One-Hit Wonders or Here to Stay? Analyzing Week 1 Breakout Players: Travis Etienne, Juwan Johnson and More

With week 1 now in the books, it's time to recap what all happened.

Here, we'll analyze some breakout fantasy performances and determine if those players are here to stay or were just one-hit wonders.

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Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones and Justin Fields are the two quarterbacks I want to discuss this week.

Jones was stellar in week 1 in helping the Colts to a lopsided win over the Dolphins. He was 22-of-29 as a passer, going for 272 yards, a score and no interceptions. Jones rushed for 26 yards and two scores on seven attempts to finish as one of the top fantasy QBs in week 1.

Jones was a surprise starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson Sr., and Jones made that decision look great with a fantastic week 1 showing. Jones has really only had one good fantasy season over his seven-year career, so most are skeptical of him keeping things rolling.

I am part of that group. Not only has Jones not been a good fantasy asset over his career, but the Dolphins might really turn out to be one of the worst defenses (and teams) in the league.

Jones has a stiffer challenge in week 2 against the Broncos. If he looks good in that one, then I'll believe in him more. For now, he's just a deep-league starting option, and a standard league streamer in the most favorable matchups - I'm not taking the gamble on starting him in standard leagues against the Broncos in week 2.

Fields surprised against his former team in week 1, throwing for 218 yards and a score on 16-of-22 passing. Fields rushed for 48 yards and two scores on 12 attempts to boost his fantasy score.

A matchup against the Steelers looked tough on paper, but after Fields was there all last season, I think that really worked in his favor in week 1. It was a good all-around performance, but again, a ton of his fantasy production was his running. Even while faring well as a passer, his numbers were a bit below-average.

Things get tougher in week 2 against the Bills. Buffalo got torched by Lamar Jackson in week 1, but Fields isn't Jackson, and I wouldn't expect Fields to even look as good as he did in week 1.

So like for Jones, I'm not ready to fully believe in Fields. He's a good starting option in deeper leagues, but I'm not ready to give him a standard league streaming starts yet.

Running Backs

Javonte Williams and Travis Etienne Jr. are the two backs I'd like to discuss after week 1.

Some have already forgotten what Williams did back on Thursday night. He rushed for 54 yards and two scores on 15 attempts in the Cowboys' loss to the Eagles. Williams added 10 receiving yards on two grabs and three targets.

Williams easily led the Dallas backfield. He might have a stronger grasp on the lead role after backup Miles Sanders fumbled in his time on the field. Williams played 47 of the team's 61 offensive snaps, while Sanders was at 11 snaps.

Rookie Jaydon Blue could factor in at some point too, but I think this backfield belongs to Williams. His fantasy production was boosted by the touchdowns, but if he can get 15+ touches a game, there's some legit fantasy value in him.

I like Williams as a deep-league starter, and as a possible standard league flex option too. A matchup against the Giants in week 2 is a chance for Williams to keep rolling too. I'm not all-in on him, but he's the Cowboy RB to own for now.

Fantasy owners of Etienne have to be thrilled after what happened over the past couple days.

Etienne rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries and had 13 receiving yards on three receptions and targets in a Sunday win over the Panthers. Yesterday, Jacksonville traded Tank Bigsby to the Eagles, so the backfield belongs to Etienne.

He played 40 of the team's 66 offensive snaps. Bigsby only logged 14 snaps, and now is out of the picture. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten is likely the top backup now, and his snap total will probably be around what Bigsby had.

Etienne isn't a waiver option, but he's a big-time trade target, and can be counted on for the foreseeable future. If you drafted him, you might be able to sell him high for a really good return, so if you only have him as a depth option, or don't believe in him, now could be the time to sell high.

I'd be more inclined to ride with Etienne going forward. He didn't cost a super early pick, and could take your fantasy team over the top this year.

Wide Receivers

Keon Coleman and Quentin Johnston are the two wide receivers we'll cover today.

Coleman went for 112 yards and a score on eight receptions and 11 targets in Buffalo's stunning win over Baltimore on Sunday night.

He led the Bills in targets and receptions. Coleman also played the most snaps of any pass catcher, logging 75 of the team's 85 snaps.

I'm all-in on Coleman right now. He should get up to 100% rostered before week 2 kicks off, and be a good starting option for the team's game against the Jets.

Johnston caught five of his seven targets for 79 yards and two scores on Friday against the Chiefs.

He was third on the team in targets and catches, but led the way in scores. I don't expect the Chargers to throw for 300+ yards every game, so I'm skeptical on Johnston keeping this kind of production up.

He did play 82% of the team's offensive snaps, which was only two snaps behind Ladd McConkey, while being 13 snaps ahead of Keenan Allen.

I actually trust Allen a bit more moving forward, but after an eight-score 2024 campaign, maybe Johnston will keep his scoring ways up and be a good fantasy asset here and there. 

I like him better as a deep-league starter going into week 2, but he's on the standard league radar and is a flex option now.

Tight Ends

Juwan Johnson and Dalton Kincaid are the tight ends I want to discuss this week.

Johnson hauled in eight of his 11 targets for 76 yards in the team's week 1 loss to the Cardinals.

He was second on the team in targets, and led the way in catches and yards. Johnson was on the field for 74 of the team's 75 plays, which is why he's such a big waiver wire name going into week 2.

I wouldn't expect that kind of production every single week, but on a Saints' offense lacking playmakers, Johnson should remain pretty involved most weeks. At a hard fantasy position to find consistent production at, I'm willing to take a gamble on him and add him.

I wouldn't say he's here to stay, but there's reasons to believe he could be. A good week 2 showing against the 49ers could change my mind, as that's a tough matchup for any tight end.

Kincaid recorded 48 yards and a score across four catches and targets in week 1 against Baltimore.

It was good to see Kincaid get rolling after some underwhelming past seasons. While Buffalo is still searching for pass catchers to consistently deliver, it wasn't all good for Kincaid in week 1. 

He only played 43 of the team's 85 offensive snaps. Fellow tight end Dawson Knox was on the field for 48 snaps.

Until Kincaid plays more, and does it consistently, I'm not sold on him. He's a fine deep-league asset, but is just a depth or streaming option in standard leagues.

I'm not sure Kincaid will get to a point where I'd trust him weekly in all leagues, unless his usage drastically improves.