Throughout each week of the season, I will highlight players who elevate their game or sink to new lows. We’ll navigate the dynasty fantasy football streets and the market that coincides with it. I will analyze the games the highlighted players played the previous week to see how they won or lost to help you decide whether they are legit or a one-week wonder.
Week One Recap
After each week, I plan on recapping who I discussed during the week before checking back to see if they continued their dominance, bounced back, or remained the same. Last week, I spoke about Puka Nacua and Drake London. You can find it here if you want to read the whole article.
Darling: Puka Nacua, WR Los Angeles Rams
Let’s start with the rookie who is taking the league by storm. Puka Nacua took his performance in week one, raising the bar even higher. He elapses 20 targets while catching 15 passes for 147 yards in week two. The only downfall I can see is that he hasn’t hit the endzone yet, but I feel like those days will soon be here. Even without a touchdown, Nacua is sitting at WR2 on the week.
I am okay with holding Nacua through this hot streak, but I can understand if you want to sell him and get a 2024 first-round pick for him. This would be the lowest I would go if I were to trade him away. After week two, the price has increased and even has a little more stability. Nacua is legit and is a confident start in the future.
Dud: Drake London
A massive sigh of relief for Drake London fantasy managers after week two. After an abysmal week-one performance, London followed it up with six receptions on seven targets with 67 receiving yards and a touchdown.
London seems to be back on track; he commanded a 21.8% target share and was Atlanta’s leading receiver in week two. The Falcons even ran more pass plays compared to week one, but the game script is responsible for that. There is more positive sentiment this week than last. We hope to see
Week Two
Darling: Bijan Robinson, RB Atlanta Falcons
My week two darling is the unanimous 1.01 in rookie drafts this offseason, Bijan Robinson. There were worrisome pregame reports that Arthur Smith would continue splitting snaps between him and second-year running back, Tyler Allgeier.
Robinson proved why he should be the bellcow in Atlanta’s heavy run game approach throughout the game. Robinson racked up 124 rushing yards on 19 carries, averaging 6.53 yards per carry. In addition to his success on the ground, he had four receptions on five targets for 48 receiving yards. Robinson has scored at least 20 points in the first two weeks to start the season in PPR scoring.
There are plays in every game where Robinson breaks the ankles of multiple defenders. When you think they have him down five yards in the backfield, Robinson makes it a 15-yard gain like the play below.
BIJAN ROBINSON 🔥🔥🔥
— Renee NFL (@ReneeFreakNFL) September 17, 2023
Robinson is a superstar in the making and everything that we hoped he would be for dynasty fantasy football. If you have Robinson, you probably tanked last year or traded a haul for him after the rookie drafts this offseason. He was well worth it, and now you can enjoy the ride for this year.
Honorable Mentions: Kyren Williams, Jaylen Warren, Sam Howell, Nico Collins
Dud: Justin Fields, QB Chicago Bears
Justin Fields is my week two dud. His start to the season has been concerning, to say the least. While brighter days are ahead for Fields, he has regressed to his college days with some of his tendencies. In week two, he completed 55.2% for 211 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Plenty of finger-pointing is happening within the organization throughout the first two weeks and the struggles that have arisen. Head Coach Matt Eberflus’s play calling has been repetitive and predictable. Fields was non-existent on the ground in week two, only rushing for three yards on four carries.
The most concerning point is that Fields has been sacked ten times in two weeks. This isn’t great for his durability throughout the season, and it is a good indication that he is either indecisive with the ball or not reading the defense correctly. He has been holding onto the ball for too long, and the Bears offense is paying for it.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Bears QB Justin Fields is garnering a lot of criticism on social media over this play.
(🎥: @ImBearingDown) pic.twitter.com/Dn1nodfkHO
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 20, 2023
So now what to do with Fields in dynasty fantasy football? You must hold Field in dynasty for now because you won’t get proper compensation. As stated before, better days are ahead for Fields, but it is tough treading right now. I can understand and justify selling Fields low, but it must be for the proper compensation. Fields had a slow start last season, but from week five on, he finished as a top-five QB.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Pitts, Zach Charbonet, Jahan Dotson, Rashod Bateman
That wraps up this week’s edition of Dynasty Duds and Darlings. Be sure to follow me on X for all other fantasy-related content. More importantly, follow The League Winners for updates and all other content throughout the fantasy season.
Joe Arledge
Writer for The League Winners Fantasy Football and Faceoff Sports Network. University of Cincinnati Alumni.