Week 2 Fantasy Football Thread

As we enter Week 3 of the 2024 Fantasy Football season, the landscape has been full of unexpected twists. While some players like Jordan Mason have exceeded expectations, others such as Christian McCaffrey have fallen short of their preseason hype.

Many fantasy managers are likely scrambling to balance their rosters and secure early-season victories, sometimes at the expense of their long-term potential. However, informed managers who analyze the numbers can gain a significant edge. Week 3 presents an excellent opportunity to acquire underperforming players at a discount and capitalize on the high value of overachievers.

Buy Low

Quarterback
Jordan Love
Injured players often become prime buy-low candidates if you have the IR space. Managers might panic-sell to secure wins while their stars are sidelined. If you can get Jordan Love at a reasonable price, he’s worth considering, especially if the current manager is worried about his injury.

Running Back
Christian McCaffrey
It might seem surprising to find Christian McCaffrey on a buy-low list, but now could be the perfect time to acquire him. If your roster depth allows for stashing him on IR for a few weeks, this is an opportunity not to be missed. McCaffrey’s value is at a low point not seen in years, but he has the potential to be a league-winner by season’s end. Remember Alvin Kamara’s impact after his suspension last season—McCaffrey could be similarly transformative upon his return.

Chase Brown
Chase Brown hasn’t lived up to preseason expectations, making him an intriguing buy-low candidate. Zack Moss has dominated the snap share but hasn’t been efficient, averaging only 2.8 yards per carry in Week 2. In contrast, Brown averaged 7.8 yards per attempt. As the offense improves, Brown has a strong chance to become the lead back and is also one injury away from a significant role.

Wide Receiver
Jayden Reed
It may seem counterintuitive to list Jayden Reed as a buy-low candidate, given his WR1 performance in Week 1. However, with Malik Willis at quarterback, the Packers’ passing game has struggled, and Reed’s value could decrease if the offense remains run-heavy. Monitor his situation over the next few weeks; if the passing volume stays low, managers might panic and offer him at a discount. Reed remains a potential top WR in a potent offense with Jordan Love at the helm and could be a key asset for the fantasy playoffs.

Ja’Marr Chase
Ja’Marr Chase has had a challenging start to the 2024 season, but it’s important to consider the context. The Bengals have historically started slow with Joe Burrow under center, and their early opponents have been tough defenses. With Tee Higgins returning, the Bengals’ offense should improve, and Chase will likely be peppered with targets. Don’t be deterred by a slow start—Chase is still an elite receiver who should rebound strongly.

Puka Nacua
Puka Nacua is another player to target if you have the roster space to stash him on IR. As a standout receiver on a high-powered offense, his value is currently lower than it will be once he returns. Managers will be eager to trade away their early-round picks to salvage their season, making now the ideal time to acquire Nacua at a discount.

Brandon Aiyuk
Brandon Aiyuk’s performance may be affected by his late offseason holdout. He’s still adjusting to game speed and integrating into the 49ers’ playbook. Given that this is one of the NFL’s top offenses, Aiyuk’s potential remains high. If you can acquire him at a discount, he could be a valuable asset as he gets back up to full speed.

Tank Dell
Tank Dell has had a slower start to the 2024 season than many expected, currently appearing as the number four option in the Texans' offense. This creates a prime buying opportunity for the second-year wide receiver, who could emerge as a significant contributor later in the season. C.J. Stroud’s high praise of Dell suggests he will become more involved as the season progresses.

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce
While it’s uncertain whether Travis Kelce is past his prime, he remains one of the best tight ends of his generation and is part of the high-powered Chiefs offense. If you can acquire him at a fair price, getting a piece of the Chiefs offense is always great.

Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid had a stellar rookie season in 2023 and was expected to be a top target for Josh Allen this year. However, his performance through the first two weeks has been underwhelming. Kincaid managers might start to panic, questioning his status as a top-five fantasy tight end. If the price is right, he could be a prime candidate for a strong second-half breakout.

Sam Laporta
Like Kincaid, Sam Laporta hasn’t lived up to the hype from 2023 or preseason expectations. He’s surprisingly taken a back seat to breakout third-year receiver Jameson Williams. Game scripts have not favored Laporta so far, but he remains one of the best tight ends in football. While he may not replicate his 10-touchdown 2023 season, he still has significant upside.

Buy Medium

Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jaxon Smith-Njigba delivered a strong Week 2 performance, indicating he might be on the verge of a breakout season. His price may be inflated following this game, but if you can secure him at a reasonable rate, he’s worth the investment. As a first-round pick, he has significant upside and could be a steal down the stretch.

Hunter Henry
Hunter Henry had an impressive Week 2, converting 12 targets into 8 receptions for 109 yards. While it’s not worth spending everything to acquire him, he looked like a top-three option in New England’s offense. Tight ends are often safety blankets for quarterbacks, making Henry a solid player to consider, especially if they turn the keys over to first round pick Drake Maye.

Sell High

Rashid Shaheed
Rashid Shaheed’s early-season performance has been impressive, but it’s crucial to dig deeper. His yardage totals have been significantly influenced by long touchdowns, which may not be sustainable. His performances in Weeks 1 and 2 show that his big plays have accounted for a large portion of his yards. While Shaheed could be a weekly flex play, his deep touchdown dependence, as well as the Saints posting 40 ppg, may not be sustainable, and his current value might be at its peak.

Alec Pierce
Alec Pierce’s fantasy value has been inflated by deep touchdowns. Although he had a decent Week 2, his overall production has been inconsistent. With Michael Pittman expected to become more involved, Josh Downs potentially returning, and young WR Adonai Mitchell emerging, Pierce’s target share could decrease. Given these factors, now might be the time to sell high before his value potentially drops.

Andrei Isovas
Andrei Isovas had a standout Week 2 with two touchdowns, but his overall usage was minimal, with only four targets and a total of seven yards. With Tee Higgins set to return and other high-draft rookies poised to make an impact, Isovas’s opportunities may dwindle. His Week 2 performance might be one of his better games, making it a good time to consider selling him.

Situations to Monitor

Jayden Daniels/Anthony Richardson health

Both Jayden Daniels and Anthony Richardson have shown tremendous upside rushing the football so far in the early parts of the season which is where my concern lies. They both have taken a ton of hits and are behind poor offensive lines. Monitor these situations and if you have space look to add their backups before it’s too late.