Scott Engel is in his eighth season of providing Fantasy Football coverage for Seahawks.com. An inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame, he is in his 23rd year as a Fantasy analyst and professional. You can now find more of his work and weekly rankingsonRotoBaller.comand hear him every Saturday night on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
***
This season at Seahawks.com, we are going to deliver the Fantasy Insider to you earlier in the week in an effort to help you out with important roster building when it counts the most. We'll give you a comprehensive rundown of the best players to pick up off waivers, plus answer your most important questions in our new and continuing Fantasy Mailbag feature. The answers we provide will be answered in a manner that can help all Fantasy owners, not just the ones asking the questions. Follow me on Twitter @scottetheking and on RotoBaller.com for all of my key start and sit recommendations later in the week.
Waiver recommendations are based on NFL.com ownership percentages but applicable to all platforms. Players are listed in order of waiver preference at their positions.
Running Backs
Ronald Jones, Buccaneers (31.8 percent owned on NFL.com)): The second-year man started to flash his potential again in the season opener when it seemed like everyone was about to write him off. Jones had a forgettable rookie campaign and a quiet preseason, but rushed for 75 yards on 18 carries against the 49ers. He certainly displayed some of his ability to burst through a hole and utilize his speed, plus he ran with some authority. He could fully nail down the starting RB job soon.
Malcolm Brown, Rams (1.5): Brown was the second leading ball carrier on the Rams in Week One, but had both of the team's scoring runs. He carried 11 times for 53 yards and it is clear that the Rams are not going to overwork Todd Gurley. Brown could continue to get more goal line work and will be the likely starter if Gurley misses any time this season.
Raheem Mostert, 49ers (0.0): Tevin Coleman is expected to miss time with an ankle injury, and Matt Breida is unlikely to carry a full workload. Mostert will likely share carries with Breida and deserves flex consideration in that sort of scenario. He is a speedy type who can fly by defenders when he gets to the second level. He rushed for 40 yards on nine carries in the opener against Tampa Bay and could tear off some longer runs with increased playing time.
Adrian Peterson, Redskins (37.6): The unfortunate issues continue for Derrius Guice, who is now expected to miss time with a knee injury. Peterson was not active in Week One, but now immediately gets pushed back into the lead RB role in Washington. Not your average 34-year old NFL athlete, Peterson rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and should be considered for flex usage.
Wide Receivers
DK Metcalf, Seahawks (30.3): He made an early statement by wearing a throwback Steve Largent jersey to the home opener, but then followed that up with an even bigger on-field statement by totaling 89 yards on four catches against Cincinnati. That included a 42-yard reception. Metcalf has landed in the ideal spot for his downfield abilities with Russell Wilson, and more impressive performances are on the way. Add him now as a Fantasy WR4 type.
John Brown, Bills (5.2): We have seen Brown display his explosive abilities in the past, and now he is in a situation where he may be able to contribute more frequently throughout the season if he stays healthy. Brown began his Bills tenure by catching seven passes for 123 yards and a TD against the Jets. Josh Allen's receiving crew was upgraded during the offseason, and Brown may have been the most important addition. Allen has no reservations about gunning the ball downfield, and Brown is his ideal target when he goes deep.
Terry McLaurin, Redskins (0.8): In a week where rookie WRs shined brightly, McLaurin was also a featured star, catching five passes for 125 yards and a score. Case Keenum showed he can still be a competitive starter, and Washington desperately needs playmakers to step forward in the passing game. If there is a QB switch at some point, McLaurin played with Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State. McLaurin should continue to see a lot of targets going forward at a position of need for the Redskins.
Marquise Brown, Ravens (0.8): Along with Metcalf, Brown was one of the most highly regarded WRs in this year's draft class. He made a major impression on Fantasy players right away, catching scoring passes of 47 and 83 yards and finishing with 147 yards on four receptions in a decisive rout at Miami. Brown was drafted to give Lamar Jackson a pure deep threat and depending on the matchup, more big plays will be ahead. There may be some ups and downs with rookie wideouts, though, so expect some less productive outings along the way, too.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson, Lions (17.5): Usually rookie TEs get overlooked and often undrafted, as historically, players have not contributed enough at the position Fantasy wise in their first pro seasons. But in the case of Evan Engram in 2017, there have been rare exceptions to this trend. Hockenson is looking to become the newest quality Fantasy player at the position as a newcomer. He dazzled in his pro debut, catching six passes for 131 yards and a TD. The Lions have long been trying to find a solid TE option, and Hockenson is a priority add at the thinnest position in Fantasy Football.
C.J. Uzomah (1.0): The Bengals offense is looking like it has new life under first-year head coach Zac Taylor. Uzomah caught four passes for 66 yards in a Week One loss, and certainly is worth a flier to see if he keeps being a key contributor in the Cincinnati passing game. You should always take the shot on another possible TE add if you waited until very late to draft your starter this season.
Defenses to Add and Stream in Week Two:
Patriots (vs. Dolphins), Bengals (vs. 49ers), Bills (at Giants) Jets (vs. Browns)
Seahawks Fantasy Mailbag
For answers to your Fantasy questions early every week, fill out the bottom of this form on Sunday nights or early Mondays for priority consideration. You can also tag me and @Seahawks on Twitter.
Joe Fisher of Akron Ohio asks: Is it okay to drop Dede Westbrook now and get Marquise Brown or A.J. Brown?
Engel: With Nick Foles out for two months, the Fantasy appeal of Westbrook is obviously lowered. Plus, the Jaguars also seemed to spread the ball around in the passing game. A.J. Brown was another impressive rookie WR in Week One, catching three passes for 100 yards. But he will have more competition for receptions in Tennessee than Marquise Brown will in Baltimore. The Ravens' Brown was drafted to be an immediate contributor. If you can cut a backup TE or DST for Marquise Brown I would do that instead, but otherwise cut Westbrook. But he should still be useful down the road, as Foles may return later this season and Westbrook could still be a viable target later in the year. In larger leagues, I would hold onto Westbrook if I could.
Jkalasinski on Twitter asks: How do you feel about Jameis Winston and Cam Newton as Fantasy QBs going forward?
Engel: If I had both of these QBs on my roster I would be looking to make a deal for more of a Fantasy QB1 type. I had both of them ranked as QB2s entering the season and I expect both of them to maintain those outlooks. Newton should be more of a rushing contributor going forward and I prefer him of the two. Winston is hoping to turn his fortunes around this year under a new coaching regime but I think he still has a ways to go to be considered a stable Fantasy starter. If I could swing a trade for Philip Rivers or Russell Wilson I would do it. Rivers is underrated and even better performances are ahead for Wilson.
***
For more from Scott Engel, get the RotoBaller.com 2019 Fantasy Football Package, which includes his lineup rankings and regular weekly columns. Enter code "Seahawks" at checkout for a discount.
