An absurd two weeks of NFL action is in the books for fantasy managers, chock full of surprising names and a litany of injuries to big name players that puts hope of a fantasy championship at risk for many.
There remains a reason for optimism, however, as some of the on-field performances are unsustainable moving forward and the waiver wire is alive and well with players that can help your redraft squads in 2020. A quick look around your league will tell you that you are not the only one who took a blow on Sunday, even if it resulted in a loss for your team. There have been too many injuries to key starters to suggest that one is navigating these waves alone, so it is important to keep some perspective, trust in the league to level out, and hit that waiver wire hard.
We are going to do a little “Believe it or Not?” through two weeks while checking out the fantasy implications for a few situations to try to help navigate your free agent claims and trade buys as you bounce back and make a run.
Remember when Dwayne Haskins scared you off from Terry McLaurin?
The Washington Football Team lost Sunday but Haskins was again without an interception and continues to build a rapport with his young wideout. Week 1 was an anomaly for many teams (as it usually is), with “F1” only accounting for 61 yards, but with Washington playing catchup in Week 2, McLaurin was targeted 10 times, collecting seven catches for 125 yards and a trip to the painted area. He averaged nearly 18 yards per reception. There is a chance the wide receiver could be a serious asset to teams in 2020.
So, do we believe it or not?
Believe it. If you can take advantage of a manager who is still a little goosey about Washington, go get McLaurin. The team in D.C. will still be playing from behind often regardless of their improved defense and he will reap the benefits in Ron Rivera’s offense. McLaurin has now played a full 16 games in the NFL. His totals are 70 catches and 1,105 yards with eight touchdowns,
Remember when you drafted first or second overall?
If you have a shallow bench in redraft, you are out of it, aren’t you? Christian McCaffrey is likely gone until the end of October. Saquon Barkley is done for the season after a torn ACL. If you snagged one of the top two picks in your league, you were probably feeling rather good about your team heading into the season, now it feels as though all hope is lost.
So, do we believe it or not?
Not a chance. Year in and year out there are devastating injuries to big name players, even if this season has already seen more than its fair share. The waivers are alive and well with names that have yet to be snatched up, not the least of which is Mike Davis, McCaffrey’s backup in Carolina. He will be a top add this week. The Giants’ situation has several dart throws and is best avoided unless you have a lot of bench room for a guy like Dion Lewis, Wayne Gallman, or the newly signed Devonta Freeman. That said, in 12-team leagues, there are still shots to take like Myles Gaskin in Miami and especially Jerick McKinnon for the 49ers (who have their own injury issues). Ageless wonder Frank Gore is probably there, too, and stands to get plenty of carries for the Jets as Le’Veon Bell rehabs a hamstring injury.
RELATED: Six Running Backs to Target on the Waiver Wire
Remember when there were too many mouths to feed in Denver?
It is time to sell guys from the Broncos, is it not? Many managers avoided the crowded roster because the football can only go to one player and there were just too many names being thrown around in the Mile High. Since then, Phillip Lindsay was ruled out at least two weeks with turf toe, which can always linger much longer than you would think, and in Week 2 Courtland Sutton tore his ACL. Quarterback Drew Lock also suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday to further complicate matters.
So, do we believe it or not?
Not selling here. This is a tremendous opportunity to catch panicking owners in dynasty, and the moves could pay off in redraft as well. Melvin Gordon obviously gets a huge bump in carries (and stock) that he already was receiving with the loss of Lindsay with an injury that could last longer than two weeks. The Lock injury is going to force some long-term owners to worry about the wideout core if they are trying to win immediately. In the passing game, Jeff Driskel is a capable backup (though unexciting) and anyone selling Noah Fant is ripe for the picking. The Broncos are likely to be trailing often with injuries on defense, with Driskel leaning on his young tight end in Fant and the remaining wideouts. The offense still has the capability to score a lot of points.
Remember when Corey Davis fooled us all in Week 1?
Davis was obviously a mirage during the first week, wasn’t he? Sure, he found the end zone on Sunday, but five targets for under 40 yards is not exactly inspiring confidence after being snatched up in many leagues. Surely, he is what we knew he was to begin with. To expect him to duplicate that first game performance would be unreasonable on a Titans team built on game management and ball control.
So, do we believe it or not?
Let’s continue the theme, here: Not a mirage. I have always been down on Davis, but he has looked strong in the first two weeks, not to mention in great shape. Jonnu Smith had a solid game for Tennessee in Week 2, but the Titans like holding him back in blocking schemes, and when A.J. Brown (bone bruise) returns, it only helps Davis. He is a legitimate flex play moving forward in redraft leagues. In dynasty, you could do far worse for a bench stash. His value would be compromised if anything were to happen to Brown, but as long as they are rolling with both wideouts, Davis is a great addition.
Best of luck in all your waiver claims and trade endeavors. Don’t forget that Prime Time Sports Talk always has live Start/Sit advice from our experts every Sunday starting at 11:30 A.M. est on Twitter.
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