Week 3 Fantasy Football Panic Meter

Welcome to Blitz Sports Media’s Fantasy Football “Panic Meter”. Each week we will identify some of the disappointing performances from the prior week to identify if it is time to panic about a certain player. Below is the official Blitz Sports Media panic meter discussing the reasoning behind each panic meter level.

Let’s get into all of the players who made this week’s version of the panic meter.

Travis Kelce TE (KC)

Panic Meter: 2

After signs of slowing down in the regular season last year, Kelce is off to a slow start in 2024. On the season Kelce only has 4 catches for 39 yards on 7 targets. Two things can still be true Kelce is not the player he was and that he is still in for a big 2024 season. The Chiefs game plan has not featured Kelce as it has in the past, almost like they are managing his workload to start the season. We saw in the postseason Kelce turned it on and became a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. With the injuries to Pacheco and Brown, Andy Reid will turn to Kelce for more targets.

Ja’Marr Chase WR (CIN)

Panic Meter: 1

Ja’Marr Chase has had a lousy start to his 2024 season after holding out all offseason. On the season he is averaging 9.8 PPR points per game which is well below what you would expect from a 1st round pick in all fantasy drafts. Chase has had two tough matchups the last two weeks being shadowed by Christian Gonzalez and Trent Mcduffie which has contributed to his low output in points per game.

Something noteworthy is that Chase only averaged 8.6 PPR points per game through 2 weeks last year. Chase should be in for a big week against the Commanders and there is no reason to panic on him yet. If anything, now is the time to buy low on Chase.

Michael Pittman Jr. WR (IND)

Panic Meter: 2

After a monster 2023 fantasy campaign people were high on Pittman with QB Anthony Richardson returning from injury. So far in 2024, the return of Richardson at QB has actually hurt his output. Pittman has 15 targets on the season while only hauling in 7 passes. Richardson’s accuracy problems to start the season have hurt Pittman the most in this offense as he relies on volume to put up big weeks in fantasy. At this point it feels like if AR can’t fix his accuracy problems, then Pittman is a boom or bust candidate going forward.

Dalton Kincaid TE (BUF)

Panic Meter: 2.5

The Bills passing game has not been the focal point of the offensive attack this year instead, the Bills have been leaning on RB James Cook. On the year, Kincaid has 5 catches for 44 yards on 6 targets. WR Khalil Shakir has stepped into the WR1 role in this offense and outside of him it is a committee between the other pass catchers. Against good run defenses expect Kincaid to see an increase in his target share but the long term output is concerning.

Sam LaPorta TE (DET)

Panic Meter: 1.5

After two weeks LaPorta has just 6 catches for 58 yards on the season. Going into the season LaPorta was regarded as the TE1 due to his breakout rookie campaign. It seems like WR Jameson Williams has established himself in this offense as a reliable threat after 2 weeks. This has led to LaPorta getting only 8 targets on the season and falling into the 3rd option on most passing plays for the Lions. The concerns are growing but LaPorta is a talented player that will have more plays drawn up his way in the coming weeks.

Amari Cooper WR (CLE)

Panic Meter: 3

The Browns considered trading Cooper in the offseason and early reports are saying they are still considering trading him this season. Through 2 weeks Cooper has an elite target share (17 targets) but has only caught 5 passes for 27 yards on the season. This is partly due to QB Deshaun Watson’s notable struggles, but Cooper has not looked explosive so far this season. A situation to monitor in Cleveland and fantasy managers should consider benching him until he has a promising outing.

Christian Kirk WR (JAX)

Panic Meter: 3

Kirk has faded into the WR3 spot in Jacksonville despite being the highest-paid WR on the team. On the season Kirk has 7 targets, rookie Brian Thomas has 8, and veteran Gabe Davis has 10. Even with TE Evan Engram out last week Kirk only finished with 1 catch. On the season out of 104 qualified receivers, Kirk has ranked 103 in yards per route run which is the most concerning stat of them all. Christian Kirk is sliding up this panic meter quickly.

Zamir White RB (LV)

Panic Meter: 3

So far as the lead back in Las Vegas White has 22 carries for 68 yards while hauling in 5 catches for 16 yards. In the air and on the ground, White is only averaging 3.2 yards per touch. Alexander Mattison will take more touches from White if he continues to be inefficient. Trade or Bench him unless you are desperate at RB

DeAndre Hopkins WR (TEN)

Panic Meter: 4

Coming into the season it looked like Hopkins was going to miss some time with an injury suffered during training camp. Instead, Hopkins was ready for week 1 and on the season has 2 catches for 17 yards on 3 targets. I am not convinced he is completely healthy but at age 32 it seems like he has lost a step. Hopkins has officially hit the trade or cut portion of the panic meter.

Check out an in-depth breakdown on the biggest fantasy winners and losers from week 2