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Fantasy Football Advice: Week 2 Mailbag
Should I Make This Trade Heading Into Week 2? – @Harrywolf
Offered Jahmyr Gibbs and Mike Evans for Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr. and Tee Higgins?
I’ll be honest: I love a good trade. It’s never too early for one! That said, let’s dissect this proposal.
One can argue that the focal point of this trade is a swap for a top-five running back in Jonathan Taylor and giving away Jahmyr Gibbs. A lineup with Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson and Taylor would be a dream come true for fantasy football players.
However, I believe the key piece here is Mike Evans, not Taylor or Tee Higgins. That’s because of chemistry, roster situation, and of course, health. It is also worth noting that Higgins is already dealing with a hamstring injury that could keep him out of Week 2 action against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mike Evans vs. Michael Pittman Jr.
Fantasy football-wise, Pittman Jr. is easily a WR2 in a Points Per Reception (PPR) league, especially in the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. He had four catches for 31 yards on eight targets, but I would not panic about the low numbers yet. They faced a tough Houston Texans secondary. Anthony Richardson raised concerns by being a hybrid quarterback who relies more on the run. However, Pittman Jr. remains a top target of the second-year QB.
Despite the former USC Trojans’ promise this season, Evans has a better case in PPR leagues simply because chemistry matters. Richardson and Pittman Jr. have solid chemistry, but adding Taylor in the mix reduces some fantasy value across the positions. Evans continues to build off chemistry with Baker Mayfield, who finished with 289 yards and four touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s win over the Washington Commanders.
Evans caught five of six targets for 61 yards and two touchdowns, which significantly helped fantasy football players. He will face a tougher Lions secondary in Week 2 but is a no-brainer start as a WR1. His health has raised concerns in previous years, but the veteran receiver finished with 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season with Mayfield. Evans has also been relatively healthy within the past few seasons. Mayfield found his home in Tampa Bay and continues to thrive with Evans. I appreciate this duo both as a fan and a fantasy football manager.
I am bullish on Mike Evans this season due to his connection with Mayfield and the Buccaneers playing in a weak NFC South.
The Verdict
Like anything in life, it ultimately depends on the pros and cons, but given that this managers has receivers in Brandon Aiyuk, George Pickens and Keenan Allen on the bench, I am OK with rejecting the trade proposal. Higgins’ uncertainty about his hamstring injury raises too much of a headache for me to deal with each week. As a former athlete, I know those types of injuries are no joke.
Taylor is a top-five fantasy football running back, and while Gibbs is sharing carries with David Montgomery, it helps that the second-year player is also a pass-catching back. They are pretty much even to me, but I value the Evans-Mayfield duo too much to give up on. Consistency is key. Therefore, I would keep Mike Evans and Gibbs.
Check out all of our content for Week 2 of the fantasy football season:
- Week 2 In the Scope Targets (2024)
- Week 2 Shore Thing Sleepers (2024)
- Week 2 Fantasy Football Advice Mailbag
- NFL Week 2 Underdog Pick’Em Predictions
- Week 2 Fantasy Football Trade Targets (2024)
- Week 2 NFL DFS Picks & Lineup Advice (2024)
- NFL Week 2 PrizePicks Player Predictions (2024)
- Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 2 News & Notes (2024)
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*Photo Credit: Jeremy Reper- USA TODAY Sports*
