Fantasy football strategy, rankings, and podcasts

A lot of fantasy players out there took some serious damage in week 1 with major injuries to players like David Johnson and Allen Robinson, but we must soldier on with the season! Often times, winning teams are determined through team management and good pickups throughout the year, rather than solely on the merits of their originally drafted players. Standouts in week 2 for me include Alex Smith, Joe Flacco, Kerwynn Williams, Tevin Coleman, Sammy Watkins, Adam Thielen, Eric Decker, Jared Cook, Younghoe Koo, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Sure, you just completed your draft recently but nobody's team is perfect from the start, and since then there have already been injuries, depth chart changes, and trouble with the law, right? Always room for improvement out there and so we'll scour the waiver wire to find a few guys that may get your team just a little bit closer to that finish line. Remember that missing out on just that one guy, just that one week, could make all of the difference at the end of the year!

Note: %owned is based on Yahoo! leagues at the time of publication.

Quarterback

Carson Palmer (ARI) - 63% owned - Palmer may not last all season with his advanced age and 'dead arm', but he projects to do well in the short-term at least. He plays against the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit this Sunday and can be locked in as a high upside QB2 for the time being.

Running Back

Jacquizz Rodgers (TB) - 62% owned - People do realize that Doug Martin is suspended for the first few games of the season, right? Rodgers is not built to last a full season of rough and tumble running back work, but he'll get you RB2 production on a weekly basis for the first 3 games of the season.

Alvin Kamara (NO) - 12% owned - With Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson in front of Kamara this season, his best bet is to solidify a role as a passing-down back in the offense (a job formerly held by Travaris Cadet). We should see his usage rise throughout the season, and if either Ingram or Peterson were to miss time he could become a big weekly contributor. 

Honorable mentions: Marlon Mack (IND) - 9% owned, De'Angelo Henderson (DEN) - 1% owned - Mack and Henderson are both outstanding athletes from this year's rookie draft that have a chance to carve out solid roles on their respective teams by midseason. In Mack's case, Frank Gore would need to step out of the way and in Henderson's case, Jamaal Charles and C.J. Anderson would have to disappoint.

Wide Receiver

Corey Davis (TEN) - 47% owned - A lot of fantasy owners were scared away by a hamstring injury that had Davis sidelined for the entire preseason, but it looks like he'll make his way onto the field starting in Week 1. Expect Davis to perform at a high level from early to midseason on, after he shakes a little rust off.

Tyler Lockett (SEA) - 44% owned - Lockett has proved himself as a talented receiver but took a step down in 2016 from his excellent rookie performance the previous year, only scoring 1 receiving touchdown as compared to his 6 in 2015. Now a 3rd year WR, he is a possible breakout candidate still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.

Honorable mentions: Kevin White (CHI) - 49% owned, Kendall Wright (CHI) - 12% owned - One of these guys (and honestly I expect it to be Wright) will lead the Bears in receptions this year. If the cards fall just right, that could lead to a serviceable WR3 for the rest of the season. 

Tight End

Julius Thomas (MIA) - 53% owned

Coby Fleener (NO) - 49% owned

C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU) - 41% owned

Defense/Special Teams

Go with the Buffalo Bills (37% owned) this week, as they are playing the Jets.. and the Jets are going to be all-time bad this year.