA Rams, I am not surprised. You also have Kyler Murray’s first full season back after his injury, and if those first two weeks are anything to go by, he looks legit. In all of that, who their WR2 is has almost been forgotten, or rather, gone under the radar.

Wilson already has a touchdown this season, the first of the game against the Bills in week 1, and was unbelievably productive when he played last season, with highlights being two touchdowns against Super Bowl contenders the 49ers, nearly 100 yards vs the Seahawks and a touchdown against the Eagles. Even without those big numbers, he was a consistent source of yardage, just not the touchdowns. If Wilson can get a few more under his belt, he will be a perfect partner for Harrison and an excellent option for Kyler Murray. Oh, and what’s what, Zay Jones is suspended for the start of the season, so Wilson will have plenty of time to cement himself as WR2 on that offense. We all know having a solid one-two on offense can be the difference in a successful season. Wilson can be just as proficient as Devonta Smith at the Eagles or Chris Godwin for the Buccaneers.

BRIAN ROBINSON JR

It’s easy to forget about the run game of the Washington Commanders given how much of it appears to be down to rookie QB Jayden Daniels. However, behind him is a running back who you may have thought would have been down the pecking order with the arrival of Austin Ekelar: Brian Robinson Jr. Ranked as a top 10 RB on ESPN, Robinson has shown he can be an important weapon for both the Commanders and fantasy lineups everywhere. Against the Buccaneers in week 1, he punched through a stubborn defense to grab his first touchdown of the season, on top of 40 yards rushing and 49 receiving. The following week against he Giants, Robinson had a great afternoon, even if Daniels didn’t manage to grab a touchdown. With just over 130 yards rushing from 17 attempts, Robinson showed he can be the lead back on this offense as well as alleviating the pressure on Daniels if he isn’t going to be running all the time. Robinson is still available in nearly 10% of leagues on ESPN; if you are in one of those leagues where he is available, get him whilst you can.

THE Indianapolis Colts

After two weeks, the Colts have been a very polarising team. QB Anthony Richardson was one of the top five fantasy football QBs and was projected to ball out this season. There certainly was evidence of that in the shootout with the Texans. However, in the game against the Packers, three interceptions didn’t exactly inspire confidence. There are some things that are going under the radar with the Colts and I want to take a closer look at them.

ALEC PIERCE

Would you believe he is currently the 5th best WR on ESPN, and Pierce is rostered on a mere 34% of rosters. He’s gone for double digits in both games this season, with 125 yards and touchdown in the shootout with the Texans and 56 yards and touchdown last week against the Packers.
He is the very essence of what under the radar is all about. It has gone unnoticed that he has balled out in this offence with Richardson at the helm. Even when the QB has stuttered (last week he got single figures), Pierce has been the big beneficiary. There will be one point every week, and I’m coming onto why with the defense in a moment, that Richardson will have to seek out Pierce on at least one massive play to get points on board. It is this reason why Pierce is hitting the mark- points for the massive amount of yards on that single play, as well as the points for that touchdown catch. Now, will he keep that up? Who knows? Is it worth taking a risk on him to make a difference in your fantasy team- absolutely.

THE COLTS DEFENSE

If you have a run defense that allows 474 rushing yards in two games, then you have a problem. Teams will know that they can run up and down the field against you and that’s not ideal. It will no doubt mean that whenever Anthony Richardson comes on to the field, he is in a truly difficult spot to have to score points and force the issue. Now, you may be thinking of course he has to score points, that’s his job; but what I’m alluding to is that he will have to push forward with those riskier plays like 60 yard bombs to Adonai Mitchell or Alec Pierce. Which, as we have seen with Mitchell, is not working quite as well as it could be just yet.
So, why mention this in a fantasy article, well here’s why: one, if you have the running back of the opposing team, you’re in a for a treat (Josh Jacobs ran for 151 yards last week) and two, Anthony Richardson could well be bearing boom or bust territory. His defense just isn’t helping him and if they put him in difficult positions against a mean Bears defense, I’m not sure he can produce.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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