The NFL is a “subsequent man up” league and, by extension, your fantasy soccer league is as properly. You acquired your group throughout the preseason draft, nevertheless it’s the strikes you make because the season unfolds that can in the end determine if you happen to’re playoff-bound or planning for subsequent season. Each week, we’ll make it easier to establish the gamers accessible in additional than 50% of ESPN leagues whose worth has taken a flip for the higher and ought to be added to your roster as starters or as sensible stashes in your bench.
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Studies arrived Monday morning that Kansas Metropolis Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is predicted to land on IR after struggling a fibula damage in Week 2’s recreation towards the Cincinnati Bengals. He left the sport within the last minutes. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid stated Pacheco would endure checks on Monday, which grabbed the eye of fantasy managers, particularly after the working again was noticed leaving the stadium sporting a strolling boot and utilizing crutches.
There’s an opportunity Pacheco may very well be out for greater than the minimal 4 weeks. So, with that in thoughts, let’s get into this week’s waiver wire at each place, beginning with the working backs who may finest make it easier to climate Pacheco’s absence.
Via two video games, the Chiefs’ RB rotation has been constant. Pacheco dealt with many of the early-down snaps, whereas Samaje Perine (rostered in 3.6% of ESPN leagues) has been the go-to man on third downs. Carson Steele (1.6% rostered) has seen extra work on early downs and in short-yardage conditions and is the highest candidate to guide the Chiefs backfield whereas Pacheco is out.
It is also price noting Clyde Edwards-Helaire is eligible to return from IR after Week 4. This provides Steele a while to stake his declare to the No. 1 job, assuming the Chiefs do not herald any free brokers. Steele, an undrafted free agent out of UCLA, has the contact stability and leg energy to maximise each dashing try, together with strong receiving abilities out of the backfield. His workload is predicted to extend within the coming weeks.
Different RB choices
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29.5% rostered): Rachaad White had one of many lowest success charges final season amongst working backs with 200-plus dashing makes an attempt. This may clarify why the Buccaneers drafted Irving. Regardless of the Detroit Lions limiting Tampa Bay to only 70 dashing yards on Sunday, offensive coordinator Liam Coen appears dedicated to utilizing each Irving and White. Contemplate stashing Irving in your bench as a possible late-season difference-maker.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (37.3%): The Cowboys are frustratingly sticking with a two-man committee of Ezekiel Elliott and Dowdle. Each have had 20 touches by way of the primary two video games. Nonetheless, Dowdle has been the extra productive again of the 2, with extra yards per contact and after the catch. Now is a good time to stash Dowdle, particularly if the Cowboys give him much more play going ahead. Dallas’ offensive line is enjoying properly, at present rating eighth in run-block win price by way of two video games.
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots (32.3%): Gibson made probably the most of his 12 touches in Week 2, ending with 11.3 fantasy factors. Nonetheless, the Patriots backfield nonetheless belongs to Rhamondre Stevenson, who has had a minimum of 23 touches and 17 fantasy factors in consecutive video games. With Jacoby Brissett averaging simply 25.5 passing makes an attempt per recreation, New England is leaning closely on the run. Add Gibson as a stash for now. He isn’t a must-start, however he may very well be priceless if Stevenson misses time.
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (2.3%): Joe Mixon injured his ankle on Sunday evening within the third quarter towards the Chicago Bears, after what regarded like a now-banned swivel hip-drop sort out. He went to the locker room for therapy and did return. Nonetheless, Mixon performed solely seven snaps after coming again. In the course of the leadup to Sunday, Pierce was restricted on Thursday and did not follow on Friday resulting from a hamstring damage, making him inactive for Sunday evening’s recreation. If Mixon misses time, I might desire focusing on Pierce (if wholesome) over Cam Akers (0.5% rostered), who had a fumble within the fourth quarter.
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Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (46.6%): Chandler led the Vikings with 82 dashing yards towards the San Francisco 49ers and has had double-digit touches in two straight video games. He ought to preserve a gradual position within the Vikings’ committee alongside Aaron Jones. Contemplate him a flex choice in deeper leagues.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (43.5%): He is one of many high RB stashes within the league. James Conner has had a minimum of 19 touches in each video games so far. If Conner misses time down the street, Benson would possible tackle a good portion of that workload.
Ray Davis, Buffalo Payments (11.4%): James Cook dinner is firmly entrenched because the Payments starter. Nonetheless, in Buffalo’s rout of the Miami Dolphins final Thursday, we did see Davis getting touches. With the Payments rating fourth in factors scored per recreation, Davis might step up if Cook dinner ever will get harm. You must stash him in your bench, simply in case that occurs.
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (7.4%): Allen’s 19.6 fantasy factors in Week 2 on simply 9 touches (20 offensive snaps, 12 routes run) positively caught everybody’s consideration. Whereas he does not have a lot standalone worth behind starter Breece Corridor proper now, he is price stashing for the long run. The large takeaway from Allen’s efficiency? He is firmly established himself because the No. 2 again on the Jets’ RB depth chart.
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (32.0%): The Steelers are the fifth group within the Tremendous Bowl period to begin 2-0 regardless of scoring fewer than two offensive touchdowns. This retains Fields as Pittsburgh’s starter, regardless that he completed Week 1 with solely 11.9 fantasy factors and Week 2 with simply 11.4. Nonetheless, Fields and the Steelers had a number of huge performs referred to as again resulting from penalties. He is a strong QB3 pickup (for superflex leagues), because of his dual-threat capacity and favorable upcoming schedule. Fields ought to be on the radar for anybody trying to exchange Jordan Love throughout his absence.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (21.6%): Carr had 23 passing makes an attempt in Week 1 and simply 16 in Week 2, however he is taking advantage of them. He already has three passing touchdowns of 50-plus yards this season, after having just one all of final 12 months. Carr is flourishing below new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, scoring 20-plus fantasy factors in each video games. With a good matchup towards the Philadelphia Eagles secondary at residence in Week 3, he is poised for one more robust outing.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (16.3%): It is nice to see new Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb leaning extra on Smith and the go, particularly with the proficient trio of DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett within the huddle. Smith has now scored a minimum of 17 fantasy factors in back-to-back video games and has a good Week 3 matchup at residence towards the Dolphins. As a starter for the Seahawks, Smith has averaged 16.7 fantasy factors per recreation at residence. He is a strong midrange QB2 with upside.
Broad Receivers
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (33.6%): The Rams have been already lacking Puka Nacua (IR) when Cooper Kupp left within the second quarter of Sunday’s recreation towards the Arizona Cardinals resulting from a left ankle damage. If Kupp misses time, Robinson would be the lead goal within the Rams offense, which is tied with the Dolphins for the fourth-most passing makes an attempt per recreation. Robinson additionally leads Los Angeles in routes run this season and is a strong flex choice. Additionally think about Tyler Johnson (13.0%) in deeper leagues. With the Rams protection permitting 67 factors over their two video games (third highest in franchise historical past) they may very well be enjoying catch-up in lots of video games.
Romeo Doubs, Inexperienced Bay Packers (30.2%): Doubs is an every-down participant for the Packers, main Inexperienced Bay’s large receiver group in snaps, routes run and targets up to now this season. Though the Packers leaned on the run (53 makes an attempt) with Malik Willis below middle towards the Indianapolis Colts, this can be a prime alternative so as to add Doubs to your roster. Inexperienced Bay did not place Love on IR, suggesting they consider he may very well be again in fewer than 4 video games.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (18.2%): Robinson did not see many targets towards the Washington Commanders, particularly with Malik Nabers’ 18 targets main all rookies in Week 2. Nonetheless, Robinson salvaged his fantasy day with a receiving rating. He has 16 targets this season in comparison with 25 for Nabers. Week 3 towards the Cleveland Browns is not perfect for Robinson, however the next three video games (towards Dallas, Seattle and Cincinnati) might supply higher alternatives for fulfillment.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (13.5%): Pierce completed Week 2 towards the Packers with seven targets — a rise from his three Week 1 seems to be. He is now posted back-to-back robust performances, with a minimum of 16 fantasy factors in each video games. Pierce’s snap depend and routes run complete are surprisingly near what Michael Pittman Jr. has seen this season. Whereas Pittman has had 15 targets, it is Pierce who leads the group in air yards. Now’s the right time so as to add him and watch to see if these tendencies proceed.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (6.9%): Johnston had a profession day towards the Carolina Panthers, racking up 22.1 fantasy factors. Whereas the Chargers rely closely on J.Okay. Dobbins and the run recreation, Johnston leads the group in air yards. With Joshua Palmer injured and Ladd McConkey going by way of rookie struggles, Johnston might emerge because the group’s No. 1 receiver. Upcoming matchups towards the Steelers and Chiefs aren’t nice, so preserve your expectations in examine. Nonetheless, this may very well be the beginning of a profession turnaround. Add Johnston to your bench and see what occurs.
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Why fantasy managers ought to control Jalen Nailor
Daniel Dopp says he is not bought on Jalen Nailor however thinks fantasy managers ought to preserve a watch out for him going into Week 3.
Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings (0.5%): Nailor had an opportunity to step up with Jordan Addison dominated out for Week 2 towards the 49ers, and he delivered. He ended the sport with 4 targets and 14.4 fantasy factors. Justin Jefferson suffered a leg contusion within the third quarter and did not return. Regulate the standing of each Jefferson and Addison heading into Week 3’s recreation towards the Texans. Nailor may very well be price beginning in deeper leagues if one or each of them are absent.
Tight ends
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (10.1%): Brissett’s reference to Henry is among the few vivid spots within the Patriots’ struggling passing recreation, which ranks close to the underside of the league. Brissett focused Henry 12 instances, with the tight finish hauling in eight catches for 109 yards — a profession excessive. He completed with 18.9 fantasy factors and is shaping up as a powerful TE2, with the potential to flirt with TE1 manufacturing if he retains seeing this many targets.
Fast hits
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (44.1%): Parkinson’s two targets and a couple of.2 fantasy factors towards the Cardinals have been disappointing. Nonetheless, with Nacua on IR and Kupp nursing an ankle damage, Parkinson may properly see extra targets from Matthew Stafford transferring ahead.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (6.3%): Ertz wrapped up Week 2 with 4 targets and 10.2 fantasy factors. The veteran tight finish appears to be rookie QB Jayden Daniels’ security valve. Ertz leads the Commanders’ TE room in each snaps and routes run by way of two video games, making him a strong streaming choice for managers in want.
