Week 1 is always a wild ride for fantasy football. Last year, Justin Fields was QB2, Keon Coleman WR2, Hollywood Brown WR9 after just one game. So, you gotta read those signals and ignore the noise. And man, the signals for Bucky Irving in Week 1? They’re screaming. Despite the Buccaneers losing to Cincinnati and Irving losing a fumble, this dude stayed absolutely relevant, especially when Tampa Bay played catch-up.
Bucky Irving’s Perfect Storm (Even With A Fumble)
Forget the lost fumble for a second. Irving was a beast on the ground: eight carries for 45 yards and a touchdown, finding lanes behind a solid offensive line. But here’s the kicker: his receiving game was absolutely money. He hauled in all seven of his targets for 48 yards. Seven targets! This is huge, especially after his stock took a hit this summer. Remember when Tampa signed Kenny Gainwell and kept Sean Tucker around? Gainwell had just one reception in Week 1, and Tucker was inactive with a hamstring injury after taking a pay cut. Sure, Gainwell might be a better pass blocker, but Irving ran 21 routes compared to Gainwell’s 13. Their career receiving stats scream Irving’s more productive: 8.5 YPC, 89.4% catch rate, 7.6 YPT compared to Gainwell’s 6.9 YPC, 78.6% catch rate, 5.4 YPT. The Bucs lost, so adjustments are coming, but if Irving keeps blocking for Baker Mayfield, he’s gonna shatter his summer ADP.
Colston Loveland’s Zero Points, High Stakes
Okay, let’s talk Colston Loveland. It’s tough when a guy gets zero points in a game where his team drops 59 points! Zero! But don’t write him off yet. He ran a route on 89% of the team’s dropbacks, tops on the Bears. Caleb Williams even missed him on an end-zone throw that could have been a touchdown. You can’t unsee how he finished last season: 48 targets, 28 catches for 378 yards and two touchdowns. My lofty expectations? Still sky-high. Now, keep an eye on Kalif Raymond. He could be a real fantasy disruptor, running 22 routes, same as Rome Odunze, and five fewer than Luther Burden III. He was targeted on nine of those routes and seems to have quick rapport with Williams, excelling at fast, defined throws. Could Raymond become a Wan’Dale Robinson-esque PPR scammer, just collecting underneath catches? Maybe, but Loveland’s usage still screams volume.
Christian Watson Is Going To The Moon (For Real This Time)
Finally, Christian Watson. Six catches, 147 yards, two touchdowns in Week 1? Yeah, that’s exciting. But the usage trends are what really got me fired up. He was on the field for three quarters of the snaps, a huge bump over his career mark of 63 percent! And eight targets? That’s more than usual; only the sixth time in his career he’s hit that many. This isn’t just a fluke. This is a real increase in involvement, a true signal. If this keeps up, Watson isn’t just a boom-or-bust guy. He’s a legitimate weekly threat, and you gotta get in on that now!
So, there you have it, early Week 1 signals that could reshape your fantasy season. Keep your eyes glued to Irving’s target share and blocking. Watch if Loveland converts those routes into actual points, and see if Watson maintains that elite snap percentage. Week 2 is right around the corner. Are you making moves or staying put? The stakes are high!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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