Fantasy Fallout: Heading Into NFL Week 3

Trashman BylineUp was down and down was up this week in the NFL. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t see it coming. Most didn’t. But it’s only Week 2. I’ll try to pick up the pieces and make some sense of what went down yesterday in this Monday’s fantasy fallout:

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Patriots vs Bills

  • Bill Belichick reminded us all that he hates fantasy football and everyone who plays it by relegating LaGarrette Blount to bench-warming duties against the Bills. Just to show us he means it, Blount will get 20 carries next week. In all seriousness, Dion Lewis is the only Pats back you can trust in your flex.

 

  • WR Aaron Dobson is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues. There were plenty of no name receivers who did well this weekend, but few of them were on regularly high scoring offenses like the Pats. He could be this season’s Brandon LaFell.

 

  • LeSean McCoy was on his way to a really nice stat line until the Bills fell behind considerably against the Pats. What this shows me is that he can still perform well even with a bad hammy. That’s a good thing, cause it’s probably going to nag him all year.

 

 

Cardinals vs Bears

 

  • Experienced be damned, the Cards would do well to give David Johnson more carries than Chris Johnson. It’s plain to see who the better back is, and Arians can only hold his antiquated stance on not starting young backs for so long. C’mon man, you pride yourself on being the most progressive coach in the league. In any case, if the better Johnson is still available in your league after waivers pass this week you should probably quit fantasy. He’s the truth now and into the future.

 

  • It’s early in his season, but Michael Floyd looks like nothing more than a decoy in Arizona’s offense. Hopefully this is mostly due to a hand that isn’t fully healed, but I’m not hopeful. I’m staying away from him in all formats except the occasional DFS crapshoot.

 

  • Everyone hates Jay Cutler until he’s not playing. We can only hope that his absence is short, as Jimmy Clausen looks better suited to be managing the family pickle empire than throwing footballs. Oh, different Clausens? It doesn’t matter. It does look like Bennett and Royal get the biggest boost, or smallest drop, from this calamity. Clausen should be restricted from throwing anything farther than a PMS(Peyton Manning Squirt) for the good of the team – that’s right about in the Bennett, Royal range.

 

  • Teams are going to key in on Matt Forte now, which is why I didn’t include him in the possible beneficiaries of the Cutler loss. They’ll have no reason to respect the pass as long as Clausen is around.

 

Chargers vs Bengals

 

  • Just one week from setting career highs in receptions and yardage, Keenan Allen goes and lays down a 2 for 16yd clunker against the Bengals. This is worse than a goose egg cause it indicates that he tried. Dare I say Stevie Johnson is the most dependable WR on the team? I will, in fact I said that coming into the season. You’re going to have to pick your poison every week- the 20+ pt upside vs the ~10 pt floor.

 

  • Did half of your roster go down to injury this week too? Ship one of your stud RBs and roll with Woodhead as your no.2.

 

  • Don’t go worrying your pretty little heads about Jeremy Hill. He’s still the lead back in Cincy. Gio owners can breathe a little easier knowing he’s going to stay involved in the Bengals offense going forward though.

 

Titans vs Cleveland

 

  • I said it last week, but I reiterate that you can’t go crowning Mariota and clowning Winston after one week, and both of their week 2 performances proved that point. Hope you didn’t ship your starter cause you thought Marcus was going to carry your team. They’ll both be capable QBs in the league, but it’s too early to base your fantasy futures on either player.

 

  • Yeah, I bit on Kendall Wright and Bishop Sankey too, well almost Sankey. There are lots of decent players in Tennessee but few if any elite ones. Gauging fantasy production for any of them is a fool’s errand right now – we’ll still try though…

 

  • Dexter McCluster represents decent DFS value against teams that are marginally better than the Titans, as we’ve now seen that he is their primary game piece in comeback mode. They’ll probably be coming back a lot.

 

  • I can’t wait until Alex tabulates Travis Benjamin’s TD dependency this week. James Jones might be the only player with a higher one. I’m reluctant to advise starting Benjamin in any format aside from DFS, but you can’t ignore the stats he’s posting. If you’re that anxious to start him, relegate him to your flex.

 

  • Don’t look now, but there appears to be a QB controversy brewing in Cleveland. It’s irrelevant to fantasy with so many other QBs currently performing at a high level though.

 

Lions vs Vikings

 

  • I think Matt Stafford’s arm is bothering him more than anyone is letting on. Yeah, he posted decent numbers, but it was on 53 throws. I would be fantasy relevant with that kind of volume. He’s a sit next week against the Broncos. He might not even play. In unrelated news, the Broncos D is a must start next week.

 

  • It’s hard to know who to blame the inefficiency of the Lions running game on. One could say they were simply going against a tough run defense in the Vikings, but these are the same Vikings that got backhanded by Carlos Hyde last week. In week 3 I’m taking another shot on Abdullah, benching Bell, and contemplating starting Riddick in at least one DFS lineup. He’s the hurry-up back, and the Lions should fall well behind the Broncos next week.

 

 

Buccaneers vs Saints

 

  • Mike Evans was on a pitch count Sunday. He should be unfettered against Texans in week 3, and he’s still the Bucs’ best receiving option. He’s worth targeting in trades this week, as I’m sure plenty of his owners are panicking.

 

  • Teams are going to start respecting Winston’s arm after Tampa’s surprising win yesterday, and that’s only going to better Doug Martin’s fantasy prospects.

 

  • Drew Brees’ declining arm strength means more action for Cooks and Snead. I still like Coleman as a red-zone presence, but the Saints’ offensive woes only leave so much action  and fewer deep routes to go around.

 

  • C.J. Spiller’s role will only grow now that there were no setbacks in week 2. With the deep passing game floundering, Spiller should see heavy usage going forward.

 

Falcons vs Giants

 

  • Tevin Coleman has a broken rib, and his availability depends on his pain threshold. Hopefully a flak jacket and no further missed time is in his future, but I doubt he plays this week. Pick up Devonta Freeman if he’s been dropped in your league.

 

  • It might have been game planning, but it’s a little disconcerting that a “healthy” Roddy White drew 0 targets in comparison to Leonard Hankerson who got 11. I advise starting neither against Dallas’ seemingly competent secondary in week 3.

 

  • The Giants’ backfield looked like something out of a Belichickian dream against the Falcons, with no one player taking the lead. Who’s the play this week versus the run stopping Redskins? My guess is Vereen. They’ll all be equally angst inducing in your flex though.

 

 

49ers vs Steelers

 

  • Don’t get used to this. Kaepernick and the 49ers receiving corps encountered the perfect storm of losing their bellcow back, falling way behind, and facing a sieve-like secondary on Sunday. Expect them all to come back to earth against the much tougher Cardinals this week where it looks like they’ll also get Hyde back.

 

 

Rams vs Redskins

 

  • The Washington backfield is now an RBBC by default. Pick up Matt Jones if he isn’t owned in your league. Targeting Alfred Morris in a trade isn’t a bad idea either if your team is short on runners. He’s going to retain value, especially in standard leagues, and I have a feeling his owners are going to be more than willing to make a deal this week.

 

  • Nick Foles went ahead and made me look like a heel after I suggested that he was a decent option in week 2. The Rams offensive line is just too iffy to depend on week to week. I do think Foles will bounce back against the QB friendly Steelers in week 3, but once bitten twice shy…

 

  • You might want to wait until week 4, but I wouldn’t hold it against you to preemptively drop Tre Mason who is most likely going to lose considerable touches to Todd Gurley in week 3. It’s hard to believe in any back behind the pitiful Rams O-line anyway, but Gurley is elite talent so he’s worth the risk.

 

Texans vs Panthers

 

  • I was gobsmacked when I was able to draft Cam Newton in round 12 of one of my most competitive leagues this year. I was more than content to roll with a guy who’s been a top 5 fantasy QB in all but 1 year of his 4 year career. And those top 5 finishes were all without Kelvin Benjamin. His otherworldly upside makes him worth the roll of the dice every week, especially when he’s got to get it done on his own.

 

  • The Panthers made getting the ball to Greg Olsen an imperative in week 2 at the expense of Jerricho Cotchery. They’ll continue this trend.

 

  • People laugh when I talk up Nate Washington, but he’s a reliable receiver that defenses don’t pay attention to. He’s a WR3 until further notice, which may be when Foster returns, IMO.

 

  • I said it last week, but I’ll repeat it. No Texans RB is worth a start while Foster is out.

 

Ravens vs Raiders

 

  • The Raven’s best option in the redzone, Crockett Gillmore is a fine TE streamer for the foreseeable future.

 

  • Lorenzo Taliaferro was the Raven’s preferred back in the redzone yesterday. He’s worth a flex play against other less formidable opponents.

 

 

Dolphins vs Jaguars

 

  • The Dolphins are either going to have multiple 100+ yd receivers or a solid running game weekly. They don’t generate enough offense to sustain both.

 

 

  • Blake Bortles seems to fixate on a WR every week thus far. Last week it was Greene, this week it was Robinson- it’ll probably lean his way most of the time. The one guy who seems least affected by this is Allen Hurns who continues to post respectable lines on the regular.

 

Cowboys vs Eagles

 

  • Oh man, the idea of Brandon Weeden as Dallas’ QB for the next 8 weeks gives me heartburn. If there’s a silver lining it’s that they’re going to run the ball more than ever now. I think Randle, Dunbar, and even McFadden are going to be worth flexing most weeks.

 

  • After leading the NFL in offense over the course of the preseason, the Eagles have imploded. I’ll be honest, it’s kind of funny to watch Chip Kelly squirm after all his “smartest guy in the room” antics. I guess he forgot to include a capable offensive line in his kooky schemes. That being said, one has to imagine he’s going to be successful on some days. I just don’t have high hopes for DeMarco this season. Maybe it was the Dallas O-line after all, eh?

Seahawks vs Packers

 

  • What gives Darrell Bevell? First the SuperBowl shenanigans, and now you have one of the two best tight ends in the league and you decided that he wasn’t part of the game-plan in week 2? Here’s a tip, Jimmy Graham is a major part of the game-plan every week if you want to win. I’m putting Travis Kelce, Tyler Eifert and maybe Greg Olsen over Graham in the TE pecking order until something drastic changes.

 

  • I had at least some hope for Kearse in this matchup as well. Guess it just goes to show that the only person involved in Seattle’s passing game who you can even come close to trusting is and will be Russell Wilson.

 

 

26 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By xraytakr

    My team:
    RB:Peterson, Hill, Duke Johnson, Yeldon
    WR: AJ Green, Cooks, John Brown, Agholor, Andre Johnson, Allen Robinson
    TE: Kelce, Eifert

    A guy in my league wants Hill, Cooks, and Eifert. Wants to give me Demarius Thomas and any 2 RBs from Forsett, Doug Martin, Spiller, Coleman, Gore, Vereen, Matt Jones, and Ronnie Hillman…but he won’t do Gore and Forsett together, he said.

    Do you see any combo where I come out better in this trade? His other WR are Beckham, Jordan Matthews, and D Adams, in case you think I should counter with something else.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      Some of this depends on how many RB + WR you can start and if TEs are flex eligibile in your league.

      The offer is fairly reasonable. If we did it we would certainly aim for Beckham and we’d be considering 2 of Forsett, Martin, and Matt Jones—- maybe an injured if a negotiating point if push comes to shove.

      good luck

      1. ↓ Post By xraytakr

        We can start 2 WR, 2 RB, and 1 flex which can be an RB, WR, or TE.

  2. ↓ Post By alexbrenn

    Standard league

    QB: Eli, Rivers
    RB: Charles, Morris, Blount, Duke Johnson
    WR: AJ Green, Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Watkins, Randle
    TE: Witten, Gates

    Trade offer: Charles, Evans and Gates for Forte, Jordan Matthews and Melvin Gordon

    I planned (at some point) to use Gates as a trade chip anyways. This upgrades my running backs while not taking much away from WR. Do I make this trade?

  3. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

    Hi Alex,

    Obv this has a little to do with how many RB / WR you can start. But, yes in principle we definitely do this trade. People are sleeping on Melvin Gordon. This early in the season the extra depth will pay off- will also provide you with more trade chips as season progresses. We see this trade as basically Gates for Gordon- which we would do in an instant.

    Good luck!

    -Byron

    1. ↓ Post By alexbrenn

      I can start 3 WR and 2 RB. Still do it?

  4. ↓ Post By northface28

    14 team PPR. Lost Dez and D-Jax. My WRs are:
    Steve Smith
    Rueben Randle
    Allen Hurns
    James Jones
    Devin Funchess
    Jerricho Cotchery

    Somehow I’m 1-1, need some help. Rishard Matthews and Aaron Dobson look like good adds, yes? Who to drop?

  5. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

    i’d drop those carolina wrs unless this is a dynasty league, and i still might.

  6. ↓ Post By Naychi

    Trashman,
    Thx for all your advice, so far you were right everytime.
    2 things,
    Is it time to cut ties with Charles Johnson? This is the second year Vikings drafted we’d let me down last year was Patterson.

    Also would you do this trade,
    I give up Ivory and Lat Murray for Gordon and Landry.
    I feel a little weak at wr with Evans, Edelman, garçon, T Williams, D.Parker, Aghlor, and Coleman.
    Thx again

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      glad to help! i’d cut johnson for the right waiver add, especially if you don’t have a winning record. it’s hard to say regarding that trade without knowing your other backs, but i’d likely do it.

      1. ↓ Post By Naychi

        My backs are Bell, Hill,L.Murray, Ivory. Should I go through with the trade?

  7. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

    Trashman,

    I am contemplating the following pickups, but not sure who to drop if I should make them.
    RB’s:
    Dion Lewis (I never liked the pats rbbc situation, but did own vereen in the past, was aggravating at times)
    Matt Jones (I think redskins are going to phase out morris, and make him primary, everyone is talking about him now too)

    Here is my team: rivers, bradford, antonio brown, allen robinson (picked him up per your advice), steve smith (same as robinson), stevie johnson, brandon cooks, lat murray, forsett, woodhead, abdullah, doug martin

    would you make a move? this is a 12 man ppr, start 2wr, 2rb, and flex

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      i’d probably drop bradford and maybe stevie

      1. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

        im not opposed to dropping bradford, but even though stevie might not crack my lineup too often, he’s been consistent thru 2 games and you guys, at least alex and byron were really high on stevie. I was thinking of steve smith instead. I know you urged me to pick him up and I did and put him in this past week and was great, but for some reason think he will taper off.

        I doubt I’d be able to get both lewis and jones, unless my bids win out. I have 109$ left. What would you consider throwing out there for them?

        1. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

          never mind at least on the fab bid, just read the week 3 waiver wire cheat sheet, sorry, but still curious on your thoughts in regards to the rest of my reply. Thank you.

  8. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

    Also was thinking about proposing trade for mike evans. What would you propose for him. My team and league settings are below. I was thinking cooks or smith because the situation with saints seems messy and brees injury might hamper cooks who has done nothing, and I just expect smith to taper off or be boom or bust.

    Here is my team: rivers, bradford, antonio brown, allen robinson (picked him up per your advice), steve smith (same as robinson), stevie johnson, brandon cooks, lat murray, forsett, woodhead, abdullah, doug martin

    this is a 12 man ppr, start 2wr, 2rb, and flex

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      i really don’t think you need him. i think you’re stacked at wr and might do better packaging one of those guys and a rb for eddie lacy or something like that.

      1. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

        thats a good point, I wouldn’t mind doing that. What packages might you suggest?

  9. ↓ Post By ea4582

    Good work last week! 2-2, I should’ve been 3-1 last week in 4 leagues but Ivory and Gore crapped the bed!
    10 team standard scoring league, qbs-6pts/td, same rbs/wrs/tes. Plus all get bonuses for yardage.

    My team–
    Qb- Tanny (dropped Romo)
    Rb- J. Hill, L. Miller, A. Abdullah, R. Mathews, K. Davis, Karlos Williams
    Wr- Julio, B. Cooks, M. Evans, Agholor, B. Coleman
    Te- Kelce
    Def- Cardinals

    Best available Qbs- Fitz, Stafford, Flacco, Bridgewater, A. Smith, Dalton, Carr, Tyrod.
    Best avail Rbs- D. Lewis, Starks, M. Jones, T. Mason, Taliaferro (since im 8th on waiver all will prolly be gone except for Mason/Tali)
    Best avail Wrs- Boldin, Flyod(sd), Decker, Nate Washington, Crabtree, Britt, Baldwin, Kearse, Aiken, Benjamin, R. Matthews, T. Lockett, Marvin Jones.
    Best avail Te’s- H. Miller, L. Green, Ebron, C. Gillmore
    Def- Jets, Bengals, Vikings, Chiefs, Browns

    I dropped Romo so I have one open spot, but I am open to dropping others. Based on my team and your overall ranking, who are the top 5 guys you would target? And who are the 4 you would drop from my team? In order please.

    Thanks!

  10. ↓ Post By Bennett2g

    Hey I have Sam bradford as my only Qb right now probably going to pick up tyrod Taylor but there’s a few others like mariota, Smith, and Andy dalton which one is best?

  11. ↓ Post By rw-Dd6bhaAT6

    Hi, I have somehow ended up quite stacked at RB with Forsett, Bernard, Gore, Spiller, D Martin and Matt Jones. We play 2 and a flex. Not sure how, but James Starks and Dion Lewis are both still available after waivers last night – are there any of these guys that you would drop to pick them up?

  12. ↓ Post By rw-LN2RRfv3C

    Thanks again for the great content. Quick question, I’m in a 14 team ppr. And have a wr 2 question. Should I start jordan matthews, John brown or Doug Baldwin?

  13. ↓ Post By QuestFor7

    Trashman,

    I’m in a .5 PPR. I’m concerned about Lamar Miller this week. Do I replace him with Shane Vereen tonight or wait and replace him with C.J. Spiller or David Johnson? Thanks for your help.

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      miller practiced today so i’d wait before playing vereen. if miller doesn’t go, i like johnson.

  14. ↓ Post By willywill325

    Line-up question 1Qb, 3 wr, 2 Rb, 1flex, 1 kicker, 1 te, 1 dfs

    Qb foles or tannenhil

    Wr Cobb, Evans, white, v Jackson, Crabtree, Wheaton,

    Rb bell, Hyde, Bernard

    Flex Bernard, Hyde, V Jackson, Wheaton

    Kicker Tucker

    Te ebron

    Dfs Denver

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