With another week of fantasy football almost in the books, there were several players who once again came off the radar to score big points.
Here’s the best off-the-radar players who did well in week 2 of the NFL season.
Derek Carr, Oakland, 26.34 points
There was much speculation that Carr wouldn’t even play this week. He was injured in a week 1 drubbing at home against Cincinnati, so the expectations were small heading into a week 2 matchup with Baltimore, which stymied Peyton Manning in week 1.
Carr fired at will against the Ravens, tossing for 351 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. Both defenses offered little resistance, and Carr took advantage of a Ravens secondary that struggled last season, but looked as if it had improved after a good week 1 showing.
Carr is rarely owned in fantasy football leagues, but he may still be a risky pickup with the Raiders not being a consistent offensive juggernaut. The Raiders have yet to leave Oakland yet. But for this week, Carr registered the fifth-highest point total among quarterbacks.
Matt Jones, Washington, 24.60 points
Fantasy football owners will now know Matt Jones’ name heading into week 3.
Jones is hardly registered as being on any fantasy teams, and with good reason. It appeared that Alfred Morris was the main ball carrier for the Redskins, especially after week 1. However, the Redskins may be employing a hot-hand approach, which on Sunday, was with Jones.
Jones tallied 19 carries for 123 yards rushing, and two touchdowns. Jones registered one more carry than Morris on Sunday, and was the second-highest scoring running back in fantasy football.
The Redskins once again recorded more than 30 rushing carries for the second consecutive week. Expect Washington to keep the ball on the ground this season, while it trusts its defense to win games.
Crockett Gilmore, Baltimore, 20.80 points
The theme for 2015 in fantasy football is tight ends with little fanfare having a big impact.
Gilmore is another one of those tight ends, with barely registering as a person owned in fantasy football leagues, but notching two touchdowns and 88 yards receiving during a Sunday loss to Oakland. He was the top-scoring tight end this week in fantasy football
The Raiders may be a good team to start a tight end against. Tight end Tyler Eifert dominated the Raiders last week, and Gilmore registered six targets on Sunday.
Gilmore also recorded four targets last week. His ownership will likely go up in the coming week with his increased workload.
Dexter McCluster, Tennessee, 12.40 points
Dexter McCluster came out of nowhere for his week 2 performance.
McCluster replaced Bishop Sankey as Cleveland jumped out to an early lead against the Titans. McCluster did receive four targets out of the backfield in the passing game, as he hauled in four catches for 26 yards, and netted 98 yards rushing on 10 carries. Hewas the ninth-highest scoring running back in fantasy football this week.
McCluster is rarely owned in fantasy football leagues, and there’s good reason. He is used sparingly, but does offer some value with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
This is likely an aberration, but it’s worth noting if the Titans consistently find themselves coming from behind.
