Don't jump on newly traded WRs right away

Few events are as exciting as visiting your local amusement park to ride a new roller coaster for the first time.

But not every roller coaster is a thriller. Sometimes they don't live up to expectations. Whatever thrill it offers, it may not be worth waiting in a long line for long. It may already be closed for repairs. Maybe it's too bumpy, too slow, or too tame.

If life has taught us anything, it's that not every exciting experience we expect actually delivers thrills.

Fantasy managers could be getting a taste of that disappointment after last week's exciting wide receiver trades – at least in the short term.

Davante Adams was traded from the Raiders to the Jets to reunite with his old Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

It's going to be an exciting ride, isn't it? This tandem delivered league-winning production over multiple seasons in Green Bay. What could go wrong?

Well, this tandem hasn't worked together since 2021 – that's three whole seasons. 2024 Rodgers doesn't come close to resembling peak Rodgers of Packers lore – his stats are more like Zach Wilson's than a four-time NFL MVP.

In 2022, Adams did a good replication of his Packers days with the Raiders, but he took a step back last season and fell off a cliff this year before suffering a well-timed hamstring injury.

So neither has looked like an old man lately, and now we're expecting both of them to suddenly return to their youthful performance in the golden years of their NFL careers? And we expect them to do it with a team as constantly bitten by snakes as the Jets?

Look, we're not really into the idea of ​​curses or karma or any events of a transcendental nature. But boy, do the Jets make a good case for getting superstitious. If ever there was a team that struggled against opponents real and imagined, it's the Jets.

So we have reason to be concerned about this new incarnation of the Rodgers-Adams connection. But despite these forces working against it, we don't hate it either.

Certainly it will make things difficult for Garrett Wilson for the rest of the season. And yes, it makes Mike Williams immediately available in all but the deepest fantasy formats.

But Adams? He now has a better chance of living up to the expectations that fantasy managers had at the time of their selection. Maybe Rodgers gets a little bump, but let's wait and see.

Speaking of waiting and seeing… you know everything we just said, remember it well and watch it again later because we don't think Adams will have much of an impact this week.

Maybe he'll get a handful of targets, probably at the expense of Wilson, but we don't expect Adams to be overly productive. Nonetheless, Wilson could be more efficient in selecting his targets since he won't be as central a focus of opposing coverage. So we're not downgrading him yet.

Adams wasn't the only wide receiver traded this week. Amari Cooper is now in Buffalo. There are a few things we like better about this situation:

1. Cooper hasn't seen a drop in production until this season. Granted, his and Adams' production was comparable last season, with Adams declining while Cooper remained steady – in fact, Cooper had a career-high 1,250 receiving yards last season.

2. We trust Josh Allen more than Rodgers right now.

3. There is no one in Buffalo who would fight Cooper for goals. Normally this would be a concern in terms of coverage, but with Allen's ability to extend the play, Cooper will have a chance to get in the game regardless of coverage.

Still, the Bills' situation bears a clear similarity to the Jets': Don't count on this setback right away – especially not this week, assuming Cooper plays at all.

There's no doubt that these deals are an exciting ride for new fantasy receivers, but you'll have to wait before you go.

Big weeks

Drake Maye QB, Patriots, vs. Jaguars (N/A)

Had a nice fantasy debut last week against a ferocious Texans pass rush. The Jaguars won't make it nearly as difficult – they give up 8.6 more points per week to QBs than the league average, the worst in the NFL.

Austin Ekeler RB, Commanders, vs. Panthers (FanDuel $6,600/DraftKings $5,900)

It's questionable if Brian Robinson Jr. has a knee problem, so Ekeler could get even more work against a phantom Panthers run defense – a league-worst 12.1 more per week in PPR against opposing RBs than league average.

Sterling Shepard WR, Buccaneers, vs. Ravens (FD$5,000/DK$3,500)

Mike Evans could be limited or out with a hamstring injury. Expect Shepard to draw more looks against a Ravens defense that leaves the production to the WRs.

Joshua Palmer WR, Chargers, at Cardinals (FD$5,200/DK$4,400)

Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Ladd McConkey (hip) are both questionable. On a team with already limited WR options, Palmer could be a target.

Small weaknesses

Breece Hall RB, Jets, at Steelers (FD $7,600/DK $6,800)

Resurfaced last week after two terrible games. It could be difficult to keep up against a strong Steelers defense on Sunday. I can't bench him in the regular season league, but I can leave him out in the DFS.

James Conner RB, Cardinals, vs. Chargers (FD $7,700/DK $6,700)

The Chargers have only given up one rushing TD to an RB this season. Combined with a slower pace and the possibility of him being sidelined by the flow of the game, this isn't our favorite week for Conner.

Betting on the NFL?

Isaac Guerendo RB, 49ers, vs. Chiefs (FD $6,000/DK $6,600)

With Jordan Mason dealing with knee problems, many have likely turned to Guerendo as a possible replacement. Not our favorite plan this week. The Chiefs are the stingiest in the league compared to the RBs, with more than a full point per week in PPR.

Dalton Kincaid TE, Bills, vs. Titans (FD $6,300/DK $5,000)

Tennessee has given up exactly zero touchdowns to tight ends. In fact, they've only beaten the opposing team's TEs by double digits once all season. Hard work when Kincaid (clavicle) plays.

The daily duel of madness

Drew Loftis and Jarad Wilk submit dueling squads for a DFS competition:

Website: FanDuel

Slate: Sun. Main (11 games)

Type: 15 dollar tournament

Main prize: $300,000

Pot: $1.5 million

Drew's crew

QB: Kirk Cousins, Atl (vs. Sea) $7,200

RB: Saquon Barkley, Phi (at NYG) $9,000

RB: Tony Pollard, Ten (at Buf) $7,100

WR: Justin Jefferson, Min (vs. Det) $9,400

WR: Darnell Mooney, Atl (vs. Sea) $6,300

WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea (at Atl) $6,100

TE: Dalton Schultz, Hou (in UK) $5,200

Bending: Austin Ekeler cost (compared to the car) $6,600

DEF: Titans, Ten (at Buf) $3,100

Wilks Warrior

QB: Sam Darnold, Min (vs. Det) $7,500

RB: Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. LV) $8,600

RB: Tony Pollard, Ten (at Buf) $7,100

WR: Tee Higgins, Cin (at Cle) $7,800

WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea (at Atl) $6,100

WR: Noah Brown cost (compared to the car) $5,000

TE: Dalton Schultz, Hou (in UK) $5,200

Bending: Justin Jefferson, Min (vs. Det) $9,400

DEF: Giants, NYG (vs. Phi) $3,200

Late roster changes, check @NYPost_Loftis on X and @nypfantasymadman in threads

Season risks: $94
Season winnings: Drawn $180, Jarad $113.50