Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 3 of the NFL Season
There have only been two games thus far, but we’re already seeing some fascinating trends in fantasy production that we didn’t see coming. Fortunately, there are plenty of actionable items to consider going into Week 3 of the fantasy season…

Vikings – 28 @ Eagles – 34
Alexander Mattison has been totally underwhelming as a lead back thus far. A TD saved him in WK1, but he’s yet to go over 45 yards in a game. Game script may have something to do with it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings give Ty Chandler a sniff soon.

Kj Osborn(6/34/1) has had 6 targets in both of his games this season. He’s still playing more snaps than rookie Jordan Addison, but that mainly has to do with Osborn’s superior pass blocking. As Addison improves in that area, we’re probably going to see him usurp Osborn in snaps. For the time being though, Osborn makes for a decent flex in what should be an aerial assault this week against the Chargers.

D’Andre Swift(31/181/1) certainly made the most of Kenneth Gainwell‘s absence on Thursday. The Eagles would be remiss to take the ball from Swift’s hands this week against TB, so Gainwell makes for a shaky play, if he can even go(ribs). Rashaad Penny can be safely dropped in most formats.

Raiders – 10 @ Bills – 38
The Raiders could get little going, offense wise or other on Sunday, and it was Josh Jacobs(5/51), not Hunter Renfrow(1/23), who absorbed most of Jakobi Meyers‘(concussion) would be targets. Jacobs was lackluster on the ground(9/22) for a second game, potentially leaving room for Zamir White(4/22) to garner more touches moving forward.

We just can’t keep Latavius Murray(8/31/1) off the field. He mixed in as early as the second drive for the Bills, seemingly having leapfrogged Damien Harris(7/33/1) in the depth chart. You’re relying on a TD from either of those guys to make a fantasy impact, but the Bills often find themselves in scoring position, so there are worse hail mary flexes.

Dalton Kincaid(5/43) is starting to get more consistent looks(6), but Dawson Knowx(3/10, 5 targets) is staying involved enough to keep him from really thriving. Knox always stands a puncher’s chance of finding the end-zone.

Ravens – 27 @ Bengals – 24
Justice Hill(14/66) out touched Gus Edwards(10/62/1) in WK2, though Edwards came away with the score. Melvin Gordon didn’t make an appearance, so perhaps the Ravens are content to roll with what they have in these two. They’re owned in just 45% and 65% of leagues, so there’s still an opportunity to grab them in plenty of leagues.

Nelson Agholor(5/63/1) is the Latavius Murray of WRs. No matter where he goes, he ends up getting more action than you’d ever expect. This time it was because of Odell Beckham(ankle) going down to injury. It’s unknown yet whether Beckham will be able to go this week, but Agholor could make for a decent flex against Indy in PPR formats if Beckham can’t play.

Joe Burrow(27/221/2/1) is still kind of sleepwalking through games, though he seems to be acclimating himself to game speed bit by bit. It doesn’t help that he tweaked his already injured ankle again on Sunday though.

Tee Higgins‘(8/89/1) wheel got greased after a goose egg in WK1, as was Tyler Boyd‘s(6/52) to some extent. All three starting WRs for the Bengals could pop against a Rams team that is using the pass like the run these days.

Chiefs – 17 @ Jaguars – 9
Skyy Moore(3/70/1) led all Chiefs pass catchers in yards on Sunday, though most of it came on one 54 yard play. Patrick Mahomes is spreading the ball around right now – He targeted 12 different players – so it might be hard to key in on any specific pass catcher other than Travis Kelce. Kadarius Toney has the most WR targets(10) through 2 games, but right behind him is Justin Watson(9). They’re all fair but low floor options, save Kelce, this week against the Bears.

The Chiefs made a concerted effort to bottle up Calvin Ridley(2/32) in WK2, allowing Christian Kirk(11/110) to rebound from his dismal WK1 performance. We could see a see-saw like situation between these two going forward, with either player trading off big weeks. Zay Jones didn’t have a catch, but he was targeted 6 times and should usually have more of an impact.

Chargers – 24 @ Titans – 27
Joshua Kelley(13/39) didn’t exactly inspire us to invest in him this week after a ho-hum WK2, but the Titans run defense was pretty stifling. He’s still probably worth flexing this week against a VIkings defense that just let D’Andre Swift run roughshod over them, if Austin Ekeler can’t go.

Tyjae Spears(10/55) got double-digit touches against the Chargers, behind an imposing Derrick Henry(28/95/1). The Titans leaned heavily on the run in an impressive win over a good team, and they’ll probably repeat that type of effort this week against Cleveland. Spears is worth a deep league flex in PPR formats.

Treylon Burks(3/76) led the Titans in receiving, though 70 of his 76 yards came on one play. DeAndre Hopkins(4/40) had a down performance, but he was dealing with an ankle injury. We might just have to come to terms with the notion that Hopkins might be dealing with nagging injuries from here on out. No Titans pass catcher is a lock this week against a Browns team that is playing pretty well.

Packers – 24 @ Falcons – 25
Jordan Love had his 2nd straight 3 TD performance on Sunday, and though the yardage didn’t add up, he’s becoming a solid streaming option, that is any other week than this one. The Packers play the Saints this week, so you can be sure that Love will see plenty of pressure.

Rookie Dontayvion Wicks(2/40/1) led the Packers in yards, but it was fellow rookie Jayden Reed(4/27/2) who really splashed based on his 2 TDs. Both will be assets this week if neither Christian Watson nor Aaron Jones can make it back on the field.

Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier maintained their stranglehold on the Falcons offense for a second week, accounting for 35 touches and 200+ yards between the two of them, though Desmond Ridder did manage to spread the ball around a decent amount. It’s encouraging to know that there’s enough to go around to start both of them on a weekly basis.

Veteran Jonnu Smith(4/47) could be the bane of Kyle Pitts‘(2/15) owners, as he only had 2 fewer snaps than the 2nd year TE. HC Arthur Smith likes implementing 2 TEs, but with the Falcons leaning so heavily on the run game, it will be hard to rely on either of them on a weekly basis.

Seahawks – 37 @ Lions – 31
Rookie RB Zach Charbonnet(6/27) has yet to become the threat to Ken Walker(18/54/2) that we imagined he would be. Walker’s owners can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

3 different Seahawks TEs had 3 or more targets on Sunday, as the game plan called for attacking the Lions that way – They were the 4th best matchup for TEs going in. Noah Fant(4/56) led the charge in that dept., but Colby Parkinson(2/41) and Will Dissly(3/35) were right behind him. None of them make for intriguing adds this week, as Seattle’s WRs still rule the roost target wise.

David Montgomery suffered a bruised thigh and could be looking at a multi-week absence. This is the opening Jahmyr Gibbs‘ owners are looking for, and Craig Reynolds could actually serve some deep league purpose too this week if Montgomery is truly hobbled.

Josh Reynolds(5/66/2) can’t be ignored in WK3. Jameson Williams is gone for 4 more weeks, and Reynolds should be useful in every one of them.

Colts – 31 @ Texans – 20
Anthony Richardson was en route to a 40 pointer before potentially getting concussed and leaving the game. He’ll look to get cleared ahead of WK3’s matchup with Baltimore, but Gardner Minshew may have to start. Minshew was sharp against a decent Houston secondary, and he’ll have his work cut out for him again against a formidable Ravens defense.

Zack Moss(18/88/1) was the only Colts RB to touch the ball on Sunday, and he’ll remain the bell cow as long as Jonathan Taylor is out, which could end up being awhile if he somehow gets traded. He’s still unowned in 47% of leagues.

It took a week, and perhaps an injury to Noah Brown, but Tank Dell(7/72/1) exploded onto the scene in WK2 with a team leading 10 targets. CJ Stroud(30/384/2) is developing quickly, and honestly all of his starting pass-catchers are fantasy viable this week.

Bears – 17 @ Buccaneers – 27
Darnell Mooney didn’t record a catch on Sunday, leaving the game in the 2nd half with a knee injury. He isn’t expected to miss time, but it’s worth monitoring this week. If he can’t go, Chase Claypool(3/36/1, 8 targets) could see extra looks against KC.

Roschon Johnson(4/32) has moved ahead of D’Onta Foreman on the depth chart, as Foreman was a healthy scratch Sunday. He didn’t get much on Sunday, but he broke off a big run, and even Khalil Herbert(8/58) only had 8 touches. Grab Johnson while you still can. He’s still available in 62% of leagues.

Baker Mayfield(26/317/1) is thriving in Tampa and makes for an intriguing play this week against a Philly defense that is tough on paper but has been beatable through the air thus far. Cade Otton(6/41) is developing into a decent 3rd option at TE with him.

Sean Tucker(8/7) had decent touches, but he could do little with them. He’s still just a name to watch.

Giants – 31 @ Cardinals – 28
Saquon Barkley suffered an ankle injury and could miss several games. Matt Breida is next in line, so he’ll be a hot pickup this week. The Giants look terrible and face a daunting 49ers squad this week though, so temper your expectations.

Rookie WR Jalin Hyatt(2/89) was a bright spot for the Giants passing game, catching both of his targets for big gains. I’m not optimistic for consistent production from the speedster, but Hyatt could have some monsters, as the Giants project to be playing from behind often. 5 other players had 5+ targets, but Darren Waller(6/76) is the only consistent play in this offense right now.

Josh Dobbs(21/228/1, 3/41/1) had a game that made DFS players covetous, but the Cardinals play Dallas this week, so any and every Arizona player is a big if in fantasy. Only Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz and James Conner should be considered.

49ers – 20 @ Rams – 23
I’m a little concerned about George Kittle(3/30), who had his 2nd underwhelming outing against LA. He just isn’t as much of a priority with a RB that excels at catching the ball underneath. He’s a buy low in hopes of better days ahead, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be the asset that he was in the past.

Cam Akers owners are praying for a trade right now, and they might get it. Otherwise they’ll have to grin and bear Akers being a healthy scratch more often than not. This is Kyren Williams‘ backfield.

Everyone loves Puka Nacua(15/147), and rightfully so, but Tutu Atwell(7/77) is worthy of fantasy love too. Only owned in 25% of leagues, Atwell has approached double-digit targets in both games thus far, and he’s playing ahead of Van Jefferson for fantasy purposes.

Jets – 10 @ Cowboys – 30
Aside from Garrett Wilson‘s(2/83/1) 68 yard catch and run, there was little offensive movement for the Jets. I guess it’s comforting to know that WIlson’s value isn’t completely sapped with Aaron Rodgers sidelined, but he’s going to have to do a lot of it himself. Tyler Conklin(5/50) could see a bump as a safety blanket for a middling QB moving forward Allen Lazard can probably be dropped in most formats.

With the Cowboys defense playing so well, we’re going to get some forgettable days from Cowboys skill players who aren’t integral to the game plan, a la Michael Gallup( 1/3). The Cowboys face the Patriots this week though, so it’ll be all hands on deck. Rico Dowdle(8/43) probably won’t see as many touches either, as the game will probably be closer.

Commanders – 35 @ Broncos – 33
Logan Thomas sustained what could be a concussion Sunday, leaving him questionable this week. If he can’t go, John Bates would be the Commanders best option at TE, though I wouldn’t advise playing him against Buffalo this week, outside of the deepest leagues.

It’s bad news for Antonio Gibson(5/53), when Brian Robinson(20/129/2) is matching him in targets(3). With a bevy of talented pass catchers at Sam Howell‘s disposal, Gibson is a shaky play.

Marvin Mims(2/113/1) had a couple of bombs connect on Sunday, though they were his only 2 targets on the day. He’s definitely worth a pickup, but keep in mind that his floor will be below sea level.

Dolphins – 24 @ Patriots – 17
Devon Achane is purely a hold in dynasty right now, as he’s an afterthought in this offense. The only fantasy viable Dolphins are Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa, per usual.

Ezekiel Elliott(5/13) only had 5 touches on Sunday night, after getting 12 in WK1. He was on the field 22 snaps to Rhamondre Stevenson‘s 54. It seems like his role will be more game specific and he’s not an advisable play in 12 team or smaller leagues.

Kendrick Bourne(4/29) led the team in targets(9), but DeVante Parker(6/57) led the way in receiving yards. Bourne still looks like the “No.1”, but Parker should be rostered in PPR formats. The Pats will need everything but the kitchen sink to topple Dallas this week.