The fantasy football process looks (roughly) the same, regardless of the format you play--fantasy football waiver wire research on Tuesdays, trade considerations throughout the middle of the week, and setting lineups toward the end of the week.

That said, there are subtle nuances that dynasty fantasy football managers have to pay attention to in order to alter their strategy. To assist, I'll be consolidating everything a Dynasty Fantasy Football manager needs to know to prep for the week at hand.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 2

Justice Hill, RB - Ravens

It's hard not to be impressed with how well Justice Hill played in Week 1. I feel like he's been around forever but he's still only 26 years old. While the Ravens would theoretically like to run through Derrick Henry, a negative game script was exactly what Hill needed to showcase his skill set for fantasy managers.

Henry certainly handled the rushing attempts but the long down and distance snaps (LDD) and two-minute snaps were almost exclusively Hill's. The porous offensive line could force Lamar Jackson to A) run the ball more himself and/or B) dump it off to Hill.

Depending on how deep your dynasty bench is, Hill might be available. He's a priority target and should remain a key element of this offensive attack.

Tank Bigsby, RB - Jaguars

We might have been a year early on Tank Bigsby.

A year after we thought he was going to take on a sizable workload for the Jaguars, the second-year tailback received the same number of rushing attempts (12) as Travis Etienne in Week 1. Bigsby also out-gained Etienne 73-44.

Etienne might have found the endzone this week, but it was a bit surprising to see Bigsby garner that level of work in a game that was close throughout.

This makes Bigsby almost a must-roster for Etienne managers as a 1B/handcuff but if this type of workload split continues, Bigsby could offer standalone appeal in deeper dynasty formats.


Trade Target for Dynasty Fantasy Football

Normally, I don't like to follow the masses when it comes to selling someone high (or, conversely, buying someone low) because it feels too … cliche? However, regarding the biggest surprise on opening night, it's hard not to consider Mark Andrews a strong dynasty trade target.

Yes, Isaiah Likely dominated to the tune of 9-111-1 to go along with a 34% target share and 40% air yards share. We knew he was going to be involved in some fashion with the lack of a true No. 2 wide receiver behind Zay Flowers.

Still, people much smarter than me did a bit more digging, and here's what they found:

"Mark Andrews was double covered on a higher percentage of his routes in this game than any of his other games from 2021-2023."

Nathan Jahnke (PFF)

"Updated the projections model for the Ravens, integrating what we learned from Week 1.

  • Mark Andrews: TE8
    • 89 targets, 62 receptions, 751 yards and 6 TDs
  • Isaiah Likely: TE12
    • 77 targets, 55 receptions, 637 yards and 5 TDs"

Dwain McFarland (Fantasy Life)

The bottom line? Andrews is too good and his connection with Jackson is too strong to totally write off the veteran after one bad performance.

If the Andrews' manager in your league is panic-selling, make a move. You should even feel comfortable making an aggressive offer for one of the true, weekly difference makers at a shallow position.


Player to Trade Away in Dynasty Leagues

Each week, we're often blessed with someone who explodes for a big play or two and they pop off the page in the box score.

Take advantage of those "box score scouts". You know who I'm talking about … those managers who skim the final stats, see the final PPR scoring, and then immediately think that trend is going to continue. This is where you, the smart Fantasy Life subscriber, can leverage our useful utilization tools to make informed decisions.

Colts wideout Alec Pierce scored a robust 21.5 PPR on just three receptions. He hauled in all three of his targets for 125 yards and a score. At first glance, who wouldn't want to keep a 21+ point receiver? Well, let's take a closer look.

Pierce only commanded 16% of the targets from Anthony Richardson and was actually third on the team in targets. Fellow wideouts Michael Pittman (8) and Adonai Mitchell (5) were higher in the pecking order.

It's also worth mentioning that fellow wideout Josh Downs (ankle) was inactive this week and, once he returns, there will be another option for Richardson to consider in the passing game.

Could Pierce continue hauling in deep TD passes each week? It's certainly possible, but it's not something I want to bet on. Using underlying metrics is an effective, efficient way to keep you on top of your roster decisions throughout the season.


Breakout Watch

Brian Thomas Jr., WR - Jaguars

Sticking with the Jaguars, one of the more intriguing rookie wideouts (for me) is Brian Thomas Jr. He came in at No. 4 in our Rookie WR Model and has as good a chance as any of the rookies to become the No. 1 option for his team.

In Week 1, Trevor Lawrence only attempted 21 passes. For comparison, his lowest passing attempt game last season was 29 (four times).

Of those 21 passes, five players had either three or four targets so Lawrence certainly spread it around. Thomas turned his four targets into four receptions, 47 yards, and a TD. In total, he finished with:

  • 79% snap share
  • 80% route participation

Not a bad start for the promising rookie and there's absolutely room for continued growth.

Fantasy Life's projections do have Lawrence finishing as the QB2 in passing attempts and QB8 in passing yards so the volume should be there for Thomas to really step up throughout the season.

Ladd McConkey, WR - Chargers

Sticking with the rookie WR theme, Ladd McConkey entered a Chargers pass-catching room ripe with opportunity. The departures of longtime stalwarts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, coupled with the massive shift in coaching style (Jim Harbaugh) left us not knowing exactly how this offense was going to look.

Yes, the rushing attack certainly led the way in Week 1 thanks, in part, to J.K. Dobbins going 10-135-1 on the ground.

Conversely, Justin Herbert was conservative through the air as demonstrated by his line of 17/26 for 144 yards and one TD. Still, McConkey led the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, and he also hauled in the one passing TD. His 27% target share is encouraging for a rookie.

The Chargers are likely going to emphasize the run game but Herbert is too talented to be contained for long. There will be some splash games and McConkey is going to be a key beneficiary. Get on this train before it truly leaves the station.