We’re officially two weeks into the fantasy football season, which means we have even more dynasty information to break down. That said, let’s dive right into the Top 10 dynasty football takeaways from week two.
Takeaway #1: Justin Fields Is Falling Down Dynasty Rankings
After another rough from Fields, he’s quickly falling down my dynasty rankings. Having watched every Fields throw from week two, I’m out on him. I was extremely high on Fields coming into the season as it looked like he was about to have a Jalen Hurts Esque transformation.
This was not the case, and even though his weapons and line don’t look great either, Fields also deserves blame. Simply put, he’s taking too long to process his reads and still very timid with his decision-making. If you can get a good return for Fields, I would sell him now before he loses his job due to his inability to be a successful passer.
Justin Fields has to be better than this: #Bears pic.twitter.com/5VtObpER1T
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) September 17, 2023
#2: C.J. Stroud Is Climbing Up Dynasty Rankings
On the flip side of Fields, Stroud looked great even with a less-than-spectacular surrounding cast. Stroud finished week two with 21.46 points and 384 passing yards. Even though the Colts aren’t an excellent defensive team, this is only Stroud’s second career NFL game.
There’s a lot to be said about throwing for almost 400 yards, with your top options consisting of Nico Collins and 31-year-old Robert Woods. It would be best if you didn’t overreact, but I’m comfortable going after Stroud in dynasty.
#3: Puka Nacua Is a Legit Dynasty Asset
After a spectacular week one, dynasty experts laughed at those who bought Nacua for a second-round pick. Nacua proved he wasn’t a one-hit wonder by scoring 30.1 points on 20 targets in week two.
Even when Cooper Kupp comes back, I’m comfortable starting Nacua this season, and he’s shown he can be a WR1 without Kupp. The bottom line is that good players earn targets, and drawing 35 targets in two games is an indication that Nacua is legit.
Puka Nacua looks like the NFL’s next ELITE WR through two weeks:
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 18, 2023
• 35 targets (leads team)
• 25 receptions (leads team)
• 266 receiving yards (leads team)
• Averages a 1st down with every catch
19 WR’s were taken ahead of Nacua, and he has outperformed EVERY single one so… pic.twitter.com/FeZGCFxNU6
#4: James Cook Is on the Rise
Cook had an average game in week one with 10.4 points, but he returned in week two and showed out with 19.4 points. Cook had 46 snaps compared to Damien Harris (14) and Latavius Murray (18), cementing himself as the main back.
The one concern with Cook is that Harris and Murray had a combined eight snaps on the goal line compared to Cook at two. Even so, Cook showed his ability as a pass catcher with four catches for 36 yards on top of turning 17 carries into 123 yards. After a 19.9-point performance, Cook’s dynasty stock is on the rise.
#5: Breece Hall Is a Buy for 2024
Right now, Hall is in a horrible situation for 2023. Aaron Rodgers going down kills this offense, and to make matters worse, Hall is in a committee at the moment. In week two, Hall only saw 14 snaps compared to Michael Carter at 15 and Dalvin Cook at 16.
Keep in mind that Hall is coming off an ACL injury, and it typically takes running backs a full year to get back to their former self. Nothing is going right for Hall this year, and if you’re looking to contend in 2024, Hall is a fantastic buy.
#6: T.J. Hockenson Is the TE1 in Dynasty
I’ve had Hockenson as my TE1 in dynasty for a long time, but his week two performance just reaffirmed my beliefs. Hockenson racked up 25.6 fantasy points, even with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison having 24.9 and 16.2 points, respectively.
At age 26, Hockenson has the perfect combination of age and production, making him the TE1. Mark Andrews is a close second, but Lamar Jackson can’t support the same level of passing volume as Kirk Cousins. You need to buy Hockenson before it’s too late.
TJ Hockenson managers happy early 😁
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/tKjsT1IlvP
#7: Contenders NEED to Buy Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is a must-have for contenders in 2023. The running back position is something you can buy in the season, and McCaffrey is going to be a true league winner.
After having an entire off-season with Kyle Shanahan, McCaffrey is back to seeing 20 carries on top of his elite receiving workload. He looks like he will be the RB1 in fantasy this season, and if you’re contending, you need that on your team.
#8: Jayden Reed Is Impressing Early
In the absence of Christian Watson, Reed looked excellent in week two, finishing the game with 19.7 points. Remember that Reed was the Packers round two selection, so I could see him replacing Romeo Doubs as the WR2 in this offense.
Reed should see a dip in production once Watson returns, but it’s nice to see him flash early. Jordan Love looks outstanding, and there’s a clear path for Reed to become the WR2.
#9: Saquon Barkley’s Injury Could Derail His 2023 Season
After Barkley’s big 27.2-point bounce-back performance, experts fear he may have suffered a high ankle sprain. If he has a high ankle sprain, he’ll likely miss four games on top of it, nagging him for the rest of the year. If you’re a contender and can sell Barkley high after his big game, I would do so.
Saquon Barkley Injury Video
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) September 17, 2023
Unsure exactly what it is but this is a textbook mechanism for a high ankle sprain
IF that is the case. Average time missed is 4 weeks for RBs with an 18% in production rest of season pic.twitter.com/KGgKjiP5UU
#10: Sam LaPorta Is Producing Early
Historically, rookie tight ends have never been productive fantasy options, but LaPorta has put up 8.9 and 11.3 points through his first two games. LaPorta has the talent profile to be a top dynasty tight end, and he’s giving you production early on.
In week two, LaPorta led the Lions with 54 snaps and 31 routes runs. This is precisely what we want to see, and the Lions must be using LaPorta as a passing threat. His stock is rising since he’s shown he can be a long-term asset and a mid-TE1 this season.
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