✍ Studs, Duds, and Waiver Wire Targets

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It's The Touchdown Press Newsletter. Your #1 source for all things fantasy football, DFS, and sports betting, along with 10,000+ fellow degenerates.

I hope you all did well in fantasy this weekend. If not, ice up those injuries because we have a long way to go.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• Sunday’s Fantasy Studs and Duds 🏈 

• Waiver wire targets for needy managers 🎯 

• Early-season buy-and-sell trade options 🔥 

• Fantasy-relevant NFL player news 📰 

STUD QB: Daniel Jones (NYG)

Danny Dimes needed a rebound week after the stinker against the Cowboys in Week 1. He got it.

Just look at his raw stats absolutely SKYROCKET from Week 1 to Week 2:

• Pass yards: 104 to 321

• Passer rating: 32.4 to 103.5

• Completion percentage: 53.6% to 70.3%

Most importantly, it added up to a big 31.7 fantasy point output. That’s what his drafters were looking for.

DUD QB: Trevor Lawrence (JAX)

TLaw had a tough week, throwing for just 216 yards and 0 TDs. He took 4 sacks. It led to a paltry 9.2 fantasy point output.

I don’t think it’s time to panic on Lawrence just yet, but the Week 2 result wasn’t encouraging.

STUD RB: Brian Robinson Jr (WAS)

Apologies to those who drafted Antonio Gibson.

Robinson is clearly the back Washington coaches want to roll with. He out-carried Gibson 18-2 and scored twice, finishing as Sunday’s RB1.

According to Fantasy Life’s Utilization Report Tool, he is tied for 2nd in the league in percentage of his team’s attempts.

DUD RB: Dameon Pierce (HOU)

What’s happening to last year’s trendy new RB?

He’s failed to top 38 yards OR find the end zone over the first two games, not living up to his mid-round price tag. He is the dominant RB in his backfield, however. So maybe this is just a Houston Texans problem.

STUD WR: Keenan Allen (LAC)

Never a doubt.

All this guy does is produce for the Chargers, and he showed out again in what we knew was going to be a nice matchup. He scored over 30 fantasy points in a 111-yard, 2 TD performance.

Now if only his team could start winning.

DUD WR: Romeo Doubs (GB)

Doubs had a precipitous fall from his Week 1 performance. He went from standard WR9 (PPR WR14) to WR67 with just 3 total targets and no scores in Week 2.

If you watched the Packers game, you heard commentary about how Jayden Reed is the one building a connection with Jordan Love. That would be bad news for Doubs going forward.

STUD TE: T.J. Hockenson (MIN)

This position, man.

It’s so tough to find consistency at this spot, so if you get a performance like the one Hock turned in on Sunday, you got a nice advantage. He was TE1 on the week, hauling in 7 of his 8 targets for 66 yards and 2 TDs. He has 17 targets through the first 2 games in that high-volume passing offense.

While there is some concern that his fantasy value might be touchdown-dependent, he’s still on the radar as a top option.

DUD TE: Kyle Pitts (ATL)

While Pitts didn’t come with quite a hefty draft tag as back in the summer of 2022, he still underperformed this week relative to his pedigree. 15 yards receiving is an official dud.

This is despite running routes on 92% of his team’s pass plays, and earning 54% of the Falcons’ air yards. That’s highest in the NFL among TEs by FAR. These signs should provide owners with some hope that he can start to produce, but…

The Falcons spend a lot of time running the ball and giving the touches to the RBs, so maybe Pitts just isn’t in the most favorable situation to exploit his significant athletic skills.

No 5: QB: Desmond Ridder (ATL)

Quarterback is tough on the waiver wire for obvious reasons. There are only so many guys starting in most leagues and the top options are already rostered.

But if you’re in a pinch and need some production, Ridder may be able to provide it on the right weeks. In Week 2, he finished as QB10 with 237 pass yards, 39 rushing yards, and a touchdown each through the air and on the ground.

He’s a spot start some weeks.

No. 4: RB: Zack Moss (IND)

The Jonathan Taylor saga has continued to send ripples through the Colts, and we have a clearer answer this week as to who is picking up that slack.

He was the ONLY Colts running back to get carries in Week 2 and he was efficient with them. He gained 88 yards on 18 carries and scored a rushing TD, while also hauling in all 4 of his targets for an additional 19 yards.

That’s really all the Colts are looking for him to do, and that’s good fantasy production for you as well.

No. 3: TE: Zach Ertz (ARI)

Ertz has been written off by lots of fantasy owners because of his team, age, and injury history. But there are some emerging signs that he might be more than an easy pun for your filthy fantasy team name.

He’s second only to Pitts in air yard percentage, and runs a route on 85% of the Cardinal pass plays.

Check out some of his usage stats from Fantasy Life:

At the difficult position, at least Ertz has proven he can perform before and showing signs he’s still got it.

No. 2: WR: Jayden Reed (GB)

As I mentioned above in the Doubs section, Reed is the guy who seems to be developing alongside Jordan Love.

He led the team in targets with 8 when no one else had more than 4. He was also the go-to guy in the red zone, scoring TDs of 10 and 9 yards.

If the Packers continue to look as good as they have, Reed could be emerging as a real fantasy threat.

Click here for my top Week 3 Waiver Pickup 

No. 3 Buy: RB: Javonte Williams (DEN)

The raw numbers haven’t exactly jumped off the page, but remember how high the internet was on him before the injury last season. That concern seems like it’s behind us.

He’s got 25 carries through 2 weeks, which leads the team by far. And Samaje Perine was sort of pushed to the side against Washington, getting only 1 carry to Williams’s 12, and also seeing just one more target (4-3).

If the offense continues to show signs of waking up, Williams will be the guy to benefit.

No. 2 Buy: WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA)

The rookie has 11 targets through the first two games, which means he’s coming steadily along in the eyes of the coaches and Geno Smith. I believe his role in the offense will continue to grow as the season goes on.

It’s still very early for a youngster like JSN, but there should be little doubt that the volume is going to come in Seattle.

Click here for my no. 1 trade target

No. 3 Sell: WR: Gabe Davis (BUF)

I’ve said it before , but Davis has always been slightly too streaky for my taste. The big game he just had against Las Vegas should provide a nice boost to his trade value.

In my opinion, you’ll want someone a little more consistent at the position that you don’t have to waffle on starting each week.

No. 2 Sell: RB: Josh Jacobs (LV)

If you can get something for Jacobs, go for it.

The Raiders looked poor against Buffalo on Sunday, and they figure to trail a lot this year. That’s before we even get into the health of their WRs.

Jacobs has carried the ball 28 times in 2 weeks, with just 46 rushing yards to show for it. That’s a 1.6 yard per attempt average. Now’s the time to flip him based on reputation.

No. 1 Sell: WR: Cooper Kupp (LAR)

Look, we all know about Kupp’s upside (Kuppside?), but there is a universe in which the fantasy world is starting to pass him by, and the window of returning value for this draft pick is closing.

No one is really certain about his return from injury at this point, although Sean McVay recently said he was “hopeful” about a Week 5 return. Even if that happens, the young Rams WRs, particularly Puka Nacua, have started to seize their opportunities and produced very well.

If Kupp’s age and injury history is starting to catch up with him, you’ll want to get something for him before he becomes baggage on your roster.

😱 Nick Chubb Carted Off on MNF

🦁 Lions D Takes a Hit: CB Out for Year

🚑 Panthers' LB Carted Off Field

⏳ No Known Timeline for RB1’s Return

👥 Steelers Inactives for MNF Includes Rudolph, Others

🔄 WR ACTIVE for Browns; Injury Concerns Linger

🚫 Panthers Declare RB Inactive for Week 2

❌ Saints' Miller Inactive Against Panthers

👀 Free Agent CB to Meet with 49ers

For everyone who’s 0-2 in fantasy:

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