We’re only two weeks into the new season, and a lot of fantasy managers are already in a bind.
Injuries are mounting. Christian McCaffrey and Puka Nacua are out for a while. Cooper Kupp and Isiah Pacheco went down on Sunday and could miss extended time. There are lesser injuries galore.
Some offenses are letting us down. The Carolina and Denver offenses are baren wastelands. The Tennessee offense is trending that way. The Chicago, Pittsburgh and Cleveland and Cincinnati offenses have sputtered.
Tua Tagovailoa‘s concussion could short-circuit what we’d hoped would be a high-powered Dolphins offense. The injuries to Kupp and Nacua could thwart Sean McVay’s Rams.
It’s rough out there, people. And sadly, the waiver pool isn’t a panacea. There aren’t a lot of surefire cures for what’s ailing our teams. Just tourniquets and Band-Aids — although we certainly need them.
Come this way, my friend, and we’ll try to get you patched up.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings
Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
Weekly Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Grade: D
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Ty Chandler (MIN): 29% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @GB, NYJ
- True value: $10
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: While Aaron Jones has been the starter in the Vikings’ backfield, Chandler has persisted as a noteworthy contributor in both games this season. He led Minnesota in rushing again on Sunday with 82 yards on 10 carries, easily eclipsing Jones. The receiving role for Chandler hasn’t developed yet, but he remains a handcuff-with-benefits who is startable in leagues with multiple flex spots.
Bucky Irving (TB): 34% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, PHI, @ATL
- True value: $9
- Desperate Need: $14
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Death, taxes and Rachaad White running into the back of his linemen. White’s struggles between the tackles were rumored to be the driving force in Tampa Bay selecting Irving in this year’s draft, and White has done nothing to suggest the move was ill-advised. Irving is not quite the receiver or home run threat White is, but the rookie has outstanding vision and contact balance. Seven carries for 22 yards isn’t an exciting stat line, but Irving’s Week 2 output continues a pattern that causes us to forecast a ramping-up for the rookie as this season progresses.
Rico Dowdle (DAL): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, @NYG, @PIT
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $13
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: On the surface, Dowdle’s heavy usage in the passing game (five targets, four receptions for 29 yards) might be waved off as insignificant in Dallas’ blowout home loss to New Orleans. Dowdle did most of that damage in the first half, not in garbage time. He was also the first RB on the field for the Cowboys and seems to be the class of this backfield over Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn. It’s not nothing that Dowdle serves a major role in a normally dynamic offense.
Carson Steele (KC): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, @LAC, NO
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $12
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Isiah Pacheco reportedly has a fractured fibula and will miss extended time, leaving a humongous void in Andy Reid’s backfield. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is currently on the reserve/non-football illness list for post-traumatic stress disorder and will remain there through at least Week 4. Rookie fullback Carson Steele was given seven carries on Sunday for 24 yards. He lost a fumble, but it did not cause him to cede more work to Samaje Perine. Steele is now the only physical presence in this offense. He has serious short-yardage thumping power, but don’t go overboard adding a rookie fullback unless you’re desperate.
Samaje Perine (KC): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, @LAC, NO
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $12
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: The Chiefs are exciting. They have the best QB in the league and a couple of awesome playmakers in their receiving corps. Fantasy managers have long gone broke paying up for Kansas City RBs. Samaje Perine only touched the ball once Sunday in a close game after starter Isiah Pacheco went down with an ankle injury and rookie backup Carson Steele lost a fumble. It was a 3-yard reception late in the game and didn’t matter. I expect Perine to be a priority add in plenty of waiver articles, but I simply cannot endorse it.
Antonio Gibson (NE):16% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYJ, @SF, MIA
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: I tried to explain to anyone who would listen how former Washington Commanders would smash ADP once they escaped the nation’s capital. Antonio Gibson looks really good in Foxborough. He carried 11 times on Sunday for 96 yards and tacked on a 7-yard reception. The Patriots took Seattle to overtime one week after beating Cincinnati in their opener. Gibson is a worthy counterpart to Rhamondre Stevenson and is sorely under-rostered.
Blake Corum (LAR): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, @CHI, GB
- True value: $6
- Desperate Need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Anyone who drafted Blake Corum felt listless when the rookie from Michigan never stepped between the white lines in Week 1. Trust the process. Corum jumped right in as Kyren Williams‘ backup and earned eight rushing attempts. He gained more yards than Williams, who could only muster 22 yards on his 12 carries. Arizona was phenomenal at blowing up the line of scrimmage in the blowout win, which didn’t help in the game script department for the Rams RBs. Corum is going to take this job. Grab him while he’s affordable.
D’Onta Foreman (CLE): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, @LV, @WAS
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Foreman was a big part of the Browns’ first offensive series of Week 2, suggesting that Jerome Ford doesn’t have a stranglehold on the Browns’ backfield until Nick Chubb eventually returns from a leg injury. Ford still led the Cleveland backfield in snaps, getting 32 to Foreman’s 27, but Foreman had a team-high 14 carries for 42 yards in the Browns’ 18-13 win over the Jaguars on Sunday, adding a 9-yard catch. It’s possible this is indeed a split backfield now. But realize that Foreman offers very little pass-catching upside, and his window of value most likely slams shut whenever Chubb comes back. Bid cautiously.
Stash Candidates:
Clyde Edwards-Helaire could eventually be part of the mix in the Kansas City backfield in the wake of Isiah Pacheco’s fractured fibula. Edwards-Helaire is on the reserve/non-football illness list for post-traumatic stress disorder and won’t be back until at least Week 5. People in your league are apt to chase Samaje Perine and Carson Steele on waivers this week. A modest bid on Edwards-Helaire might be the wiser play.
The Dolphins’ backfield is already proving to be a war of attrition, with Raheem Mostert out in Week 2 and Devon Achane limping through a sprained ankle. Jalen Wright hasn’t done much so far, but In Week 2 he looked more vibrant as a ballcarrier than elder statesman Jeff Wilson.
James Cook was amazing on Thursday night, but I was also paying attention to just how much dog Ray Davis has in him. He was given nine carries and one target in the blowout win over Miami and looked fine. He is a really nice stash behind a finesse starter.
Braelon Allen scored two touchdowns on Sunday. He only touched the ball nine times but looked really good in the process. While some casuals might run to add him on waivers, chasing the random spike week, Allen is a worthy stash as Breece Hall‘s clear backup in a previously muddy committee.
The Houston Texans’ offense is so much fun. Joe Mixon was stellar in Week 1, but left Sunday night’s clash with the Bears with an ankle injury and missed a few series before returning to action. Cam Akers, with a pair of Achilles injuries in the last four years, looked impressive in the preseason. He was added to the roster and made a couple flashy plays. Dare Ogunbawale is an outlet receiver only. Akers is the clear next man up if Mixon is unavailable.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Jerry Jeudy (CLE): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, @LV, @WAS
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Jeudy finished Week 1 as the WR33 in fantasy with a 17.8% target share, a 31.4% air-yard share and a 20% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Among 78 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 18th in separation and 21st in route win rate. He followed that up with 73 receiving yards (2.08 yards per route run) and a 17.7% target share. Jeudy looks like he could be the WR1 for this offense moving forward as Amari Cooper continues to stack silent games to open the 2024 season. Jeudy’s next three matchups are juicy and should place him in the WR3/flex conversation for fantasy lineups.
Demarcus Robinson (LAR): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, @CHI, GB
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Robinson could be the Rams’ new WR1 moving forward. Cooper Kupp was spotted in a walking boot after the team’s Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. Kupp didn’t play in the second half. Robinson led the team with 50 receiving yards in Week 2 while playing 92% of the snaps with Matthew Stafford and drawing a 14.8% target share with 1.78 yards per route run (per PFF). Robinson has been quietly amazing on a per-route basis over the last two seasons. In Week 1, among 78 qualifying receivers, Robinson ranked 33rd in separation and 13th in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). These numbers check out, as he was also 18th in separation and 42nd in route win rate last year among 125 qualifying receivers. The upcoming matchups aren’t kind to Robinson, but the target volume should be there.
Quentin Johnston (LAC): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, KC, Bye
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Don’t look now, but Johnston is playing well. He crushed expectations in Week 2, leading the Bolts’ receivers in every category. He drew a 30% target share while recording a team-leading 69% route share and two scores. Johnston’s 2.68 yards per route run (per PFF) was quite nice. While he didn’t fill up the box score in Week 1, he was quietly effective. Among 80 qualifying receivers, Johnston was 38th in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). With Joshua Palmer banged up and Ladd McConkey experiencing rookie growing pains, Johnston could be the team’s WR1 moving forward. The upcoming matchups aren’t amazing before the team’s bye, so keep your expectations in check, but better days could be ahead for the sophomore wide receiver.
Tyler Johnson (LAR): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, @CHI, GB
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: In Week 1, after Puka Nacua was injured, Johnson had a 21.7% target share, a 12.3% air-yard share, 3.67 yards per route run (4.4 aDOT), and a 16.7% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Among 78 qualifying receivers in Week 1, Johnson was 53rd in separation and 32nd in route win rate. His Week 2 numbers weren’t nearly as impressive, as Johnson had an 11.1% target share and 20 receiving yards (0.80 yards per route run) as a full-time receiver. Cooper Kupp was sidelined for the second half against the Cardinals and left the stadium in a walking boot, so Johnson could be elevated to the WR2 role for the Rams. This holds some weekly flex appeal, especially in deeper leagues.
Josh Downs (IND): 21% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, PIT, @JAX
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Downs was close to returning from an ankle injury and suiting up in Week 2. He wasn’t able to go against the Packers, but he may return in Week 3. Once he is ready to go, Downs should resume his role as the team’s starting slot wide receiver, pushing Adonai Mitchell to the bench. I feel like I need to remind people of Downs’ talent. Last year, before spraining his knee, Downs was the WR36 in fantasy points per game with an 18.9% target share and 2.0 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Downs has decent matchups in the slot over the next two weeks against Chicago and Pittsburgh, who respectively allowed the second-most and 14th-most PPR points per target last year.
Jalen Tolbert (DAL): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, @NYG, @PIT
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Tolbert had the best game of his short career in Week 2, finishing with a 23% target share (six receptions) and 1.95 yards per route run (82 receiving yards). The Cowboys got blown out by the Saints, but Dallas might have found a new playmaker who is ready to step up opposite CeeDee Lamb weekly. Brandin Cooks remains a solid veteran presence for this roster, but he’s clearly on the back nine of his career. While Lamb will draw top coverage weekly from defenses, we could see Tolbert step up. The small-school product made big strides this offseason and was the talk of training camp. It’s nice to see him start producing on the NFL stage.
Alec Pierce (IND): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, PIT, @JAX
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Pierce followed up his monster Week 1 performance by running the most routes among the Indy wide receivers, leading the team with 56 receiving yards and tying for the team lead in targets (seven). Pierce has cemented his standing after two standout games as a full-time receiver in this offense. Josh Downs could return for Week 3, but that will send Adonai Mitchell to the bench, with Pierce remaining a starter opposite Michael Pittman. Chicago is a tough matchup for this passing attack, but Pierce should see an elevated role against Pittsburgh as Pittman likely draws shadow coverage from Joey Porter Jr. Jacksonville could be a scoring paradise for this passing attack in Week 5.
Jauan Jennings (SF): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, NE, ARI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Jennings is worth a sniff in deeper league formats with the news that Deebo Samuel will miss time. We have seen Jennings produce in spurts when called upon by the 49ers, with two top-36 wide receiver finishes on his resume last year. We also can’t forget his memorable Super Bowl performance, where he secured four of his five targets for 42 receiving yards and a score while also tossing a 21-yard touchdown pass. Jennings could become a vital part of the 49ers’ game plan against two high, which has been Samuel’s role over the last two seasons.
Stash Candidates:
The ramp-up for Mike Williams has begun. In Week 2, he played 65% of the snaps while only drawing one target. If he continues to gain snaps at this rate, Williams should be a full-time player in this offense by Week 4 or Week 5. New York badly needs a consistent receiving threat to step up opposite Garrett Wilson. Despite Allen Lazard‘s monster Week 1 performance, I doubt he is a player who can consistently draw attention away from Wilson and operate as a possible WR3/4 for fantasy. Williams could be that guy.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Geno Smith (SEA): 34% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIA, @DET, NYG
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $12
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: I’m still accepting thank-yous from recommending Geno Smith on waivers for weeks back in 2022, resulting in a number of fantasy championships. The 2022 version of Geno is back. OC Ryan Grubb has been a fantastic addition for this offense. The Seahawks were painfully conservative last year, despite their abundance of riches at the skill positions. Smith’s upcoming schedule is moderately easy. I can picture more dominance from D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, along with Kenneth Walker when he returns to play.
Derek Carr (NO): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @ATL, @KC
- True value: $6
- Desperate Need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Klint Kubiak has this Saints offense rolling. Having 15 scoring drives in the first 15 offensive possessions of the season is uncharted territory for Derek Carr, but it suits him well. New Orleans won’t score 40 points every week, but taking it to Dallas’ defense in such a manner has put the whole league on notice. Carr’s upcoming schedule is also favorable, so we can ride this whitewater rapids stream until further notice.
Justin Fields (PIT): 20% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @IND, DAL
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: I jokingly predicted the Steelers wouldn’t score 27 points this entire season. They’ve scored 30 total points through two games and have two wins. Justin Fields has taken the reins but is still dangling from Arthur Smith’s rigidly conservative marionette strings. The Chargers lurk next week in another ball-control slog. Russell Wilson might be ready to go once the Steelers find the loss column.
Sam Darnold (MIN): 13% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @GB, NYJ
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The stats get a bit inflated when you find the best receiver on the planet with a 97-yard bomb. It was a good Week 2 performance from Sam Darnold, who defeated his former team and scored nearly 20 fantasy points in the process. Jefferson’s status is in question for Week 3. He spent a lot of time hobbling down the tunnel to the locker room after getting rolled up on. Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are also unavailable, leaving a strong running game and a few journeymen for our favorite paranormal expert. Tread lightly when chasing last week’s points.
Gardner Minshew (LV): 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, CLE, @DEN
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: It hasn’t been anything to write home about for fantasy, but Gardner Minshew is my Week 3 disposable streamer. Carolina visits Sin City, which is a boon for anyone looking to score points. I can’t imagine the Panthers slowing down the lethal combination of Davante Adams and Brock Bowers. That duo is pure, homegrown NorCal greatness. Minshew has a 20-point upside this week and won’t be difficult to acquire.
Stash Candidates: none
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Hunter Henry (NE): 24% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYJ, @SF, MIA
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Henry blew up with the best game of his career in Week 2, recording a career-best 12 targets and 109 receiving yards. That target volume amounted to a ridiculous 44.4% target share for Henry against Seattle. Jacoby Brissett finished with only 144 passing yards, and 76% of that yardage went in Henry’s direction. None of Henry’s upcoming matchups are mouth-watering, but if he continues to see this large a market share of New England’s passing attack (or anything close to it), he will flirt with low-end TE1 fantasy status.
- Next Opponents: @CIN, @ARI, CLE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Ertz might not be dust after all. In Week 1, among 22 qualifying tight ends, he was sixth in separation and seventh in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). He followed that performance up with a 13.7% target share in Week 2 and led the team with 62 receiving yards. Ertz has two glorious streamable matchups upcoming. Last year, Cincy allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. Arizona gave up the fourth-most yards per reception and the second-most receiving touchdowns to tight ends last year. If you’re hurting at tight end, Ertz is the best streaming option you can pick up for the next two games.
Colby Parkinson (LAR): 50% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, @CHI, GB
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Parkinson remains the Rams’ starting tight end. He should see an elevated role with Puka Nacua and now possibly Cooper Kupp out. In Week 2, Parkinson only managed a 7.4% target share and 12 receiving yards. Parkinson reminds me of Cade Otton last year: a league-average talent who could fall backward into some streamable weeks. Fortunately for us fantasy nerds, his upcoming schedule could allow for just that. Last year, Chicago allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends, while Green Bay gave up the second-most yards per reception and the sixth-most receiving touchdowns to the position.
Tucker Kraft (GB): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, MIN, @LAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Kraft may have the most rest-of-season upside of any tight end on this week’s list. Last year, we got a glimpse of his upside as a weekly TE1. Sadly, Kraft can’t realize that upside again until Jordan Love is back under center. Green Bay leaned heavily on its ground game in Week 2 and will continue to do so until Love is back. Malik Willis only attempted 14 passes in Week 2. Kraft had an 80% route share and a 14.2% target share, which meant he only had two targets. Grab Kraft now while you can, because if his route share holds, he will resume TE1 production when Love returns.
Mike Gesicki (CIN): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, @CAR, BAL
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Gesicki’s Week 2 production will be difficult to sustain unless his snap share grows. Gesicki had a 25% target share and finished with 91 receiving yards in Week 2, but he did so while only playing 47% of the snaps. That’s not repeatable with his snaps capped like that in a three-way tight-end committee with Drew Sample and Erick All. The current pass-catching situation in Cincinnati could force the team’s hand, though. Cincy is starving for pass catchers opposite Ja’Marr Chase, so we could see Gesicki’s snap rate trend upward out of necessity until Tee Higgins returns or Andrei Iosivas steps up. If that happens, Gesicki could become a borderline TE1 option.
Stash Candidates: none
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Las Vegas Raiders: 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, CLE, @DEN
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Never mind that the Raiders have forced one turnover and recorded three sacks in their first two games. This is all about their juicy upcoming schedule. This week: a home date with the hapless Panthers, who have mustered only 13 points in their first two games while committing four turnovers and yielding six sacks. The Carolina offense could be slightly less hapless with the QB change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton, but the Panthers are still going to be offensively challenged. Las Vegas is a top-10 defense this week on matchup alone. Then, the Raiders host Deshaun Watson and the Browns in Week 3 — another plus matchup. In Week 4, the Raiders get the Broncos, who might rival the Panthers for the worst offense in the league. And in Week 5, the Raiders’ defense is very much in play against the Steelers. Since you can ride the Las Vegas defense for the next 3-4 weeks, don’t be afraid to spend an extra dollar of FAAB money.
Seattle Seahawks: 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIA, @DET, NYG
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Fantasy managers who stream defenses typically don’t target matchups with the Dolphins, but Miami’s offense is far less potent without QB Tua Tagovailoa, who sustained a concussion against the Bills in Week 2 and will miss one game at the bare minimum, possibly a lot more. The Dolphins’ starting quarterback this week will be Skylar Thompson, a seventh-round draft pick in 2022 who’s completed 57.1% of his 119 career passes, averaging just 5.2 yards per attempt with one touchdown and three interceptions. Seattle has done a good job of clamping down on mediocre quarterbacks early in the season, holding both Denver’s Bo Nix and New England’s Jacoby Brissett to fewer than 150 passing yards.
Green Bay Packers: 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, MIN, @LAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Green Bay defense didn’t look great against the Eagles in Week 1, but it was forced to play that game on a Brazilian field with the traction of an ice-skating rink. The Packers were better in Week 2, holding the Colts to 10 points and intercepting QB Anthony Richardson three times. Now, the Packers face Titans QB Will Levis, who’s thrown three interceptions and taken seven sacks in his first two games. It’s an attractive spot for the Green Bay D, and you might be able to hold it through Week 4, when it has a decent home matchup against Sam Darnold and the Vikings.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, PHI, @ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Let’s pick on a rookie quarterback. The Broncos’ Bo Nix has looked overmatched in his first two games, throwing four interceptions and zero TD passes. The blitz-happy Buccaneers will turn up the heat on young Mr. Nix, boosting the likelihood of sacks and turnovers.
Tennessee Titans: 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: GB, @MIA, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Tennessee doesn’t have one of the league’s premier defenses, although the Titans are tougher on that side of the ball than they were last year now that they’ve patched up the cornerback position with free-agent additions L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie. The appeal here is a Week 3 matchup against a Green Bay offense that’s likely to be without QB Jordan Love, who sprained his MCL in Week 1. Love’s backup is Malik Willis, a former Titan. Willis was mistake-free last week against the Colts, committing no turnovers and taking no sacks, but he was prone to gaffes during his time in Tennessee. Willis attempted only 66 passes in his two seasons with the Titans, throwing three interceptions and absorbing 14 sacks. If Love is able to come back in Week 3, the Titans lose their luster as a streaming defense. But a matchup against Willis would be appealing, and you could also use the Titans against the Dolphins in Week 4.
Indianapolis Colts: 37% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, PIT, @JAX
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Indianapolis defense is a below-average unit, but there’s some appeal to its Week 3 matchup against the Bears simply because Chicago has a rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, and rookie QBs tend to be sack- and turnover-prone. The Colts also have a decent matchup against the Steelers in Week 4. But honestly, Indianapolis is just sort of a desperation option for fantasy managers in leagues where almost everyone streams defenses and the competition for free-agent defenses is spirited.
Stash Candidates: none
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Cairo Santos (CHI): 21% rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, LAR, CAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: One of the more accurate kickers in the league, Santos missed only three field goals during the 2023 season and has been perfect in 2024. He gets an indoor game against the Colts this week, followed by appealing home matchups against the Rams and Panthers.
Daniel Carlson (LV): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, CLE, @DEN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Carlson and the Raiders get a Week 2 home date against the Panthers, who have given up 73 points in their first two games. Enough said.
Jason Myers (SEA): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIA, @DET, NYG
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Myers is already 5-of-5 on field goals this season. His upcoming schedule is attractive, with a Week 3 home game against the Tua-less Dolphins, a potential Week 4 shootout against the Lions indoors, and a Week 5 home game vs. the Giants.
Matt Prater (ARI): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, WSH, @SF
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Cardinals can score. They put up 28 points in a Week 1 loss to the Bills, then hung 41 points on the Rams in Week 2. Prater is thus far a perfect 4-of-4 on field goals and 7-of-7 on extra points. He’s at home for the next two weeks, with potential shootouts against Detroit and Washington.
Blake Grupe (NO): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @ATL, @KC
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Who’d have thought the Saints would have the NFL’s most high-powered offense over the first two weeks of the season? New Orleans dropped 47 points on Carolina in Week 1, then scored 44 against Dallas in Week 2. Needless to say, Grupe has been a busy man, converting 5-of-5 field goals and 10-of-11 extra points. Grupe gets a Week 3 home date against the Eagles in a game that opened with a Vegas total of 48.5 points, suggesting it will be a high-scoring affair.
FOOL’S GOLD
Elijah Moore has nine catches on 14 targets so far this year, but he’s averaging just 5.9 yards per catch. The Browns’ passing game isn’t exactly a fantasy gold mine with a diminished Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Moore has to share targets with WRs Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy, and it won’t be long before David Njoku returns from an ankle injury.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
Bryce Young is droppable in nearly any 1QB league. There was hope that new Panthers head coach Dave Canales could “fix” Young after working wonders with Baker Mayfield in Tampa last season, but Young might be too daunting a fixer-upper even for Canales. The No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft, Young struggled for most of his rookie season and has been flat-out awful so far in 2024, completing 55.4% of his passes, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt, and throwing zero TD passes and three interceptions. Young doesn’t offer significant rushing value either. Just walk away.
Speaking of struggling quarterbacks, Denver rookie Bo Nix has zero TD passes and four interceptions over his first two games, and he’s averaging 5.0 yards per pass attempt. The hope was that Nix could be a poor man’s Drew Brees for Broncos head coach Sean Payton. That hope has gone up in a puff of smoke.
Marquise Brown‘s first season with the Chiefs may be over before it starts. Brown sustained a shoulder injury in the preseason and landed on IR. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week that Brown is not expected to play in 2024.
We told you last week not to drop rookie Colts WR Adonai Mitchell, but you can go ahead and dump him now. Mitchell played only 59% of the Colts’ offensive snaps Sunday in a loss to the Packers. His snap share will likely fall further when WR Josh Downs returns from an ankle injury, which could happen this week. Mitchell is an intriguing size-speed prospect, but it seems unlikely he’ll provide fantasy managers much help in his rookie season.
Allen Lazard was a Week 1 mirage. After catching six passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets’ opener against the 49ers, he crashed to earth in Week 2 with two receptions for 11 yards. Lazard’s role will continue to shrink as Mike Williams‘ snaps increase. Williams tore his ACL in 2023 and was limited to just nine snaps in Week 1. He played 37 snaps in Week 2. Hey, you wanted a little FAAB money. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
Tua Tagovailoa has a worrisome concussion history, and he sustained another last week, going into the “fencing” position after taking a hit at the end of a run late in a loss to the Bills. Tagovailoa is expected to meet with neurologists this week. It seems likely he’ll miss extended time. Although there’s a chance Tua will return this season, it’s probably best for his investors to make other plans at the QB position.
DeAndre Hopkins has had seven 1,000-yard seasons, so it might be hard for some fantasy managers to part with him. But Hopkins is 32 now, Calvin Ridley appears to have taken over as the Titans’ No. 1 receiver, and there’s just not a lot of meat on the bone with the Tennessee passing game.
We knew the Chargers would be run-heavy, but the expectation was that Josh Palmer would still have fantasy value because he’d be either the Chargers’ lead receiver or a co-lead along with Ladd McConkey. What few of us saw coming was the resurgence of Quentin Johnston, who looks like a new man after a hugely disappointing rookie season. With Johnston starting to establish himself as a major factor in the Chargers passing game, there’s just not enough target volume to keep Palmer fantasy-relevant.
A vertical receiver like Courtland Sutton is a bad match for a horizontal passer like Bo Nix. Well, any receiver is a bad match for Bo Nix right now, as the Denver passing game is mired in quicksand. Maybe Nix will get his sea legs at some point, or maybe the Broncos will trade Sutton. But those possibilities aren’t worth waiting for.
Don’t drop yet:
Christian Watson has 3-13-1 receiving on five targets, and he was completely blanked in Week 2, failing to draw a single target. That wasn’t a shock considering that the Packers were playing without injured QB Jordan Love and trying to hide backup Malik Willis as much as possible. Willis threw only 14 passes in the Packers’ 16-10 win over the Colts on Sunday. Love could be back before the end of the month, and Watson (who had three end zone targets in Week 1) will again have a chance to use his 6-foot-4 frame and his sub-4.4 speed to make big plays.
The best-case scenario for Diontae Johnson this season was that he’d quickly become Bryce Young‘s top target — a role that had legitimate value last season. Through the first 11 weeks of the 2023 season, Adam Thielen had 76-726-4 for the Panthers and was WR10 in PPR scoring. The optimistic view was that Johnson would assume that role from Thielen this year. But Young has somehow been even worse this year than he was last year, and he and Johnson have demonstrated zero chemistry. Johnson has 5-34-0 through two games. Give it another week or two, but the early returns have been undeniably discouraging.
Christian Kirk may have to settle for playing a lesser role in the Jacksonville offense this season with Brian Thomas Jr. looking like a star in the making. Kirk has seven targets so far for 2-29-0. He’s not startable at the moment, but Kirk is still worthy of a roster spot in most leagues.
Zamir White investors are undoubtedly disappointed with how the first two weeks have gone for the Raiders’ top running back. Over his first two games, White has 22-68-0 rushing and 5-16-0 receiving. Alexander Mattison played 11 more snaps than White in Week 1 and had a 1-yard TD run in Week 2 — not exactly what White stakeholders wanted to see. But White’s workload is still substantial enough to give him value. You might not want him in your starting lineup right now, but you could feel grateful to have him on your bench when the bye weeks roll around.
