Fantasy Football, like the actual NFL, is a war of attrition. We all enter the season with pristine rosters with no major issues, but as the season goes on, the depth of your roster and ability to re-stock the bench will determine fantasy success. Let’s look at what happened in Week 2.

Week 2 Review

Big Ben Out for the Year
  • Lamar Stays Hot – QB Lamar Jackson was selected in the double digits of QBs in most leagues, but he has lit it up. After the big week through the air in MIA, this week, he ran for 120 yards in addition to his 272 yards passing and 2 TDs. A running QB is gold in Fantasy – Jackson is a beast.
  • Chiefs WRs Don’t Matter – After losing WR Tyreek Hill for several weeks, QB Patrick Mahomes hit other targets – WR Demarcus Robinson killed it with 6 catches for 172 yards and 2 TDs, while Mecole Hardman pithched in 4 catches, 61 yards and a TD (and had another bomb called back on a penalty). Mahomes is a machine with 4 more TDs (7 on the year).
  • Cook-in for Vikes – RB Dalvin Cook tore up the Green Bay defense with 191 yards on 23 touches and a TD. A healthy Dalvin will lead to a lot of wins for your fantasy team.
  • Pats D Is Legit – The Patriots have now given up only 3 points in 2 games. That defense is a negative match up, and you should adjust your lineups accordingly. The Pats get the Jets in Week 3, so….
  • OBJ Back in NYC – WR Odell Beckham made the most of his visit to New York with a huge play en route to a 6 catch, 161 yard and 1 TD day.
  • Big Ben Down and Out – QB Ben Roethlisberger is out for the season with an elbow injury that will require surgery. Unfortunately, his loss will downgrade all your Steelers’ players. 2nd year QB, Mason Rudolph will take over – he played with WR James Washington, which could help him, but Juju’s ceiling will be hurt.
  • Thumbs Down in NOLA – QB Drew Brees tore a ligament in his right thumb, requiring surgery and will miss 6-7 weeks of the Fantasy season. Not 100% sure if Teddy Bridgewater will take over full time (as he did Sunday) or will Sean Peyton allow, Taysom Hill and his athleticism take over. Stay tuned to reports. I’d pick up Hill and his dual threat just in case. Downgrade Saints with Brees out, but Hill could help Kamara.
  • Kissing Disease – QB Sam Darnold was ruled out of MNF with mononucleosis for at least 3 weeks. Darnold was a potential sleeper, and the Jets offense is also downgraded. And now, Trevor Simien hurt his ankle – rough stretch for the Jets.
  • Knees Suck – WR Michael Gallup tore his meniscus and will be out several weeks after surgery.

Week 3 – 4 X 4 – Waivers, Trade Targets, Match Up Starts and Caution Plays

Waiver Wire (60% Owned or Less)

Rookie WR Terry McLaurin – Is the Top WR in WAS
  • Mason Rudolph, QB, Steelers (1% Owned) – Rudolph inherits a top offense. Temper expectations, as the Steelers also have an injury to RB James Connor. However, the Steelers’ defense has been a sieve, which could mean a lot of shoot outs. Rudolph played in an open offense at OK State, so he can sling it.
  • Darwin Thompson, RB, Chiefs (50% Owned) – With Damien Williams and Lesean McCoy on the injury report, Thompson should get some real run. They do play the Ravens, but he is a cheaper piece of the best offense in the NFL.
  • Demarcus Robinson, WR, Chiefs (4% Owned) – A must add in all leagues, yes, he had big plays and only 6 targets, but who cares! Mecole Hardman should also be added.
  • Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington (52% Owned) – Lost in all the top performers in Week 1 – McLaurin continued to shine with another 5 catches, 62 yards and 1 TD – the leader in targets for WAS. Pick him up.

Last Week’s Guys: RB Ronald Jones (65%) was a no factor, but keep him stashed; Malcolm Brown (82%) did not get the same goal line opportunities – 47 total yards; WR Marquise Brown (92%) led the Ravens in targets leading to 8 catches for 86 yards; and WR Jamison Crowder (75%) lost a little value without Darnold – 4 for 40 yards – meh.

Trade Targets – Buy Low Guys

QB Jacoby Brissett Is A Great Trade Target or Pick Up
  • Jacoby Brissett, QB, Colts – Also a potential waiver pick up – 26% Owned – Brissett has a very favorable schedule in the coming weeks (ATL, OAK and KC) and he only threw for 146 yards but threw 3 TDs (5 on the season). Good replacement for Big Ben or Brees.
  • Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks – Penny had a nice game on Sunday – 11 touches for 65 and a TD, but Chris Carson had 3 fumbles in Week 2. That is not well received, and could give Penny a real shot to take the top job.
  • Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys – Cooper has been solid through 2 weeks, but the Michael Gallup injury should lead to more targets in this high powered offense.
  • George Kittle, TE, 49ers – Kittle has not lived up to his draft stock yet, but the 49ers return home after back to back road games. That should help Kittle get on track.

Last Week: QB Jared Goff was better, not great with 283 yards passing, 1 TD, but added a Rushing TD; RB Kerryon Johnson bounced back with 14 touches, 88 yards and a TD; WR Mike Evans did not deliver again on his 8 targets – not on the same page as Jameis; WR James Washington only caught 2 balls for 23 yards, but Moncreif was worse – look for an uptick with Rudolph.

Sneak Starts for DFS – Match Up Plays

WR John Brown Should Continue to Roll
  • Darwin Thompson, RB – Maybe not so sneaky in DFS – Thompson will be needed to get away from the Ravens’ tough defense,
  • James Washington, WR, Steelers – My love for Washington is undying, but at SF in a potential shoot out – Mason Rudolph should look to his fellow OK State Cowboy.
  • John Brown, WR, Bills – Smoky, as he is known, has been ballin’ so far 7 catches in 2 straight games against a maligned secondary – Yes, please!
  • Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers – The AZ Cardinals have given up 100 yards to a TE in W1 and W2. Olsen had a big game on Thursday, so I like him to do it again.

Last Week: WR Tyrell Williams started hot with an early TD, but the Raiders crapped out; RB Ito Smith only got 6 touches for 45 yards- still looks better than Freeman; QB Jared Goff – as noted above – decent game but not incredible; WR DK Metcalf – went 3 for 61 and a TD – get that kid the ball!

Caution Players – Normal Starters to Reconsider

Ryan Will Struggle on the Road
  • Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons – Ryan is coming off a big game on SNF, but he is not the same on the road. Plus, limited Mariota to just 154 yards passing at home on Sunday. I would look elsewhere.
  • Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders – Note, Jacobs is Questionable with a groin injury, but even if healthy, the Vikings will shut this running attack down. Jacobs has been getting volume, but the Vikes gave up just 73 yards at home vs ATL in Week 1.
  • Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos – He has been great in 2 weeks with over 85 yards and a TD in both games, but the Packers’ CB Jaire Alexander is a stud. I’d sit Sanders.
  • Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs – Again, you will not sit Kelce, there aren’t better options, but the Ravens have the defense to run with him. Both S Earl Thomas and incredible linebackers will limit Kelce.

Last Week: QB Aaron Rodgers was great in the 1st Quarter, but 209 yards and 2 TDs is not typical ARod; RB Marlon Mack got 22 touches, but only 63 yards; RB Mark Ingram got 15 touches for 77 yards as Jackson did all the running; and DeAndre Hopkins was held in check by Ramsey with just 5 catches for 40 yards.

Alright, hit that Waiver Wire hard this week to get that team ready for another battle in this war of attrition.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.