NFL Barometer: So Far, So Good for Goff

Week 1 gave us plenty to think about in terms of surprises and disappointments, setting up what should be a busy waiver-wire week in many leagues. We'll try to break down who's rising and plummeting after a week's worth of games. Additionally, keep in mind that players such as Cooper Kupp and Tarik Cohen highlighted a week ago won't be included this week.

TRENDING UP

Deshaun Watson, Texans - Watson was named the starter for Thursday's game against the Bengals, and it's unlikely he gives up the job unless it's due to injury. The dual-threat dimension he offers helps make up for some of the inevitable rookie mistakes, and a solid supporting cast should help keep defenses honest against him.

Matthew Stafford, Lions - Stafford shook off an ominous pick-six on his first attempt of 2017 to rack up four touchdown passes against the Cardinals in Week 1. Some eyebrows were raised when he signed a five-year extension in late August, but he has three quality wideouts with the addition of rookie Kenny Golladay and plenty of weapons at tight end/running back to keep putting up big numbers.

Sam Bradford, Vikings - Bradford quieted skeptics Monday night, slinging the ball downfield more than usual for 10.8 yards per attempt. Last season's dink-and-dunk offense averaged 7.0 YPA as passes of 20-plus yards accounted for a league-low 6.8 percent of Bradford's attempts. Rookie RB Dalvin Cook looks more than capable of keeping defenses honest, while wideouts Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen appear to both have taken the next step.

DeShone Kizer, Browns - Kizer certainly put some questions to rest against the Steelers, even as he was walloped for seven sacks and hurried on numerous occasions. His ability to supplement fantasy production with his legs boosts his value (1-yard TD run Sunday), and the growth of second-year receiver Corey Coleman helps, too.

Jared Goff, Rams - Goff's impressive preseason might not have been a mirage. The Colts admittedly offered little resistance, but Goff finished Week 1 with 306 yards and a touchdown, completing 21 of 29 attempts. Goff's rapport with new teammates Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp was encouraging, as was Todd Gurley's success as an outlet option out of the backfield. And while Sunday's 72.4 percent completion rate won't be the norm, it's perhaps a sign of Goff's improved accuracy after last year's struggles.

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs - Hunt and Charcandrick West were in our "In Limbo" category prior to Week 1, but following Hunt's 246 total yards in the opener, it's safe to say the ambiguity of the team's lead back has vanished. West will still get touches while giving Hunt a breather, but expect the rookie to get as many touches as he can handle.

Mike Gillislee, Patriots - A preseason hamstring injury soured some owners on Gillislee, but he reminder everyone of his nose for the end zone with three touchdowns in the opener. Among the Patriots' cast of thousands in the backfield, Gillislee looks like he has a lock on power-back status.

Leonard Fournette, Jaguars - Fournette put doubts about his ailing foot to rest by rushing 26 times in the opener. He also caught three passes for 24 yards, an encouraging sign after limited use as a receiver in college. Chris Ivory, who had 10 touches, and T.J. Yeldon, whose absence due to a hamstring injury increased Fournette's touches, will still be involved, but the Jags' plan to lean heavily on the run should continue affording Fournette a big workload.

Javorius Allen, Ravens - Danny Woodhead (hamstring) is out 4-6 weeks and Allen figures to be the biggest beneficiary. His 21 carries Sunday are probably on the high side — Terrance West was projected to be the lead back and it was Joe Flacco's first action after missing preseason — but a strong pass-catching role and at least 10-12 carries per game seem realistic. Allen, who had 45 receptions in 2015, could thrive in that role.

Terrance West, Ravens - West had a successful opener despite Allen getting two more carries than West's 19. The two have similar skill sets, meaning their roles could be somewhat interchangeable week to week. However, that should still spell plenty of opportunity for either back, considering how successful the Ravens were moving the ball on the ground in Week 1.

Marshawn Lynch, Raiders - Lynch answered plenty of questions with an 18-carry, 76-yard game against the Titans. Lynch is the clear lead back, with DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard set to share a decidedly secondary role. And with a strong passing game to keep defenses honest and one of the league's best offensive lines, Lynch will have enough help to beat most seven-man fronts.

C.J. Anderson, Broncos - Anderson looked like his 2014-15 form in Monday night's win, getting 20 carries for the first time since Week 2 last season and running decisively. While his role in the passing game was muted, he has a solid track record in that regard as well, and he separated himself from Jamaal Charles (10 rushes) in what should be a high-volume rushing attack. Devontae Booker's return from a wrist injury (perhaps in Week 3) is the one potential threat to Anderson's touches.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers - The seemingly forgotten man in Carolina with all the hype surrounding rookie Christian McCaffrey, Stewart shot back on the radar with 18 carries for 65 yards and two receptions for 17 yards in Week 1. McCaffrey will get his touches each week, but Stewart looks set to still play the role of workhorse back.

Corey Davis, Titans - A hamstring injury cast some doubt on Davis' readiness to start the season, but he alleviated fears with a six-catch, 69-yard effort in the opener. Rishard Matthews continues to serve as the No. 1 receiver, but Davis' talent could certainly render that designation obsolete.

Kenny Golladay, Lions - Golladay's two touchdowns and 44 snaps in the opener provided ample reason to be optimistic about his prospects. Listed as the fourth receiver on the depth chart, it's likely just a matter of time before he leapfrogs TJ Jones and potentially starts breathing down the neck of No. 2 wideout Marvin Jones.

Stefon Diggs, Vikings - Diggs played an integral part in Sam Bradford's impressive performance in the Monday night's opener, coming within one touchdown of matching his total from last season. His 13.3 yards per catch and 11.6 yards per target were especially encouraging, considering he generated figures of 10.8 and 8.1, respectively, last season. If the downfield acumen Bradford displayed Monday is the real deal, Diggs' fantasy stock is poised to jump.

Adam Thielen, Vikings - Speaking of the Vikings' offensive explosion Monday, Thielen's 157-yard effort (17.4 yards per reception, 15.7 yards per target) was a vital component. As with Diggs, Thielen is poised to profit handsomely if Bradford continues the high caliber of play he put forth Monday.

Nelson Agholor, Eagles - Agholor's six catches and 86 yards in the opener is reason to believe his improved play in preseason was no fluke. Agholor figures to continue working out of the slot role that Jordan Matthews vacated when he was traded to Buffalo, which could lead to a number of favorable one-on-one matchups against weaker corners throughout the season.

Corey Coleman, Browns - Coleman delivered on some preseason hype with five receptions and a touchdown in the opener, serving as a reliable target for rookie DeShone Kizer. Fellow wideout Kenny Britt endured his share of struggles and there are even whispers of a potential demotion, would could open up even more opportunities for Coleman.

Randall Cobb, Packers - There were signs this summer that Cobb was poised for a bounce-back season, and 13 targets and nine catches are encouraging. It's also encouraging that he's back at full health after being besieged by injuries through virtually all 2016. Given the Packers' prolific offense, a return to prominence isn't hard to imagine if Cobb stays healthy.

Pierre Garcon, 49ers - Garcon confirmed in the opener that he's Brian Hoyer's favorite target, catching six of 10 targets for 81 yards despite a dismal day for the 49ers' offense. Garcon's familiarity and proficiency in coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system is a plus, as is the likelihood the 49ers will rely heavily on the passing game as they trail frequently this season.

Austin Hooper, Falcons - Hooper validated his big-play upside by needing only two receptions to rack up 128 yards and a touchdown against the Bears in Week 1. The second-year pro has no true competition for the top job, and even though he saw only two targets in the opener, his volume likely will increase.

Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles - Ertz seems to only be missing week-to-week consistency to vault into the upper echelon at tight end, and he got off to a terrific start in that regard in the opener (eight receptions, 93 yards). An improved rapport with Carson Wentz as the latter enters his second season is already evident, leaving Ertz's fantasy arrow pointing decidedly up heading into Week 2.

Evan Engram, TE, Giants - Engram might be the No. 2 tight end on the depth chart behind Rhett Ellison, but it's clear he'll essentially be the sole receiving target. Moreover, Odell Beckham's eventual return from his ankle injury should free up the middle of the field for the speedy Engram even more than it was in the opener against the Cowboys.

HOLDING STEADY

Seth DeValve, TE, Browns - DeValve's usage in the opener was a bit of a surprise, as he out-snapped first-stringer Randall Telfer and was second only to Corey Coleman in receiving yards and targets. On a team that will look to give signal-caller DeShone Kizer as many options as possible, DeValve could turn into a security blanket for the rookie.

Ricardo Louis, WR, Browns - Louis' two-reception, 32-yard opener isn't particularly inspiring, but it's the rumors of a possible drop on the depth chart for veteran Kenny Britt that warrants monitoring Louis' status. Such a development would thrust the second-year wideout into a No. 2 role alongside Corey Coleman, which would propel him onto the fantasy radar.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers - The rookie Kittle could be in line for plenty of work, as he hauled in five of six targets for 27 yards Sunday. Kittle sports a formidable 6-foot-4 frame that should afford him plenty of red-zone looks.

TRENDING DOWN

Paul Perkins, Giants - While it's prudent to not jump to conclusions after one game — especially a game in which the Giants' offense was dismal as a whole — Perkins struggled to 25 yards on nine touches. Perkins had no chance to get into a rhythm given the game script, but initial returns were nonetheless disappointing and cloud his fantasy prospects.

Wendell Smallwood, Eagles - The Eagles' backfield division of labor was murky coming into the season, but the picture appears a bit clearer after Week 1. Smallwood saw only five touches compared to LeGarrette Blount's 15, sending his fantasy stock on a downward trajectory.

Duke Johnson, Browns - Johnson's opportunities in the opener were scarce. He did not receive any carries and hauled in just two of five targets, while rookie Matt Dayes was the only other player besides Isaiah Crowell to see running back touches. Crowell also looks slated for more volume as the lead back, which could leave Johnson with fewer opportunities than last season.

Tavon Austin, Rams - Rookie Cooper Kupp looks like the real deal, Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods have the top two receiver spots locked down and even Todd Gurley appears primed for a greater role in the passing game. Austin has value in formats that count return yards, but how many touches from scrimmage he'll see each week is in question after he received only three in Week 1.

Kenny Britt, Browns - Britt's disappointing opener included one reception on three targets, with one of those missed connections a crucial fourth-quarter drop. Coach Hue Jackson termed that play "inexcusable," and there are rumblings of a possible demotion for the veteran despite the sizable free-agent contract he signed this offseason.