Yesterday, the Miami Dolphins placed starting QB Tua Tagovailoa on the injured reserve (IR). Many are conflicted on the career longevity of Tua, and how the Dolphins will rebound from his time away. As devastating an injury this is for the Dolphins, we must move forward. Time waits for no one, especially in fantasy football.
Immediate reactions: Downgrade Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle; steady/upgrade De’Von Achane
Tyreek Hill Fantasy Outlook
Look, you were and are always going to start Tyreek Hill. This is not something that is going to change; however, I would be remiss if I did not bring to your attention, the ceiling cap presented with fill-in QB Skylar Thompson for three starts in 2022.
Play Tyreek as a weekly high-end WR2 with high-variance overall WR1 upside, but do not bank on winning money and matchups with him.
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Outlook
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The player who takes the biggest hit in this offense is Jaylen Waddle. Though 3 games may be a small sample size to some, it at least shows us some of Skylar Thompson’s tendencies. Whereas Waddle is a borderline fantasy WR1 or higher with Tua at the helm, he is likely a high-variance WR2 or high-end WR3 at best with Thompson. Waddle posting 7.9 ppg with Skylar Thompson is not returning anywhere near the value you drafted Jaylen Waddle. What do you do with Waddle?
Action: sell for rising, high-upside WRs such as George Pickens, Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Jameson Williams (more to come, here!)
De’Von Achane Fantasy Outlook
This is by far the easiest breakdown of the big 3 weapons in Miami. Fire up De’Von Achane as a weekly RB1, with overall RB1 upside every week.
Each and every down into the season, is making me question why De’Von Achane was not a top-8 pick in 2024 fantasy football. Those dismissing Achane, rightfully were concerned with his health, “splitting” the backfield, and his small size compared to “the blueprint build” for RB success. Those advocating for Achane in the top 24-30 picks this season, emphasized his per-touch efficiency, and the ability to exceed value and finish as a RB1, on LOW volume.
Technically, both sides were wrong in some capacity. Through two games, De’Von Achane leads all RBs in catches (14) and is tied with Breece Hall for the most RB targets (also 14); he is the only back to exceed 100 yards through the air this season. On top of this, he leads the entire league in yards after the catch, and according to Josh Norris of Underdog, has more touches (46) than the next five Dolphins players combined (44)!
You thought we were done?? No! The only reason Achane is listed as steady, and not an upgrade outright, is because he is the PPR RB2 in fantasy right now. Do not be fooled, though; I am just as, if not more excited about De’Von Achane’s usage than before. With Skylar Thompson, Achane will arguably benefit through the air more than both Tyreek and Waddle.
What about the run game? With Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson battling injuries and rookie Jaylen Wright still developing, there’s even more of an argument for Achane to succeed. And if the ground game suffers… Achane will still be there through the air. To put the icing on the cake for the potential RB1 in fantasy ROS, here is what Mike McDaniel had to say about Achane on Monday:
The most important note, is that Tua the human, will always be more important than Tua the player. I am wishing Tua the very best in his recovery.
For fantasy purposes, though: do NOT tilt. This is a very quick, but also long journey ahead. There are plenty of chess moves to make, so don’t settle for the comfort of a checkerboard. Your championship ring will thank you. Your early playoff exit will not. Choose which version of “difficult” you prefer, keep leveling up your fantasy game, and always keep tabs on our constantly updated Rest of Season Rankings.
