The 2019 season is off and running now and we have a better sample size to use when we make our lineup and roster decisions. Two games is still not a lot, so it is important to not overreact, but two is better than one.
A few things we have learned this season so far are that Patrick Mahomes is still really good, the Dolphins could be the worst team in NFL history and the Patriots again are the Super Bowl favorite. Before the season started, everyone thought that Mahomes would regress slightly in yardage and touchdowns, but so far he is on pace to beat both of those numbers, and that is without Tyreek Hill being on the field for the majority of the snaps. The Dolphins have started 0-2 and have been outscored 102-10. On top of that, they have failed to produce even 50 rushing yards in a single game. Fitzpatrick has thrown more pick sixes than the Dolphins have scored touchdowns. The Patriots, on the other hand, have started the season 2-0 and have outscored their opponents 76-3. With the immediate usage and production of Antonio Brown, it appears that he is going to be heavily relied on during the coming season.
To be considered as a possible “add,” players need to be owned in less than 60% of ESPN leagues. The drops on this list are by no means must drop, but if you can add one of the “add” players, these are some of the first players you should drop.
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QB/RB Adds
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, New Orleans Saints (0.2%)
Teddy Bridgewater was paid this offseason to be one of the league’s highest-paid backup QBs. And now after just two weeks, he is expected to start for some time, with Drew Brees sidelined with an injury. If Brees finds his way onto the IR, Bridgewater will be the starter for the New Orleans Saints for at least the next six games. Though he did not throw any touchdowns in Week 2, he did throw for 165 yards in the Saints loss to the Rams.
Mason Rudolph, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (0.2%)
With Big Ben undergoing surgery that will end his season, Rudolph will be the Steelers starting QB for the remainder of the year. With all of the offensive weapons, we should expect at least decent play from Rudolph. At Oklahoma, Rudolph’s favorite target was James Washington. If Rudolph struggles with three other pass catchers on the team, he could try and force the ball to the reliable target he has a rapport with.
Matt Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions (26.%)
Through two weeks, Stafford has thrown for 630 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Though he did not finish as a top-12 QB in most formats this week, he still is worth a roster spot if you have one to spare.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Houston Texans (44.9%)
In his first two starts as a Texan, Hyde has strung together two decent games. Week 2, he was not quite as efficient with his touches, but he carried the ball 20 times and was on the field for 61% of the offenses snaps. Hyde was on this list last week, but will probably not be eligible much longer if his efficiency improves and he continues to see the snap share he did this week.
Chris Thompson, RB, Washington Redskins (51.7%)
Even though Thompson was not as productive as he was in Week 1, he still was heavily used in the passing game. Thompson finished the day with five receptions for 48 yards. If the Redskins continue to lose, Thompson will continue to be in line for more passing work. As the season progresses, I would also expect Peterson to start sharing more of the running load with Thompson as well.
Raheem Mostert (11%)/Jeff Wilson Jr (0.1%), 49ers
With Tevin Coleman missing multiple weeks, all of his carries are up for grabs. Matt Breida will get the bulk of the workload, but he is also not always the healthiest player, so getting Mostert or Wilson on your team could give you starting RBs. In Week 2, all three of these backs had impressive fantasy performances. Mostert had 13 rushes for 83 yards, along with three receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Wilson has 10 rushes for 34 yards and two touchdowns. Out of the two, I prefer Mostert because of his usage in both the pass and run game, but if Wilson gets all of the rushing touchdowns, he is worth adding as well.
Frank Gore, RB, Buffalo Bills (16.4%)
Frank Gore is entering his 15th NFL season and only three times has he had less than 900 passing yards. If Singletary’s injury lingers or forces him to miss time, Gore is in line for more touches and could be a good back end running back on your roster for bye weeks or flex plays.
Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers (10%)
Following what appeared to be an Aaron Jones breakout game, it feels a little weird to have Jamaal Williams on this list. But his Week 2 performance increased on a base built in Week 1. He nearly doubled his touches and even scored a touchdown. I am not extremely confident in Williams, but I don’t want to miss out on him if I have any available roster spots for him.
Pass Catchers Adds
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Redskins (41%)
Even though Terry McLaurin did not break 100 yards in Week 2, he did have more targets and still got a touchdown. His increased usage means he is even more worthy of being added than he was last week, and I would put him close to or at the top of your priority for Week 2.
Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (38.3%)
Hardman was a suggestion last week after we found out Tyreek Hill would miss some time. Luckily, Hardman was not the best WR on the team in Week 2. Hardman’s six targets (four receptions) for 61 yards and a touchdown will stay slightly under the radar. If you have a spot, you should take Hardman over Robinson, but both are worth adding if you can.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (1.1%)
Like I said last week, getting the cheap piece in the high-powered Kansas City offense would be a great investment. In Week 2, Robinson caught all six of his targets for 172 yards and two touchdowns. This type of game obviously won’t happen often for him, but his low cost makes him worthy of being added.
John Brown, WR, Buffalo Bills (56.8%)
After having a great fantasy game in Week 1, Brown had decent numbers again in Week 2. He caught seven of his eight targets for 72 yards. One more decent game and he will not be able to add off of waivers.
Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (4.3%)
In the Eagles’ Week 2 loss to the Falcons, Agholor caught eight of his 11 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown. Any receiver who gets 11 targets is a worthy add in hopes that they can string multiple of these games together.
Devin Smith, WR, Dallas Cowboys (0%)
Smith has been in the league since 2015, but has only accumulated 209 yards and two touchdowns. One of those touchdowns and 74 yards came versus the Redskins in Week 2. Following the game, Cowboys coaches said that they plan on using Smith more in the future. If this is true, this could mean big things with the way Dak has been playing lately.
Preston Williams, WR, Miami Dolphins (2.6%)
He was on the list last week and still deserves to be here again. He led the Dolphins in receiving yards, with 63 yards on six targets. Once the Dolphins get consistency at QB, things will get better for Williams.
Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers (58.7%)
Olsen is barely eligible for this list, so there is a decent chance he isn’t available in your league. But if he is available and you need TE, help Olsen is a pretty decent option. In Week 2, he had six receptions for 110 yards. If he can stay healthy, he will be a weekly top-12 option.
Will Dissly, TE, Seattle Seahawks (2.2%)
Tight End is always tough to get right, but when a player catches all five of their targets for 50 yards and a touchdown, you should add them to your team.
Drops:
QB — Ben Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky
RB — Dion Lewis, Ronald Jones II
WR — Dante Pettis, Donte Moncrief
TE — Trey Burton
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