The first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season haven’t exactly been kind to fantasy football managers. The clear-cut No. 1 overall pick, Christian McCaffrey, is out until Week 6 at the earliest. Late first- and early second-round picks A.J. Brown, Puka Nacua, and Isiah Pacheco are out with varying injuries. And third- and fourth-rounders Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel will miss the next handful of weeks with a leg issue.
Latest injury news roundup:
Eagles WR AJ Brown Could Miss Multiple Weeks With Injury
49ers WR Deebo Samuel to Miss Multiple Weeks With Calf Injury
Rams WR Cooper Kupp to Miss ‘Extended Period of Time’ With Injury
Vikings Head Coach Provides Latest Justin Jefferson Injury Update
With all these injuries, fantasy managers are likely scrambling to fill their rosters ahead of Week 3. While there are plenty of great options on waivers, there are also some players that fantasy managers should look to buy low on ahead of their breakouts.
Read More Fantasy Football: Top Waiver Wire Adds to Replace Injured Stars for Week 3
Here are three players fantasy managers should try to buy low on this week via trades.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – AUGUST 10: Wide receiver Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals scores a touchdown during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Higgins is the top buy-low trade target this week.
Jason Mowry/Getty Images
1. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins was likely drafted to be a WR2 or flex starter in most leagues, leaving his fantasy managers very frustrated about the start of his 2024 season. Higgins has missed both games due to a hamstring injury, and without him, the Bengals offense has suffered.
While Higgins fantasy owners may look at Ja’Marr Chase’s numbers and feel as if it’s time to move Higgins before he puts up a bad performance, Higgins’ return should only elevate the Bengals’ offense.
When Higgins returns — which could be as soon as this week — Joe Burrow will have all his weapons, and the Bengals offense should look a lot more like everyone expected. Try to get him now from a frustrated fantasy manager, especially one who is 0-2 to start the season.
2. Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns
Cooper enters Week 3 as the 82nd-ranked wide receiver after securing a total of just 7.7 PPR points through the first two games.
That’s not good.
There is a silver lining, though.
Cooper has been targeted 17 times through the first two games and is clearly a favorite target of Deshaun Watson.
Cooper, like Higgins, was likely drafted to be a WR2 or flex — and right now, he isn’t playing like either. Take a shot at acquiring him, especially as he gets set for a favorable matchup against the New York Giants.
3. D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
The Bears offense has been abysmal through the first two weeks of the season as rookie No. 1 pick Caleb Williams adjusts to life in the NFL. The Bears’ offensive line has been a huge concern, but Chicago has done what they can to get Swift involved.
After getting 10 rushes and one target in Week 1, he had 14 rushes and five targets in Week 2.
The Bears signed Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal this offseason, and they aren’t going to shy away from getting him the ball. He’ll be a great safety net for Williams as he continues to adjust at the NFL level, and the Bears will find ways to open up the run game as the season goes on.
The Bears offense is going to be much better than it looks right now. Add their starting running back now before it’s too late.
