Fantasy Football Buy and Sell Guide for the 0-2 Strugglers

Buy:

Demarcus Robinson: Owned in 1.1% of leagues

Tyreek Hill is slated to be out for at least a month with a shoulder injury, and that’s paved the way for other Chiefs offensive weapons to shine in his absence. While Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins do take up much of the team’s target share, Andy Reid’s high-powered offense is productive enough to support three or four viable fantasy options every week. With Watkins usually drawing the opposing team’s best corner, this creates the perfect opportunity for a player like Demarcus Robinson to step up. He certainly did so this past week (6 receptions, 172 yards, 2 touchdowns) and the trend should continue this week as the Chiefs face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at home.

John Ross III: Owned in 73% of leagues

Ross caught four of eight passes for 112 yards and a touchdown during Sunday’s 41-17 loss to the 49ers. This comes following his massive Week 1 performance (7 receptions, 158 yards, 2 touchdowns). It aslo signals that Ross finally seems to have established a meaningful role for himself in the Bengals offense. While some of Ross’ production can be attributed to AJ Green’s absence (out 7-10 weeks with torn ankle ligaments), it’s safe to say Ross’ explosive production thus far has earned him a significant role in the offense even once Green is back. What stood out to me was that Ross has been targeted 20 times through the first two weeks. We already knew Ross had this kind of flashy, big-play ability considering he holds the record for the fastest forty yard dash with a time of 4.22 seconds. The fact that he’s now being heavily targeted is what really makes this an intriguing situation. Mark him as a WR2/flex with big-play upside.

Terry McLaurin: Owned in 41% of leagues

The rookie receiver out of Ohio State certainly seems to be Washington’s top wide receiver. He’s hauled in 10 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season. He also leads the team in targets and receiving yards. McLaurin figures to serve as a solid flex with upside moving forward, although he has a tough matchup this week as he goes up against the Bears’ suffocating defense.

Raheem Mostert: Owned in 11% of leagues

Mostert has essentially split touches with Matt Breida in the 49er’s backfield and has certainly capitalized on his chances. Mostert recorded a meager 40 yards on nine carries in Week 1 against Tampa Bay, but this past week he burst onto the scene with 13 carries for 83 yards in addition to three catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Jimmy Garoppolo shows signs of improvement and the 49ers offense should only improve as he continues to build chemistry with his receivers. The 49ers play lowly Pittsburgh at home this week and Mostert should get plenty of chances to produce.

Mark Andrews: Owned in 71% of leagues

Andrews has caught 16 passes on 17 targets for 220 yards and two touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season, thanks in part to the spectacular play of QB Lamar Jackson. Andrews is suddenly a top TE option at a scarce position. He should be owned in all formats and has an inviting matchup this week against the Chiefs in what figures to be a shootout.

DJ Chark: Owned in 22% of leagues

Chark has made quite the name for himself through two games. He followed up his Week 1 performance of 146 receiving yards and one touchdown with another productive game for 7 receptions, 55 yards and 1 TD. Chark has seemingly passed Dede Westbrook as the team’s go-to receiver and should continue to put up solid flex production for the rest of the season.

Sell:

Dede Westbrook

Having been passed on the depth chart by DJ Chark, Westbrook’s status as a fantasy-relevant WR looks questionable to say the least. He can’t be relied on in fantasy going forward.

Michael Thomas

Drew Brees’ thumb injury drastically hurts Thomas’ fantasy value in my mind, as the Saints offense simply won’t be putting up points through the air like they could with Brees at the helm. Thomas should still produce solid WR2/WR1 numbers, but he is no longer the top 5 fantasy WR many owners drafted him as. With Teddy Bridgewater now taking the reigns at QB, precision passing may be hard to come by in New Orleans.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Like Michael Thomas, JuJu is now without his QB throwing him the ball after Big Ben’s season-ending elbow injury this past Sunday. Mason Rudolph may surprise some people, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to replicate the same level of production necessary to keep Juju in the top 5 WR conversation. Juju should now be viewed as a riskier WR1/2.