Week 2: Trending Up, Trending Down, & Breakout Watch

Yo!

Welcome to the Fantasy Scoop! The Chargers defeated their demons in Brazil, the Colts blew out the Dolphins, and Bills vs Ravens was absolute CINEMA. Hope you all got a W in week 1, but if you didn’t, the sky is still very much intact. Let’s talk about it.

Trending Up ↗

• RB Javonte Williams, DAL – Coming into the season, we weren’t sure who the lead back for the Cowboys would be. The answer, at least for now, is Javonte Williams. Javonte really popped in his rookie year, then tore his ACL, and never quite got back in favor with Broncos HC Sean Peyton. On Thursday, he looked healthy and quick behind a very competent Dallas offensive line. He is a low-end RB2 moving forward with upside in positive matchups. The Cowboys have the Giants this week. They have a strong defensive front, but the game script should be there.

• RB Travis Etienne, JAX – Same thing for Etienne. With a RB1 and RB2 fantasy seasons already logged in his career, ETN was getting massively disrespected this offseason. Fantasy experts were spooked by RB Tank Bigsby and rookie RB Bhayshul Tuten in the wings. Looks like the Jags still prefer Etienne, so he’s a RB2 or FLEX moving forward and a start in what should be a high scoring game against Cincinnati.

• RB Bhayshul Tuten, JAX – Speaking of, the Jaguars traded RB Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia on Monday. Tuten is the new handcuff back up, with reason to believe he could still eat into Etienne’s workload as the season goes on. He is on rookie league winner watch if Etienne ever goes down.

• RB Christian McCaffrey, SF – The calf flare up in the preseason seems to be a false alarm this time. McCaffrey’s unique usage in this offense makes him an RB1 overall contender every time he steps on the field. Fingers crossed he is still doing that in the fantasy playoffs. Enjoy the ride until then. With some injuries at receiver in San Francisco, McCaffrey could see even more passing work and as long as his banged up QB Brock Purdy is playing, the world may not be prepared for that kind of ceiling.

• RB Breece Hall, NYJ – I’m ready to be hurt again. With rumors in camp of RB Braelon Allen taking work, fantasy circles had Breece as a low RB2/high RB3 coming into the season. In week 1 however, Hall looked like the stronger back hands down. He’s back. I’m comfortably starting him as my RB2 until he gives me a reason not to. He could be a tremendous value for where you drafted him this year.

• RB Zach Charbonnet, SEA – This is someone I’ve been really out on this offseason. In fantasy, Charbo has been little more than a hired gun off the waiver wire every week that RB Kenneth Walker III missed. The tide seems to be turning in his favor. At the very least, it’s a split backfield, which is more opportunity than Charbonnet had prior.

• RB Trey Benson, ARI – RB James Connor still got a majority of the work in the Cardinals visit to New Orleans this week, but Benson really flashed when he touched the ball. He is a talented young handcuff with more chance than the like to take his lead job. A guy I absolutely love stashing this year.

• RB Quinshon Judkins, CLE – Since our last issue, Judkins has signed his rookie contract and joined the team. Browns RB Dylan Sampson had a nice week in the lead role on Sunday. He may not see the field for a few more weeks, but I’m betting on Judkins to take that role sooner or later. If you have a roster spot, and you have no reservations about the off field conversation (no judgement from me), go stash him.

• WR Keon Coleman, BUF – More on him in the breakout section below but a great week 1 showing.

• WR Puka Nacua, LAR – “Here lies Scotty Disco. Son. Brother. Puka Nacua stan.” Puka put up a top 5 WR PPR score of the week, even after missing a quarter from a head injury AND being in an out to replace his bandage. Absolute DAWG. He’s a tier 1 receiver. He’s my pick for the WR1 this year. He’s the best of all time. He’s my beloved. He’s my everything.

• WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA – I may have been very wrong on JSN this year. I thought he had reached his ceiling in 2024, was being drafted at that ceiling, and therefore had downside to underperform this year. But with 5.6 yards per route + a dominate target share, JSN will be a locked in WR1 soon if he repeats that work.

• WR Emeka Egbuka, TB – Like I mentioned last week, Egbuka is seeing a bloated target share right now with WR Chris Godwin and WR Jalen McMillan still on the IR. But if your Tampa Bay and your first round pick is performing very well, are you going to stop throwing the ball to him? I don’t think so. With two touchdowns in his NFL debut, Egbuka probably won’t repeat that score every week. But the sky is the limit. The moon, even.

• WR Deebo Samuel, WAS – I have no Deebo. I was not a believer. But in a strong Commanders offense, he’s objectively a value behind WR Terry McLaurin, who missed most of camp. He looked faster and stronger than anyone imagined in his Washington debut. I’m comfortable FLEXing him in what should be a fun game on Thursday Night.*

• WR Michael Pittman, IND – Pittman looked like his old self against Miami this week. I have long preferred WR Josh Downs in this offense, but that needle has shifted a bit in Pittman’s direction. I’ve been avoiding him mostly because of chronic back issues that plagued him all last season, but who knows? Maybe the training staff worked some magic in the offseason. For now, Pittman is a decent FLEX if you need someone.

• WR Ricky Pearsall, SF – Pearsall was a late first-round pick by the Niners in 2024. His rookie season was riddled with injuries and now, with TE George Kittle and WR Brandon Aiyuk out, and WR Jauan Jenning questionable, Slick Ricky is the de facto #1. All the opportunity in the world for him early this season.

• WR Tetairoa McMillan, CAR – It was a sloppy week in Jacksonville for the Panthers offense, so Tet’s numbers certainly don’t jump off the page. I’m getting ahead of the curve on this one and sending offers now, because if you watched that game, Tet looked like one of the most talented players on the field.

• WR Jalen Coker, CAR – Coker is injured, so a weird add on this list. But because he is injured, he is eligible for your IR slot. If you play in a deeper league, and your team is currently healthy, go stash Coker in there. Outside McMillan, the Carolina pass-catchers looked less than inspiring, so Coker may be looking at a nice role upon return.

• QB Justin Fields, NYJ – The Jets looked, like, actually kind of good! And against a strong on-paper defense in Pittsburgh. Fields is a playmaker. He is fun to watch. Probably not a start yet in 10 or 12-team leagues, but it’s close. If he’s on the wire, I want him.

• QB Justin Herbert, LAC – Week one MVP candidates are my least favorite thing ever (because it’s usually QB Dak Prescott for no reason), but Herbert’s was a very promising performance for your fantasy lineup.

• TE Tyler Warren, IND – The Colts weren’t just stepping on Miami, they were dancin’ on ‘em. 360, bustin’ down on ‘em. And Warren proved to be a feature of the offense right away! No reason to believe he can’t continue this role into the season. Good stuff.

• TE Harold Fannin, CLE – Interesting guy here. A rookie out of Bowling Green with a very unique role in the Cleveland offense. He is TE2 behind TE David Njoku, but is also running the ball and playing some slot receiver. Don’t need to sprint to the waiver wire for him in shallow leagues, but a decent streamer if you roster one of the injured fallers below. If you play tight end premium, he’s a priority add.

Trending Down ↘

• RB Kenneth Walker III, SEA – Seems like KW3 is losing work to RB Zach Charbonnet. So that’s bad. Walker did cash a touchdown to save his week but if he’s in your starting lineup, you may want to explore some other long term options. Consider selling on the name value.

• RB Miles Sanders, DAL – It’s Javonte’s job. Sanders got in there to change pace and fumbled. Not good. You are free to drop if you need a roster spot.

• RB Najee Harris, LAC – Rookie RB Omarion Hampton didn’t light up the score board, but he looked good enough in his NFL debut. Najee didn’t see the field much at all... but that’s excusable with an eye injury. He also didn’t play much.

• RB Kaleb Johnson, PIT – I’m still stashing Johnson because, as we know, rookies win championships. And it’s one week. But goddammit OC Arthur Smith is already pissing me off. Playing RB Jaylen Warren more, I get. He’s a team veteran. He’s a good player. But why is RB Kenneth Gainwell getting more touches? Kenny G is an Eagles legend and Super Bowl champion, but come on man.

• RB Isaiah Pacheco, KC – Pacheco had a little steam coming into the season as a later round RB value after getting healthy in the offseason. But that was predicated on him getting a bell cow workload. Pacheco split carries with RB Kareem Hunt, who tried to retire like 3 years ago, which tells you how little the Chiefs trust the guy. Rookie RB Brashard Smith is looming in the background as well. He isn’t a drop yet, but I’m firmly out, and exploring other options.

• RB Jerome Ford, CLE – Your hope when drafting Ford in the late rounds was that he would be the lead guy until RB Quinshon Judkins gets up to speed. That role went to RB Dylan Sampson instead. And even Sampson is on the Judkins clock, so that leaves Ford in the dust.

• WR A.J. Brown, PHI – Philly wins with the run game, so their receivers are just hard to trust in fantasy. A.J. also has a lingering hamstring injury from the preseason. Would it surprise me if AJB got 7 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs this week? No. But lower expectations when the Eagles are strong favorites in their games. You are still starting him until further notice and crossing your fingers.

• WR Matthew Golden, GB – I was excited about Golden on the prospect that he was Green Bay’s #1, but that’s just not the case yet. WR Jayden Reed decided to play through a foot injury and the Packers like WR Romeo Doubs and TE Tucker Kraft, so the targets are just too spread out. Golden is still a good best ball play with his role sprinting down the field, but he’s downgraded to a stash in lineup leagues. Park him on the bench and hope he picks up work in week 2.

• WR Tyreek Hill, MIA – I was hesitant to add the Miami receivers because it’s bad practice to judge an entire team off one performance, but it was a BAD one. The Colts are a beyond gettable win and the Dolphins offense got completely shut down. With Tyreek angry on the sidelines, relationships fractured all over, and HC Mike McDaniel already on the hot seat, you may want to sell this stock on name value while you can.

• WR Jaylen Waddle, MIA – Glass bones, paper skin, and a bad offense.

• QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA – Don’t roster this guy. He just threw another pick at practice, I assume.

• TE Brock Bowers, LAV – A knee injury for Bowers in week 1 is a shame. He was off to a great start, clearly still the focal point of the offense, and then went down. Let’s get details on the issue before any rash action, but knees are scary, man.

• TE George Kittle, SF – Another injury. A hamstring on an older gentleman in the league. He was put on the IR yesterday, so it’s at least four weeks out.

• TE Evan Engram, DEN – Calf injury. Keep an eye on it if you roster him. If he’s fine, he’s fine.

• TE Travis Kelce, KC – Look, he’s startable while WR Xavier Worthy is out, but that touchdown saved his week. Dude had 10% of the target share in a game without their top 2 wide receivers. Kelce is not who he used to be. Get out now on name value.

Breakout Watch

Here are my big calls for receiver breakouts this year. Send some trade offers now to buy low on these players now before you miss your chance. These are not original takes but if you don’t consume other fantasy content, forget I said that!

• WR Drake London, ATL – London very quietly scored out of his mind last year, a storyline that went under the radar with QB Kirk Cousins tanking the Falcons offense. It was a consistent 12-15 PPR points every week post-bye. You love to see that. This year, with gunslinger QB Michael Penix Jr. at the helm, this offense could explode. If the offense goes, London goes.

• WR Ladd McConkey, LAC – Ladd had a very good rookie year on the score cards and an even better one in the advanced metrics. The risk with Ladd is that the Chargers take the lead in games, slow down, and run the ball. But I think every LA or San Diego fan will tell you that the Chargers are never winning and no lead is secure. Ladd is on a very nice trajectory, and if Herbert plays like he did on Friday, this whole offense reaches another level.

• WR Rome Odunze, CHI – Rome was the #9 overall pick in the 2024 draft. His rookie year was spotty, but in my eyes, very excusable considering the Bears had a rookie QB and a defensive HC who was fired midway through the season. Ask any ball-knower, fantasy aside, if Odunze is talented and they will go full bobble head. I think that translates into a fantasy breakout as well this year.

• WR Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI – Marv was drafted a few picks ahead of Rome in 2024. His usage was strange last year. The Cards kind of just ignored his strengths and sent him down the field. Week 1 showed some corrections on that front. He is their most talented weapon, so they had better use him. I’ll say that they do.

• WR Chris Olave, NO – Two things holding back Olave so far: concussions and the New Orleans Saints. He’s a great receiver on a team that, though they do not score many points, will certainly be down and need to throw the ball in garbage time this year. I like Olave to bounce back and possibly break out in that environment. Maybe QB Tyler Shough is good, I don’t know. That would certainly help.

• WR Keon Coleman, BUF – Dude has UPs. Coleman played in a celebrity basketball game over the offseason and he was hoopin’. He also seems to have put in a ton of work with QB Josh Allen this offseason to improve their chemistry. Coleman came into the NFL as a really raw prospect and in this high-powered offense, I think he hits. The price has already gone up after a nice outing in week 1.

• WR Josh Downs, IND – I was hesitant to put him on the list after a subpar week 1, but Indy was ahead in the game, and that was a bad game script for Downs. Even though WR Michael Pittman is trending up, in my heart, Downs is the best WR on the team. I’ll bet on the fantasy points following. Ranked around guys like WR Rashid Shaheed, come on now.

• WR Cedric Tillman, CLE – Who? Yes. A 2023 third-round pick and the Browns #2 receiver behind WR Jerry Jeudy. C. Tilly is a good player, used in a nice consistent role for Cleveland. With QB Joe Flacco taking snaps, the offense should be at least, competent. And in week 1, you saw Tillman thrive for 16 PPR points. I lowkey think he’s better than Jeudy. The fear here is that a QB change to one of the Browns rookies could completely stall the offense, but it also could give it more life. So Tillman is on breakout watch.

Over/Unders

Highest Totals:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals (49.5) – Please throw the ball to Brian Thomas Jr. I am asking very nicely.

2. Washington Commanders @ Green Bay Packers (48.5) – Thursday Night Football

3. Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions (47.5)

4. Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs (46.5) – Supa Bowl Rematch

5. Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders (46.5) – Monday Night Football Pt. 2

Lowest Totals:

1. Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers (39.5)

2. San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints (42.5)

3. Los Angeles Rams @ Tennessee Titans (42.5)

4. Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts (42.5)

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans (42.5)

Defenses For Beth

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Seattle Seahawks

3. San Francisco 49ers

4. Denver Broncos

5. New Orleans Saints

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*Pro Tip! When you are planning to start a RB, WR, or TE in Thursday Night Football, do so in the RB, WR, or TE slot rather than the FLEX. That way, if your #1 RB stubs his toe on Sunday morning and can’t play, you at least have more options for replacements in your FLEX spot. Flu season is on the horizon, so it comes up more than you think. Oh, and get your flu shots!

Good luck in Week 2! Always here for personalized advice if your team needs some help. Check out old issues and my other writing here: https://scottkauffman4.wixsite.com/my-site

Bye bye,

Scotty Disco