The Patriots and Steelers opened the NFL season and fantasy football owners may look at some free agent pickups from the game as options moving forward from Week 1, as players like DeAngelo Williams, Dion Lewis, Danny Amendola, Brandon Bolden, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Heath Miller could be available in some leagues.
The Patriots have LeGarrette Blount out and that pushed Dion Lewis into the starting lineup and he made the most of his chance. Lewis had 120 total yards in the game and had 69 yards rushing on 15 carries. Lewis is definitely a player to watch going forward, as the Patriots often use running backs interchangeably and if he has a hot hand, he could get more playing time even with Blount coming back.
DeAngelo Williams is likely taken in most leagues with Le'Veon Bell suspended, but he is worth using for next week and maybe beyond if he can continue playing like he did against the Pats. Williams had 127 yards rushing in the game and he looked like the young version of himself against the Patriots. Williams did not get the chance to score a touchdown, but fantasy owners should keep an eye on Williams moving forward even with Bell coming back in one more game.
Markus Wheaton did not have a great game against the Pats with just three catches for 55 yards, but with Martavis Bryant out, expect Wheaton to continue getting looks. Wheaton had seven targets in the game and he should be a solid number two or three option for the next few weeks with Bryant suspended. Last season Wheaton had 53 catches for 644 yards and he could be a breakout option this season. Darrius Heyward-Bey is an option in deeper leagues until Bryant returns as well. Bey had four catches for 58 yards in the game against the Pats.
Danny Amendola was a major disappointment last season and this year he has the chance to bounce back. Amendola had just two catches for 23 yards on three targets, but he missed on a deep ball from Tom Brady and that would have made his night look better. For fantasy owners in need of another wideout, Amendola is a low risk look.
Brandon Bolden is likely not worth a pickup, as he did not do much in the game against the Steelers and he could be a non-factor once Blount returns. Lewis could be the straight backup for Blount and if he plays well next week against the Bills, Lewis could get some carries behind Blount in Week 3. Lewis had four receptions for 51 yards and he could be valuable if he can take over the Shane Vereen position as the running back who can make catches out of the backfield.
Check here for more on the Patriots and Steelers game and fantasy performances.
