I’ve been married into an insurance family for almost 15 years, which means I’ve spent a significant portion of my adult life surrounded by people who understand risk better than I understand most of my fantasy football decisions.

My wife, Kendra, has worked in the industry for nearly two decades. Her father retired after 30-plus years. Both specialized in personal lines, while Kendra also has experience with commercial coverage.

These are people who know what happens when you ignore the fine print.

Some of that wisdom has rubbed off.

Drafting Christian McCaffrey without his backup is essentially buying a Ferrari and declining comprehensive coverage.

Everything’s wonderful until something expensive breaks.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, James Cook, Ashton Jeanty and Kenneth Walker deserve similar protection.

Kaelon Black, Emmett Johnson, Jonah Coleman, Tank Bigsby, Mike Washington Jr., Ray Davis, Braelon Allen and Brian Robinson Jr. are insurance policies worth considering.

Blake Corum, although less widely available, might be even more valuable. He could eventually take Kyren Williams’ job without an injury opening the door.

The best handcuffs aren’t necessarily backups to the best running backs. They’re proven producers or talented young players who could inherit significant workloads if given the opportunity.

Week 2 reminded us why this matters. Saquon Barkley, J.K. Dobbins and Jadarian Price were among the running backs who emerged with injury concerns.

Suddenly, those boring insurance policies look considerably more attractive.

Nobody enjoys paying for insurance.

But watching your fantasy season go up in flames because you declined coverage is considerably worse.

Unfortunately, the waiver wire doesn’t offer accident forgiveness.

Priority targets

— RB Jonah Coleman, Broncos (ESPN: 22%; Yahoo: 27%): Coleman went from zero touches in Week 1 to 10 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown, plus three receptions for 19 yards. RJ Harvey missed Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, and J.K. Dobbins left with one, allowing the rookie to score the winning touchdown against Jacksonville. Dobbins’ hamstring injury appears minor, but the rookie could push him or Harvey regardless. He’s an RB2 if Dobbins sits, borderline RB1 if both sit.

— QB Tyler Shough, Saints (ESPN: 50%; Yahoo: 49%): Shough is one of only five quarterbacks to score at least 20 fantasy points in each of the first two weeks, according to FantasyPros, and his 662 passing yards lead the league. The combination of passing volume and occasional rushing production makes him more than a desperation streamer. The Raiders visit New Orleans in Week 3, although the Saints’ offensive line bears watching after left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. suffered an ankle injury.

— WR Dontayvion Wicks, Eagles (ESPN: 26%; Yahoo: 28%): Wicks has produced 147 yards and a touchdown on just 10 targets through two games, including five catches for 74 yards against Tennessee. His 2.8 yards per route run ranked seventh among receivers with at least 50 routes entering Monday, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His snap share declined from 90.9% in Week 1 to 61.8% in Week 2, so this isn’t a blank check for your FAAB budget. Still, Hurts trusts his No. 2 receiver on third downs and in the red zone. Dallas Goedert’s injury creates opportunity despite Zach Ertz’s return.

— TE Dalton Schultz, Texans (ESPN: 21%; Yahoo: 57%): Schultz became Houston’s passing game Sunday with Nico Collins sidelined, catching 12 of 14 targets for a career-high 140 yards. That’s 26 PPR points without a touchdown, and he also drew eight targets in the opener when Collins was healthy. Cincinnati’s generous tight end coverage helped, and eight of his receptions came in the fourth quarter with Houston trailing. Nevertheless, the target floor is real enough to make Schultz a starting option at Indianapolis, with considerably more upside if Collins misses another game.

— D/ST Chiefs (ESPN: 61%; Yahoo: 34%): Kansas City held Denver to 10 points in Week 1 before Indianapolis scored 30 in Sunday’s overtime thriller, so the early defensive returns have been decidedly uneven. The reason to buy is Miami. The Dolphins have scored 13 points in consecutive games while allowing nine sacks. The Chiefs also get the Raiders in Week 4 before their bye.

Other top targets

— QB Bryce Young, Panthers (ESPN: 34%; Yahoo: 33%): Young has six passing TDs and a rushing score through two games. Only Josh Allen has more fantasy points so far. Cleveland is next, followed by Detroit’s injury-depleted secondary. The Lions have allowed 658 passing yards and six TDs without safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

— QB Geno Smith, Jets (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 5%): Smith completed 27 of 41 passes for 247 yards and a TD in Sunday’s overtime loss to Green Bay. He has Detroit’s depleted secondary this week. Chicago follows in Week 4, making Smith a reasonable short-term rental if you need to replace an injured starter.

— QB Malik Willis, Dolphins (ESPN: 18%; Yahoo: 36%): Miami’s protection is dreadful, but Willis has 314 rushing yards and five TDs in eight career starts. His legs offer upside in superflex leagues, even against Kansas City.

— QB Marcus Mariota, Commanders (ESPN:

— QB Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (ESPN: 2%; Yahoo: 3%): Penix returns from ACL surgery Thursday. Matchups at Green Bay on a short week and at New Orleans in Week 4 are tough; Chicago in Week 6 offers relief. Stash in deeper leagues.

— WR Khalil Shakir, Bills (ESPN: 69%; Yahoo: 46%): Six targets per game offer a PPR floor. If DJ Moore sits, Shakir becomes a low-ceiling WR3/flex. Josh Allen certainly helps.

— WR Adonai Mitchell, Jets (ESPN: 17%; Yahoo: 16%): Mitchell’s six catches for 63 yards against Green Bay won’t win you your matchup by itself, but his 12 targets represented approximately one-third of the Jets’ passing attempts. He played 61 of 74 snaps and ran a route on 41 of Geno Smith’s 50 dropbacks, which is the kind of participation that precedes dependable fantasy volume. Detroit and Chicago’s vulnerable secondaries make him a two-week flex candidate.

— WR Denzel Boston, Browns (ESPN: 26%; Yahoo: 32%): Training-camp buzz is real: Boston followed a 59-yard, one-touchdown debut with five receptions for 95 yards and another score against Tampa Bay. His seven targets led the Browns in Week 2, and NFL Next Gen Stats ranks the rookie sixth in yards per route run among receivers with at least 50 routes through Sunday. Two long touchdowns aren’t a sustainable scoring formula by themselves, but the combination of target growth and explosive efficiency suggests this is more than a box-score mirage despite quarterback uncertainty.

— WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens (ESPN: 24%; Yahoo: 17%): Bateman led Baltimore with nine targets against New Orleans, catching seven passes for 88 yards and a TD with Zay Flowers sidelined by a hamstring injury. Rookie Ja’Kobi Lane is also on injured reserve, leaving more opportunities available. Flowers’ return would lower Bateman’s ceiling, but he should retain matchup-dependent flex appeal.

— WR Tre Tucker, Raiders (ESPN: 25%; Yahoo: 29%): Tucker shredded the Chargers for five catches, 119 yards and a TD on seven targets, including two receptions of at least 40 yards. His seven targets tied Ashton Jeanty for the team lead, and Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes for the second consecutive game. Add in deep leagues if you enjoy guessing. Brock Bowers’ potential return caps targets.

— RB Tank Bigsby, Eagles (ESPN: 15%; Yahoo: 29%): Will Shipley out-snapped Bigsby after Barkley exited, but Bigsby won the touches 15-9. He also scored after Barkley’s injury scare. Barkley returned to the game but planned to undergo an MRI, so this recommendation hinges on subsequent medical updates. Bigsby belongs on the bench of every Barkley manager and becomes an immediate starting consideration if the injury costs Barkley time.

— RB Alvin Kamara, Saints (ESPN: 38%; Yahoo: 29%): Travis Etienne Jr. out-snapped Kamara 37-20, but Kamara drew a carry or target on 75% of his plays. With 611 career receptions, he still offers PPR appeal. Don’t pay for vintage Kamara, but don’t overlook a receiving role that can still produce fantasy value.

— RB Tyjae Spears, Titans (ESPN: 49%; Yahoo: 33%): Spears’ nine opportunities generated 70 total yards, enough efficiency to justify a speculative bench spot in PPR leagues.

— RB Emanuel Wilson, Seahawks (ESPN:

— TE Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers (ESPN: 2%; Yahoo: 6%): With David Njoku and Charlie Kolar headed to IR, Gadsden has a clear path to the starting job. He scored Sunday and was fantasy’s TE1 over a four-week stretch last season, according to FantasyPros. The upside is substantial — if the Chargers can remember how to play offense.

— TE Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (ESPN: 22%; Yahoo: 13%): Freiermuth has caught nine of 10 targets for 78 yards and a TD through two games, with five targets in each outing. Cincinnati just yielded 140 yards to Schultz. Expecting a high-volume passing eruption from Pittsburgh would be optimistic. Nevertheless, a relatively stable target role against a defense struggling with tight ends makes Freiermuth a sensible Week 3 streamer.

— TE Darren Waller, Panthers (ESPN: 3%; Yahoo: 3%): Touchdown-dependent? Sure. Eight scores in 11 post-retirement games, including three two-TD outings, make Waller a red-zone streamer.

— D/ST Saints (ESPN: 3%; Yahoo: 1%): New Orleans held Baltimore to 17 points and 312 total yards, allowing just three second-half points while sacking the elusive Lamar Jackson three times. That’s legitimate production against a dangerous offense, not simply a favorable matchup. Now the Saints return home for consecutive games against the Raiders and Falcons.

— D/ST Panthers (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 7%): Carolina forced five turnovers against Atlanta, including a pick-six by Devin Lloyd, and held the Falcons to three points. Next up is Deshaun Watson and a Cleveland offense that remains inconsistent despite Sunday’s comeback victory over Tampa Bay.

— D/ST Packers (ESPN: 20%; Yahoo: 24%): Green Bay has seven sacks through two games while holding both opponents below 300 yards. Atlanta has scored just 16 points, committed seven turnovers and allowed seven sacks, making this an appealing Thursday night matchup. Michael Penix Jr.’s confirmed return complicates the calculation, but he’ll be making his first start since tearing his ACL last November.

— D/ST Giants (ESPN: 3%; Yahoo: 4%): The Rams shredded New York for 481 yards Monday, but the schedule finally offers relief. Tennessee has scored just 30 points through two games while averaging 243 yards of offense. The Titans’ limited production creates opportunities for sacks and turnovers, although Brian Burns’ ankle injury warrants monitoring after Monday’s loss.

Drop candidates

— QB Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers: One TD pass in two sloppy losses. If Cleveland couldn’t inspire a rebound, Brian Flores’ blitzes probably won’t. Stream elsewhere.

— WR Jayden Reed, Packers: Reed suffered a neck injury on Green Bay’s first offensive play against the Jets and was taken to a hospital for observation, although he subsequently reported feeling better. The Packers listed him as a nonparticipant on Monday’s estimated injury report ahead of Thursday’s game, and an extended absence remains possible. Use IR or consider cutting him in shallow leagues.

— RB Kenneth Gainwell, Buccaneers: Gainwell received two carries for 10 yards and caught three of four targets for five yards against Cleveland. Even his receptions aren’t producing useful PPR totals when the targets are arriving this close to the line of scrimmage. Unless Bucky Irving gets hurt, Gainwell doesn’t offer dependable standalone volume.

— TE Michael Mayer, Raiders: Mayer hasn’t capitalized on Brock Bowers’ absence, and Bowers could return as early as this week. Even if Bowers misses another game, Mayer faces a New Orleans defense that just contained Baltimore’s passing attack. I’d rather use the roster spot on Schultz, Freiermuth or Gadsden, depending on whether I need an immediate starter or a longer-term stash.

— RB Jonathon Brooks, Panthers: Brooks played 30.3% of Carolina’s offensive snaps against Atlanta before leaving with a groin injury, according to Pro Football Focus. His increased participation in third-down and two-minute situations offered an encouraging sign, but the injury introduces another obstacle just as Brooks appeared to be carving out a role. He’s worth retaining in dynasty leagues or on an available injured reserve slot, but shallow redraft managers can prioritize healthier backs with clearer paths to volume.

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