Let’s take a look at whose fantasy football stock went up or down after Week 2’s performances as we head into Week 3. Let’s dive into this week’s risers and fallers.
Fantasy Football Stock Report: Week 3
Fantasy Football Risers
Let’s dive into some players who have seen their fantasy football value rise over the first two weeks of the NFL season.
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)
Tucker Kraft stole the show on Thursday night, catching six balls on seven targets for a career-high 124 yards and a touchdown. His 24.4 PPR points ranked first among all tight ends in Week 3, leading the Packers in both route participation rate (94.5%) and target share (20.0%). Kraft is on the verge of a third-year breakout, already leading the team in receiving. He is set to take on a larger role without Jayden Reed, who exited mid-game with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WSH)
Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s usage was discouraging in Week 3, playing on only 21.1% of the Commanders’ offensive snaps and handling four touches on five opportunities for 17 yards from scrimmage. However, Austin Ekeler went down with what turned out to be a season-ending Achilles injury, opening the door for Croskey-Merritt to see a significantly larger role going forward. He is the favorite to take over as the lead back in Washington.
Elic Ayomanor (WR – TEN)
Fourth-round rookie (No. 136 overall) Elic Ayomanor broke out in Week 2, catching four balls on six targets for 56 yards and a score, finishing tied for first on the team in target share (19.4%). Through two weeks, Aymonar is the only Titan to find the end zone this season with only one fewer target (13) and reception (six) than Calvin Ridley, leading the team with a 39.7%.
Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)
Cam Skattebo handled four touches for less than nine yards in his NFL debut, but was much more involved in Week 2, leading the backfield with a 52.2% snap share and a 52.4% rush share. Skattebo outsnapped Tyrone Tracy Jr. 35 to 28, while running one more route, handling 13 touches on 14 opportunities for 59 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. It might be too early to anoint Skattebo as the clear lead back, but it seems to be trending that way entering Week 3.
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
Rhamondre Stevenson got the start for the second consecutive week, but was a lot more efficient in Week 2, playing on 65% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps and handling 16 touches for 142 yards from scrimmage, leading the team in both rushing (54) and receiving (88). Although New England spent a second-round pick (No. 38) on Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, Stevenson has played well enough to remain the lead back for at least another week, if not longer.
Fantasy Football Fallers
Let’s dive into some players who have seen their fantasy football value fall over the first two weeks of the NFL season.
Jayden Reed (WR – GB)
Jayden Reed came into the season with a foot fracture, but showed no signs of any limitations in Week 1, catching three passes on five targets for 45 yards and a score, leading the Packers with a 22.7% target share, despite running a route on only 54.5% of Jordan Love‘s dropbacks. Reed played just four snaps in Week 2 before getting tackled out of bounds in front of the pylon on a free play, landing on his shoulder and fracturing his collarbone. Unfortunately, the injury will require surgery and sideline Reed for the next 6-8 weeks.
Austin Ekeler (RB – WSH)
Austin Ekeler was quiet in Week 2, but continued to operate as the clear lead back, playing on 49.3% of the Commanders’ offensive snaps and handling 10 touches on 12 opportunities for 24 yards from scrimmage. Unfortunately, Ekeler went down with a non-contact injury and was diagnosed with a torn Achilles that will sideline him for the rest of the season and possibly his career.
Joe Burrow (QB – CIN)
Injuries have been the story of Joe Burrow’s career and will once again sideline him for at least three months, as he is set to undergo foot surgery. Jake Browning has been a viable starter in the past, leading the Bengals to victory in Week 2, coming in relief of Burrow and completing 21 passes on 32 dropbacks (65.6% completion rate) for 241 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. However, the entire offense likely takes a hit without their starting quarterback going forward.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)
TreVeyon Henderson saw just five touches in Week 2, playing on only 31.7% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps, trailing both Rhamondre Stevenson (16) and Antonio Gibson (six) in opportunities. Even as a rookie, Henderson didn’t do himself any favors in pass protection, committing three holding penalties, which likely led to the lack of playing time. Until things change, Henderson will be hard to trust going forward, better suited as a late-season stash.
J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN)
J.J. McCarthy was horrific in his second career start, completing 11 out of 21 attempts (52.4% completion rate) for 158 yards with three turnovers and zero touchdowns. He was sacked six times on the day before suffering a high-ankle sprain that will likely sideline him for the next 2-4 weeks. Even once he returns, it’s hard to trust McCarthy given his limitations as a passer and likely limited mobility.
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