Week 2 Fantasy Flames WR/TE: JuJu no in jest option

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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).

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs

There's no penile displacement more painful than one of your prized fantasy picks exiting with a significant injury only a handful of snaps in. 

Xavier Worthy owners know that displeasurable feeling all too well. 

Banged up in Brazil, Worthy's quick hook paved the way for someone to step up. Live sports bettors like this goof thought Travis Kelce would rise to the occasion, but in reality, the spotlight cast on Hollywood Brown with a little JuJu mixed in. The former Raven was targeted an obscene 16 times, connecting on 10 passes from Patrick Mahomes for 99 yards. As his resulting 6.2 average depth of target proved, he immediately overtook Worthy's short-field role. Added by the fantasy masses in droves off waivers earlier this week, Brown will likely be plugged in straight away -- especially if the "day-to-day" teammate he replaced is inactive. 

Smith-Schuster, however, isn't some dismissible stiff. 

Lining out wide on 75.0% of his snaps versus the Chargers, JuJu hauled in a deep-league useful five catches for 55 yards. Most eye-grabbing, his 26 yards accumulated after contact were the 12th-highest of Week 1. Still only 28 years old, the former Steeler has plenty left in the tank. 

Yes, Philadelphia arguably has a top-10 secondary. Pro Football Focus ranked it as such preseason. However, after one week of action, the Eagles are a modest No. 19 in dropback EPA defense. One particular DB is to blame for dragging the profile down -- Adoree' Jackson. 

The former Giant proved a liability in the opener. Sure, Fly Eagles Fly went home with a victory, but the corner allowed THE most yards (103) of any defensive back in Week 1. Surrendering a catch on five-of-seven targets and a 113.7 passer rating to his assignment, he could be a consistent coverage impediment for Nick Siriani. 

If JuJu gets any piece of Jackson, Mahomes is likely to lock him in. Toss in his after catch abilities and he's an appreciable upside play at WR3 or the FLEX in 12-team and deeper formats. 

Ride a bike. 

Ricky Pearsall, Niners 

Money is often made by the advantageous. 

When news broke late Monday afternoon George Kittle was expected to miss extensive time with a hamstring setback and Brock Purdy's status was also placed in doubt due to toe and shoulder shortcomings, this opportunistic bettor promptly fired up the BetMGM app, clicked on Niners/Saints and noticed the line had yet to budge from San Francisco -7. Working fingers at a furious pace, a wager on the Saints was placed. Moments later the line tumbled to -4.5. 

Call it a moral victory. 

Throwing in Jauan Jennings' unknown availability (shoulder), Pearsall seemingly is about to attract a voluminous target share, one possibly approaching 30%. Of course, passes off the hand of Purdy spin differently compared to backup Mac Jones, but even if the contingency plan is put in motion, the popular mid-round fantasy WR is a player to trust. (UPDATE: Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday Purdy is a "long shot" to play and "could miss multiple weeks." Jones is on pace to start in Week 2.) 

In San Francisco's Week 1 close shave in Seattle, Pearsall was a point of emphasis. He lured 20.6% of the team target share and ranked No. 4 among all NFL WRs in total air yards (136). Targeted seven times, he caught four passes for 108 yards averaging a ridiculous 27.0 yards per reception. Overall, he displayed considerable route versatility, instantly living up to the hype cranked throughout August. 

Even if Jones gets the call, the sophomore wideout is someone to confidently start at WR3 in 12-team formats. Kyle Shanahan's QB2 wasn't abysmal in 10 games with Jacksonville last year. He completed a competent 65.3% of his attempts and posted a 7.7 average depth of target. He and Brian Thomas certainly clicked. During the stretch, the Jags' WR1 ranked inside the top five at the position in fantasy scoring, totaling 52 receptions, 687 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. 

Facing a Saints D No. 18 in dropback success rate D after one week, Pearsall could again punish the opposition. His projected primary adversary CB Isaac Yiadom, allowed an 80.0% catch rate and 96.7 passer rating to his Week 1 assignments. 

Unless Tim Rattay comes out of retirement and takes snaps on the bayou, the man sporting No. 1 should be labeled a top fantasy option. 

Keep it TIGHT: Brenton Strange, Jaguars, TE (6% started in Yahoo leagues) -  Blast Jim Morrison on The Doors classic. Jacksonville's productive weirdo is far from a bizarre play. His four catches for 59 yards may not have wowed the fantasy masses in Week 1, but the plus-sized target's efforts were undoubtedly FLEX useful in challenging PPR formats. Operating primarily in the intermediate field, he recorded the 11th-most yards after the catch (23) at the position. In the followup his numbers should impress even those in All-Pro laden six-team family leagues. Trevor Lawrence and friends travel to Cincinnati to engage in another feline fracas. Unlike last week's tussle with the claw of Panthers, the Bengals -- coming off a colossal clunker -- should light up the scoreboard, forcing Jacksonville airborne. Though they didn't find the end zone last Sunday, Cincy surrendered a whopping 10 receptions for 100 yards to David Njoku and Harold Fannin. Embrace the Strange. (FF: 5 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD, 14.3 fpts)