Quarterback

Marcus Mariota, Titans

After a performance that made him look like a seasoned veteran, Marcus Mariota is now on everyone’s radar. He sliced and diced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense by going 13-for-16 with 209 yards and four touchdowns. Mariota finished the game with a perfect passer rating of 158.3 and is the only rookie quarterback ever to throw for four touchdowns in the first half of their first game—pretty amazing stuff.

For a player that most likely went undrafted in 12-team leagues, fantasy owners are going to be rushing to the waiver wire to add him and as well they should be. In that sense, he would be classified as a buy, especially if you’re in a shaky situation with your backup quarterback. Those of you in 2-QB leagues should absolutely attempt to add Mariota if possible. He is already a clear upgrade over quarterbacks such as Colin Kaepernick and Andy Dalton.

A player with Mariota’s pedigree is already going to be owned in all dynasty leagues, but it is time to hop on the redraft league train. If he plays as well against the Browns on Sunday as he did against Tampa Bay in his first game, you’re window to acquire him will be totally closed.

Verdict: BUY. Mariota is going to have growing pains, but he showed the poise and perseverance to be an impact quarterback immediately.

Cam Newton, Panthers

For a quarterback to have immense success in the NFL, sheer talent will rarely get the job done. For a guy like Newton, he has the ability to make a play with his legs at any time, but it isn’t something that can be relied on at all times. What Newton needs are weapons and that’s exactly what he does not have. While the Panthers walked away from Sunday’s game against Jacksonville with a 17-9 win, Newton completed just 58.1 percent of his passes for 175 yards. Carolina’s lack of offensive depth shined bright on Sunday and there is little reason to believe that things will get better.

With Kelvin Benjamin out for the season, the Panthers need one of their wideouts to step up. Corey Brown led the wide receiver corps with 54 snaps, followed by Ted Ginn Jr. with 43. Rookie Devin Funchess, who the team hopes will become a legit weapon saw just 26 snaps. Aside from tight end Greg Olsen this team sorely lacks downfield weapons. While Newton will have strong games at times this season, the writing is on the wall.

Verdict: SELL. The glaring lack of ammunition in the Panthers’ offense is going pull down Newton’s overall value and will deject fantasy owners all season long.

Running Back

Carlos Hyde, 49ers

Talk about a coming out party. Hyde was downright filthy on Monday night, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The second-year player immediately solidified his status as the lead running back and put fantasy owners on notice. The 49ers do not have a high-powered offense and that means Hyde will be getting plenty of carries every week. Week 1 may go down as his best performance all season, but the security he has now is unquestionable.

Verdict: BUY. With no one to challenge Hyde in San Francisco’s backfield, he should get the rock 25 times per game. Let the owner in your league “sell high” and work out a deal to add him.

Darren Sproles, Eagles

He has forever been a PPR golden boy, but times have changed and Sproles just isn’t the player he once was. Even after hauling in seven passes for 76 yards and adding another 50 yards on five rushes on Monday night, tempering your expectations would be recommended. Sproles matched that reception total just one time last season and saw double-digit carries just once as well. Factor Ryan Mathews into the mix and it becomes a weekly crapshoot for snaps and touches; there is only so much work to go around.

Verdict: SELL. Use Sproles’ strong game on Monday as a chance to move him while his stock is high.

Wide Receiver

Davante Adams, Packers

With all the hype surrounding Adams prior to Week 1, fantasy owners have to feel quite deflated after the second-year wideout managed to haul in just four passes for 59 yards. While that isn’t the breakout game many were hoping for, there is a very apparent silver lining. If you had to guess which Packers wide receiver played the most snap on Sunday against the Bears, your first guess would be Randall Cobb, right? Well, that’s wrong. It was Davante Adams. He led the team with 58 snaps, but it was recently signed James Jones that was the star of the game.

Fear not. Adams is going to be integral piece of the Packers’ offense and should have no trouble supplanting himself as Green Bay’s number-two receiver behind Randall Cobb. We saw plenty of flashes from Adams late last season and playing time won’t be an issue. He could be a 1,000-yard wideout as soon as this season and you don’t want to miss the boat.

Verdict: BUY. One mediocre game shouldn’t have you questioning your faith in Adams. He’s going to see plenty of targets and has the talent to put up strong WR2 numbers.

Percy Harvin, Bills

If we have learned anything in fantasy football over the last several years, it’s that Percy Harvin is one of the most unreliable players imaginable. While Harvin has always been a guy that could reach the next level, he simply just hasn’t. Sunday’s performance of five catches for 79 yards and touchdown is a solid building block, but it is also a total mirage.

Over a seven-year career, Harvin has yet to post 1,000 yards in a season or more than six touchdowns. To think that he’s going to have a breakout year with a former backup quarterback is comical and completely unrealistic. Do yourself a favor and sell Harvin now because his value will never be higher this season.

Verdict: SELL. Harvin has long been an underwhelming player and one above average game isn’t going to change that.

Tight End

Travis Kelce, Chiefs

After a strong rookie season in 2014 where he caught 67 passes for 862 yards, Kelce made a monster statement on Sunday against the Texans. With six receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns, Kelce didn’t waste time solidifying himself in the tier below Rob Gronkowski. This is exactly the type of performance that fantasy owners have been waiting for and those who targeted him in drafts were given instant gratification. He has the pedigree and upside for a monster year, he just needs to stay on the field.

Verdict: BUY. It took just one week for Kelce to emerge as a stud at the tight end position. While buying him is recommended, you will have to pay a premium price.