After two weeks of the NFL season, we're starting to get a sense of player usage and offensive game plans. That matters in fantasy football. And there are players who are starting to ascend at a quick rate, carving out roles and finding their way into weekly fantasy lineups.
However, we're also seeing a group of players failing to meet those high preseason expectations, which can put managers in a tough spot this early in the season. It doesn't matter where you drafted them because the best managers are willing to make hard decisions to win.
That's what we are doing here today with seven players who are off to rocky starts. For some, you can ride it out: Move them down to the flex spot, roll the dice on big-play ability, etc. But for the others? It's time to sit them or cut them loose.
Let's get into it.
With a rough start to the season, it's unclear if Chargers QB Justin Herbert can take a leap playing against staunch defenses such as Buffalo, Seattle and Denver. Luke Hales/Getty Images Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers With a new offensive system under coordinator Mike McDaniel, I expected a lot more from Herbert to start this season given the home matchups in Weeks 1 and 2 (Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively).
However, Herbert is scoring just 10.3 fantasy PPG, while averaging 200.5 passing yards -- with two touchdown throws on the season -- and the rushing totals are down, too (eight carries, 31 yards). Plus, this L.A. passing game has been much more vertical than I expected, as Herbert's 10.3 air yards per target is the second highest in the league.
Now, the Chargers can (and will) make game-plan changes going forward, which could include more play-action throws (Herbert ranks 25th in play-action attempts) and moving the pocket to compensate for a struggling interior offensive line.
But if we do see growth in this Chargers offense, Herbert's upcoming schedule presents a tough stretch of matchups. Will we get a shootout-type game versus the Buffalo Bills in Week 3? Potentially. But I'm not willing to take that risk. With games in Weeks 4 and 5 against the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos defenses, Herbert should be viewed as QB2 for now.