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Fantasy sports is big business, and RotoWire is considered one of the top companies grabbing market share by the balls (and to a lesser degree, pucks). It's considered one of the top sources in the industry for up-to-the-minute fantasy-relevant information. For just $39.99, you can subscribe to the site for a year's worth of expert fantasy analysis, such as this gem I saw on their mobile app.

Thanks to RotoWire, millions, perhaps billions, of fantasy owners flocked to the waiver wire and grabbed Kirk Cousins, the new starting QB for the Washington Redskins, beating out "Dragon" Grossman and actual Redskins starter/savior, Robert Griffin III.

Inspired by RotoWire's "industry leadership," TDZ is launching its own fantasy news service on a trial basis, free of charge! Click below to see my analysis following Week 1's slate of games.


Week 1 NFL News

Peyton Hillis – RB – Kansas City Chiefs

Hillis ran 7 times for just 16 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. In comparison, Jamaal Charles ran 16 times, and some random guy named Shaun Draughn ran 6 times while poaching a goal-line TD.

Analysis

Those who were planning on sweet bicep salvation from Hillis this year can abandon all hope as some rando guy with a name that rhymes is totally cramping his goal-line style. Or recognize that it was a garbage time TD.

These guns have led some mediocre teams.

Stephen Hill – WR – New York Jets

The rookie led the Jets receiving corps on Sunday, hauling in 5 passes for 89 yards and two scores.

Analysis

After dropping a deuce in the TD column, look for Hill to be highly in-demand during this waiver period. If you want to join the rabble, go ahead. Let’s forget the fact that Mark Sanchez is the team’s QB – a guy who could barely support two mediocre receiver flex players last year (Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress).

Jake Locker – QB – Tennessee Titans

Earning the start in Week 1, the second year QB threw for 229 yards and a TD while turning the ball over twice (fumble, INT) and leaving with a shoulder injury.

Analysis

There's a very easy Hurt Locker headline that I could have used here, but two things made me hesitate: 1) I’ve never seen the movie, and 2) he actually made a pretty solid play when he injured his shoulder. At any rate, there are probably better QB options in your league.

Phil Dawson – K – Cleveland Browns

Dawson did work this Sunday, successfully converting 3 field goals including two 40+ yarders.

Analysis

He even punched home a rare extra point, giving his owners a solid 12 fantasy points in most formats. The bigger story here is QB Brandon Weeden, who completed just 33% of his passes, got sacked by Old Glory, and hammered Philadelphia DBs with pass after pass (4 INTs). With Cleveland bizarrely pinning their hopes on this 28-year-old rookie/human disaster, Dawson should get plenty of work kicking from distance for weeks to come as the Browns offense won’t be sniffing the goal-line this year.

Ryan Tannehill – QB – Miami Dolphins

Tannehill underwhelmed in his NFL debut, going 20-36 for 219 yards and 3 INTs.

Analysis

If you believed that this rookie QB would be fantasy relevant, this year or ever, you're probably a RotoWire subscriber. To the 5% of fantasy team managers who own him: for shame.

Alfred Morris – RB – Washington Redskins

The rookie 6^th round pick grabbed the reigns of the starting RB role in Washington and ran with it – to the tune of 96 yards on 28 carries and 2 touchdowns.

Analysis

“There’s nothing quite as enjoyable as owning a Redskins RB during the Shanahan era,” said no one ever. Nevertheless, expect Morris to be widely targeted on the waiver wire this week. He’ll probably do well against the pathetic Rams next week, but a sub 4 ypc average against a mediocre run defense like New Orleans doesn’t instill much confidence for level-headed owners. Don’t blow your waiver budget to get him.

Russell Wilson – QB – Seattle Seahawks

The hyped up rookie produced a meager stat line for fantasy owners on Sunday, throwing for just 153 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, and rushing for a mere 20 yards on 8 carries.

Analysis

Foolishly considered a rookie in the mold of Cam Newton, Wilson was predictably disappointing. What Pete Carroll forgot is that Wilson doesn’t have a Heisman pedigree, and even if he did, it’s crazy to think that he’d produce in a record-breaking way like Newton did. The coach’s insufferable optimism will lead this otherwise sound defensive and running team to NFC West ruin, which is basically the worst ruin there is.

4 CDs of ear-bleed.

Chris Johnson – RB – Tennessee Titans

Johnson was shut down in New England on Sunday, running for just 4 yards on 11 carries.  6 receptions for 47 yards were all that could salvage his day for fantasy owners.

Analysis

Either the New England Patriots have a really good run defense this year, or the millions of CJ0004 owners just collectively pooped their pants. This analyst is betting on the former, but smirking at the possibility of the latter.

Michael Vick – QB – Philadelphia Eagles

Vick escaped with a win despite a suspect performance in Cleveland on Sunday. The veteran was 29-56 for 317 yards, 2 TDs, and a whopping 4 INTs.

Analysis

Vick did everything he could to make the cheesesteak-fattened population of Philadelphia have a heart attack in Week 1, including a couple of fumbles (mercifully recovered). Fortunately, he was able to lead a scoring drive to salvage a morsel of confidence in his playing ability. Between this opening performance and the threat of injury on any given play, his owners can do little else but stick with him or sell him for pennies on the dollar. Nice going.