Panic or Don't Panic?

By: Josh Frey-Sam

We’re two weeks into this fight, so now we can start (cautiously) forming some opinions on players and teams.

“Cautiously” is the key word here, however. There is still plenty of ball game left, and you don’t want to make the mistake of giving up on a player too soon. Conversely, you don’t want to hang onto someone too long and have them become a roster clogger.

Let’s categorize some of the biggest disappointments through two games and how you should be viewing them going forward:

Don’t panic (Buy low)

TE Colston Loveland, CHI

I know, it’s been painful. But the underlying metrics suggest Loveland will turn a corner soon. His 64 routes run are the sixth-most of any tight end this season, and that number is even a bit suppressed after staying home to block a lot against the blitz-heavy Vikings last week. I’m not suggesting it’ll change this week in a tough matchup with a backup or third-string quarterback, but better days should be coming.

WR Drake London, ATL

The buy low case for Drake London is rather simple. He just played the first eight quarters of the season with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand throwing him the ball. Now he gets Michael Penix Jr., who, say what you want about his ability as an overall quarterback, knows how to get London the ball. In 14 games together, London has averaged a 32.5% target share, 3.12 yards per route run and 20.6 fantasy points per game. The breakout is coming.

WR George Pickens, DAL

It’s been underwhelming, to say the least, but we all know Pickens will get his in the end. It’s been CeeDee Lamb’s show to start the season, and Pickens has struggled with drops early on, but with the Cowboys defence continuing to be suspect, they will continue to throw at a high rate on offence. I will continue to bet on talent.

WR Emeka Egbuka, TB

The usage just doesn’t seem to match up with production yet. OC Zac Robinson has Egbuka in motion on most of the Bucs’ plays, which are giving him free releases at the line and the ability to create, but it’s been off a tick with Baker Mayfield. Perhaps that’s them adjusting to a new offence? With the way Egbuka is being used, it won’t be long before he breaks out.

TE Tucker Kraft, GB

If you drafted Kraft, you knew he might need some time to ramp back up. That has been exactly the case. He played just 66% of snaps in Week 1 then played 98% of snaps in Week 2. The next step will be involving him more in the passing game, which seems to be in store now that Jayden Reed is lost for the foreseeable future. It was a wet, sloppy game in New Jersey last week; Tuck should prove he’s still one of the elite TEs soon enough.

WR Jameson Williams, DET

I can only tell you to buy low on a guy so many times. I’ve already traded for Jamo in one league, and I’m kicking tires in others. He’s a demon on turf, in domes, where the Lions will play every game but three for the remainder of the fantasy season. With this Lions defence, the offence will need him to boom more than he busts the rest of the season. Go get him as a weekly high-upside play.

Getting worried… (Don’t sell low)

WR Luther Burden, CHI

The usage is admittedly concerning. Just 17% of his routes have come with two WRs on the field, and his 71% route participation ranks fourth on his own team, behind Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland and, yes, Kalif Raymond. However, I trust that this is just a weird start to the season and that we will see Burden treated like the dynamic play-maker that the Bears drafted him to be.

TE Harold Fannin, CLE

The only thing you’re holding out for here is a quarterback change. Yes, Fannin has a serviceable output in Week 2, but you were hoping for more when you drafted him. I would hold until we see what it looks like with Shedeur Sanders at the helm.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, NE

This week will be telling. Stevenson fumbled on the opening drive last week and didn’t see much playing time after that, which is typical for how Mike Vrabel reacts to negative plays. At the same time, the Pats have consistently gone back to ‘Mondre the next game, despite his chronic ball-security struggles. Some of that is likely because they don’t have another RB they feel they can trust. But was this the last straw? Has TreVeyon Henderson captured the lead role?

Panic (Stuck/drop)

RB Quinshon Judkins, CLE

What did you expect? I told you not to draft him.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., ARZ

His time in Arizona is effectively over. He’s not being targeted, and he has essentially quit on his team with the effort he’s giving on the field. He’s nearly a drop candidate, but you can hope for a trade.

WR Carnell Tate, TEN

I don’t expect it to get better anytime soon with the opponents that the Titans have on tap. Coincidentally, it’s a rather friendly late-season/fatnasy playoffs schedule for Tate, so the hope is that the Titans offence can find its stride in the second-half. Until then, Tate is unstartable.

RB DeVon Achane, MIA

Close your eyes, and pray that he can volume his way to serviceable fantasy performances.

WR Rashee Rice, KC

The once PPR cheat code no longer feels possible. Rice is still putting up serviceable numbers, but you drafted him to be a borderline top-five WR, and he won’t be that with this kind of usage.

WR Terry McLaurin, WAS

He didn’t look good with Jayden Daniels, and now he doesn’t have Jayden Daniels. Your only saving grace is that Marcus Mariota has an affinity for Scary Terry, much like MPJ and Drake London.

RB Travis Etienne, NO

Your worst fear has come to fruition. If Alvin Kamara continues to eat into the offence like this, I don’t see how Etienne is at all relevant this season.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh