Week 1 of the NFL season brought some absolutely wild performances, and honestly, a few players nobody was really talking about just went nuclear. Forget the big names for a second, because one guy in particular put up numbers that should make every fantasy manager out there do a double-take: Mike Gesicki. The dude caught five-of-seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and here’s the kicker, he’s rostered in just one percent of leagues. One percent! Are you serious right now?
Jalen Coker and David Montgomery: Week 1 Heroes You Need to See
Look, Gesicki is probably the biggest shocker, but we can’t ignore what Jalen Coker did for the Carolina Panthers. This third-year wide receiver and Bryce Young? Their chemistry is just *popping off*. If Week 1 is any indication, their connection is evolving, big time. Coker snagged eight-of-nine targets for a massive 138 yards and two touchdowns, even in a crazy 59-37 loss to the Bears. That’s a top-five wide receiver finish in PPR leagues for Week 1. Think about it, with defenses probably still focused on reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, Coker is getting wide open. And if the Panthers’ defense keeps playing like that Sunday, they’re going to be slinging the ball all season to try and keep pace. That’s a huge advantage for Coker and anyone smart enough to snag him. He won’t hit those numbers every week, but he’s a reliable option in an offense that can definitely score. He’s available in over 71 percent of leagues right now.
Then there’s David Montgomery. Plenty of fantasy managers slept on this guy, almost 51 percent according to Fantasy Pros, which is just wild after his Buffalo game. The 29-year-old running back put in an extraordinary performance, rushing 20 times for 60 yards and two touchdowns, then added three receptions for 19 yards and a receiving touchdown. He was absolutely the heart and soul of the Houston Texans offense, taking a ton of pressure off quarterback CJ Stroud. Was it a fluke? Maybe. But the playcalling made it super clear the Texans have big plans for this veteran back this season. And so should you.
Gesicki’s Exploding Value on a Pass-Happy Bengals Squad
But let’s circle back to Gesicki, because his performance is just begging for attention. He wasn’t just catching passes; he was a consistent option for Joe Burrow, and the team’s *leading receiver* in a game where Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase were held to five total receptions. Five! That’s a massive boost to the offense when the top guys are shut down. Gesicki became Burrow’s safety blanket, especially against a pass rush when the offensive line was maybe a little so-so. He’s not on the level of a Trey McBride or Brock Bowers yet, but he’s absolutely in that next tier of potentially game-changing pickups, especially on a pass-happy team like the Bengals.
So, what’s the play? For Coker, grab him if you can. For Montgomery, get him on your bench at the very least, then keep an eye on his usage in the coming weeks to see if he can keep flashing consistent starting potential. But Gesicki? He’s the must-add right now, especially with that one percent ownership. The season just started, and these early trends could be everything. Don’t miss out on what these guys are doing to kick off the year.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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