Fantasy reassessment through Week 2: Wide receivers

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 quite a few receivers go down with injuries. Some of the more impactful injures are:

Courtland Sutton is done for the season with a torn ACL. Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler get the biggest bump, but will likely need Drew Lock to get back from his injury to reach closer to their upside.

Parris Campbell is likely out for the majority of the season with a PCL injury. Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Michael Pittman and the tight ends should pick up more work.

The time table for Sterling Shepard’s toe injury isn’t known yet, but Darius Slayton, Evan Engram and Golden Tate get the biggest upgrades.

Kenny Golladay has missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, but could be available in Week 3.

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

Pleasantly surprised

D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks

Metcalf is a monster, as proved by him putting up big numbers against defensive player of the year Stephon Gillmore on Sunday night. He’s nearly unguardable and when you factor in Russell Wilson’s deep ball ability, he is going to have crazy upside. As long as they keep allowing Russ to cook, Metcalf is going to be a fantasy stud all season. Next up — DAL, @MIA, MIN, BYE, @ARI

Calvin Ridley, Falcons

Ridley has been the Falcons top fantasy receiver through the first two games, as he’s caught 16-of-22 targets for 239 yards and four touchdowns. Julio Jones put up big numbers in Week 1, but couldn’t find the end zone while Ridley can’t help but find the end zone so far this season. In Week 2 against the Cowboys, Jones only had four targets and looks like he was playing through a hamstring injury. At this point, we have to like Ridley more than Jones moving forward, as Jones’ nagging injuries aren’t as easy to overcome now that he’s into his 30s. Next up — CHI, @GB, CAR, @MIN, DET

They are who we thought they were

DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals

There was some worry that Nuk wouldn’t get quite the glut of targets in Arizona that he is used to, but so far the opposite is true. Through two games he’s had 25 targets and caught 22 for 219 yards and a touchdown. There’s no reason for him to start getting fewer targets and his next three games are nice matchups. Next up — DET, @CAR, @NYJ, @DAL, SEA

Stefon Diggs, Bills

Diggs is putting up more fantasy points than many though he would, but we all knew that he could if given the targets. The same thing is happening for John Brown, as he also is putting up good numbers to start the season. It’s all because the Bills are letting Josh Allen throw more than he ever has. Playing the Jets and Dolphins to start might have upped their numbers some, but the change in offensive philosophy should keep them from hitting their floors as often. Next up — LAR, @LV, @TEN, KC, @NYJ

Jeesh, what’s wrong with him?

A.J. Green, Bengals

So far this season, Green has seen plenty of targets, but hasn’t done much with them. He has caught 8-of-22 targets for 80 yards and has looked as good as those numbers. Is it age? Training camp injury? No preseason? Quick turnaround to a Thursday Night Game? Chemistry with new quarterback? Too long since his last real games? Well, it’s probably all of those things. I can’t say if he’ll be able to turn things around, but with his target load, fantasy players need to give him a chance. Next up — @PHI, JAX, @BAL, @IND, CLE

T.Y. Hilton, Colts

Hilton hasn’t had as many targets as Green, but his decline has felt similar. He’s caught 7-of-14 targets for 81 yards so far this season. Green at least has a better quarterback in Burrow, as Philip Rivers has a case of the old age and is going to dink and dunk more often than not., but with three drops already for Hilton, he’s going to need to hang onto those precious deeper targets. He can only go up from here, right? Next up — NYJ, @CHI, @CLE, CIN, BYE