Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers: Brandon Aiyuk, Calvin Ridley, Jordan Love

Although it’s too early to take a definitive stance on any player’s long-term outlook after Week 1, there are plenty of takeaways to make use of. A player’s usage in Week 1 can be as telling, or more so, than their performance. We shouldn’t overreact to either one just yet, but it’s important to be aware of usage, performance, and where a player is trending. Here are all of our risers and fallers from Week 1. And below we dive into a few players.

Want to read about only your players? Sync your team (free) to get My Primer

Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers

Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)

I have high hopes for Brandon Aiyuk in his fourth season and wrote about him as a player being drafted as a WR3 with WR1 upside. He showed why on Sunday, to the tune of eight catches for 129 yards and two scores while finishing the day as fantasy’s WR1. Aiyuk drew eight targets, good enough to lead the team and one more than Deebo Samuel.

There are playmakers all over the 49ers offense, but it never made sense for a young, ascending receiver coming off a 1,000-yard season to be going as a WR3. It’s not hyperbolic to believe that this is the beginning of Aiyuk overtaking Samuel as the team’s top target.

Calvin Ridley (WR – JAC)

Another one of my guys this offseason, Calvin Ridley, dusted off his cleats and showed out with 101 yards and a touchdown on eight grabs. He was Trevor Lawrence‘s favorite target all day, with the quarterback throwing his way 11 times, and picked up right where he left off in 2021. Ridley was open often, but his 34% target share is most encouraging. He far outpaced Christian Kirk‘s three targets, while Zay Jones was next closest with seven.

Ridley should be in the WR1 mix all season and likely beyond.

Jordan Love (QB – GB)

The former first-round pick has a lot to prove as he takes the reigns from Aaron Rodgers, and there has been no shortage of doubters. Jordan Love got off to a good start on Sunday, finishing as the QB3 with 245 yards and three scores. Love completed 15 of 27 passes without throwing an interception and looked sharp as the Packers cruised by the Bears.

Rodgers owned the Bears, and Love may just be leasing them for now, but it’s an encouraging start regardless.