It probably took until his second touchdown, but when it happened, the sound you heard was Fantasy players across the world reaching for their phones, putting in a waiver request to pick up Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown.
He became the first player in NFL history to with multiple 40-yard touchdowns on his career debut. But don’t worry if you missed out, with Paddy Power Fantasy, you can pick the best players each week and still win big, even if your team is already a bust.
Lamar Jackson looks a much-improved quarterback, but the jury is still out on him, Brown and the Baltimore Ravens, but Hollywood wasn’t the only receiver to grab the headlines.
We’ve taken a closer look at their chances going into the new season and which wideouts to bank on, and who to be wary of this early in the season.
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 24: Anthony Hitchens #53 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during preseason action at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Marquise Brown: Baltimore Ravens
The first-round pick, in his opening game, went for 147 yards, but only caught the ball four times, two of them going for a touchdown. If the Ravens were to play the Miami Dolphins every week, Brown would be WR1 material, but sadly, they have Kansas City, Cleveland and Pittsburgh on their horizons.
Jackson only rushed three times for six yards, putting up career numbers in the air. This Ravens offence is going to look different week-to-week, but Brown has quickly established himself as the young QB’s best option and even if teams figure it out, the signal-caller will take to the ground until once again until teams respect the throwing game.
Not every connection is going to lead to an 83-yard score, but you’d happily take six or seven completions for 100 yards and a touchdown every other game. Especially as your WR2 or flex.
If you can pick him up, you need to go big on Hollywood.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 16: A Washington Redskins fan is seen during the second half of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Terry McLaurin: Washington Redskins
How much do you trust Case Keenum to repeat his 380-yard, three-touchdown performance week in, week out? The Eagles are no soft touch, but will the Redskins O-Line continue to turn up when the Cowboys and Bears come calling in weeks two and three?
The answer is probably no, which is why we need to wait and see what’s to come from McLaurin. The third-round pick from Ohio State ran the 40 in 4.35 seconds at the combine, which helped him make five catches for 125 yards on Sunday against the Eagles.
He showed his ridiculous speed, running away from the Eagles secondary on a simple deep route. They couldn’t handle him, and other defences will struggle too. McLaurin has huge upside – he played 93% of the snaps in week one – and will be a constant deep threat for the Skins, but don’t expect the NFC East side to have the time every game, to take full advantage of his skillset.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver A.J. Brown #11 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates with fans after the Titans defeated the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Titans defeated the Browns 43-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
A.J Brown: Tennessee Titans
Stopping the hype train Browns, Delanie Walker’s return, Marcus Mariota looking like an actual quarterback… There were plenty of reasons for Titans fans to be excited on Sunday, but the performance of their second-round pick went somewhat under the radar.
The 226-pound wide receiver played fewer snaps than Corey Davis and Tajae Sharpe but showed his athleticism and elusiveness to break free for a 47-yard catch and then a wonderful 51-yard catch and run.
Drafted from Ole Miss, he became the franchise’s first player with 100 receiving yards in his first career game since 1964.
All eyes will still be on the other receivers, giving Brown a chance to get free against weaker coverage, giving him more opportunity to rack up the receptions and yards.
If you can stash him on your bench, or rely on his high ceiling as a flex, the rookie could definitely repay your faith.
Week 1 snap rates for the WRs you'll be considering on waiver wires:
T. McLaurin – 93%
J. Crowder – 90%
John Brown – 86%
John Ross – 82%
M. Hardman – 78%
DK Metcalf – 77%
C. Conley – 76%
DJ Chark – 71%
DeMarcus Robinson – 63%
D. Amendola – 53%
AJ Brown – 43%
Marquise Brown – 18%— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) September 9, 2019
John Ross III: Cincinnati Bengals
*Read above regarding Case Keenum*
Andy Dalton broke his own records on Sunday, Passing for 418 yards in a losing effort at Seattle. Yet, would you bet your life on the ‘Red Rocket’ doing it again?
With A.J Green out, Tyler Boyd is the WR1 for the time being and as Juju Smith-Schuster discovered on Sunday, life is tough at the top. With the top cornerbacks tailing Boyd, Ross can use his elite speed to get free and torch secondary across the league.
Just like with McLaurin, to believe in Ross (despite his ability to run the 40-yard-dash in 4.22 seconds) you have to put your trust in Dalton. That’s why the receiver has a questionable ceiling.
Pick him up on your bench and wait and see what happens after they play the 49ers, Buffalo and the Steelers. If he passes those tests, you’ll be glad to be able to put him in your lineup.
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: The Dallas Cowboys logo at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Michael Gallup: Dallas Cowboys
Every season some players are highly regarded coming out of training camp, before ultimately falling away. After week one, it looks like Gallup and the Cowboys are the real deal.
We can question their opposition – the Giants are not a good team – but the team from Texas excelled, and this is before Ezekiel Elliott gets up to full speed.
Cowboys (-9.5) handicap to beat the Redskins – 13/8
Amari Cooper is Dak Prescott’s top target, but with seven receptions for 158 yards, Gallup proved he could catch the ball and get upfield. It was an exciting performance and once you add a few touchdowns, he is going to be a very dangerous option in a very good offence.
Although he’ll remain the second target for Dak, his floor looks high and his ceiling makes him a very trustworthy starter in both Daily Fantasy and your weekly lineup.
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