BUYS:
Travis Etienne (RB, JAX)
Etienne was undoubtedly drafted early by his current team in your league, but he is likely returning even higher potential that that. After a dud last week in which his team scored only 9 points, it’s a great time to add a potential low end RB1 or high end RB2 offering top 8 usage numbers.
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE)
Rhamondre has suffered through two brutal matchups with two brutal game scripts as well, with New England being down by a significant margin early in the game and needing to pass their way back. Even so, he is currently the RB10, and was used promisingly in the receiving game when the games were close. Imagine the upside when there is a normal game script.
Ja’Marr Chase (WR, CIN)
Obviously, it will take a steep price to buy Ja’Marr, but in between his early season struggles and the uncertainty surrounding Joe Burrow’s health, you will be able to trade for him for certainly cheaper than his ADP indicates, while all signs point to him exploding when Burrow is healthy. He is still being targeted more than most receivers in the league, and even if Burrow misses a game or two, backup QBs tend to pepper their best receiver with targets.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR, TEN)
Hopkins didn’t have the counting stats you’d like to see in week 2, but even playing hurt, he’s getting open and getting a hefty share of targets. He had 13 targets in week 1, which only decreased so steeply due to a run heavy game script vs a hapless Chargers run defense. He is - far and away - the Titans’ number one passing option.
Amari Cooper (WR, CLE)
Cooper has played through heavy rain, a groin injury, and some pretty poor play from Deshaun Watson so far. At the very least, the rain will stop and the groin will get better. With Nick Chubb’s horrific injury on Monday night, the Browns will need someone to lead the way.
SELLS:
Raheem Mostert (RB, MIA)
This Miami backfield is bound to become too crowded to sustain Mostert’s touchdown scoring, and they are already so explosive in the passing game that the run game feels secondary. Sell for whatever you can get before it’s too late.
Jerome Ford (RB, CLE)
A lot of factors are in play here: will Cleveland bring in a certain veteran Free Agent? Will Ford be able to come anywhere close to the production that one of the best backs in the league creates even if he is ultimately a workhorse? Ultimately, even if you think the answers to these questions are no and yes respectively, Ford’s value is likely at its highest point possible, which is the correct time to sell. After breaking off a long run on Monday night, his counting stats look great and he has no competition for work… yet.
Zack Moss (RB, IND)
Similar to Ford but even more so, Zack Moss’ value will never be higher than it is right now. He was the only RB used by Indianapolis last week, and had an extremely easy matchup conducive to success. Indy has a string of tougher matchups on the horizon, and in the distance, Jonathan Taylor is soon to be ready for a return, which at this point may very well be with the Colts.
George Pickens (WR, PIT)
Pickens seems to just have a knack for the explosive, breaking off a nasty RAC on his 71 yard TD on Monday. That just isn’t the type of player who is consistent in fantasy, especially in an offense that severely lacks anything going for it outside of him. Fans were pleading for change in the stands after watching Matt Canada call go routes and more go routes and a couple of slants for Pickens over and over again. Until something changes for the better, I will be advising everyone to sell Pickens high.
Kyle Pitts (TE, ATL)
I lost all faith in Kyle Pitts from a fantasy perspective last year, but for those who still drafted him, it’s time. He hasn’t done anything with ridiculously low usage this year, and was outproduced by “backup” TE Jonnu Smith this week. Any value you can get for him is a win.
HOLDS:
Breece Hall (RB, NYJ)
Breece was super explosive with the ball in his hands in week one, but the whole Jets’ offense stumbled with a tough week 2 matchup. I’m not convinced that Hall will be used enough - or that this offense will be good enough - to buy him, but his trade value is fairly low right now, and there is home run potential.
Dameon Pierce (RB, HOU)
Houston’s backfield has been a mess through two weeks, but there’s no use in trading Pierce away for pennies on the dollar. Hopefully as the offense and CJ Stroud develop, the run game will get better, and maybe they’ll utilize Pierce’s abilities in the receiving game too.
Kyren Williams (RB, LAR)
Generally speaking, Sean McVay’s offenses do not provide sustainability for fantasy running backs. However, Kyren has 4 total TDs through two games, and with Cam Akers likely done in LA, there’s really no one else to run the ball with. With these two conflicting trains of thought, I’m waiting and seeing what happens. Maybe he can boom and be this type of high upside workhorse all year.
Michael Thomas (WR, NO)
Thomas’ usage has been very promising so far. At the very least, it seems like those who drafted him super late will be rewarded with good value. It does feel like everyone on the Saints’ offense not named Chris Olave is bound to ebb and flow with Derek Carr’s rises and falls, so Thomas will likely be inconsistent for fantasy owners. Especially with Alvin Kamara’s return imminent, the road looks bumpy going forward. That being said, we’ve all seen what Michael Thomas is capable of, and wouldn’t write him off just yet.
Jerry Jeudy (WR, DEN)
I’m not selling Jeudy yet, as he is still the best weapon the Broncos have, and has potential to be a good WR2 for fantasy owners. It can’t be ignored, though, that Sean Payton seems to have brought his frustrating tendency to spread the snaps and the targets throughout the bottom end of his receiving room to Denver.
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