Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going into Week 3

The hits just keep coming, so we have to keep our heads on a swivel moving forward. Here’s what’s what going into Week 3 of the fantasy season….

 

Chargers – 24 @ Chiefs – 27

• Justin Herbert was able to finish the game on Thursday with fractured rib cartilage, but he’s day-to-day going into Week 3. The couple extra days following a Thursday night game should help him out, but if Herbert can’t go, Chase Daniel would get the start. Stay monitored, as a Daniel start would depress the fantasy values of all other Chargers skill players considerably.

 

• We had to fade a Josh Palmer bust for almost the entire game on Thursday, until he found the end-zone with little over a minute to go. Palmer seemed on a different page than Herbert much of the night, but he still came away with 8 targets. After running the 2nd most routes in Wk1, and staying involved in Wk2, Palmer is worth having on your roster, but he’s more of a fallback plan than a go-to in fantasy right now.

 

• Keenan Allen might’ve played if the game was on Sunday, so I feel pretty good about his chances of going in Wk3. Of course, if Daniels is the QB, we have to temper our expectations considerably.

 

• Gerald Everett came away with 10 targets on the night for a 6/71 line, marred by a goal line misstep. The looks were likely boosted by Allen’s absence, but Everett has been fantasy worthy so far in fantasy. Owned in 57% of leagues, he’s still available for a lot of folks and could serve as a safety blanket for Daniels should Herbert sit.

 

• Jerrick McKinnon was out-touched 12-6 by Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but he handled all 3 red-zone touches. The Chiefs trust McKinnon most, so his TD upside should could him viable in deep leagues.

 

• So much for JuJu Smith-Schuster(3/10) being the go-to WR in the Chiefs offense. Mahomes seems to throw the ball to whoever’s open behind Travis Kelce, making it hard to determine who will be fantasy relevant on any given week. Chiefs WRs may be best used in DFS leagues this season. It’s early though, maybe someone rises to the top.

 

Buccaneers – 20 @ Saints – 10

• Ugh, Mike Evans has been suspended for 1 game for his altercation with Marcus Lattimore on Sunday. Evans can appeal the suspension, but it looks like the already WR thin Bucs will be without him against the Packers this week. Scotty Miller ended the day with the most targets(8), but Brashad Perriman had the best fantasy game(3/45/1). The Bucs would be down to these two, in addition to Russell Gage, if none of their other starters can make it back this week.

 

• It seems like Alvin Kamara was close to playing in Wk2, so he should be available for Wk3, especially after the Saints dismal offensive showing against the Bucs. If he can’t go, a banged-up Mark Ingram(12/63) should handle most of the load against Carolina. Tony Jones and Dwayne Washington each had 4 touches behind Ingram’s 12 in Wk2 for 20 and 18 yards a piece.

 

• In a turn of events from Wk1, Chris Olave received the most targets in Wk2(13) for a 5/80 line. Jarvis Landry collapsed to a 4/25 line after leading the Saints in receiving in Wk1. With the Saints playing catchup, Jameis Winston spent a lot of time trying to find Olave deep. It seems like Olave and Landry could trade off big days while Michael Thomas(6/65/1) has the steady floor. Olave should be owned across formats though, as his upside is palpable.

 

Colts – 0 @ Jaguars – 24

• Through 2 weeks, the Colts have looked like absolute trash on offense, in large part due to their suddenly seemingly woeful O-line. You can’t bench Jonathan Taylor, but you can’t rely on anyone else until Michael Pittman gets back or they turn things around. Ashton Dulin led Colts WRs(5/79), and I guess he makes for a DFS and deep league dart throw if Pittman can’t make it back this week against KC, but nothing is guaranteed right now.

 

• The Jags offense seems to be humming along nicely right now, with Christian Kirk and James Robinson carrying most of the weight. Travis Ettienne is a nice compliment to Robinson, and as long as he gets double-digit touches he should remain viable in PPRs as a flex.

 

• Evan Engram(7/46) seems to get a little more involved every week and should be a decent streaming option in plus matchups moving forward.

 

Patriots – 17 @ Steelers – 14

• Rhamondre Stevenson had 62% of snaps to lead the Pats backfield on Sunday, but Damien Harris did the most damage with 17 touches and 87 yards. Both are viable RB2s right now.

 

• Nelson Agholor was the model of efficiency, catching all 6 of his targets for 110 yards and a score. It’s improbable to think of him as a weekly fantasy contributor in this offense, but Agholor makes for an interesting add in deep PPR formats and DFS tourneys this week against the Ravens.

 

• For the 2nd straight week, George Pickens had 3 targets and 1 reception(1/23). He’s an afterthought with Mitch Trubisky under center, and remains a stash until we see what he does when Kenny Pickett makes starts.

 

Commanders – 27 @ Lions – 36

• All 3 starting WRs for the Commanders were fantasy relevant again this week, with Curtis Samuel(7/78/1) leading the charge once again. It’s early, but he looks like THE fantasy sleeper to have this season, as his production looks consistent. Jahan Dotson is also worth owning, but his 3 TDs so far are unsustainable for fantasy. He’s had 5 targets in both games, and that’s not enough to maintain consistent fantasy production.

 

• I hate to say it, but through 2 games both Jared Goff and Carson Wentz seem like decent streamers. Surrounded by potent weapons, I feel comfortable starting either QB in plus matchups. With Minnesota and Philly on board for them this week, they both make for strong starts.

 

• Jamaal Williams(13/60) got double-digit touches again on Sunday, and though he didn’t find the end-zone, he did lead the backfield in touches(13). I don’t mind him as a weekly flex in most formats, and he’s available in over 40% of leagues.

 

• So much for DJ Chark(0/0) being a regular fantasy contributor. 4 uncaught targets brought him back to earth after a fast start in Wk1. He’ll have his days, but he may be best left to DFS spot starts.

 

Dolphins 42 @ Ravens – 38

• Maybe we are wrong about Tua Tagovailoa(469/6/2), and he really can sustain the fantasy values of both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on a weekly basis. A stat line like this is untenable on a weekly basis, but Tua is a recommended add in all formats, as he has a string of soft defenses ahead AFTER this week’s matchup with Buffalo.

 

• After doing squat in Wk1, Raheem Mostert(14/79) led the Dolphins backfield. It seems like Miami is going with the hot hand on a weekly basis, so Mostert and Edmonds could trade off fantasy relevance. I don’t recommend either this week against Buffalo though.

 

• Mike Gesicki logged 41 yards and a score on Sunday, but he’s still a distant 3rd or 4th in target share. I’m not adding him anywhere meaningful this week.

 

• All 4 of the backs who played for Baltimore amounted to only 33 yards of offense on Sunday. Until JK Dobbins returns, you can’t play any of these guys in fantasy.

 

• A week after going gangbusters, Devin Duvernay(2/42) was largely ignored in Wk2. He did manage to return a kick for a TD though. He’s a tough sell outside of leagues that offer return yardage.

 

Panthers – 16 @ Giants – 19

• He’s not turning the ball over a ton, but Baker Mayfield(14/145/1) still isn’t commanding the Panthers offense by any means. He’s not worth the effort in fantasy right now, especially when guys like Goff, Wentz and Lawrence are showing up.

 

• Shi Smith looks like the 3rd WR in Carolina, but it doesn’t matter, as not even Robbie Anderson(3/32) got enough action to warrant fantasy consideration in Wk2.

 

• Sterling Shepard(6/34) led the Giants in targets(10) and should probably be owned in PPR formats. He’s not a sexy option, but more often than not, he’s probably going to lead the Giants in receiving this season. Richie James(5/51) also warrants some consideration in PPR leagues.

 

Jets – 31 @ Browns – 30

• With Breece Hall, Michael Carter and Tyler Conklin all vying for targets underneath, Elijah Moore is suffering in fantasy(3/41). He’ll have his good days, but Moore is not the no.1 in NY – I’m not sure there is one.

 

• Speaking of Conklin(6/40), I’d stream him in most formats. He’s had 7 and 9 targets so far this season.

 

• A week after leading the Browns in receiving, Donovan Peoples-Jones had 1 uncaught target in Wk2. He’s a DFS option only right now.

 

Falcons – 27 @ Rams – 31

• Ok, now might be the time to start worrying about Kyle Pitts(2/19). Yes, the Rams are brutal on TEs, but Pitts’ lack of output so far has been startling. His upside keeps him in the TE1 mix, but you might need to fade him in tough matchups.

 

• Drake London(8/86/1) looks like the top receiving option in Atlanta after 2 weeks. With Seattle on the slate in Wk3, he’s a must-start in fantasy.

 

• With Damien Williams sidelined, Tyler Allgeier(10/30) was active this week. Neither he nor Cordarrelle Patterson(10/40) could get much going against the Rams, but at least he saw double-digit touches. Allgeier’s involvement seems like more of a detriment to Patterson’s fantasy status than it does a boon to Allgeier’s at this point.

 

• Darrell Henderson scored the TD, but Cam Akers(17/72) led the backfield, touching the ball 17 times. All hope for an Akers breakout is not lost.

 

• The same can be said for Allen Robinson(4/53/1), who came alive in Wk2 – to some extent.

 

Seahawks – 7 @ 49ers – 27

• Travis Homer(6/42) came and sucked the wind out of both Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker‘s sails, taking a 45% snap share. This is the kind of scenario that gives fantasy owners nightmares. As the pass-catching element in Seattle, Homer warrants PPR consideration, though he serves as more of a hindrance to Penny and Walker than he does as a valid fantasy contributor.

 

• As expected, Jeff Wilson(20/103) led the 49ers backfield in Wk2, but rookie Tyrion Davis-Price(14/33) got considerable touches. Half of them came on the 49ers last drive though, so TDP I’m not champing at the bit to get him in lineups.

 

• Trey Lance is lost for the season after a heartbreaking ankle fracture shut him down. This is terrible news for Lance and his owners, but on the bright side it seems Brandon Aiyuk(5/63) may regain fantasy relevance, now that Jimmy Garoppolo is back under center.

 

Bengals – 17 @ Cowboys – 20

• The Cowboys actually did a pretty good job holding Joe Burrow and co. at bay on Sunday. It was nice to see Tee Higgins(6/71/1) bounce back from injury though.

 

• There seems to be a 2nd team connection between Cooper Rush(19/235/1) and Noah Brown(5/91/1). Jalen Tolbert continued to be a game day inactive in Wk2, and hopes of him making a splash his rookie season are dwindling. Brown deserves a long look in deeper formats, as he could be worth flexing in plus matchups.

 

• Tony Pollard(13/98) may serve standalone value while Dak Prescott remains sidelined, which could be a good portion of the season. He and Zeke Elliott(16/49) were on the field at the same time more often than I would have ever imagined. You can start both of these guys against the giants this week.

 

Cardinals – 29 @ Raiders – 23

• We knew it would only be a matter of time before James Conner got injured, but we didn’t think it’d happen so soon. The injury(ankle) doesn’t appear serious, but Darrel Williams and Eno Benjamin both need to be owned ahead of the Wk3 matchup with the Rams.

 

• For the 2nd straight week, Greg Dortch(4/55/1) led Cardinals WRs in fantasy production. Owned in only 7% of leagues, his role as the slot man in Arizona keeps him fantasy relevant as long as Rondale Moore is sidelined.

 

• Davante Adams(2/12/1) was “shut down” by Byron Murphy on Sunday, saving his day with an opening drive TD. Mack Hollins(5/66) led the Raiders in receiving, but he’s not tenable outside of deep PPR leagues.

 

Texans – 9 @ Broncos – 16

• A week after leading the Texans backfield in touches, Rex Burkhead(2/9) only touched the ball twice against Denver. The Texans seemed intent on getting Dameon Pierce(16/75) his touches after ignoring him in Wk1. Facing the Bears in Wk3, Burkhead isn’t an advised play outside of the deepest PPR formats.

 

• Jerry Jeudy is day-to-day after leaving the game early with a chest injury. That’s an optimistic designation, so hopefully he’s available in Wk3. If he’s not, hopefully KJ Hamler returns to action after sitting out from still recouping from his ACL surgery. If Hamler can’t go, Tyrie Cleveland(2/28) is the next man up.

 

Bears – 10 @ Packers – 27

• Damn, Darnell Mooney had -4 yards on Sunday night. That’s not acceptable. The Bears passing offense looks anemic at best right now. You can’t drop Mooney with the Texans on board, but you can only play him as a flex at best. If he can’t produce against Houston, he needs to be benched. For what it’s worth, Equanimeous St. Brown (2/39) has “led” the Bears in receiving through 2 weeks.

 

• Allen Lazard(2/13) caught a TD in his first action of the season, but he only got 3 targets on the day. In fact, no pass-catcher saw more than 4 targets on the day. Sammy Watkins(3/93) led the Packers in receiving, but it really could have been anybody, as 4 other WRs saw 3 targets a piece. AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones are the only Packers I’m considering playing against Tampa this week, outside of perhaps Lazard in deep formats.