There's an unremarkable line in the 1991 classic film “Cape Fear” that sticks in the minds of fantasy buffs: Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) tells Max Cady (Robert De Niro), “You're going to suffer more than you ever dreamed possible.”
Boden never kept that promise, at least not in the way he envisioned it, but 2024 will protect you, Sammy, decades later, and with another victim.
The Madmen have been hurt, battered, and nearly killed in ways we never could have imagined after the first week of the season. It felt like everyone we had hoped for went down. Now it's down to figuring out which are just physical injuries and which will leave a lasting mark on our team.
Should I stay calm or panic?
CALM: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions WR
He was unspectacular in Week 1, but this offense is too good for him to stay that way and Jameson Williams isn't going to have a breakout game every week.
Panic: Terry McLaurin, Commanders WR
They had an unspectacular Week 1, plus a rookie QB who was fast on the run and in the bottom third in pass attempts — especially problematic for a team that was losing all day — and it doesn't look like a consistent volume environment.
CALM: Mark Andrews, Ravens TE
He missed a lot of practice time due to a car accident. Andrews should remain the Ravens' top tight end despite the excellent Isaiah Likely, but this is also a rare TE disadvantage situation.
Panic: Travis Etienne, Jaguars running back
He's about even with Tank Bigsby. I expect Etienne to still be the favorite in the long run, but it's clear that his advantage will be much smaller than it has been in the past. Wait for a big game and then make Etienne a trade target soon.
CALM: Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals WR
It's not just the rookie quarterback who has had a poor opening week — Greg Dortch doesn't lead the team in receptions most weeks, Trey McBride doesn't lead the team in targets all the time, and Harrison should see some production, but it could take him a few weeks to fully recover.
Panic: Dionta Johnson, Panthers WR
Well, not just Deontay, but any Carolina player. Bryce Young has looked like a disaster, Johnson hasn't delivered even in his best stretches and hasn't dominated the target shares like you'd expect. Keep him on the bench and keep your finger on the eject button.
Calm: Chris Olave, Saints WR
Don't worry, the Saints got up early and didn't need to throw, which doesn't happen very often.
Panic: Amari Cooper, Browns WR
Like Johnson, Cooper is likely to be a victim of poor quarterback play.
CALM: Evan Engram, Jaguars tight end
Maybe it was Tyreek Hill's run-in with a cop before the game, maybe it was the heat, maybe it was Mike McDaniels's new snazzy hairstyle, maybe it was Maybelline, but the Jaguars-Dolphins game was just weird. Trevor Lawrence attempted the fewest passes of any Week 1 starter outside of Anthony Richardson. Maybe future games will be less weird and Engram will be more productive.
Panic*: Joe Burrow, Bengals QB
This comes with a *temporary asterisk. Last season, he averaged 8.4 (QB31) through the first four weeks. Over the next five weeks (before injury), he averaged 22.2 (QB6). 2021 has been a similarly slow start. With Ja'Marr Chase sidelined and Tee Higgins injured during training camp, it may be a few weeks before we see Burrow's peak.
Lower
Devin Singletary, RB, Giants
Nearly everything about the Giants looked terrible, but there was one thing I liked about them: Singletary's volume. He could be the 2024 version of the 2023 Chuba Hubbard — a decent running back in a terrible offense.
Drake London, WR, Falcons
No, we didn't love the play of Atlanta's revamped offense either, but this unit will get better over time (though the inclusion of Ray Ray McCloud felt like a visit from the ghost of Arthur Smith).
DK Metcalf WR, Seahawks
Some guys struggled in the new offensive system, but we think this guy can turn things around. Tyler Lockett led the team in targets but was third-best as a WR, so not every game was Kenneth Walker-dominant.
Tyler Johnson, WR, Rams
With Puka Nacua out for at least four weeks, Johnson is the best option to step in. But keep in mind that this hasn't always happened in the past — Tutu Atwell, Van Jefferson, Josh Reynolds, etc.
High trade
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots
The good news: The passing sharing with Antonio Gibson wasn't as plentiful as feared, but the Patriots surprisingly played with leads all day, so the volume of passing can't be trusted.
JK Dobbins, RB, Chargers
Gus Edwards can do half the work and is a capable goal-line/short-yardage running back, and with Dobbins' injury history, now's a great time to see if someone is willing to pay the big buck in a trade.
Do you bet on the NFL?
Stefon Diggs, WR, Texans
The Texans have a new No. 1 WR. Oh, take the reins, Mr. Jolly Rancher. Nico Collins and Tank Dell both got more targets, and Diggs happened to score a TD. There will be three to gamble on every week. Look for an overzealous trade partner.
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers
Hello… Hello. Echo… Echo. What I said earlier about Diggs… Diggs. I'm thinking the same thing about Reed… Reed.
