By Winsto (09/17/2024)
So… this has not been an ideal start of the fantasy season for many high draft picks. Just remember that there are injuries every year. We have to be able and pivot when those injuries impact our fantasy team. And with that said, here are the players who are catching my eye:
(Please note: The following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.)
QUARTERBACK
Derek Carr (NO)—When the Saints acquired Carr in 2023, I thought it was a good move. The 2023 season proved me wrong. Maybe, I was just off by a year. Also, maybe coaching does matter, as the Saints replaced Pete Carmichael Jr. with Klint Kubiak. As of now, that looks like a brilliant move, as the offense is absolutely rolling. Carr’s 5 TDs to 1 INT in two games is nice, but what is even more impressive is his 11.4 yards/attempt. You want in on this action for as long as it lasts.
Geno Smith (Sea)—After the Seattle passing attack’s slow start in Week 01 (171 passing yards, 1 TD and 1 INT), it opened up a bit more in Week 02 (327 passing yards, 1 TD). Could this be a sign of things to come under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, whose coaching background suggests a more open attack on offense?
Sam Darnold? (Min)–Yes, we only have a small sample size here. In Week 01, he was competent, but that was against the Giants. Week 02, however, saw him continue to be competent against a good 49ers defense. And, he is doing this without his second WR (Jordan Addison) for most of the season. It never hurts to have Justin Jefferson to throw to, although check the injury reports this week to make sure Jefferson plays, as this could fall off the wagon quickly if Jefferson sits, especially considering I am skeptical of Addison playing in Week 03.
RUNNING BACK
Short-term:
Carson Steele (KC)—Isiah Pacheco is sadly going to miss time. We should prepared ourselves for the reality that he will miss the next 10 weeks. The Chiefs have officially signed Kareem Hunt, but it was to the practice squad. Reports are that he is a couple of weeks away from seeing any significant action, if any. For now, give me Carson Steele. Is he fast? No! Can he run people over? Yes! Yes, he can! He is also shiftier than meets the eye. Despite a costly fumble in Week 02, Coach Andy Reid went back to him later in the game when the game was on the line. Reid played Steele, not Samaje Perine, who did not receive a carry in the game. Despite being viewed by some as more fullback than halfback, Reid has discussed Steele’s rushing ability several times. Now, let’s be realistic. Steele should be viewed more as a RB3/Flex option compared to Isaiah Pacheco. If you need a short-term answer or Pacheco replacement, Steele is the best bet.
Ty Chandler (Min)—He has been effective in a capable Viking offense when given opportunities, especially this season, as demonstrated by his 5.5 yards per carry. Aaron Jones got a bit banged up, so monitor the practice reports. Even if Jones is okay, Chandler is a solid hand-cuff.
Dameon Pierce or Cam Akers (Hou)—Jo Mixon got dinged up in Week 02; fortunately, it is not considered a long-term injury. Monitor the practice reports this week. If Mixon cannot go, Pierce or Akers may prove to be viable alternatives.
Long-term:
Trey Benson (Ari) and Blake Corum (LAR)—I am not sure how these players are under 50% rostered. They are both one injury away from being borderline RB1s, and neither James Conner nor Kyren Williams have been models of durability. These are two of the best lottery picks to stash on your bench.
Bucky Irving (TB)—Rachaad White is not the most efficient rusher. For his career, White has a 3.6 yards per carry average. It is worse so far this season: 2 yards per carry (on 25 attempts). So far this season, rookie Irving is averaging 5.3 yards per carry (on 16 attempts). It would seem that Irving’s fantasy relevance is inevitable. White is still a good pass catching back, so the ceiling on Irving is capped. Still, he is someone to consider for your bench.
Braelon Allen (NYJ)—Another lottery pick, Allen showed some skill in Week 02, rushing 7 times for 33 yards and 1 TD while also adding 23 yards receiving and 1 TD. No, he is not a threat to Breece Hall, but he does seem to have the trust of the coaching staff as well as Aaron Rodgers. I put him on a tier below Benson and Corum simply because I am not completely sold of the ability of the Jets offense at this point, thus limiting his upside.
Isaac Guerendo (SF)—When I hear reports regarding fear that if Christian McCaffrey does not get his tendonitis healed, an Achilles rupture is possible, I pay attention. I do not expect McCaffrey to be back in four weeks, when he is eligible to come off the I.R. Thus, Jordan Mason is going to be the guy for the foreseeable future. Running backs in the 49er offense tend to have success. For the foreseeable future, the rookie, Guerendo, is one injury away from being the number one RB in the 49er offense.
WIDE-RECEIVER
Jordan Whittington (LAR)—So I am not going to lie. This is more of a hunch. I simply do not trust Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, or Tutu Atwell to step into the Puka Nacua/Cooper Kupp roles. Whittington is a rookie and an unknown, but he looks the part. Once Kupp went down, Whittington played every snap. It looks like Nacua and Kupp are going to be out a while. I would not want to start any of them this week, but if forced to, I would roll the dice on Whittington. The Rams passing attack typically has a fairly narrow tree, so whoever emerges is going to have value. I am betting on Whittington. Even if I did not need to start one, I would still grab Whittington to see how this plays out.
Alec Pierce (Ind)—I am not sure when Josh Downs will return, but until then, you should ride this out with Pierce. There seems to definitely be a connection between him and Anthony Richardson. He is second on the team in targets (10), 1st on the team in receptions (8), 1st on the time in receiving yards (181), and 1st on the team in TDs (2) Even the return of Josh Downs may not change Pierce’s fantasy relevance.
Quentin Johnston (LAC)—I am not sold on a wide receiver in this offense, but as of right now, Johnston looks like the best bet. He does have the pedigree to be impactful, but his rookie year is still very much in my memory.
Jalen Nailor (Min)–Depending on the health of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, he could find himself as Sam Darnold’s number one option against Houston this week. Even if Jefferson plays and Addison misses, which is what I think will happen, his position as the number two receiver has yielded some fantasy success (1 TD in each of the last two games.) Thus, he could be a solid Week 03 fill in.
TIGHT END
Hunter Henry (NE)–And of course, as we all predicted, the top 3 tight ends in receiving yards thus far is Brock Bowers, Isaiah Likely, and Hunter Henry. Henry has played over 80% of the snaps, and New England’s offense looks somewhat competent. Considering the lack of production at the tight end position thus far, Henry is someone to consider.
IDP
Baylon Spector (Buf)—Double check before kick-off regarding the starting line-up, but once Terrel Bernard left with an injury in Week 02, Spector took over the green dot and did not leave the field. He produced solid numbers (7 solo, 3 asst) in that amount of time. Bernard is going to miss at least the next 4 weeks, so Spector could prove valuable.