Fantasy picks so bad you know they're good

By Sean Reis
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Well, the first week was filled with shockers, but it’s officially over. Specifically, to the surprise of many, the Denver Broncos offense produced points last week against one of the league’s top defenses, but that’s the NFL for you.

Quarterbacks

Most quarterbacks gave fantasy owners pretty standard results, but at running back, several top draft picks were not quite ready to return: specifically, Jamaal Charles, Thomas Rawls and Devonta Freeman. Meanwhile, at wide receiver, some looked as though they were not worth the pick, but you will need to wait two or three weeks before you make any drastic free agency moves. Nonetheless, let’s look at who to start during fantasy’s second week. Below are my rankings for the top 15 quarterbacks:

1. Cam Newton (CAR vs. SF)


2. Carson Palmer (ARI vs. TB)


3. Aaron Rodgers (GB at MIN)


4. Andrew Luck (IND at DEN)


5. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT vs. CIN)


6. Drew Brees (NO at NYG)


7. Russell Wilson (SEA at LA)


8. Eli Manning (NYG vs. NO)


9. Philip Rivers (SD vs. JAX)


10. Matthew Stafford (DET vs. TEN)


11. Derek Carr (OAK vs. ATL)


12. Andy Dalton (CIN at PIT)


13. Blake Bortles (JAX at SD)


14. Kirk Cousins (WAS vs. DAL)


15. Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYG at BUF)

Wide receivers

If, for whatever reason, you desperately need a new quarterback already, you can also look to pick up Jimmy Garoppolo or Dak Prescott, but let’s continue to wide receiver. Below, I have ranked my top 50 receivers:

1. Antonio Brown (PIT vs. CIN)


2. Julio Jones (ATL at OAK)


3. A. J. Green (CIN at PIT)


4. Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG vs. NO)


5. DeAndre Hopkins (HOU vs. KC)


6. Brandin Cooks (NO at NYG)


7. Brandon Marshall (NYJ at BUF)


8. Jarvis Landry (MIA at NE)


9. Alshon Jeffery (CHI vs. PHI)


10. Dez Bryant (DAL at WAS)


11. Mike Evans (TB at ARI)


12. Larry Fitzgerald (ARI vs. TB)


13. Jordy Nelson (GB at MIN)


14. Allen Robinson (JAX at SD)


15. Golden Tate (DET vs. TEN)


16. Amari Cooper (OAK vs. ATL)


17. Julian Edelman (NE vs. MIA)


18. Demaryius Thomas (DEN vs. IND)


19. Eric Decker (NYJ at BUF)


20. Randall Cobb (GB at MIN)


21. Michael Floyd (ARI vs. TB)


22. T. Y. Hilton (IND at DEN)


23. Jeremy Maclin (KC at HOU)


24. Jordan Matthews (PHI at CHI)


25. Travis Benjamin (SD vs. JAX)


26. Sammy Watkins (BUF vs. NYJ)


27. Doug Baldwin (SEA at LA)


28. Kelvin Benjamin (CAR vs. SF)


29. Stefon Diggs (MIN vs. GB)


30. Willie Snead (NO at NYG)


31. Emmanuel Sanders (DEN vs. IND)


32. Marvin Jones Jr. (DET vs. TEN)


33. Michael Crabtree (OAK vs. ATL)


34. John Brown (ARI vs. TB)


35. Allen Hurns (JAX at SD)


36. DeSean Jackson (WAS vs. DAL)


37. Steve Smith Sr. (BAL at CLE)


38. Tyrell Williams (SD vs. JAX)


39. Corey Coleman (CLE vs. BAL)


40. Tyler Lockett (SEA at LA)


41. Sterling Shephard (NYG vs. NO)


42. Tajae Sharpe (TEN at DET)


43. Donte Moncrief (IND at DEN)


44. Vincent Jackson (TB at ARI)


45. Will Fuller (HOU vs. KC)


46. Mohamed Sanu (ATL at OAK)


47. Mike Wallace (BAL at CLE)


48. Davante Adams (GB at MIN)


49. Tavon Austin (LA vs. SEA)


50. Cole Beaseley (DAL at WAS)

Running backs

Remember that these rankings were based on Points Per Reception (PPR) scoring, which was why I have decided to include the top three Arizona wide receivers this week. Although not all three will catch a touchdown, all three will likely score similar points by yards and receptions. Furthermore, below I have my rankings for the top 25 running backs:

1. David Johnson (ARI vs. TB)


2. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL at WAS)


3. Devonta Freeman (ATL at OAK)


4. Lamar Miller (HOU vs. KC)


5. C. J. Anderson (DEN vs. IND)


6. Todd Gurley (LA vs. SEA)


7. Adrian Peterson (MIN vs. GB)


8. DeAngelo Williams (PIT vs. CIN)


9. Danny Woodhead (SD vs. JAX)


10. LeGarrette Blount (NE vs. MIA)


11. Eddie Lacy (GB at MIN)


12. Spencer Ware (KC at HOU)


13. Jonathan Stewart (CAR vs. SF)


14. Latavius Murray (OAK vs. ATL)


15. Ryan Matthews (PHI at CHI)


16. Doug Martin (TB at ARI)


17. Mark Ingram (NO at NYG)


18. Carlos Hyde (SF at CAR)


19. Matt Forte (NYJ at BUF)


20. Darren Sproles (PHI at CHI)


21. Theo Riddick (DET vs. TEN)


22. DeMarco Murray (TEN at DET)


23. LeSean McCoy (BUF vs. NYJ)


24. Jeremy Langford (CHI vs. PHI)


25. Rashad Jennings (NYG vs. NO)

Free Agents

Lastly, I have five free agent suggestions for those looking to make moves on the first waiver-wire Wednesday:

1. Tyrell Williams (SD - WR)


2. Cole Beasley (DAL - WR)


3. Quincy Enunwa (NYJ - WR)


4. Jacob Tamme (ATL - TE)


5. Jack Doyle (IND - TE)