Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 15th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Network: CBS
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: Sit, QB2
In Week 2, Herbert plays a bumbling Carolina defense that just lost Derrick Brown. When you look at his potential ceiling this week, he is one of my favorite options in the QB2 range. That being said, I expect a run-heavy game script after the first half. We haven’t seen much evidence of Herbert using his legs, and if that doesn’t happen, the floor is relatively low for Herbert in Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman‘s run-heavy offensive scheme.
Running Back
JK Dobbins: Start, RB1
Gus Edwards: Sit, RB4
JK Dobbins exploded in Week 1 and has established himself as a premier option at running back, especially in Week 2. He comes in as my RB10 this week against an atrocious Carolina Panthers team. The Panthers also lost Derrick Brown this week which is another positive for Dobbins and the run game. In Week 1 he led the league in rush yards over expectation (98) on his way to 13.5 yards per carry. The long speed will come as Dobbins continues to get healthier and in better shape after his brutal Achilles tear last season. He will continue to work in tandem with Gus Edwards, but that is great for a player with his injury history. Efficiency will be the name of the game for Dobbins. He owned the passing down work as well, which should make up for any short-term losses he loses on the goal line to Edwards. Edwards, on the other hand, was the anti-Dobbins in Week 1, posting just 26 yards with his 12 touches. If we can see Dobbins get to the 15-18 touch mark and Edwards drops below 10, that would be the dream scenario for Dobbins managers.
Wide Receiver
Ladd McConkey: Start, WR2
Joshua Palmer: Sit, WR4
Both McConkey and Palmer have a fair chance to be regularly involved in Week 2. Palmer got ejected in Week 1, but he still saw an 81% snap share. That turned into little value, though. Ladd got the highlight touchdown and saw 7 targets as well. He needs to be more efficient, but he has a chance to do that in Week 2. The upside is palpable for McConkey, who was functioning as the team’s WR1, and I expect he will be producing regular WR2 numbers by the end of the season if he can stay healthy. The arrow is pointing straight up in Week 2.
Tight End
Hayden Hurst: Sit
Will Dissly: Sit
It is safe to assume that if there are pass catchers on the Chargers’ roster who can help you get a win this week, they are at wide receiver, not tight end.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: Sit, QB3
Bryce Young may not be done, but the lights are dimming on the young signal caller. You should not even be rostering Young in 1QB leagues, and in 2QB leagues, he is probably still best left on waivers.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: Sit, RB4
Miles Sanders: Sit, RB5
The Panthers are the worst team in the NFL. They can’t run because they are always losing. They can just barely pass. Hubbard saw six touches and produced 14 yards in Week 1 against the Saints. The Chargers’ defense is an easier challenge, but he is way off the fantasy radar in 12-person leagues. Sanders saw more yards on one less carry, but once again, you are avoiding everyone on this offense if you can, especially at RB.
Wide Receiver
Diontae Johnson: FLEX Option
Xavier Legette: Sit
Johnson should be one of, if not the only, fantasy option for the Panthers in Week 2. The offense is terrible. Johnson is the only relevant player outside of Jonathon Brooks, and he falls just outside the standard league-size starters. If you have 2 FLEX options, then Johnson can fill that role, but the ceiling is low, and the floor is beneath the basement. Legette had some inspiring usage in Week 1 (7 targets, 23.3% target share). The issue is efficiency and, again, the poor play of the offense as a whole. He is a sit for now, but keep him on your bench with his potential upside if this team improves when Brooks gets back on the field.
Tight End
Sit All
The Panthers don’t have many viable options in terms of pass-catchers for fantasy managers to get excited about, and Tight End is way off the radar in Carolina.