Each week the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week (Scoring thresholds – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points [10 for shockers], WR: 11 fantasy points: TE: 10 fantasy points; .5 PPR).
Jordan Mason, Vikings
| Start pct. | 16% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Falcons |
| BetMGM line | Min -5.5 |
| BetMGM total | 45.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA |
It's only appropriate in the Land of Thor, thunder and lightning are about to fill the skies above U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Finesse complement Aaron Jones is prepared to again bring the flash while rolling boulder Mason is likely to HULK SMASH.
In competitive or favorably lopsided affairs, Kevin O'Connell has already shown his hand on how the game script typically unfolds. In a deficit-erasing victory Week 1 in Chicago, Mason operated as the sledgehammer (Cue Peter Gabriel!) after halftime. The steamroller cracked pads, gained tough yards and finished with a game-high 68 yards on 15 carries. Thanks to a 27-yard TD reception, Jones was the fantasy standout, but Mason's workload shouldn't be overlooked.
Under the hood, the former Niner performed even better. He finished the opening week top-10 in YAC per attempt (3.73) and total missed tackles forced (3). Out-snapping his backfield accomplice 18-to-8 on run downs, he is without question the preferred option in those situations.
The Falcons weren't exactly deep-fried in the trenches versus intradivisional rival Tampa in Week 1. They finished the week No. 10 in rush EPA D, conceding a measly 3.12 yards per carry and 63 total yards to Bucs RBs. Interestingly, however, not a single Atlanta defender ranked inside the top 55 in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. That could be a sign of tackling failures to come.
Launching behind a top-10 run-blocking line, Mason should plow ahead to meaningful fantasy production. Keep in mind, PFF ranked Atlanta's defensive line the third-worst in the NFL before the season.
Minnesota's master blaster slams Falcons en route to a top-20 Week 2. SKOL!
Fearless Forecast: 15 carries, 69 rush yards, 2 receptions, 8 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.7 fantasy points
Trey Benson, Cardinals
| Start pct. | 1% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Panthers |
| BetMGM line | Ari -6.5 |
| BetMGM total | 44.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | 8.1 fpts |
In the flora lush Sonoran, Benson stands out like a towering saguaro. Much like colorful flowers on the multi-armed cactus, he may bloom only rarely, but when he does, the fantasy points and smells emitted are quite pleasant.
Expect florescence in Week 2. Deep leaguers and long-nosed bats alike are ready to taste the fruit.
Maybe we should've taken James Conner seriously. In August, he openly announced Arizona's backfield was going to be a true 1a-1b scheme. That was certainly the case in the Crescent City as Conner barely out-snapped Benson 14-10.
As witnessed on his 52-yard off-right-tackle rumble up the sideline against the Saints, the second-year rusher is a sensational blend of power and speed. Overall, he finished with 75 combined yards on only nine touches. Most outstandingly, he booked 4.38 yards after contact per attempt and forced three missed tackles.
Alarmingly, Arizona's offense line graded out as the second worst run-blocking unit in Week 1 per PFF. The big boys in the box will need to assert their authority for this recommendation to materialize. Their chances of that happening, however, are rock solid.
The Hello Kitties of Carolina only had one direction to go after last season's historical rush D ineptitude. Any positive step should be considered a victor, but No. 29 in rush EPA D after one week, they still have miles to go to regain respectability. In the opener, Carolina made vanilla Jag Travis Etienne look like peak Fred Taylor. In total, Jacksonville RBs racked 190 combined yards on 29 total touches. Craptastic.
Truthfully, this is akin to chasing the flush on a river draw in Texas Hold 'Em, but for those riverboat gamblers in attendance, Benson could get you one step closer to acquiring stacks.
Fearless Forecast: 9 carries, 54 rushing yards, 1 reception, 5 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 12.4 fantasy points
Deep League Dish: Braelon Allen, Jets vs. Bills (3% started) -- Apparently Breece Hall was *slightly* motivated by the barrage of negative expectations ahead of the season. Immediately asserting himself against what was supposed to be a stingy Pittsburgh defense, the versatile vet staked his claim as New York's RB1. Allen salvaged an otherwise forgettable Week 1 with a touchdown, but he finished with only nine yards on six attempts and was out-snapped 23-to-14 by Hall. Baltimore's Football Frankenstein (Derrick Henry) pulverized the Bills in the Week 1 instant classic, rolling up 184 total yards and two touchdowns on 19 touches. The Ravens rusher alone is the reason why Buffalo ranks No. 31 in EPA rush D after one game. If the Jets buffet closers boss DTs again in the trenches -- they ranked No. 9 in run-blocking efficiency in Week 1 according to PFF -- Allen could tally double-digit fantasy production on roughly 8-10 attempts. Take your chances in the FLEX. (FF: 8-30-1, 1-6-0, 10.1 fpts)