Danny is back with some more Dynasty Risers and Fallers. Week one is finally in the books. Everything we predicted before the season was either confirmed or brought to a halt in front of our eyes. 

With that in mind, let’s see who makes the risers and fallers list this week!

Three on the rise

Elijah Mitchell, RB – San Francisco 49ers

After Trey Sermon was ruled as a healthy scratch for this game, Elijah Mitchell came into backup Raheem Mostert. 

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Mostert went down early due to an injury (season-ending), and Mitchell took full advantage of his expanded role. 

Racking up 104 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts is no mean feat. Especially for a rookie, many expected to be lower on the depth chart. 

Trey Sermon and Jamycal Hasty figure to take touches away from Mitchell. However, after breaking the week one rookie rushing record previously held by Alfred Morris, it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field going forward.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB – Philadelphia Eagles

Another rookie to make the most of his opportunities was Kenneth Gainwell. 

It was clear that he was the backup to Miles Sanders and recorded 9 rushes for 37 yards and a touchdown. 

Another touchdown score was ruled out due to a penalty. Gainwell showed more than enough to keep the work coming his way moving forward. 

Should Miles Sanders take any knocks this season. Gainwell could be in for a productive year.

Juwan Johnson, TE – New Orleans Saints

You may think that including a tight end on the list is a bit strange. Especially considering the uptick in production for quite a few players in other skill positions. 

However, Johnson is a wide receiver turned tight end and looked like a favourite red-zone target for new Saints starting quarterback Jameis Winston. 

Remember the Robert Tonyan breakout last season, that was highly dependent on touchdowns? 

Johnson had 3 receptions on as many targets for 21 yards and 2 touchdowns. That’s the sort of red-zone production that keeps me excited about new TE prospects.

Honorable mention: Christian Kirk, WR – Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals looked good. 

Chandler Jones had a career day with 5 sacks. As well as the offense firing on all cylinders led by the hybrid magician Kyler Murray. 

A player that gets our mention here is one with a few years experience in the league but who is still only 24 years old. 

Christian Kirk had 5 receptions from 5 targets for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns in this game. 

His partner in the WR corps Deandre Hopkins had 6 catches for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns so this offense looks potent. 

If they continue to air the ball out then Kirk’s production as a WR2 could be locked in. Especially in Week 2 against a Vikings side whose DBs thought that the best defense is to turn your back on a receiver. 

Three on the decline

Russell Gage, WR – Atlanta Falcons

Not one to say I told you so. However, I was never sold on the hype for Russell Gage this offseason. 

Losing a GOAT wide receiver like Julio Jones doesn’t make the next man up the same calibre of player. 

This was evident with the 2 targets, 0 catches, 0 total yards goose egg that was served up by Gage in his first game as WR2 in Atlanta. 

Not the only player to struggle in the opener. Gage will definitely be better than he was in week 1. 

However, with a more balanced Falcons offense and Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts taking the lion’s share of the targets, don’t expect a huge season from Gage. 

Marquez Callaway, WR – New Orleans Saints

See above. 

Further proof that losing a star doesn’t breed a new star. 

With Michael Thomas out. Marquez Callaway was locked in as WR1 for the Saints, but in a game with 5 passing touchdowns. Callaway managed 2 targets and 1 reception for a measly 14 yards. 

Ouch. 

There were only 20 attempts by Winston in this game so it makes sense that more throws mean more targets and hopefully more yards for Callaway. 

For now though, as with Gage, Callaway has found himself a spot on the bench.

Boston Scott, RB – Philadelphia Eagles

Boston Scott spent the pre-season acting in the role of bodyguard for his teammates. 

While it was a funny sketch at the time. The Eagles running back could find himself in this line of work permanently as his role at running back is in need of protection. 

It was clear from week 1 that Scott is nothing more than insurance for Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell. Only making an appearance on special teams and never being looked towards during offensive plays. 

There are fallers and there’s Boston Scott. Injuries are the only way Scott can become fantasy-relevant once again. 

Dishonorable mention: Phillip Lindsay

During the pre-season, the Texans running back room was a minefield. 

David Johnson, Mark Ingram, Rex Burkhead, and Phillip Lindsay were all jostling for a major role in the offense.

It was clear from the game against the Jags that this is Mark Ingram’s backfield. Until he gives it up, that’s the way it’ll stay.

Lindsay was hoping to leave Denver, where he had shown plenty to prove himself as a viable starter in this league and be named RB1. 

However, with just 8 carries for 25 yards and a dropped target he’s going to have to prove the doubters wrong once again in Houston. 

His only saving grace was his touchdown on a 5-yard run. However, Ingram was also on the field for this play. 

I’ll be back each week with my Dynasty Risers and Fallers article. You can follow me @DynastyDan1 and the rest of the team @5YardDynasty