There have been plenty of surprises — both good and bad — already this NFL season. And while we might struggle to make sense of what’s real and what’s a mirage, there appear to be some roster moves fantasy football managers can make right now that have a good chance of paying big dividends down the road.
So let’s look at some players who’ve gotten off to good starts over the first two weeks who might be worth acquiring for the long haul. In addition, we’ve identified several others who have found their roles a little smaller than expected in the early going.
Fantasy football: 5 players to buy in Week 3
TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: The rookie out of Georgia entered the season a little nicked up, and he isn’t the most fleet of foot. That hasn’t mattered. He has jelled instantly with QB Gardner Minshew, and (pun totally intended) Las Vegas looked to have hit the jackpot with Bowers. He has 15 grabs for 156 yards on 17 targets, and could be Sam LaPorta 2.0.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots: The Patriots workhorse is looking like a legitimate fantasy option again, racking up 201 rushing yards in two games while averaging 23 carries. He has scored in each game, too. While fumbling in each game, he has been fortunate he hasn’t lost one. He is also fortunate first-year coach Jerod Mayo seems a little more understanding about the fumbling than Bill Belichick was.
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WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals: The 24-year-old from Princeton scored two touchdowns in Kansas City, stepping up in the absence of the injured Tee Higgins. The player nicknamed “Yoshi” has developed quite the rapport with Joe Burrow, and he should have fantasy value even when Higgins returns, as he looks like a more-than-capable replacement for Tyler Boyd.
WR Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams: Robinson appears to be next in line as the No. 1 receiver in Los Angeles, but does anybody want the job? Puka Nacua (knee) is expected to miss several weeks and Cooper Kupp may not play this week due to an ankle injury he suffered on Sunday. Robinson has been targeted 11 times in two games, and that will continue to rise out of necessity.
QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings: Darnold is doing the Baker Mayfield thing, maybe. After leaving his first home and bouncing around, the former first-round pick has found a home in the Twin Cities. It also helps when you land where there’s a stud receiver to catch your passes. Darnold isn’t a QB1 in most fantasy leagues, but his star is finally on the rise after years of mediocrity.
Fantasy football: 5 players to sell in Week 3
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns: It’s not really Ford’s fault, but for some reason coach Kevin Stefanski elected to give D’Onta Foreman twice as many carries in Week 2, including several near the goal line. Ford filled in admirably for Nick Chubb last season, while Foreman is new to the system. But Ford was limited to just seven carries, which is not what fantasy managers want to see.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It’s only two games, but White is a top candidate for fantasy bust of the year. He had 15 attempts for 31 yards in Week 1, and just 18 yards on 10 carries in Week 2. Rookie Bucky Irving is waiting in the wings just “bucking” for a promotion with the, yes, Bucs.
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: OK, this is not to advocate dropping Kelce or anything rash. (And Swifties, we love him, we really do. So relax! You need to calm down.) But, he was drafted in the first few rounds to be a bona fide TE1, and with four grabs on seven targets for 39 yards and no touchdowns, he isn’t cutting the mustard right now. Hopefully he can shake off this slump and get untracked soon.
RB D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears: You other Swifties relax, too. After signing a lucrative contract to pair with Khalil Herbert and taking pressure off of rookie Caleb Williams, this Swift is averaging 2.0 yards per carry with 48 total rushing yards in two games. It’s not all his fault, as the offensive line play in Chitown has been atrocious so far.
WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks: For years, Lockett was a tremendous fantasy option. After four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2019-22, he took a step back last season. While OK in Week 1, he was limited to just two grabs and 12 yards in Week 2, while both DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 100-yard performances. Lockett appears to be a third wheel, and that’s never good.
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