Fantasy reassessment through Week 2: Quarterbacks

In a season with no preseason games, much of the NFL is still determining who they want to rely on in their offenses and who they have to rely on even if they don’t want to. And when you add in injuries, the fantasy football landscape you had in your projections for the season are all very much changed.

So far, we’ve had two quarterback injuries.

Drew Lock will miss two to six weeks with a sprained AC joint. Jeff Driskel will take over for him and will have some deep 2QB league appeal, but is mostly off the fantasy radar.

Jimmy Garoppolo has a high-ankle sprain, but has a slight chance to play in Week 3. If he can’t go, Nick Mullens will take over.

Below, we’ll take a look at some fantasy quarterbacks and where they are through two weeks.

Pleasantly surprised

Josh Allen, Bills

We knew Allen would be a useful fantasy quarterback due to his rushing touchdown upside, but even with the addition of Stefon Diggs, it is still surprising just how much they’ve put on Allen’s plate as a passer. Through two games Allen has averaged 40.5 pass attempts in two wins. Last season he averaged 28.8 pass attempts in wins. He’s also thrown for 312 and 417 yards in his first two games, besting his career high of 266 yards both times. Of course, these games have come against the Jets and Dolphins. But, the good news is that the team has let him loose and he’s backed their play well so far. Next up — LAR, @LV, @TEN, KC, @NYJ

Cam Newton, Patriots

I was on board with Newton at his ridiculous ADP in redraft leagues, but I still wasn’t expecting the numbers he’s put up so far. We might not be able to count on two rushing touchdowns per game, but as long as Cam is healthy, he’s their goal line back and we can count on that rushing floor for fantasy. I’d like for him to have a few more targets, but there’s no doubt he’ll continue to put up fantasy points, especially if the Patriots defense isn’t quite the group they were last season. Next up — LV, @KC, DEN, BYE, SF

Aaron Rodgers, Packers

I never doubted Rodgers’ ability, but I did doubt the Packers commitment to the passing game after they drafted a backup quarterback and yet another running back this offseason. But, he’s been a fantasy asset so far. His Week 2 game against the Lions wasn’t as good as his blow up against the Vikings in Week 1 and I still expect he’ll need to be pushed to reach his upside, but he’ll have plenty of chances for close games coming up. Next up — @NO, ATL, BYE, @TB, @HOU

Gardner Minshew, Jaguars

Minshew Mania is back and deservedly so. He’s now thrown three touchdown passes in each of his two games and has shown that he can be a fantasy asset this season. He’s likely to be matchup dependent, but most quarterbacks are to some extent. His accuracy and poise has been on display and he’ll tack on some rushing yards each week. Also, his upcoming schedule is juicy, just like his stache. — Next up MIA, @CIN, @HOU, DET, BYE

They are who we thought they were

Russell Wilson, Seahawks

I almost put Wilson in the “pleasantly surprised” section, but we all knew he was this good. The numbers to start are of course crazy, but he’s had games like these before. The change is that the team is letting him do a bit more early in games. I expect he’ll still have some games where he isn’t playing teams like the Patriots and Falcons where he’ll go for 250 yards and two touchdowns as they coast to a win, but his upside is higher than ever this year and it should be a fun ride. Next up — DAL, @MIA, MIN, BYE, @ARI

Matt Ryan, Falcons

Ryan is good. Maybe not good enough to will his team to wins, but good enough to consistently put up useful fantasy points. Right now he sits at sixth in quarterback fantasy points and that’s right where he should be. Thankfully Calvin Ridley has stepped up and as long as Julio Jones can give us another strong season, Ryan is going to help his fantasy teams. His lack of rushing hurts his upside, but there’s no reason to worry about him being a consistent play this year. Next up — CHI, @GB, CAR, @MIN, DET

Jeesh, what’s wrong with him?

Carson Wentz, Eagles

Wentz has not played well in his first two games and that is likely an understatement. There are many factors that might be behind his play, but he has not come close to overcoming those obstacles. Injuries up front were a big part of his awful Week 1, but Week 2 looked to be more on him, as he made some bad decisions. He needs a get-right kind of game to give him some confidence, which could come this week at home against the Bengals, but it gets extremely tough after that. Next up — CIN, @SF, @PIT, BAL, NYG

Matthew Stafford, Lions

Stafford has been mediocre so far, which doesn’t jive with his start to last season, but it does make sense when you take out his best receiver and deep threat Kenny Golladay. Golladay is a huge target who can win jump balls and thrives in the red zone. Hopefully he is back in Week 3 and Stafford’s numbers see a boost, as I expect they will. Next up — @ARI, NO, BYE, @JAX, @ATL