The Fantasy Fallout: Coming Into Week 3

Everybody hurts sometimes, and the NFL is no exception. If you have a fantasy football team, chances are one of your best players is injured or suspended, but now is not the time to hang our heads in defeat. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and there are situations to assess and moves to be made. Here’s the fallout from yesterday’s games:

The Waiver Cheat Sheet will be up on Tuesday in the downloads section as usual, and we’ll start updating the Week 3 Big Tool then as well. The Week 3 Matchup Tool will be out Wednesday.

– Buffalo is better than everyone expected and can move the football. Sammy Watkins’ star is only going to rise, and the Buffalo defense is going to be worth spot plays throughout the season. Unfortunately, he’s the only Bills receiver worth trotting out week to week for now.

C.J. Spiller is finally healthy and productive, but the same can’t be said for Fred Jackson, at least the productive part. He’s getting the touches, actually more of them, but he’s not getting it done. Maybe age is finally having an effect on FJax – Dude’s 33 after all.

– Looks like Lamar Miller is going to be lead back in Miami whether we like it or not. Knowshon Moreno is gone for 4-8 weeks, and the Dolphins seem concerned enough to re-sign Daniel Thomas. We’re back to the 2013 Miami running game, and what a headache that was.

– TE Charles Clay has done little to help fantasy teams thus far, but I expect better weeks ahead. He’s led or tied Mike Wallace in targets in both weeks so far, and with the loss of Moreno Miami will continue to lean on Clay.

– No, Detroit is not a bad team. Carolina is just better than anyone is giving them credit for. Congrats if you nabbed the Carolina defense in drafts, you should hold on to it.

– As long as DeAngelo Williams is out, Jonathan Stewart will be worth flexing, especially in a tilt with the sieve-like Steelers next week.

Kelvin Benjamin was a misplaced foot away from paydirt yesterday. Keep him in your lineups.

– Broken rib? Doesn’t affect Superman. Cam Newton will only get better as the season goes on.

– Just when you thought Matt Ryan was going to be elite, he goes and puts up a stinker in Cincinnati. He’ll be better than that on most days, but the Atlanto o-line will keep him grounded.

– The Atlanta ground game is a 4-headed beast with Steven Jackson at the helm. An absolute nightmare for fantasy owners and narcissistic douchebag GMs alike, as predicted. Jackson doesn’t get enough carries to make him worth anything more than a middling flex start. Nice work Dimitroff, you could’ve had Lacy.

A. J. Green is out until week 5, and Mohamed Sanu will be Andy Dalton’s first option for that duration. He’s a high priority waiver add this week.

Jeremy Hill finally got some carries, and it paid off for the Bengals. I doubt many had him in their lineups due to Week 1 though, so his performance was likely a waste in fantasy. He should be a nice flex option against a Tennessee defense that got gashed by the DeMarco Murray on Sunday.

Jimmy Graham wasn’t on the field nearly as much as I thought he would be in a tough matchup. It’s all part of the game-plan though, and he’ll continue to be the top tight end fantasy option.

Terrance West looks great, and Isaiah Crowell is a hold, not a start, in twelve team or shallower leagues. I’d be looking to trade Ben Tate if I was one of his owners, then again, I would never have drafted him. Neither did you if you used the cheat sheet.

– New England is still a good football team, but I’m beginning to wonder if Tom Brady is finally starting to turn into a human being. He’s looking more like a “Tom Bradley” recently. I got him in the eighth round of one of my drafts, and he’s playing like it. I’m hoping his performance Sunday was due more to the blowout situation and not his ability. Owners of Rob Gronkowski are feeling a bit of this pain as well.

– It’s back to Patriot games as usual. Thanks a lot Beli-Cheat. Stevan Ridley got the bulk of carries in Week 2, making it all but impossible to figure out who will get the totes in Week 3. It’s likely the Pats were preserving Shane Vereen’s health for more difficult situations.

– That was quick. Adrian Peterson was reinstated this morning and should play Sunday. You can hold Matt Asiata if you like, but he may be of no more use to you at this point.

Jerick McKinnon was in on a third of Minnesota’s snaps, and his role will continue to grow regardless of AP’s situation. He’s a must-add in keeper and dynasty leagues.

– The cries for Teddy Bridgewater got stronger this week as Matt Cassel showed his ineptitude by throwing 4 picks yesterday. He’ll start next week, but his leash is shortening considerably.

– It looks like Carson Palmer could miss significant time, creating a receiver disaster in Arizona. Drew Stanton will turn Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald into mere flex plays as long as he’s under center.

– The Giants are terrible. The only receiver you can start weekly is Larry Donnell. Larry. Donnell. It is time for top to bottom changes in that organization starting with Jerry Reese all the way down to Eli Manning.

DeMarco Murray is my pick to lead the NFL in rushing this year.

– Dallas is a lot more run-heavy than we thought they would be with OC Scott Linehan, relegating all pass catchers outside of Dez Bryant, and maybe Jason Witten, to afterthoughts. Terrence Williams will have good games, but they won’t come consistently.

– The Titans are not who we thought they were. Until Jake Locker gets a handle on the situation, you can’t count on their receivers.

– Oh Toby Gerhart, we had so much hope for you. Unfortunately Gerhart is playing so poorly he can’t even be traded. He looks absolutely pitiful plowing into crappy offensive linemen’s’ backs and toppling over for .7 yards in a cloud of dust. Hold on, and hope the fact that he’s still the bell cow in Jacksonville will pay off at some point.

Allen Hurns was seen leaving facilities on crutches after the game. He’s a hold only in keeper or dynasty leagues.

– The Jags coaching staff assured us that Blake Bortles would be held out to develop, but it looks as if he’s already the best QB on the team. We should see him in games soon.

RG3’s season is in jeopardy. If you own him, it’s imperative that you pick up Kirk Cousins, who Coach Gruden apparently thinks is a better fit for his offense than Griffin anyway.

– Looks like DeSean Jackson owners dodged a bullet as he has no severe damage to his shoulder. He will probably play in Week 3.

– The Seahawks thought it was a good idea to play quick ball with Robert Turbin instead of pounding the rock with Marshawn Lynch, and it came back to bite them. I hope everyone learned a lesson.

Antonio Gates won’t go quietly. He may not go at all. Ladarius Green owners can drop him outside of keeper and dynasty leagues.

Ryan Mathews is truly made of glass and is clearly the son of gypsies because he’ll swindle you and swindle you. He deceived us by playing a full season last year. He’s out for 4 to 5, I’m leaning 5, games and Donald Brown is one of this week’s highest priority pickups in all leagues.

– Tampa Bay is better off with Mike Glennon under center. You can’t have Bobby Rainey go off for 140+ yards and still say the o-line isn’t cutting it. Josh McCown is the problem. And now he’s gone and gotten Mike Evans injured…

– Speaking of Rainey, I have a strong feeling he’ll be heavily involved in this offense even when Doug Martin gets back.

– You know that receiver that you refuse to pick up on a weekly basis because you just don’t believe he’ll continue to produce, and he ends up being a top 20 receiver by the end of the season? This year that guy is Brian Quick.

– Rumors of Zac Stacy’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. He’s the workhorse in St. Louis.

Jamaal Charles’ ankle x-rays came back negative, and that’s a positive thing. Hopefully he doesn’t miss much time, but Knile Davis is a must-add in the meantime.

Julius Thomas didn’t get the yards, but he’s still Peyton Manning’s favorite option in the endzone. He’s Denver’s version of Rob Gronkowski, but better?

Geno Smith is legit. Looks like the Jets finally have a QB. Screw Marty Mornhinweig, by the way. These guys work too hard to have their coaches swindle them out of big, signature wins.

Eric Decker is out with a hammy injury. Those can last a long time for receivers, so make sure you have a backup plan if you were relying on him. Take a look at Jeremy Kerley in his absence.

Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson are going to have games like yesterday’s all season long.

– Now is the time to make trade offers for Eddie Lacy. He won’t be this bad again.

Davante Adams may have just taken the third receiver spot from Jarrett Boykin.

– Oakland is the worst. Period. Pick up James Jones if you want, but realize that the team he’s attached to is terrible. Wholesale changes are needed from top to bottom within that organization.

Darren McFadden looks good. For now… Good luck with that.

Arian Foster is back if you had any doubts. He’s my pick to be second in rushing behind Murray.

DeAndre Hopkins is going to be sneaky productive all season. He and Fitz-pee-pee have a little connection. Try and snipe him in a trade while you can.

– What a swindle. Both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery played last night to everyone’s surprise. It has to be worse for Marshall owners though. He may not have another 3 TD night all season. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that they’re both no worse for the wear and should be good for next week.

Stevie Johnson will get more and more involved in this 49ers offense as the year goes on. He’s worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.

– If you took the Marcedes out for a spin in Week 3, then,

1) Nice work. (Tap tip to our own Byron Lambert.)

2) Time to bring it back to the garage.

Marcedes Lewis is out 6-8 weeks. Unbelievable week.

29 Comments

  1. I’m a Ryan Mathews owner, I also have Woodhead on my bench. Should I stick with Woodhead or pickup Brown or even Rainey? (Half point PPR)

  2. John-
    The issue you face if you pick up Brown is do you start Brown, Woodhead, or both on any given week? I like to avoid that kind of situation normally, but with Mathews’ injury history, Brown could end up with a much larger role. If i have the roster space I pick up Brown. If you don’t want the headache, Rainey is a nice choice too. I like him to produce in Tampa even when Martin gets back.

    1. Thanks a lot.

  3. Killer week for sure but the Amish Rifle came through for me LOL.

  4. Good Evening RosterWatch,

    10 team, 1pt PPR.

    My RB’s: L McCoy, G Bernard, L Miller, & K Robinson.
    QB’s: Foles and Palmer.
    WR’s: J Edelman, A Jeffery, K Allen, TY Hilton, KBenjamin, T Williams, M Evans.

    Would you drop Palmer for Cousins, K Davis, or Rainey, please?

    Thank you.
    Best Wishes,
    Mike

    1. Seeing as it’s a 10 teamer, there are probably decent qbs on waivers most of the time. If that is indeed the case, I’d get Rainey. I’d wait to see how Cousins produces against a decent team before I added him.

      1. You are right about QB’s in our 10 team league.

        Thank you!

  5. Post By The_Based_Gruden

    Well… IT looks like I need to consider playing both sproles and McCoy together from now on… Would you consider trying to trade sproles and Greene or even Richardson for Lacy. (Hes weak at RB)… My stable currently consists of R. Jennings, McCoy, Sproles, Greene and Murray stashed.

    1. Post By The_Based_Gruden

      Add Richardson to that stable.

      I could even throw in a WR instead to sweeten the deal… Got Jefferey, Harvin, Benjamin, Evans, and Hunter.. That’s good sirs a heavy RosterWatch Cheat sheet team.

    2. I might actually consider playing both of them after this Monday performance. I think you’re good at rb as is.

  6. I have $73 of FAAB remaining, I have McCoy but lost Mathews. I have Jeremy Hill, MJD, Asiata, and McKinnon.14 team, ppr, Davis and D. Brown are available, thinking of going all in on both.

    1. northface28-

      We like both of those guys as high waiver priority- but we wouldn’t go all in on either of them this early in the season. Save yourself something to navigate the rest of the season. Davis is probably only a short term play, and Brown remains to be seen how many actual fantasy points he will produce with the increase in touches. We wouldn’t feel guilty rolling out McCoy and Hill for the time being. If you are going all in to try and win this week- then we like Davis more. Good luck

  7. Lacy & Lev Bell are my RB1&2 right now.

    Got Doug Martin, Carlos Hyde, & Ryan Matthews on my bench.

    Would u suggest replacing some1 on my bench for any of these guys:
    Sproles, A. Bradshaw, Knile Davis, Bobby Rainey, Khiry R & Bernard Pierce are all on the waiver wire.

    My bench is short, so I’d have to drop 1 to pick up 1.

    I’m #3 in waiver priority. 8 Team 1ptPPR.

    Thnx! ~Nikki

    1. Nikki-
      Your bench is pretty stout. The only guy I might drop is Hyde and only for Sproles, Pierce, or Bradshaw. The other guys are good, but they’re more temporary fill ins until the guys they backup get healthy. Sproles, Pierce, and Bradshaw should hold value regardless if other players are healthy or not. I’d waiver priority them in that order.

  8. Larry Donnell or Charles Clay – this week and moving forward?

    1. That’s hard. Donnell is producing, but Clay is getting major targets and it just hasn’t shown yet. I give the slight edge to Donnell on both fronts, as he’s all that Eli Manning can seem to connect with right now.

      1. Thanks for the convincing answer… LOL. I can’t have both, so you lean Donnell!?

        1. Ha,there’s no convincing answer there. I see their outlooks as very similar at this point. I would take Sanu over both if I was weak at WR.

  9. Kelvin Benjamin or Jeremy Hill at Flex? 1 PPR.

    1. Or even Toby… but can’t hardly trust him…. also have Mike Floyd I could play but with out Palmer, not too excited about that.

    2. I lean Benjamin there. I’d like to see Hill get consistent touches in a couple of games before rolling with him

      1. You like Sanu there if I can pick him up?

  10. I need to pick up a strong RB for the next month. Rank the following for a 10 team non-PPR: K. Davis, D. Brown, Rainey.

    1. heather, I rank them in the order you have them listed. Good Luck

  11. What does RosterWatch think of Niles Paul????

    1. If you’d read my garbage grab article on saturday, you would know! I love Paul for as long as Reed is out.

      1. Thanks. So much good stuff on the site, can’t get to it all… 🙂

  12. Is Witten going to produce? Or should I trade for Ertz?

    1. With the rededication to the run in dallas, Witten will be more inconsistent, but I don’t see Ertz as much of an upgrade. It would have to be a one for one or two for two deal.

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