Week Three is in the books for the AFC West! We must focus on the top takeaways now that we have film and statistics to study. No longer can we rest on our offseason takes of who will succeed and who will fail. We now have an entire two weeks of NFL football to study. We can lead our team to a fantasy football title by focusing on weekly top takeaways! The fantasy season will move quickly, and in a dynasty, it is essential to acquire players before they break out or unload players before they falter.
Isaiah Pacheco, Forgotten Man
The hype train surrounding Chiefs rookie running back Pacheco throughout the summer grew immensely. Things were going great the first week of the season, with Pacheco seeing the field a decent amount. This ended Sunday when the Chiefs lost to the Indianapolis Colts 20 to 17. In the loss, Pacheco was on the field for just five snaps. This is the second game in a row where Pacheco has seen such little snap share.
All is not lost; we must remember that he is a rookie, and it will take some time for them to see meaningful touches when drafted into such a talent-rich roster. Ahead of Pacheco, Clyde-Edwards Helaire is producing but getting out-snapped by Jerick McKinnon weekly. Jerick McKinnon is a free agent after this year, and Clyde-Edwards Helaire will enter a contract year. Plenty of opportunities for the young man out of Rutgers throughout the next few seasons. All is not lost; we must remember that he is a rookie, and it will take some time for them to see meaningful touches when drafted into such a talent-rich roster.
Denver Offensive Struggles Continue
The AFC West was supposed to be this juggernaut of a division with four high-flying offenses. The Denver Broncos never got that memo. They currently rank second to last in the league in points scored while ranking in the league’s top half in yards — a sign of an offense that simply can’t convert drives into points. There is no excuse that they are facing dominant defenses, either. The Denver Broncos have an AFC West matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week Four. Hopefully, they can find some rhythm. Otherwise, it is time to declare panic.
Chargers Injuries Piling Up
The injuries are starting to add up in Los Angeles. In last Thursday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Justin Herbert suffered some torn rib cartilage. This past week it was starting left tackle Rashawn Slater that went down with an injury. Slater tore his bicep and will miss the remainder of the season. Another player out for the year is wide receiver Jalen Guyton who tore his ACL.
The injuries continue on the defensive side of the ball as well. Edge rusher Joey Bosa is dealing with a groin injury and is day-to-day. In more positive news, Keenan Allen is hopeful of returning this week, assuming all goes well during practice. With injuries in dynasty fantasy football, you must treat it as the next-man-up strategy. Chase Daniels should be added in all Superflex leagues. For pass catchers, it gives a boost to players like Joshua Palmer, Gerald Everett, and DeAndre Carter. All should be added to your bench if they are on waivers.
Mack Hollins – Priority Add
Hunter Renfrow missed Week Three due to a concussion. In his absence, Hollins had quite an impressive day. The fifth-year player from Chapel Hill managed to command ten targets which he converted into eight receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown. Hollins has spent time in both Philadelphia and Miami. Three weeks into the season, he has already set a career record in yards and will eclipse his highest target total in the next week or two. If he is on your dynasty waiver wire, he is a priority add this week. Renfrow will most likely return in Week Four, but it is evident that Hollins has handcuff upside.
Information is the most powerful tool any dynasty fantasy football manager possesses. If you can stay on top of the correct information more than your league-mates, you will come out on top. The AFC West is home to many key fantasy players. Be sure to check back with us, as we will be breaking down takeaways from every division this week. And be sure to come back next week, as we will be doing the same for all 18 weeks of the 2022 NFL season!
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