Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Season

Chaos has reigned throughout the league in the wake of Week 2’s events, but we can’t let the wheels fall off. Let’s bring some order to the madness. Here’s the fallout going into Week 3…

 

Bills – 31 @ Dolphins – 10

• Rookie RB Ray Davis(10/28) had 10 touches on the day, but James Cook(12/95/3) was obviously the more productive back. With no superstars on the offense, aside from Josh Allen, different players will have big days in this offense, but it will be difficult to tell when Davis will have his. Davis should be owned in most formats though.

 

• Khalil Shakir(5/54) looks like the closest thing the Bills have to a no.1 receiver through 2 games, leading the group in targets(5) on Thursday. He’s still available in 40% of leagues.

 

• Jaylen Wright(5/4) didn’t do much in Raheem Mostert‘s absence, even with Jeff Wilson Jr. going down to an oblique injury. If Mostert and Wilson can’t come back by WK3, it does make sense to have Wright handy, though it’s unlikely he gets much action behind De’Von Achane(29/155/1).

 

• Tua Tagovailoa suffered yet another concussion Thursday night. Skylar Thompson will serve as the backup for now, but Tyler Huntley has been signed off the Ravens practice squad. We might be looking at a lengthy absence, considering Tua’s head injury history, so Huntley might be the better add, considering long term potential. Either way, it’s a major downgrade for Dolphins pass-catchers.

 

Giants – 18 @ Commanders – 21

• Wan’Dale Robinson(2/18/1) didn’t command the target share(4) that he did in WK1(12), but he still managed to find the endzone. Malik Nabers asserted himself as the alpha in the Giants offense, but Robinson is still worth playing in a pinch. He’s still unowned in 80% of leagues.

 

• Jaylen Daniels(10/226) didn’t find the endzone in WK2, but he continued to stay productive in the running game, rushing 10 times for 44 yards. Of all the rookie QBs, he is having the most success in fantasy, thanks to his legs. Even in a tough matchup with Cincy this week, his floor should remain solid.

 

• Even with a team leading 8 targets, Terry McLaurin(6/22) failed to do much in fantasy, as he and Daniels just haven’t developed a rapport, and Kliff Kingsbury likes to build his offense around the short passing game. Zach Ertz(4/62) and Noah Brown(3/56) had the best fantasy days, even with Dyami Brown(2/17) tying Ertz for the 2nd most targets. This passing game isn’t yet robust enough to support anyone other than Ertz right now. McLaurin isn’t an advised play against Cincy this week.

 

Jets – 24 @ Titans – 16

• Braelon Allen(9/56/2) proved himself to be effective in the passing and running game on Sunday, scoring on the ground and through the air. Breece Hall is still the no.1 in NY, but Allen has earned himself a complimentary role. He needs to be owned in most formats.

 

• DeAndre Hopkins(1/9) seems like an afterthought in the Titans offense. With Will Levis struggling and 2 back-to-back 1 catch games, Hopkins can be dropped for a hot waiver wire pickup, as even Tyler Boyd(2/26, 5 targets) seems to be ahead of him in Levis’ mind.

 

• Tyjae Spears(8/31) left the game with an ankle injury. We’ll monitor his practice this week, but if he can’t go, Julius Chestnut will spell Tony Pollard against Green Bay.

 

Seahawks – 23 @ Patriots – 20

• The Seahawks had some major course correction this week, peppering Jaxon Smith-Njigba(12/117) with 16 targets, after he only got 2 in WK1. Conversely, Tyler Lockett(2/15) only got 2 looks on Sunday, after leading the team in WK1. Both players are worth flexing against Miami this week.

 

• Zach Charbonnet(19/69/1) remains pretty inefficient on the ground, but no other Seattle RB carried the ball on Sunday. He’ll remain useful, due to his volume, if KW3 can’t return this week.

 

• With little going in the passing game, Antonio Gibson(12/103) made his mark on the ground Sunday, breaking off a 45 yard run. He’ll likely get more run moving forward, as this offense is in dire need of playmakers behind Rhamondre Stevenson

 

• Hunter Henry(8/109) was Jacoby Brissett‘s favorite target on Sunday, accumulating the lion’s share of New England’s passing yards. It will be hard to depend on any Patriot, other than Stevenson on a regular basis, but in the bleak fantasy TE landscape, Henry is worth rostering.

 

49ers – 17 @ Vikings – 23

• Jordan Mason(21/104/1) remained the bellcow, with CMC out for at least the next 6 weeks. Rookie Isaac Guerendo only saw one carry on the day, as he’s working his way back from his own groin injury. Even with Guerendo only touching the ball once, it makes sense to add him where you can.

 

• Brandon Aiyuk(4/43) had another pedestrian outing in WK2. Even with Brock Purdy dropping back 52 times, Aiyuk only got 5 looks on the day. His absence this preseason is taking its toll, as Purdy had other options that he’s comfortable with. He’s a strong buy low candidate right now.

 

• Ty Chandler(10/82) held firm with another week of double-digit touches, leading the Vikings in rushing. Aaron Jones (15/68) was the more active back, but Chandler’s role seems safe. He’ll continue to see worthwhile touches, though he’ll need to find the endzone to be anything more than a deep league flex.

 

• Jailen Nailor(3/54/1) made the most of Jordan Addison‘s absence, finding the endzone as the no.2 WR for Minnesota on Sunday. WIth Justin Jefferson bruising his right quadricep and Addison likely to be questionable in WK3, Nailor should be owned going into what could be a high scoring affair with the Texans in WK3.

 

Browns – 18 @ Jaguars – 13

• D’Onta Foreman(15/51) moved up the depth chart, with Pierre Strong injuring his hamstring in WK2. His 15 touches didn’t amount to much, but Foreman is worth a deep league flex against the Giants in WK3.

 

• Elijah Moore(6/44) is averaging 7 targets over his first 2 games. He’ll break something off eventually, but this offense isn’t yet dynamic enough to put him in your lineups.

 

• Woe to those who played Tank Bigsby in WK2, after his 12 carry WK1 performance. He left the game early after getting pummeled on a punt return and didn’t reenter the game. D’Ernest Johnson(5/26) got a handful of carries in his stead and will likely spell Travis Etienne(16/58/1) if Bigsby sits this week.

 

• TE Brenton Strange(3/65) served as an admirable fill-in for Evan Engram, who injured his hamstring in pre-game warmups. He’ll have a good matchup with Buffalo this week, should Engram not be able to suit up.

 

• Christian Kirk(1/-1) looks like Trevor Lawrence‘s least favorite WR through 2 games. His owners have to be panicking right now, so make them trade offers this week. He’s going to have to bounce back at some point. He’s been too integral to this offense for the past 2 years.

 

Colts – 10 @ Packers – 16

• Short their star QB, the Packers defense carried the team, and Anthony Richardson(17/204/1/3) bore the brunt of their aggression, throwing 3 picks on the day.

He’ll face an even tougher test this week against Chicago, so play your Colts WRs with care. It could be another poor showing.

 

• Alec Pierce(5/56/1) does seem to have the most rapport with Richardson through 2 games, though the inevitable return of Josh Downs could throw a wrench in things.

 

• Malik Willis(12/122/1) played arguably the best game of his short NFL career on Sunday, though the 32 handoffs to Josh Jacobs(32/151) certainly helped his cause. Willis added 41 yards on the ground. He’ll face his former team this week, and though the narrative is appealing, the Titans handle QBs pretty well, so Willis isn’t an advised start.

 

• Christian Watson wasn’t targeted on Sunday. The long passing game is unlikely to be a part of GB’s script as long as Malik Willis is under center, so Watson may be out of luck. He’ll be worth targeting in trades in preparation for Love’s eventual return.

 

Buccaneers – 20 @ Lions – 16

• Rachaad White(11/23) suffered a groin injury early on that may have bothered him more than he let on. He finished the game, but his output was meager at best. Rookie Bucky Irving(7/22) should be owned in most formats, as we monitor White’s practices this week.

 

• Jameson Williams(5/79) came into WK2 questionable, but he seemed no worse for the wear, even adding 15 yards on the ground. He’s a must start against Arizona this week.

 

• Sam LaPorta(2/13) seems to be suffering from Williams’ ascension in the Lions offense, as he only garnered 3 looks in WK2. He’s a buy low, as he’ll definitely have his eruptions this season.

 

Saints – 44 @ Cowboys – 19

• The Saints offense is for real, and thus the emergence of Rashid Shaheed(4/96/1). Only owned in 63% of leagues, he needs to be owned in all formats.

 

• Rico Dowdle(11/59) played over Zeke Elliott(8/32) on Sunday, an about turn of events since WK1. Neither back got much going in a blowout loss to the Saints, but Dowdle does look like the preferred play going into WK3.

 

• Jalen Tolbert(6/82) led the ‘Boys in targets(9) on the day. He’s unlikely to do so in ensuing weeks, but his usage is encouraging. Let’s see if he can carve out a niche against a beatable Ravens secondary this week.

 

• Luke Schoonmaker(6/43) was the preferred TE over Brevyn Spann-Ford in WK2, and could be worth a spot start, if Josh Ferguson can’t go this week.

 

Rams – 26 @ Panthers – 3

• Gus Edwards(18/59) and JK Dobbins(18/131/1) had the same number of touches(18) on Sunday, but Dobbins continues to be the more effective back. Its a 1A-1B situation, but the gap is widening.

 

• Don’t look now, but Quentin Johnston(5/51/2) is creeping into no.1 WR conversation for the Chargers. LA’s offense is mostly predicated on the run, and they have a murderer’s row of defenses on their plate before their WK5 bye, but Johnston needs to be owned in most formats.

 

• Wow, what can you say about the Panthers offense that’s in the least bit encouraging? If you combined the committee backs’ performances you’d have a decent line, but that’s just not the case. You can’t start a single Panther in fantasy right now.

 

• Bryce Young is getting benched based off a Monday afternoon report, which is probably the best thing for the Panthers offense. Andy Dalton will take over under center, and though he’s no premier QB, he at least gives his skill players a fighting chance.

 

 

Raiders – 26 @ Ravens – 23

• Alexander Mattison(4/1/1) salvaged his fantasy day by falling into the endzone in the 3rd quarter, but he didn’t get much usage otherwise against a solid Ravens front. He should have much better luck against the Panthers the week,so don’t shy from flexing him.

 

• Mark Andrews(4/51) saw an improvement in his usage on Sunday, but Isaiah Likely(2/26) saw enough action to keep either of them from having a solid fantasy day. Unfortunately, this might be the script moving forward. It’s a fantasy nightmare in the making.

 

• Justice Hill(6/32) continued to see action in the passing game, though his output wasn’t as robust as it was in WK1. He seems to be more useful when the Ravens are trailing, which could be the case this week against Dallas. It could just as well not be the case though.

 

Rams – 10 @ Cardinals – 41

• Blake Corum(8/28) led the Rams in rushing, though most of his touches came with the game out of hand. Kyren Williams(12/25/1) is still the starter, but Corum’s usage is encouraging, as he seems to be ahead of backup Ronnie Rivers at least.

 

• Cooper Kupp(4/37) left the game with an ankle injury and was seen in a walking boot afterwards. If he can’t go this week, some combination of Demarcus Robinson(2/50), Tutu Atwell(3/48), Jordan Whittington(2/22), Tyler Johnson(2/20) and TE Colby Parkinson(1/12) would take place. I’d prioritize the WRs in that order on waivers.

 

• Marvin Harrison Jr.(4/130/2) blew up in WK2, after getting the silent treatment in a WK1 loss. His 8 targets on the day also led the team. His owners everywhere can all breathe a sigh of relief, as he’s sure to be the focal point of the passing game moving forward.

 

Steelers – 13 @ Broncos – 6

• Despite getting another one in the win column, it was a sleepy day for the Steelers offense. Jaylen Warren(11/61) did see a nice uptick in usage though, and it appears that he’s finally getting right after his hamstring injury in camp.

 

• Josh Reynolds(4/93) led the Broncos in receiving, though most of his work came in garbage time. He’s shown to have a rapport with Bo Nix through 2 games and could challenge Sutton for the de facto no.1 WR role, which sounds crazy.

 

• Jaleel McLaughlin(3/6) didn’t get involved in the passing game at all this week, after getting 5 targets in WK1. He’s relegated to the bench for now.

 

Bengals – 25 @ Chiefs – 26

• Andre Iosivas(2/7/2) caught only 2 passes on Sunday, and both of them were TDs. If Tee Higgins can’t go this week, Iosivas could offer some flex appeal against the pitiful Commanders secondary.

 

• Mike Gesicki(7/91) led the Bengals in receiving after a ho-hum WK1. He’s definitely worth adding, especially with Tee Higgins out, but his outlook in WK3 is blurry, as the Commanders actually contain TEs pretty well.

 

• KC is expected to place Isiah Pacheco on IR after he fractured his fibula on Sunday. He’ll miss at least 4 games. Samaje Perine and Carson Steele are next up, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire potentially playing a role when he gets of the non-football injury list. Perine will be more of a PPR asset, and it’s hard to predict Steele’s usage right now , as the Chiefs will probably add a RB to the mix this week. If that doesn’t happen for some reason, Steele is the better pickup, but Perine could end up being the most reliable option if the Chiefs do add someone.

 

• Hollywood Brown(shoulder) is out for the year, making Rashee Rice(5/75/1) and Xavier Worthy(2/17) the top WRs in KC. Retread Justin Watson(2/22) projects to get some looks too, but he’s not on the fantasy radar right now.

 

Bears – 13 @ Texans – 16

• The hype for the Bears has cooled off considerably after 2 mediocre at best performances to start the 2024 season. Caleb Williams(23/174/0/2) threw 2 picks and has yet to throw a TD this season. He could be in for a decent game against the fellow 0-2 Colts, but he’s best left on fantasy benches for the time being.

 

• Both Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are dealing with ankle injuries in the wake of Houston’s pyrrhic victory over the Bears. If neither can go, Cam Akers(8/35) will serve as the starting back in WK3 versus the upstart Vikings. Akers should be a top WW priority this week.