Football is back baby! Which to some means breaking out the chips and dip, but to me means playing as much fantasy football as humanly possible. I thought it might be beneficial to highlight some players that you never would have draft two weeks ago but are now developing into starting lineup essentials. Should you be taking advice from someone who is 0-2, I can't answer that. However, if you like to take risks, here's where I would place the eggs in my waiver wire basket.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, RB
Following the release of star running back, Leonard Fournette, the Jaguars were hoping another running back would emerge at some point during the 2020-2021 season. I'm sure they didn't think that position battle would be closed by Week 2, but Robinson has other plans. Through two weeks of action, the running back has accumulated 164 rushing yards on 32 carries. He had three catches against the Titans last week, showing an increased usage in the passing game as well. The bummer is that he is already rostered in 84.9% of ESPN Fantasy Football leagues, but that's only because people are catching on to his season long RB2 potential.
Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans, TE
Speaking of those Titans, how about Smith. Jonnu, who knew?!? Okay, enough Dad jokes. This guy is currently the third highest scoring tight end in fantasy right now in PPR leagues. He has three touchdowns on the young season and 12 targets through two weeks. Titans quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, and Smith seem to have developed great chemistry early, especially in the red zone. Smith could easily morph into Delanie Walker 2.0, so long as the injuries don't follow that title. Smith is currently owned in 62.9% of ESPN leagues.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons, WR
Wait, there are other receiving options on the Falcons besides Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley? Yup. He might be his team's WR3, but he's played like a WR1 through the first two weeks of the season. So far, he's accumulated 160 receiving yards on 15 receptions along with a touchdown. Even if he regresses a little bit, there is still a lot to like here. Matt Ryan and the Falcons' offense throws so frequently it's easy to imagine three receivers all getting consistent involvement. Additionally, if Jones or Ridley were to get hurt, Gage would easily vault into must-start territory. He's only owned in 40.2% of ESPN leagues at the moment, a number that needs to be much higher.
How can you have a top three without honorable mentions? Washington's TE, Logan Thomas (12.0% rostered in ESPN), due to his target volume, and Dolphin's RB, Myles Gaskin (31.4% rostered in ESPN), due to his duel-threat ability as a runner and pass-catcher, have earned that honor this week. Remember, a fantasy league isn't won at the draft, so keep your eyes peeled on the waiver wire as we embark on week 3.
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