Fantasy Fallout: Week 2

By: Billy Gabelman (StatATL) and Mike Johnson (Mjohnson86)

Welcome to the Monday edition of the Daily Dose newsletter, our “Fantasy Fallout” day. In this article, you will get a quick rundown of the relevant things we learned from the week’s games from Thursday through Sunday. This won’t talk about every single player and we usually won’t spend time on studs who go nuts (no one needs to be told to start Tyreek Hill right now!), but rather, the idea is to update you on usage trends, injuries, and other relevant things to help your decisions with your teams.

Bills at Dolphins

• Both quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) and left tackle Terron Armstead (shoulder) were forced out of the game early, and are both likely to miss week 3. Backup QB Skylar Thompson would be a major downgrade to all Dolphins pieces if Tua were to miss extended time.

• With Raheem Mostert out, RB De’Von Achane saw 29 opportunities, ceding just seven total touches to Jaylen Wright and Jeff Wilson Jr.  The level of confidence Miami has shown in Achane, even as the game was getting out of hand, is very positive for his future workload.

• Scoring three TDs, James Cook exploded for 28 fantasy points, but did so on only 12 touches. He’s led the Buffalo backfield in both of the Bills’ games this season and should continue to be started in all leagues.

• Middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, captain of the Bills’ defense, left the game with an apparent pectoral injury. If it’s a torn pec, as feared, that would be a major blow to the Bills’ defense and would likely lead to more shootouts going forward.

• Despite an impressive 31-10 win, we didn’t learn much more about the Bills’ WR corps, as Josh Allen only completed 13 passes. For the second straight week, Keon Coleman led the WRs in snaps with a 91% snap count, however Khalil Shakir led all pass catchers in fantasy points for the second straight week.

Saints at Cowboys

• The Saints’ offense has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 thus far, scoring 44+ points in both of their games this year, absolutely wrecking Dallas 44-19. 

• After converting his 25 opportunities in Week 1 into 22 fantasy points, Alvin Kamara’s four-TD outing in Week 2 on 23 opportunities equated to a jaw-dropping 44 fantasy points.  

• Rashid Shaheed was involved in both the run and pass game, compiling 113 total yards and a TD. The Saints appear to be actively scheming ways to get the ball in his hands, and he seems to be a viable WR2/WR3 in most season-long leagues going forward.

• The Dallas backfield continued to be a timeshare, with Zeke and Dowdle basically splitting the work evenly through three quarters. Deuce Vaughn and KaVonte Turpin each saw five opportunities once the game was out of reach. 

• Taysom Hill left the game with an apparent chest injury. Like most injuries, a situation to monitor. If he misses time, Juwan Johnson would be the biggest beneficiary at TE.

Bucs at Lions

• Amon-Ra St. Brown (19!!) and Jameson Williams (11) saw 30 combined targets in a game where Jared Goff attempted a career high 55 passes. Williams' emergence adds another mouth to feed in this offense, which may make it difficult with start/sit decisions concerning the Lions’ offense moving forward.

• Chris Godwin led the Buccaneers in receiving for the second straight week and does appear to be in the “Cooper Kupp” role this year for TB. 

• Rookie Bucky Irving out-rushed Rachaad White again despite only amassing 22 yards on the ground. White had a 70% snap rate and 59% route-participation rate, but he continues to be inefficient. Irving is a pickup and hold if available on your waiver wire. 

Colts at Packers

• The Packers leaned on Josh Jacobs heavily (32 carries for 151 yards) without Jordan Love. Malik Willis only attempted 14 passes but did enough for GB to top Indy, 16-10.

• Alec Pierce once again led the Colts in receiving, however expect Josh Downs (ankle) back next week. If Downs is available on waivers, he is a priority add on this generally concentrated Indy offense. 

• As long as Willis starts for GB, all of their pass-catching options are likely best served on your bench. 

Jets at Titans

• Tyjae Spears left the game early with an apparent ankle injury. Without having to share the backfield, Tony Pollard saw 23 opportunities and amassed over 100 yards. If Spears were to miss time, Pollard would see a workhorse/bell cow role.

• Week 2 saw Calvin Ridley turn his league-leading air yards (319) into fantasy points with 87 total yards and two touchdowns. Will Levis hasn’t been impressive at QB, but Ridley appears to be his preferred target. 

• Breece Hall continued to be the focal point of the Jets’ offense, with 114 yards on 22 opportunities, but rookie Braelon Allen was also effective (56 yards on nine touches) and will continue to be involved. If Allen is available on waivers, he should be a priority add.

49ers at Vikings

• Brandon Aiyuk saw his routes-run rate rise from 79% in Week 1 to 93% in Week 2, however isn’t being targeted at the same rate (yet) this season. He’s a buy-low candidate. 

• Justin Jefferson left the game early after suffering a quad contusion. A situation to monitor going forward. If he were to miss any time, Jordan Addison (ankle) and Jordan Nailor would be the biggest benefactors.

• In two starts, Jordan Mason has now amassed 100 yards on the ground in each. With only two targets through two games, Mason doesn’t see the same opportunity in the pass game as CMC (on IR) but has operated as a bell cow back in McCaffrey’s absence, yielding only one carry to rookie Isaac Guerendo. 

Seahawks at Patriots

• In Kenneth Walker’s (oblique) absence, Zach Charbonnet played 96% of the snaps while seeing 19 opportunities. If he’s available in your league, Charbonnet is worth a pick up in case Walker misses extended time.

• DK Metcalf (14) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (16) saw a combined 30 targets on Geno Smith’s 44 pass attempts. Against pass-funnel defenses, such as the Lions in Week 4, these two are strong candidates for starting WR positions.  

Giants at Commanders

• Malik Nabers saw 18(!!) targets in Week 2, and if Daniel Jones can get him the ball, he has the makings of a bona fide top-10 WR in the league. He should be started without question moving forward.

• Brian Robinson was once again very effective on the ground (17 carries for 133 yards) and ran more routes than Austin Ekeler in Week 2. 

• Jayden Daniels once again rushed for 40+ yards and added 226 through the air. You should continue to start him without hesitation. 

Chargers at Panthers

• Quentin Johnston led the Chargers in routes, targets, air yards, and receiving yards in Week 2. After a disappointing rookie year, he’s in consideration as a speculative add this week.

• Bryce Young, and the Panthers in general, are bad. For a second straight week, they looked dysfunctional on offense and allowed 180 or more yards on the ground. Along with Washington, they are early candidates as defenses to target offensive players against. 

• Despite splitting the backfield with Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins once again looked supremely more effective, with 131 yards and a TD on 17 carries.  

Raiders at Ravens

• Despite a strong game from TE Isaiah Likely in Week 1, Zay Flowers looked like the clear- cut #1 passing option in the offense this week. He has run 98% of the routes and has a 30% target share through two games, after seeing double-digit targets for the second straight week.

• Brock Bowers is a TE trade target in your season-long league. He has 17 targets through two weeks and has seen schemed usage, which is very rare for a rookie. His 156 receiving yards through an initial two games of his career is a record dating back to 2000. He feels like this year’s Sam LaPorta, and barring injury, could contend for the overall TE1 slot despite mediocre QB play. 

• Alexander Mattison vultured a TD from Zamir White in Week 2, but otherwise barely played. He has very little fantasy relevance outside of a White injury. 

Browns at Jaguars 

• Evan Engram strained his hamstring in pregame warmups and was ruled out just before kickoff. It’s a situation to monitor and would likely most benefit rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr if Engram were to miss time 

• After seeing an expanded role in Week 1, Jaguars RB Tank Bigsby injured his shoulder and left the game in the third quarter. Travis Etienne would operate as a borderline bell cow back if Bigsby were to miss time.

Rams at Cardinals

• If you were worried about Marvin Harrison, Jr. – don’t be. Same with Kyler Murray.

• James Conner had a very strong game with over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown. He is a weekly starter.

• Cooper Kupp left this game with what is being reported as a high-ankle sprain. We don’t know the severity of it yet, but we can expect him to miss some time. The Rams have a Week 6 bye and my guess would be he returns after that.

• Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson led the Rams WRs in snaps and routes. Now that Kupp and Puka Nacua are both out, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell will also be involved and all four WRs will likely get a lot of opportunities.

Steelers at Broncos

• The Steelers’ defense is one of the best in the league and is a downgrade for any skill player that is facing them in fantasy football.

• The Broncos’ offense would clearly be the worst offense in the NFL if the Panthers didn’t exist.

• Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris both played exactly 31 snaps. Warren had 11 opportunities while Harris had 19. After a hamstring injury limited Warren in Week 1, he showed burst and explosiveness in Week 2.

• George Pickens had a 51-yard reception and a six-yard touchdown both called back due to penalties, otherwise he would have had a very good day.

• The Steelers’ offense is unlikely to generate much production due to their conservative nature and the fact they are able to lean on their defense.

Bengals at Chiefs

• The Bengals outgained the Chiefs and won the turnover battle, forcing three but losing only one. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, the one that they lost was one the Chiefs returned for a touchdown. That and a questionable pass-interference penalty on the game’s final drive led to the Chiefs pulling out a nail biter.

• Ja’Marr Chase played nearly every snap but saw only five targets in a game the Bengals were in control of most of the way. The Chiefs are always a tough matchup for WRs and dedicated a lot of attention to Chase. Don’t panic on him, better days ahead.

• Isiah Pacheco exited the game on the final drive with an ankle injury and left the stadium on crutches. His status will be important to monitor. Carson Steele and Samaje Perine would likely split the backfield work if Pacheco misses time, while the Chiefs may have an even greater pass rate.

• Travis Kelce had only one reception for five yards, but he also had a 41-yard reception called back. Better days ahead as Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy both continue to burn defenses deep, which will lead to Kelce having more room to operate.

Bears at Texans

• Joe Mixon left this game with a left ankle injury early in the second half and did not return. It is unclear what his status will be going forward. Cam Akers came on in relief, but he fumbled near the goal line. Dameon Pierce missed the game with a hamstring injury but will probably return next week. Dare Ogunbowale will likely be involved on passing downs. It will be messy for the backfield, but it ultimately probably just means Stroud and the passing game carry the load.

• Nico Collins is clearly the alpha wide receiver for the Texans and is a matchup-proof starter every week. 

• Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell will both have some spike weeks but will likely be somewhat inconsistent. Start them in games that project for higher scoring and consider benching them in tougher matchups.

• The Bears’ offense struggled once again and Caleb Williams paid the price for trying to make some plays that he got away with in college.

• Keenan Allen missed this game and Rome Odunze was hobbled. Either way, DJ Moore is the “alpha” wide receiver on this team.

• D’Andre Swift was once again inefficient as a runner. He will start having better games when the Bears offense as a whole improves and he can play with more pace and aggressiveness. He is not an automatic starter.