Davante Adams a scary fantasy football start in week two

Davante Adams, the main fantasy football benefactor of a season-ending injury to Jordy Nelson, entered the young season with low-end WR1 potential as a primary target in an Aaron Rodgers offense. This hasn’t changed following an average week one performance against the Chicago Bears, but his breakout game could be delayed once again due to the presence of Richard Sherman on Sunday night.

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Speaking of breakout games, Adams became a household name on January 11th of 2015 against the Dallas Cowboys, catching seven of 11 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown in his playoff debut. With excellent route-running and yards-after-catch abilities, many reached back to this performance as “Exhibit A” for optimism when Nelson went down.

His follow-up effort wasn’t as impressive, though. In the NFC Championship, Adams recorded just one reception on three targets for the grand total of seven yards. His lone red zone target was intercepted in the back of the end zone by…you guessed it, Richard Sherman.

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With Adams expected to line up on the right side of Green Bay’s offense for the majority of his snaps, he could draw a heavy dosage of Sherman, who has long manned the left corner position from the defensive side. There’s been some chatter that this could change, though, with Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll telling Curtis Crabtree of ProFootballTalk that Sherman will see increased time in the slot.

“Putting Richard inside it allows him to use all of the savvy and the instincts that he has,” Carroll said. “He’s a marvelous player in terms of awareness and vision and anticipation and all of that. … He likes it. There’s a lot going on.”

Seattle’s week one matchup with the St. Louis Rams likely pushed this “Sherman in the slot” idea further than we’ll see on Sunday night because the Rams lack a true outside weapon that demands a corner of Sherman’s talent. Few players in the NFL have the football I.Q. and instincts of Sherman, but matching up against Randall Cobb in the slot may not be an ideal strategy for Seattle. Besides, beating the Legion of Boom with sideline-to-sideline quickness was a primary strategy of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.

In fantasy football, several factors can rank above the actual talent of a player. Luck being the foremost of which, but situational opportunity and certainty of performance are pivotal. Depending on your league and roster sizes, Adams is likely your WR2 or high-upside WR3. With a thin bench behind him, Adams remains an OK start if necessary, but it’s perfectly sensible to be tempted by another option whose week two matchup comes with fewer variables.

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) gets away from Dallas Cowboys free safety J.J. Wilcox (27) to score a touchdown in the third quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Past Adams’ individual situation, the emergence of James Jones in the Packers offense could also limit his scoring opportunities in week two. Richard Rodgers is due for a true breakout at tight end, while a healthier Cobb should be able to operate at a higher volume.

Time of possession could become an issue for the Packers, as well, especially after their defense allowed over 140 yards rushing to Matt Forte in week one without many signs of optimism. Subtract inside linebacker Sam Barrington from that equation then add Marshawn Lynch and the mobility Russell Wilson, and Seattle could very well control the clock.

Adams is still the player you drafted high following the Nelson injury, or in the middle rounds for fantastic value beforehand. It just might not show this week.

Next: Packers must properly balance coverage of Lynch, Graham

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