Making wholesale changes to your roster after two weeks is usually a bad idea. It isn’t time to dump your sleepers and it isn’t time to look for trade value on your studs. Two straight down performances is cause for concern, but it isn’t time to panic just yet. That is what Week 3 is for.

The players listed below are a mix of fantasy sleepers and studs that have not performed up to expected levels so far this season. Like last week, we didn’t include any players in the ‘Panic’ section of this article. A number of players are close to finding themselves there  and it would be understandable if their owners were in panic mode, but for at least one more week a cautious approach is called for.

Don’t Worry

(photo by mlive.com)

RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles – Westbrook is averaging just 69 offensive yards per contest over the first two weeks of the season. While his time as a top five back is probably over, Westbrook owners were certainly expecting more from the Eagles running back. Moving Westbrook into the ‘Worry’ section of this article was tempting, but we are giving him one more week. Keep in mind that Westbrook missed a significant portion of the preseason as he recovered from off-season surgery. Keeping him out of the preseason probably saved some carries for the regular season, but put him behind the curve with the offense and being in game shape. Westbrook has a solid match-up this week and has two games under his belt. If he can get things back on track this week, owners can breathe a sigh of relief.

RB Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons – Turner bounced back from a disappointing Week 1 performance with over 100 yards rushing and one touchdown against the Carolina Panthers. While there should be some concern over Turner’s 3.4 yards per carry average he should get more space to roam as QB Matt Ryan’s play is forcing opposing defenses to focus more on the Falcon’s passing game.

RB Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills – Jackson has averaged 164 offensive yards over the first two weeks of the season and in two weeks has become a key component for most fantasy teams. The problem is, he only has one more week before Marshawn Lynch returns from his suspension. Jackson’s involvement in the offense and his production are likely to take a hit with Lynch’s return, but the Bills will be hard pressed to stick a player averaging over five yards per carry on the bench. At the very least, Jackson has one more week of being the main man in the Bills backfield before moving into a likely time-share.

WR Donnie Avery, WR St. Louis Rams – The Rams wide receiver has totaled just seven receptions and 50 yards receiving over the first two games of the season. Avery gets a one week reprieve from being dumped in the ‘Panic’ section due to the fact that both Marc Bulger and Avery missed a significant portion of the preseason with injuries. Avery is the most physically talented wide receiver on the Rams. If you have the roster space, hold on to him for one more week.

Worry

photo by cbssports.com

RB Matt Forte, Chicago Bears – We have mentioned in other articles how Forte’s fantasy value was helped last season by being heavily involved in the Bears passing game. In Week 1 he was an afterthought, last week he was more involved being targeted six times. While that is reassuring, the bigger problem is that he is averaging just 2.2 yards per carry this season. When QB Jay Cutler has a better yards per carry (2.8) than your running back, it is time to worry.

RB Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders – Fantasy owners that drafted McFadden were probably looking at acquiring a strong No. 2 running back with upside. They might have gotten just that if it weren’t for Michael Bush who is averaging 11 carries per contest, which cuts into McFadden’s opportunities to contribute. An even bigger concern is LG Robert Gallery going down with a broken fibula that is expected to keep him out 4-6 weeks.

WR Randy Moss, New England Patriots – Moss owners figured they were getting an elite level wide receiver when they drafted Moss. Over the first two games of the season the Patriots wide receiver has averaged eight receptions and 83 yards receiving per game. The biggest problem is that the Patriots offensive line has struggled in giving QB Tom Brady the time to go deep. Brady’s 5.9 yards per completion is his lowest since becoming the team’s regular starter. As well, Moss is averaging 10.3 yards per catch this season, down more than four yards from his 2008 total. It isn’t panic time yet, but we are getting there.

RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens – Rice made a rapid ascent up draft boards during preseason as he solidified his role as the team’s starter. Rice still has plenty of upside and will have games where he is a solid fantasy contributor, but Willis McGahee is likely to prevent him from being the mid-round diamond fantasy owners were hoping for. The Ravens have leaned more heavily on the passing game this season. QB Joe Flacco averaged 24 passing attempts per game last season but through the first two games of 2009 Flacco is averaging 35 passing attempts per contest. Another concern for Rice owners is his lack of involvement in the team’s red zone offense. Rice has been involved in four of the team’s red zone plays while McGahee has been involved in 11.

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(feature photo by espn.com)