Volume is king in fantasy football, and this report will help you understand which players are due more or less according to their usage; consider them fantasy football risers and fallers, or players to add or drop on the waiver wire.

Based on historical data tied to metrics we know drive volume, it is a great way to understand who is over-performing (sell high) and underperforming (buy low).

  • Overall offense: Which teams are enabling winning volume and efficiency across game scripts
     
  • Quarterbacks: How involved is each QB in the running game, and who is unlocking upside for their weapons
     
  • Running backs: Which backs are handling early downs, short yardage, and passing downs
     
  • Tight ends: Who is running enough routes and meeting critical targets per route run (TPRR) thresholds
     
  • Receivers: Which receivers are in the most routes and operating broadly within the offense

So, let's dive into all the key takeaways from Week 2 to get you ready for Week 3 in fantasy football.

1. The Saints explosive offense is here to stay under Klint Kubiak

Scheme matters, and the Saints are living proof. Last season, the Saints were a mediocre offense with one of the most unimaginative schemes in the NFL. That has all changed under the new OC Kubiak's guidance.

2023 vs. 2024

  • Yards per play: 5.1 (20th) vs. 6.9 (1st)
  • Motion at the snap: 31% (30th) vs. 69% (4th)
  • Play action dropbacks: 14% (32nd) vs. 54% (1st)

Why did I include the motion and play action data? Because they are a crucial element of the Saints' giant leap in yards per play. Motion and play action have been cheat codes over the last three seasons in the NFL.

  • Routes with motion at the snap: 55% boost in PPR scoring for WRs
  • Routes with play action: 26% boost
  • Routes with two WRs: 29% boost

The third bullet is the cherry on top. New Orleans is a highly condensed offense, utilizing less than three WRs on 64% of snaps–the most in the NFL.

Given the history of these cheat codes, there is reason to believe that the Saints offense isn't a fluke. Especially after routing a well-respected defense like the Cowboys. So, what does this all mean for fantasy?

  1. Derek Carr: Carr is the QB4, averaging 22 points per game, and the team has yet to be forced to throw the ball in the second half. Carr UPGRADES to low-end QB1 territory and is available in 81% of Yahoo leagues. He is a PRIORITY WAIVER WIRE TARGET if you have Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love, Brock Purdy, Caleb Williams, or Matthew Stafford as your QB1.
     
  2. Alvin Kamara: Kamara is the RB1 overall, averaging 33 points per game. While keeping that up isn't sustainable, Kamara has an 8.3 Utilization Score (10th), which has historically resulted in a low-end RB1 finish (16.3 PPG). Let's split the difference: Kamara UPGRADES to a mid-range RB1.
     
  3. Chris Olave: Olave demonstrated borderline WR1 traits over his first two seasons and posted a 40% target share in Week 2. The third-year WR was tackled at the one-yard line against Dallas, keeping his fantasy output modest at 12.8. Olave finally resides in an offensive environment that can unlock his top-12 upside, making him a PRIORITY BUY LOW candidate.
     
  4. Rashid Shaheed: Shaheed is the WR10, averaging 18.6 points. His Utilization Score of 6.9 tells us that he is due for regression. Historically, players in his range have been WR3 material. But to be fair, the score doesn't fully account for motion at the snap, where Shaheed ranks first on the team at 27%. When you put all the puzzle pieces together, Shaheed UPGRADES to WR3 territory and could yet creep into the WR2 conversation.

2. Which Chiefs should we target on waivers with Isiah Pacheco out?

Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula against the Bengals and will head to IR. He could return this season, but likely at less than 100% thanks to an injury similar to the one that took Mark Andrews two months to return from in 2023, per Deepak Chona, MD.

This is a brutal blow for fantasy managers who spent a Round 2 pick on Pacheco. If you have an IR spot, place Pacheco on it. He can be cut in smaller leagues. So, what does this mean for the Chiefs backfield?

I expect a committee approach based on what we have seen in the first two games. The team has fed rookie Carson Steele most relief carries (20%) and short-down-distance snaps. Samaje Perine spelled Pacheco on passing downs with a 21% route participation rate, 6% target share, and a 60% snap share on long-down-distance (LDD) situations.

Projected roles for Week 3:

First, note that Steele and Perine's attempts could easily flip. Second, while these roles don't look very intriguing, both will have an opportunity to seize more significant shares if they perform well. If either takes control, they offer RB1 upside. Clyde Edwards-Helaire could return as early as Week 5 to muddy the waters further or push for the top spot if they underwhelm. Of course, the team could also sign a veteran (i.e., Kareem Hunt visiting Tuesday).

Steele and Perine are available in over 95% of Yahoo leagues, and both are solid speculative adds in medium-sized and larger formats.

If you play on high-stakes sites like RealTime Sports or the FFPC, I expect these two players to get steamed in FAB due to all the injuries this weekend. I would typically have these guys as 15-25% FAB options (closely in alignment with our own Paul Charchian), but I suspect 25-50% will be required, so adjust accordingly if you need an RB or flex. Edwards-Helaire is the cheap alternative.

3. Tank Dell is the No. 1 BUY-LOW target in fantasy football

Dell bombed in Week 2 with only 2.3 fantasy points. However, he posted an 85% route participation rate and now sits at 86% on the season. 

When the Texans drop back to pass, they use 11 personnel 79% of the time, which is excellent news for the three WRs.

Nico Collins is the No. 1 in Houston, but I don't expect this sort of target share discrepancy (28% to 17%) to continue. When all is said and done, we could see Collins around a 24% share and Dell around 21% (their TPRRs were only four percentage points apart last year).

Start smiling and dialing people. Your local Dell manager might be ready to give him away.

4. Zack Moss has taken control of the Bengals backfield

Moss totaled a lowly 5.7 fantasy points in a tough matchup against the Chiefs in Week 2, but he dominated the utilization and now has a 74% snap share, 65% rush attempt share, and 57% route participation rate over the first two games.

The Bengals' passing offense showed signs of life against Kansas City, and they will get matchups against the Commanders and Panthers over the next two games. Moss's Utilization Score of 6.8 puts him in borderline RB2 territory, where his comps have averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game over the last four seasons.

Moss UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status and offers high-end RB2 potential when the Bengals' offense is right. The veteran is a great BUY-LOW candidate.

5. Rhamondre Stevenson is a SELL-HIGH candidate

Stevenson has the second-highest Utilization Score at the position (9.3), behind only Breece Hall. 

What I am about to say feels blasphemous, but I don't care about the Utilization Score in this instance. I don't trust the Patriots offense. They have zero playmakers, and I believe Stevenson's fantasy points are due for regression.

That doesn't mean I want to give Stevenson away. He grades out as a mid-range RB2 after accounting for an expected downturn from this offense. That is a player you can start. However, if someone is willing to pay a high-end RB1 price, the best move is to trade Stevenson.

Recent data shows Stevenson is valued similarly to Drake London, DK Metcalf, and Anthony Richardson. Here are some players moved for Stevenson today:

I know, I know. Not in your league, right? Maybe not, but these deals are happening, so let's kick the tires, eh? Nothing to lose!

6. Don't give up on Garrett Wilson

Wilson ranks as the WR31, averaging 11.1 points over the first two weeks. I know that hurts for a Round 1 fantasy pick. His Utilization Score comps place him as a mid-range WR2. However, that feels more like his floor. His underlying route participation (100%) and target share (30%) tell us high-end WR1 traits are present.

Passing is down across the league, and Aaron Rodgers isn't exempt, averaging 172 yards. However, Rodgers has three TD passes and should continue to improve as he recovers from his Achilles injury. Watching the veteran play, he is still making all the throws.

Wilson remains locked into low-end WR1 with upside status. If you have Wilson, don't give him away. If you don't have Wilson, inquire about trading for him.

7. Quentin Johnston is worth stashing off the waiver wire

I can't lie. I left Johnston for dead after a disastrous rookie season. However, after two games, he now leads the Chargers with an 84% route participation and 25% target share as the WR20 in fantasy.

The Chargers are the fifth-most run-heavy team in the NFL with a minus-6% dropback rate over expected (DBOE), which could hinder Johnston. However, they have a quality QB–assuming he doesn't miss time with a foot injury–and no one else on the team is a high-end target earner.

Johnston's 6.6 Utilization Score moves him into boom-bust WR4 territory, and he is available in over 90% of Yahoo leagues.

8. Malik Nabers ascends to ALPHA status

Nabers boasts a 9.1 Utilization Score thanks to a 39% target share, 55% air yards share, and 20.1 fantasy points per game over the first two contests. Those are alpha WR1 numbers.

Daniel Jones still weighs heavy on Nabers' upside, so a top-three finish is farfetched. However, 71% of Nabers' targets have been deemed catchable, which factors into the Utilization Score. a low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 campaign is within reach. 

Remember Jaylen Waddle as a rookie with an unpolished Tua Tagovailoa? Waddle finished the season as the WR15, averaging 15.4 PPG with a 7.5 Utilization Score, and that feels like the floor for Nabers.

Nabers UPGRADES to high-end WR2 territory.

9. Brock Bowers UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 status

Bowers notched 18.8 fantasy points in Week 2 against the Ravens. The rookie now boasts a 24% target share with an 8.9 Utilization Score for the season.

Bowers route participation (71%) is low for my taste, but his target data is impressive, considering Davante Adams (25%) is also vying for targets. That target-earning ability and the potent fantasy production fuel Bowers' Utilization Score near elite territory despite the route participation challenges. Of course, Gardner Minshew's early-season performances are huge for Bowers. Minshew has averaged an impressive 267 yards per game so far, enough to support two high-caliber weapons.

Bowers UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 status and if his route participation eclipses 80%, he will move into top-three status.

10. Zay Flowers is so much more than a low-aDOT scam WR

Todd Monken finally untethered Flowers from the line of scrimmage with a 10.8 average depth of target (aDOT) in Week 2, and the fantasy points followed (22.1). Flowers bogarted 38% of the air yards versus his paltry 13% in Week 1.

Flowers has the route-running chops and speed to threaten the intermediate and vertical areas of the field if Monken is willing to let him cook. Despite concerns that the low-aDOT blues could return, Flowers boasts the No. 10 Utilization Score (8.3) on the season as the clear-cut top option in the Ravens' passing attack with a 28% target share.

Flowers UPGRADES to low-end WR2 status but can climb further or regress to WR3 territory depending on how Monken handles his route depth in the coming weeks.

11. Chris Godwin loves the new scheme in Tampa Bay

Godwin has operated from the slot on 65% of snaps in the Buccaneers' new scheme and has provided huge returns through two games. Godwin is the WR1 in fantasy, averaging 23.5 points per game on the back of an 8.3 Utilization Score.

While we are dealing with a small sample, it is hard to ignore Godwin's high-end WR1 marks in target share (34%) and air yards share (35%). His 82% route participation is the primary factor holding him back from an even higher score. Still, his historical comps have averaged 16-plus fantasy points as low-end WR1s.

The one caveat to his performance is the matchups against the Commanders and Lions–two of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Due to that, I am holding back a tad on the veteran WR, but he still comes in well ahead of where he was drafted as a WR4.

Godwin UPGRADES to low-end WR2 status.

12. Sam LaPorta DOWNGRADES to mid-range TE1 status

We still love LaPorta's talent profile, but the emergence of Jameson Williams creates a scenario similar to George Kittle's in San Francisco.

  • Great talent profiles
  • Massive target competition
  • Run-balanced offenses

The talent of these players keeps them in our starting lineups because they can deliver a death blow in the fantasy boxscore. However, that death blow is sometimes a self-inflicted wound. In layperson's terms, it can be a bumpy ride between boom and bust performances.

Over the first two games, LaPorta has notched 8.5 and 3.3 fantasy points. The route participation is there, but he has yet to eclipse a 20% target share.

It is worth noting that there are other factors to consider in LaPorta's early season slumber.

  • He was nursing a hamstring leading up to the season and might not be 100% yet.
  • Jameson Williams (24% target share) must prove he can demand targets once defenses decide to scheme to take him away.
  • A knee injury could slow Amon-Ra St. Brown in the coming weeks.

Any combination of those factors could quickly get LaPorta back into the high-end TE1 conversation. If you are the LaPorta manager, there are enough outs to justify holding as the best strategy. However, be open if someone is still willing to pay for LaPorta as if he is the No. 1 option in fantasy.

13. The Jaxon Smith-Njigba breakout game finally happened!

JSN ripped the Patriots for 23.7 fantasy points thanks to career-highs in route participation (92%), target share (38%), and air yards (52%). The second-year WR now sits at a 7.6 Utilization Score on the season.

It is a small sample, but JSN's comps averaged 14.8 points per game and typically finished as WR3s at a minimum. We will see if he can hold onto this target share over the deteriorating Tyler Lockett, but at least we have seen what a boom game can look like.

Smith-Njigba UPGRADES to WR3 territory.

Utilization Bytes

Quarterback

  • Andy Dalton: Dalton will take over for Bryce Young as the starting QB in Week 3. Dalton is a low-end QB2 in Superflex formats.
     
  • Caleb Williams: It is a long season, and the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick could still turn things around. However, we don't have the luxury of waiting in fantasy football and have no choice but to downgrade Williams and the entire Bears offense. Williams has averaged only 134 yards passing without a TD pass in two games. Williams DOWNGRADES to low-end QB2 territory.
     
  • Joe Burrow: Burrow delivered 19.1 fantasy points in Week 2 against the Chiefs. He still isn't fully synched up with Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins was out again, pointing to upside once this offense is healthy. Burrow is a low-end QB1 with mid-range QB1 upside.
     
  • Matthew Stafford: Cooper Kupp is a candidate to land on IR, leaving Stafford without his top two weapons, with Puka Nacua already on IR. Until Kupp or Nacua returns, Stafford DOWNGRADES to low-end QB2 territory.
     
  • Sam Darnold: Darnold toasted the 49ers defense for 268 yards and two TDs after posting a three-TD performance in Week 1. Darnold is highly comfortable in Kevin O'Connell's offense–he UPGRADES to high-end QB2 territory as long as Justin Jefferson is healthy. Darnold is available in over 85% of Yahoo leagues and is a PRIORITY WAIVER target if your QB1 is Stafford, Williams, Tagovailoa, or Love. 

Running Back

  • Braelon Allen: Allen saw a boost in utilization across the board in Week 2, handling 36% of snaps and 30% of attempts. He was also more active in the passing attack, securing a 15% target share with a 36% route participation rate. The rookie back is the clear-cut RB2 behind Breece Hall and shouldn't be available in 90% of Yahoo leagues. Hall is a high-end RB5 handcuff.
     
  • D'Andre Swift: Swift has dominated early-season utilization with 67% of snaps, 62% of attempts, 59% route participation, and an 11% target share. However, the Bears offense is stuck in reverse. Swift DOWNGRADES to low-end RB3 status until the Bears show signs of life.
     
  • De'Von Achane: We could see Raheem Mostert return to the lineup in Week 3, but Week 2 still told us a lot about how the Dolphins view Achane. Despite his ankle injury, the team loaded the second-year back down with 70% of the rushing attempts and an 18% target share. The team's approach could evolve as Jaylen Wright matures, but Achane looks like a high-end RB1 if Mostert misses any more time.
     
  • Devin Singletary: Singletary has a 7.3 Utilization Score thanks to a 75% snap rate, 66% rush share, 51% route participation and 10% target share. If you are hurting at RB, Singletary isn't a bad trade target. He is valued similarly to Ezekiel Elliott, Zamir White, and Austin Ekeler by the market, which is too low. His comps have finished as borderline RB2s.
     
  • Houston Texans: Joe Mixon suffered what was likely a high-ankle sprain. He tried to return to the game but ultimately gave way to Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale with Dameon Pierce out. Akers looked good but fumbled inside the ten-yard line, leading to Ogunbowale finishing the game. If Mixon misses time, Akers offers the most upside based on the film, but Pierce likely gets the first crack if healthy. Pierce and Akers are available in 95%-plus of Yahoo leagues.
     
  • James Cook: Cook nearly received an upgrade to high-end RB2 status after Week 1, thanks to a more substantial role. That trend continued in Week 2, with Cook handling 60% of snaps and 65% of the rushing attempts before resting on the final two drives due to blowout conditions. The third-year RB delivered 28.5 fantasy points in Week 2 thanks to a receiving TD, a long TD run, and a TD from inside the five-yard line. Cook owns 100% of the rushing attempts inside the five in 2024–a role the doubters thought he could never capture. Cook's 7.3 Utilization Score is historically in line with high-end RB2s. Thus, Cook UPGRADES to high-end RB2 status.
     
  • Jaylen Warren: Another week removed from his preseason hamstring injury, Warren posted utilization numbers closer to our expectations. He finished Week 2 with 45% of the snaps, 28% of the rushing attempts, and a 12% target share on a 42% route participation rate. Warren UPGRADES to mid-range RB3 territory.
     
  • Jerome Ford: After dominating utilization in Week 1, the Browns staff fed D'Onta Foreman 52% of the rushing attempts in Week 2. Knowing how the coaching staff will approach this committee after this curveball is hard. Ford DOWNGRADES to RB4 land.
     
  • J.K. Dobbins: Dobbins has back-to-back top-six fantasy finishes with 22.9 and 20.1 fantasy points. He UPGRADED to low-end RB2 territory in this column last week, and after two games, he has a Utilization Score of 7.0, which is in line with low-end borderline RB2s historically. However, it is hard to imagine the Chargers not slightly tipping the scales to Dobbins over Edwards as the season progresses. Dobbins UPGRADES to mid-range RB2 status.
     
  • Jonathan Taylor: Taylor saw his snap share plummet from 95% to 49%. He still handled 75% of the rushing attempts, but his route participation dropped from 88% to 27%. Trey Sermon (32%) and Evan Hull experienced expanded route participation (24%). When asked about the change, coach Shane Steichen indicated Taylor didn't play in the fourth quarter because they were passing. If this turns into a trend in Week 3, it will drop Taylor from mid-range RB1 status to high-end RB2 territory as a game-script-dependent banger like Derrick Henry.
     
  • Tony Pollard: Tyjae Spears suffered an ankle sprain that knocked him out of the game after five drives. With Spears out, Pollard posted a 68% snap share, 54% route participation, and 22% target share. Before the injury, Spears was actually leading the backfield with a 57% snap share. It sounds like Spears avoided serious injury, but Pollard would UPGRADE to high-end RB2 status if Spears is out.
     
  • Travis Etienne: Tank Bigsby handled more rushing attempts than Etienne in Week 1, but an injury knocked Bigsby out of the Week 2 contest. Etienne went on to register an 8.2 Utilization Score with 71% of the snaps and a 68% rush share. The fourth-year RB profiles as a low-end RB1 in games without Bigsby.
     
  • Trey Benson: Benson saw an uptick in Utilization in Week 2, with the Cardinals blowing out the Rams. This is just a reminder that the third-round rookie was the No. 2 back in the RB Rookie Super Model behind Jonathon Brooks and is the clear-cut handcuff behind James Conner. Benson is a high-end handcuff who is available in 52% of Yahoo leagues–stash him if you have room.
     
  • Zach Charbonnet: The second-year back wasn't efficient in Week 2, but he dominated utilization with Kenneth Walker out. Charbonnet bogarted 95% of the snaps, 78% of rushing attempts, and posted a 77% route participation rate. Charbonnet ended the day with a robust 8.8 Utilization Score. If Walker misses more time, Charbonnet enters the low-end RB1 conversation in favorable matchups.

Wide Receiver

  • Amari Cooper: Cooper posted a respectable 25% target share in Week 2 but could only parlay that into 4.1 fantasy points. Deshaun Watson has averaged only 178 yards over the first two contests, which is gutting Cooper's fantasy value. Only 53% of Cooper's targets have been deemed catchable by PFF. Cooper DOWNGRADES to low-end WR3 status.
     
  • Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams averages 134 yards without a TD through the air. That simply isn't enough to support one WR, much less three. DJ Moore DOWNGRADES to high-end WR3 territory, Keenan Allen DOWNGRADES to a low-end WR3, and Rome Odunze is merely a WR5 stash option.
     
  • Christian Watson: The third-year WR saw his route participation tumble from 74% to 61%, with Dontayvion Wicks climbing from 42% to 50%.
     
  • Davante Adams: Adams has the No. 1 WR Utilization Score in fantasy at 9.3, averaging 18.4 PPG. With Minshew dealing (267 yards per game) and Adams looking healthy, we could see the fantasy points continue. His Utilization Score comps have averaged over 20 points per game. Adams UPGRADES to low-end WR1 territory.
     
  • Denver Broncos: Despite the absence of Devaughn Vele, neither Troy Franklin nor Marvin Mims was able to eclipse a 20% route participation in Week 2. Franklin and Mims can be dropped even in sicko leagues.
     
  • Diontae Johnson: Bryce Young averaged 123 passing yards over his first two games despite massive improvements by the offensive line. So, Dave Canales is benching him for Andy Dalton. Dalton hasn't been anything great, with 210 yards and 1.4 TDs over his last 14 healthy starts, but that looks like an oasis when you have been wandering in the desert. Johnson leads the team with a 23% target share, so any improvement in QB play will help. Johnson is a WR4.
     
  • Jalen Tolbert: The third-year WR played a more prominent role against the Saints thanks to a trailing game script and the absence of Jake Ferguson. He posted a 21% target share on his way to 14.2 fantasy points. Tolbert is a min-bid waiver add in larger leagues.
     
  • Jameson Williams: Another week and another big game for Jamo. He now has a 92% route participation rate, a 24% target share and a 45% air yards share. The third-year WR averages 19.4 points with an 8.8 Utilization Score (No. 6). Williams must prove he can handle more attention from defenses in the coming weeks, but he UPGRADES to low-end WR2 status.
     
  • Ja'Marr Chase: Chase is off to a slow start after a lengthy hold-in but should be back to his high-end WR1 ways sooner rather than later. Chase remains a high-end WR1.
     
  • Jalen Nailor: Nailor posted a 93% route participation, with Jordan Addison out and Justin Jefferson missing the later part of the contest. Nailor scored 14.4 fantasy points with a 17% target share. Nailor is a min-bid option in deep leagues, where you just need a body for Week 3, assuming Addison is out.
     
  • Khalil Shakir: Shakir improved his route participation from 70% to 85% and registered a 29% target share in Week 2. Just watching the game, Shakir was the best receiving option on the field. The blowout game script likely kept the third-year WR from posting a much bigger finish than 10.6 points in the box score. Shakir UPGRADES to WR4 status and could climb as high as WR2 territory in the coming weeks. He is available in 40% of Yahoo leagues.
     
  • Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins could be without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) for an undetermined amount of time. In games without Tagovailoa over the last two seasons, Tyreek Hill averaged 9.7 targets, 7.7 receptions, 93 yards, and zero TDs. Jaylen Waddle averaged 6.3, 4.0, 68, and 0. Those are still solid numbers, but the upside of explosion passing games diminishes with Skylar Thompson under center. Hill DOWNGRADES to mid-range WR1 status and Waddle DOWNGRADES to WR3 territory in games without Tagovailoa.
     
  • Marvin Harrison: Maserati Marv had a rough Week 1 with only 1.4 fantasy points but bounced back massively with 29 in Week 2. He notched a 92% route participation with a 38% target share and mouth-watering 70% air yards share on his way to an 8.7 Utilization Score. Harrison is now up to a 7.0 Utilization Score on the season, which has historically been WR2- to WR3-worthy. Harrison UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 status.
     
  • Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp left the stadium in a walking boot after missing most of the game with a high-ankle sprain and is a candidate for IR. Unfortunately, high-end target earners like Kupp aren't easily replaced, making it hard to upgrade any Rams weapons. Demarcus Robinson is a borderline WR4, Tyler Johnson is a WR5, Tutu Atwell is a WR6, and Jordan Whittington is a name to watch in deeper leagues until Kupp returns.   
     
  • Xavier Worthy: The Chiefs' first-round rookie has a 73% route participation through two games, but only a 14% target share. With Marquise Brown now likely out for the season, the runway is clear for Worthy to take off, but fantasy managers might need to show patience. Worthy DOWNGRADES to boom-bust WR4 territory, but that can change quickly with an uptick in target share. Don't cut him.

Tight End

  • Dalton Kincaid: Kincaid posted a 24% target share in Week 2, but due to blowout conditions, the Bills didn't need to press the issue. Kincaid remains a mid-range TE1 option but has fallen behind Brock Bowers and Trey McBride.
     
  • Greg Dulcich: Dulcich clung to his Week 1 69% route participation and led the team with a 26% target share (30% targets per route run). Bo Nix isn't playing great, but if I am rostering any Broncos passing game weapons, they are Dulcich and Courtland Sutton. Dulcich is a mid-range TE2.
     
  • Hunter Henry: Henry delivered 18.9 fantasy points in Week 2 with a whopping 48% target share. The veteran TE has eclipsed 80% route participation in both games and might be the only game in town in a struggling passing attack. Henry UPGRADES to high-end TE2 territory and is a solid waiver wire target if you are hurting at TE.
     
  • Isaiah Likely: After delivering 26.1 fantasy points in Week 1, Likely disappointed fantasy managers with a lackluster 4.6 in Week 2. His route participation dipped from 69% to 49%, and his target share fell from 34% to 17%. Game script and matchups are factors for Likely's playing time, and the truth about his 2024 role lies somewhere between Week 1 and Week 2. Likely is a boom-bust low-end TE1.
     
  • Luke Schoonmaker: The second-year TE registered 10.3 fantasy points with Ferguson out. However, his 35% route participation is far too low to put him in fantasy lineups. He could expand upon that, but Ferguson should return soon. Schoonmaker is a long-shot to make any sort of fantasy impact.
     
  • Mike Gesicki: Gesicki delivered 16.1 fantasy points in Week 2, but his route participation still needed to improve at 51% despite the absence of Tanner Hudson. Gesicki's 35% TPRR indicates he has Joe Burrow's trust, but he needs more playing time to make noise in fantasy. Gesicki is a boom-bust mid-range TE2.
     
  • Travis Kelce: Kelce put up another clunker with only 1.6 points in Week 2, but the team isn't resting him because he is old. He posted a 91% route participation and is 87% on the season–the fourth-best mark in the NFL. We know age is a risk factor for Kelce, but I doubt he has morphed into a non-factor TE. Kelce remains a high-end TE1 and is a prime BUY-LOW target.
     
  • Trey McBride: McBride luck-boxed a fumble recovery for a touchdown in Week 2 to help out his fantasy boxscore (18.7 points). However, the real takeaway is his 86% route participation and 29% target share through two games. This man is picking up right where he left off last year and looks like the TE1 overall. Drop everything and BUY LOW right now. Right now, y'all!!!
     
  • Tyler Conklin: Conklin's 88% route participation is TE1-worthy. It has been a slow start for the Jets' passing attack, but Conklin offers low-end TE1 upside if they heat up.