Week 1 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Wide Receiver: Julio Jones

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
9 Receptions, 141 Yards, 11 Targets, 2 Touchdowns
Total NEP: +13.13

Narrowly edging out San Diego's Keenan Allen, Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones was able to climb to the very top of our NEP rankings as Week 1's best receiver.

Finishing the night with 9 receptions on 11 targets for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns, there was very little that the Philadelphia defense could do to slow down Atlanta's premiere weapon. Jones repeatedly torched Philadelphia's newly acquired six-year, $63 million cornerback Byron Maxwell as Jones showed he was worth every penny of his own five-year, $71 million contract.

Julio could have had an even bigger night if it weren't for a couple holding calls by Leonard Hankerson that wiped out some big plays. Matt Ryan looked Julio's way early and often as his most heavily targeted receiver.

His best play may have been right before the end of the first half, when Ryan was able to connect with Jones for an acrobatic tip-toe catch around the pylon for the touchdown, subsequently giving the Falcons a 20-3 lead.

Picking up 32.4% of the team's targets, Julio rewarded fantasy owners handsomely in a week that featured very few of the league's top receivers living up to their billing. Accruing 35.1 PPR fantasy points -- most among all wide receivers -- Julio owners were hopefully able to ride his coattails to a Week 1 victory.

Honorable Mention
Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers
15 Receptions, 166 Yards, 17 Targets
NEP: +12.96