Rest Of Season Top-150 Rankings: Players To Buy And Sell Before Week 3 (Episode 1026 with Adam Levitan, John Daigle, Mark Dankenbring, Jack Miller)
The ETR crew updates their rest-of-season top-150 rankings after a Week 2 full of QB injuries (Jackson Dart, Jaden Daniels) and role changes across the Giants, Falcons, Commanders, Panthers, Packers, and Eagles. They debate buy-low and sell-high candidates in messy backfields (Saints, Chargers, Patriots) and tight-end streams (Loveland, Kincaid, Kraft, Warren), then close with each host's specific buy/sell move ahead of Week 3.
This episode of Establish The Run's weekly rest-of-season top-150 show is built around a wave of week 2 quarterback injuries and backfield/target-share shakeups that force real re-ranking decisions, not just hot takes. The hosts' central argument is that most of the market is overreacting to two-week samples — whether it's abandoning Chargers pieces, giving up on Marvin Harrison, or panicking on Jaden Reed's replacements — while a few situations (Jaden Dart's season-ending injury, Jaden Daniels' recurring elbow issue) represent genuine, lasting downgrades.
The arguments
Jameis Winston is a better buy-low than his Monday night performance suggested, but Malik Nabors' rank should stay largely intact. Mark Dankenbring argued Winston has historically produced well as a starter and chalked up his ugly Rams outing to cold reps rather than a talent decline, noting a favorable four-game stretch (Titans, Cardinals, Commanders, Saints) ahead. Daigle countered that Nabors' 43 overall ranking already accounts for volatility from both the quarterback change and lingering knee concerns, and argued the ceiling still exceeds alternatives like Tetairoa McMillan or DJ Moore given zero receiver competition on the roster.
Drake London remains a buy, not a sell, with Michael Penix back at QB, while Kyle Pitts' outlook is worse than the offensive narrative suggests. Jack Miller pointed to London's 31% target share over the last two seasons with Penix as the quarterback and said the first two weeks under Cooper Rush/Jack Strand should be discounted entirely. He flagged Pitts' declining snap rate (63% in week one, down further in week two) and the Falcons' increasing use of Charlie Woerner and Austin Hooper in 12 personnel as reasons for concern despite positive coach-speak.
The Jaden Daniels elbow injury is treated as a real, extended loss, and Commanders pass-catchers have been dropped hard. Daigle noted Daniels missed four to five weeks with the same injury last year and that a similar timeline points to a week eight return, while Adam Levitan noted the injury re-aggravated immediately last time, raising doubt about any hard recovery date. The hosts moved McLaurin to 81 and Diggs to 106 overall and recommended targeting Michael Penix or Kyler Murray-based waiver options over chasing Marcus Mariota streamers.
The Panthers' pass-heavy shift under new play-caller Brad Idzik looks sustainable enough to trust in lineups now, even if full season-long buy-in requires more evidence. Dankenbring cited Bryce Young's league-leading pass rate over expectation and a condensed target share (55% to Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan combined) as reasons to start those wideouts and Chuba Hubbard regardless of long-term skepticism about Young. Daigle backed the shift as real, distinguishing it from prior seasons where Carolina's staff hid Young.
Jaden Reed's injury meaningfully boosts Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, and Tucker Kraft, though the offensive line remains a real concern. Miller cited Watson and Golden combining for 17 of Jordan Love's 29 attempts in the first game without Reed and Kraft's 98% snap share as evidence of target condensation. Daigle flagged Green Bay's offensive line ranking 32nd per Thorn's metrics as a check on unlimited optimism, and the hosts settled on WR16 for Watson rather than a top-12 valuation.
The Saints' backfield usage makes no sense, and that confusion is itself a buy signal on Travis Etienne. Levitan called out the decision to bench Kendrick Miller and instead feed touches to an aging Alvin Kamara over the higher-paid, better-talent Etienne, comparing it to a mystery that needs reporting. Daigle recommended stashing Etienne without starting him yet, while Levitan said he'd consider starting Etienne given the softer Raiders/Falcons matchups ahead.
Jaguars' Tootin (Bhayshul Tuten) is pulling away from Chris Rodriguez as the season's best running back bet, and the market undervalues him at 48 overall. Miller cited Tuten's 4.46 yards after contact per attempt versus Rodriguez's mark, plus a goal-line touchdown, as evidence the gap will widen even with four backs still involved. Levitan agreed the ranking already corrected upward from a preseason 55-60 range.
What it means for your roster
- Buy target: Drake London. Check with owners in your league who haven't priced in the Penix upgrade; London's 30%+ target share history makes this the stated best buy of the episode.
- Buy target: Tucker Kraft. Named the cheapest and best value among Packers pass-catchers post-Reed, ahead of the higher-profile Watson/Golden names, especially with a soft six-game stretch upcoming.
- Buy/stash: Travis Etienne. Don't start him yet, but the hosts view the Saints' backfield logic as unsustainable and want him rostered in case usage shifts back toward him.
- Buy target: Jamison Williams and Jeremiah Love, both flagged as season-low valuation buys — Williams due to unlucky drops/TD near-misses, Love due to ankle-limited early usage and a softening schedule.
- Sell/monitor: Drake London and Kyle Pitts owners should differentiate — hold or buy London, but temper expectations on Pitts given diminishing tight end usage regardless of Penix's return.
- Drop/fade: Marvin Harrison Jr. (138 overall) and Josh Jacobs handcuff hoarding aside, actively avoid Amarion Hampton as a "sell high" — the hosts argue there's no sell-high left, and he now ranks below Bucky Irving in the RB13-15 tier discussed.
- Waiver priority: Devaughn Gadsden (Chargers TE) and Khalil Shakir/Dallantae Wicks/Mekhi Lemon (Eagles) merit speculative adds given the Charlie Kolar/David Njoku and Dallas Goddard injuries respectively.
“It took three years, but the market has finally given up on Marvin Harrison Jr.” — Adam Levitan
Players in this episode
↑ In a trade-calculator question, hosts strongly preferred acquiring JSN over Omarion Hampton and Tee Higgins combined, calling him a true top-echelon fantasy asset.
↑ Named a 'move to make' buy after a slow start (3.5 YPC, out-snapped by Tyler Allgeier) attributed to a preseason ankle injury and a tough Week 2 matchup; hosts expect more work as Cardinals face easier schedules.
↑ Hosts argue he's not a sell despite the QB change; his 31% target share under Penix last year is elite and should hold with Penix now the full-time starter.
↓ Recurring left elbow injury with an uncertain timeline; hosts unsure he even plays again this season, comparing it to last year's recurring setback.
↑ Could return from suspension within 4-6 weeks as commissioner-exempt games count toward it; moved up to 84 overall as a stash.
→ Bizarrely being out-touched by Alvin Kamara and previously Kendrick Miller despite a big free-agent contract; hosts view the situation as confusing enough to be a buy-low, though not yet a confident start.
→ Route count dipped in Week 2 with more blocking usage, and Caleb Williams' injury is a concern, but hosts still view him as a buy given his talent and playing time.
↓ Out for the season with a knee injury, forcing Jameis Winston into the starting role.
↑ Pulling ahead of Chris Rodriguez with better yards after contact and a goal-line touchdown; hosts see the gap widening as the season progresses and view him as undervalued at 48 overall.
↓ Concerningly low aDOT (0.3) and minimal yardage despite scoring twice; hosts worry his role is limited to short dump-offs while Josh Downs/Keenan Allen get the downfield/play-action work.
↑ Named a 'move to make' buy despite a slow start with drops; his 16.9% target share is actually up from last year, and hosts expect touchdown/production regression to positive going forward.
→ Ranked WR16 rest-of-season; benefits from Jayden Reed's injury but hosts stay cautious given his injury history and Green Bay's offensive line issues.
↑ Named a top buy-low target after playing 98% of snaps post-ACL recovery; expected to absorb short-area targets vacated by Jayden Reed and has led TEs in yards after catch.
↑ Locked in as the clear RB1 in Carolina's backfield with touches condensing around him amid a more aggressive offensive approach.
↓ Snap share has dropped as Falcons lean on Charlie Woerner/Austin Hooper in 12 personnel and don't trust Pitts as a blocker; only 4 targets and 1 catch through two games.
↓ Falling to 138 overall after just one catch for 33 yards in two games; hosts cite effort/mental concerns and note he's being out-targeted by Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, calling him a viable drop.
↑ Considered a legitimate buy, not just a hot streak, thanks to Josh Allen's increased downfield aggressiveness under new OC Joe Brady.
→ Panthers have shifted to a first-in-the-league pass rate over expectation under new play-caller Brad Idzik; hosts are cautiously buying the target-condensing passing approach but want more proof against tougher defenses.
↑ Fully entrenched as Falcons starter now that Tua's back issue and preseason struggles have pushed him out; his aggressiveness downfield is seen as a clear positive for the passing game.
→ Now the Giants' starter; hosts are split, with hope he pushes the ball downfield but concern that HC Matt Nagy will force a conservative, ball-control approach.