The Marcus Mariota hype train is running full speed ahead right now heading into the second week of the season as the quarterback capped off his debut with an Offensive Player of the Week title. After dominating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the quarterback is the talk of the league as many wonder if he can follow up his Week 1 performance. While fantasy owners scramble to take Mariota off the waiver wire, Kendall Wright and Bishiop Sankey also benefitted from his success.
Wright was a huge beneficiary of Mariota's Week 1 performance, hauling in four catches for 101 yards and touchdown. The wide receiver seemed to have the best connection with the quarterback as he credits his experience in the spread off ense during college. This could easily be viewed as Wright's breakout season as quarterback inconsistencies kept him quiet over the past two years. Chemistry with Mariota appears to be just what he needs.
"I think it was just me getting in the right spots and being confident in what I'm doing," Wright said, via the Tennessean. "I think that will help me out a lot. That's what we have to do as receivers - catch the ball and help (Mariota) keep his confidence up. He'll believe in us and keep coming to us."
With tight end Delanie Walker suffering a hand injury in the first game, Wright will be relied upon much more in the coming game along with Harry Douglas who also caught a Mariota touchdown pass. While Douglas is not viewed as an impact player in terms of fantasy, he will be a huge help to the quarterback thanks to his veteran knowledge on the field. With the Titans being a fairly young team, Douglas will play a key leadership role.
Despite making plays with his legs as well as his arms, the run game was a success for the Titans and Sankey was the star of it. The second year running back put up 74 yards and touchdown on the ground along with another 12 yards off two catches and a touchdown in the receiving game. Sankey split carries with Terrance West who also had a nice 41 yards, but the second-year running back appears to be the favorite.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt does not like the idea of a leading rusher in the backfield to Fantasy owners beware as West and Sankey could continue a rotation along with rookie David Cobb. According to SBNation.com, Sankey might have the talent to warrant more carries, but it likely will not happen enough for him to make a big fantasy impact going forward.
