With The Fantasy Football Season Going Into Full Swing, Now Is The Time To Make Moves To Bring Your Team To The Next Level
The afternoon games this past Sunday seemed to be the difference in many fantasy schedules, proving once again, it’s not how you start but how you finish. Here is here is what sparked The Pug‘s interest in week two:
A Tale of Extreme Lows and Highs
Week two saw the likes of Jordan Howard and Isaiah Crowell hit fantasy rock bottom. Guys who hit their bottom this early in the season make great trade targets. Even Ezekiel Elliot stock is lowered after a single bad game (really bad game at that). Use this to your advantage. Pull off an early season trade that could make you a champion later on. If you have the likes of a Travis Kelce, DeVante Parker or Michael Crabtree, their fantasy value couldn’t be any higher right now.
Le’Veon Bell stock is low right now, although a buy-low situation may not apply here, as he can live most of the season on his name alone. Don’t be afraid to throw some offers out right now.
If you could use Kelce to pull off a trade for Crowell do it. Hugh Jackson vowed to run the ball more this season and hasn’t lived up to that promise yet.
The result? Two losses.
Look for him to give Crowell his chance to shine, especially with their number one receiver, Corey Coleman, shelved for at least eight weeks with a broken hand.
Jordan Howard seems to be loosing hold of the starting job in Chicago. Don’t give up on him yet. He is still extremely young and The Pug believes he will bounce back to at least low-end RB1 status. Howard does have a shoulder element that is worth monitoring, but it isn’t like rookie Tarik Cohen lit it up in week two. Howard’s stock is at an all-time low, and two short weeks into the season, you may be able to pull off a trade for him for dirt cheap.
Todd Gurley Shows Signs of Life
After lighting the fantasy world on fire as a rookie, Gurley was the definition of a bust last season. Week 2 showed that there is a chance Todd Gurley may not be done just yet (136 all-purpose yards and a score). It looks like the Rams have taken a big step forward this season as far as overall talent. The size of the crowd at their home games is a different story…..
@tomleykis At least the #Dodgers can get fans to show up their game. #Rams first home game of the season looked like a #WNBA game! pic.twitter.com/YRRFkHqQgB
— John Basse (@J_Basse) September 11, 2017
Now on to Week 3….
Must Starts
Jay Cutler- QB- Miami Dolphins- It actually hurt my fingers to type this, but until the Jets defense can prove they can stop someone start the opposing quarterback is a good move. Cutler wasn’t awful in his Dolphins debut (230 yards 1 TD 0 INT), but those number aren’t exactly exciting. This week is a different ballgame, however, as three touchdowns for Cutler isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
Cam Newton- QB- Carolina Panthers- The Panthers are enjoying a good start to 2017 after a letdown in 2016. Newton hasn’t shown fantasy owners anything to be excited about, however that all turns around against the Saints, the team that can support opposing quarterbacks job statuses all season long. Cam is a better quarterback then he has been to start 2017, and The Pug believes week 3 will be the jump start Cam needs to get back on track.
Delanie Walker- TE- Tennessee Titans- Yes the Titans are playing the Seahawks and their defense is good. That is EXACTLY why you should start Walker. Look for the Seahawks to play tight coverage on the outside and stack the box to prevent DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry and even Marcus Mariota from running wild on them. Walker will be a safety valve that could pay great dividends for those who are brave enough to start him.
Carlos Hyde- RB- San Francisco 49ers- Hyde proved he has fantasy relevance, as he had a huge game against Seattle rushing for 124 yards. This week, Hyde takes on the Rams, who has allowed more rushing yards through two weeks than any other team in the league. If he adds a touchdown this week, he could be towards the top of the running back list this week.
Players to Avoid
Jimmy Graham- TE- Seattle Seahawks- After finding fantasy success last season, it looked like Jimmy Graham was going to return to form. Not so for the first two weeks of the season. Now that doesn’t mean give up on him, but until he starts commanding targets (10 through two games) from Russell Wilson, he is better of on your bench. He also dealing with an ankle injury that doesn’t make starting him any sexier.
Mark Ingram- RB- New Orleans Saints- This isn’t just for Ingram, as Peterson was listed here last week. Same with Ingram, don’t touch until the mess that is the Saints backfield starts to sort itself out, although that may not happen this season…
LeGarrette Blount- RB- Philadelphia Eagles- After leading the league in touchdowns just a season ago, the Eagles seem to have no commitment to giving Blount the lead back category. With Darren Sproles and Wendell getting more work, Blount isn’t worthy of a fantasy start in any format. His six offensive snaps and only one carry last week is a huge red flag.
Tom Brady- QB- New England Patriots- Going against TB12 is never a smart move, however Houston has the kind of secondary that can curb him. After a mediocre week 1 performance, Brady came alive last week. Saying Brady will have a bad game would be ignorant, but another mediocre performance could be in the cards.
Brandon Marshall- WR- New York Giants- Eli and company in New York haven’t looked much better than their stadium partners early in the season. Marshall has almost zero fantasy value going forward until the Giants offense wakes up.
Waiver Wire Gems
Chris Carson- RB- Seattle Seahawks- If you are having early season running back woes, this could be a solution. While everyone was busy trying to decide if C.J. Prosise (Four carries in week two) or Eddie Lacy (Five Carries in week 2) would be the lead back, the rookie came out of nowhere and ran with his opportunity (20 carries for 93 yards). Although 93 yards is solid, the focus here is on the 20 carries. You may want to wait a week before plugging him into your starting lineup, but pick him up now to monitor his status.
J.J. Nelson- WR- Arizona Cardinals- Nelson followed up a decent week 1 performance with an even better week 2. John Brown appeared to be the man in Arizona who would be the heir to Larry Fitzgerald, but has slipped into fantasy irrelevance. Nelson has been the main beneficiary from that, and not only should he be picked up, but should be considered a flex start every week.
Rashard Higgins- WR- Cleveland Browns- Who? You may soon find out. With Corey Coleman lost for at least eight weeks to a broken hand, and Kenny Britt apparently appearing invisible to quarterback DeShone Kizer, Higgins should command a bunch of targets moving forward. A Plug-and-play might be in order as the Browns take on a dismal Colts defense.
