Eric Moody, ESPN
The NFL is a “next man up” league and, by extension, your fantasy soccer league is as properly. You acquired your staff through the preseason draft, but it surely's the strikes you make because the season unfolds that can finally resolve for those who're playoff-bound or planning for subsequent season. Every week, we'll assist you to determine the gamers obtainable in additional than 50% of ESPN leagues whose worth has taken a flip for the higher and must be added to your roster as starters or as good stashes for your bench.
Reports arrived Monday morning that Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is predicted to land on IR after struggling a fibula damage in Week 2 towards the Cincinnati Bengals. He left the sport within the ultimate minutes. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid mentioned Pacheco would endure checks 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 a probability 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 greatest assist you to climate Pacheco's absence.
Through 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's additionally price noting Clyde Edwards-Helaire is eligible to return from IR after Week 4. This offers 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 steadiness and leg power to maximise each speeding try, together with strong receiving expertise out of the backfield. His workload is predicted to extend within the coming weeks.
Other 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 speeding makes an attempt. This may clarify why the Buccaneers drafted Irving. Despite the Detroit Lions limiting Tampa Bay to only 70 speeding yards Sunday, offensive coordinator Liam Coen appears dedicated to utilizing each Irving and White. Consider stashing Irving in your bench as a potential 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. Both have had 20 touches by means of the primary two video games. However, Dowdle has been the extra productive again of the 2, with extra yards per contact and after the catch. Now is a nice time to stash Dowdle, particularly if the Cowboys give him much more play going ahead. Dallas' offensive line is enjoying properly, rating eighth in run block win fee by means of two video games.
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots (32.3%): Gibson made essentially the most of his 12 touches in Week 2, ending with 11.3 fantasy factors. However, the Patriots' backfield nonetheless belongs to Rhamondre Stevenson, who has had no less than 23 touches and 17 fantasy factors in consecutive video games. With Jacoby Brissett averaging simply 25.5 passing makes an attempt, New England is leaning closely on the run. Add Gibson as a stash for now. He's not a must-start, however he may very well be precious if Stevenson misses time.
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (2.3%): Joe Mixon injured an ankle Sunday evening within the third quarter towards the Chicago Bears, after what appeared like a now-banned swivel hip-drop sort out. He went to the locker room for remedy and did return. However, Mixon performed solely seven snaps after coming again. During the leadup to Sunday, Pierce was restricted Thursday and did not follow Friday resulting from a hamstring damage, making him inactive for Sunday evening's recreation. If Mixon misses time, I'd favor concentrating on Pierce (if wholesome) over Cam Akers (0.5% rostered), who had a fumble within the fourth quarter.
Quick hits
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (46.6%): Chandler led the Vikings with 82 speeding yards towards the San Francisco 49ers and has had double-digit touches in two straight video games. He ought to hold a regular position within the Vikings' committee alongside Aaron Jones. Consider him a flex choice in deeper leagues.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (43.5%): He's one of many high RB stashes within the league. James Conner has had no less than 19 touches in each video games to this point. If Conner misses time down the highway, Benson will probably tackle a significant slice of that workload.
Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (11.4%): James Cook is firmly entrenched because the Bills starter. However, in Buffalo's rout of the Miami Dolphins final Thursday, we did see Davis getting touches. With the Bills rating fourth in factors scored per recreation, Davis might step up if Cook ever will get harm. You ought to 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) undoubtedly caught everybody's consideration. While he does not have a lot standalone worth behind starter Breece Hall proper now, he is price stashing for the longer term. The huge takeaway from Allen's efficiency? He has 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 staff within the Super Bowl period to start out 2-0 regardless of scoring fewer than two offensive touchdowns. This retains Fields as Pittsburgh's starter, despite the fact that he completed Week 1 with solely 11.9 fantasy factors and Week 2 with simply 11.4. However, Fields and the Steelers had a number of huge performs known as again resulting from penalties. He's a strong QB3 pickup (for superflex leagues), due to his dual-threat capability and favorable upcoming schedule. Fields must be on the radar for anybody seeking 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 benefiting from them. He already has three passing touchdowns of 50-plus yards this season, after having just one all of final 12 months. Carr is prospering underneath new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, scoring 20-plus fantasy factors in each video games. With a favorable matchup towards the Philadelphia Eagles secondary at dwelling in Week 3, he is poised for one other robust outing.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (16.3%): It's nice to see new Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb leaning extra on Smith and the go, particularly with the gifted trio of DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett within the huddle. Smith has now scored no less than 17 fantasy factors in back-to-back video games and has a favorable Week 3 matchup at dwelling towards the Dolphins. As a starter for the Seahawks, Smith has averaged 16.7 fantasy factors per recreation at dwelling. He's a strong midrange QB2 with upside.
Wide receivers
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (33.6%): The Rams had 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 leads Los Angeles in routes run this season and is a strong flex choice. Also contemplate Tyler Johnson (13.0%) in deeper leagues. With the Rams' protection permitting 67 factors over two video games (third highest in franchise historical past), L.A. may very well be enjoying catch-up in lots of video games.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (30.2%): Doubs is an every-down participant for the Packers, main Green Bay's large receiver group in snaps, routes run and targets this season. Although the Packers leaned on the run (53 makes an attempt) with Malik Willis underneath middle towards the Indianapolis Colts, that is a prime alternative so as to add Doubs to your roster. Green Bay did not place Love on IR, suggesting it believes he may very well be again in fewer than 4 video games.
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. Still, Robinson salvaged his fantasy day with a receiving rating. He has 16 targets this season, in contrast with 25 for Nabers. Week 3 towards the Cleveland Browns is not ultimate for Robinson, however the next three video games (towards Dallas, Seattle and Cincinnati) might supply higher alternatives for success.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (13.5%): Pierce completed Week 2 towards the Packers with seven targets — a rise from his three Week 1 seems. He has now posted back-to-back robust performances, with no less than 16 fantasy factors in each video games. Pierce's snap rely and routes run complete are surprisingly near what Michael Pittman Jr. has seen this season. While Pittman has had 15 targets, it is Pierce who leads the staff in air yards. Now's the right time so as to add him and watch to see if these traits proceed.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (6.9%): Johnston had a profession day towards the Carolina Panthers, racking up 22.1 fantasy factors. While the Chargers rely closely on J.Okay. Dobbins and the run recreation, Johnston leads the staff in air yards. With Joshua Palmer injured and Ladd McConkey going by means of rookie struggles, Johnston might emerge because the staff's No. 1 receiver. Upcoming matchups towards the Steelers and Chiefs aren't nice, so hold your expectations in verify. Still, this may very well be the beginning of a profession turnaround. Add Johnston to your bench and see what occurs.
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Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings (0.5%): Nailor had a probability 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. Keep a watch on 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 are absent.
Tight ends
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (10.1%): Brissett's reference to Henry is likely one of 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 robust TE2, with the potential to flirt with TE1 manufacturing if he retains seeing this many targets.
Quick hits
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (44.1%): Parkinson's two targets and a couple of.2 fantasy factors towards the Cardinals had been disappointing. However, with Nacua on IR and Kupp nursing an ankle damage, Parkinson may properly see extra targets from Matthew Stafford shifting ahead.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (6.3%): Ertz wrapped up Week 2 with 4 targets and 10.2 fantasy factors. The veteran appears to be rookie QB Jayden Daniels' security valve. Ertz leads the Commanders' TE room in each snaps and routes run by means of two video games, making him a strong streaming choice for managers in want.
