The Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 3 of the NFL Season

 

Sheesh, Week 2 felt like the equivalent of the “Red Wedding” from Game of Thrones. So many heartbreaking losses, but hey that’s the NFL and that’s why this column exists. Here’s what to do moving forward into Week 3…

 

 

 

Bengals – 30 @ Browns – 35

 

• Bengals TE C.J. Uzomah went down to a torn achilles in Week 1, leaving 2nd year TE Drew Sample to take over the starting role in Cincy. The TE is a rookie QB’s best friend, and Sample(7 rec/45 yards) ended Thursday night 2nd in targets(9) to only A.J. Green(13). Sample needs to be owned in all formats.

 

• Through 2 games, Joe Burrow is averaging over 20 FPG – not bad for a rookie. His O-line is garbage, but Burrow is showing enough poise to believe in him as a regular fantasy contributor. He’s still unowned in 25% of leagues. 

 

• Tee Higgins played in 3-wide sets for the Bengals on Thursday, ahead of John Ross. No big game for the rookie, but the snaps(23) were a good sign. With A.J. Green only picking up 29 yards on 13 targets, the Bengals would be wise to get Higgins more involved.

 

• Let’s not get it twisted, the Browns won, but Baker Mayfield was pretty pedestrian in the victory. Possibilities for mistakes were limited as he only threw the ball 23 times on the night – Odell Beckham led in targets with only 6. The Browns did and will continue to lean on their running game to buoy their offense, making Kareem Hunt an every week flex at worst. Both he and Chubb will get enough action to start both of them weekly. 

 

Jaguars – 30 @ Titans – 33

 

• The Jaguars continue to lean on UDFA James Robinson in the running game(16 car/102 yards/1 TD), as he led the Jaguars with 16 carries on Sunday. With a 6.4 YPC average, Robinson will likely hold onto the job even when Ryquell Armstead and Devine Ozigbo return to the fold. Robinson is still unowned in 30% of leagues. Let’s get that number down. 

 

• D.J. Chark is 4th on the team in targets after 2 weeks, with just 7 on the season. Gardner Minshew plays no favorites, and he’s not going to force the ball to Chark, especially now that defenses see him as the top receiving option. Keelan Cole(6 rec/58 yards/1 TD) is emerging as a real weekly threat and should be owned in 12-team and larger formats. 

 

• Speaking of weekly threats, Lavishka Shenault is getting enough action in both the run and passing game(72 all-purpose yards) to warrant weekly flex consideration in PPR formats. He’s only going to get better folks. Pick him up!

 

• Jonnu Smith(4 rec/84 yards/2 TD) is turning into the weekly TE 1 that I’ve been saying he would all Summer. He’s still unowned in less than 70% of leagues folks. 

 

• Milk this Corey Davis(3 rec/36 yards/1 TD) action as long as you can. Things are going to get awkward whenever A.J. Brown returns, for both players, but Davis looks like a safe start for the time being. Slot man Adam Humphries(5 rec/48 yards/1 TD) deserves a long look in PPR formats as well. 

 

Panthers – 17 @ Buccaneers – 31

 

• Christian McCaffrey suffered an ankle injury that took him out of the game on Sunday and left him questionable to return – He will miss 4 to 6 weeks.  Mike Davis needs to be added if you’re a CMC owner and maybe otherwise. He’s not a sexy add, but he’ll be effective and his floor should be considerably high. Trenton Cannon is the next in line and should be added in deeper formats. 

 

• Curtis Samuel(2 rec/13 yards) was the odd man out in the Panthers WR corps for the 2nd week. Even if CMC sits this week, he’s not an advisable start and can probably be dropped for a hot waiver add. 

 

• Well that was quick. Leonard Fournette unseated Ronald Jones as the Bucs’ lead back in Week 2, to great effect(16 tou/123 yards/2 TD). Fournette took over after a Jones fumble and ran with it. With only 3.3 YPC to Fournette’s 8.6 YPC, Jones can’t be relied upon in 12 team leagues or smaller. 

 

• I expected a big game for Scotty Miller(2 rec/11 yards), but he only received 3 targets on the day to Mike Evans‘ 10 and LeSean McCoy‘s 7. With the Bucs leading big from the start, he wasn’t necessary. He’s worth owning in deeper leagues, but I can’t advise starting him this week against the Broncos. And no, McCoy still isn’t worth adding. 

 

Broncos – 21 @ Steelers – 26

 

• Drew Lock is out for 2-6 weeks with a shoulder injury, making Jeff Driskel the starter in Denver. Driskel(256 yards/2 TD/1 INT) played well in Lock’s absence against one of the best defenses in the league, so that’s an encouraging sign. If you were depending on Lock for any reason, Driskel is a reasonable add. 

 

• Cortland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler each had at least 6 targets in this one, and this kind of usage should continue in negative gamescripts like the one they’ll probably have against Tampa this week. Hamler is probably the only one of those guys who’s available, and he makes for an intriguing PPR option this week. 

 

• Diontae Johnson was the overwhelming target leader(13) for the Steelers in Week 2, and he has 23 targets on the season. Emerging as the team’s no.1 receiving option, he’s still available in about 15% of leagues. 

 

• Rookie Chase Claypool had a big day against Denver, but 84 of his 88 total yards came on one play. He’s not getting enough targets to warrant weekly fantasy consideration.

 

Rams – 37 @ Eagles – 19

 

• With Cam Akers(ribs) and Malcolm Brown(finger) dealing with injuries, Darrell Henderson(14 tou/121 yards/1 TD) may lead the Rams backfield against the Bills. He’s a top waiver add this week at only 32% ownership. 

 

• Van Jefferson(4 rec/45 yards) continues to work his way into the Rams plans and should be owned in dynasty and keeper formats. His involvement will only increase, and he would be a major contributor if something were to happen to Robert Woods or Cooper Kupp. 

 

• Phew. Miles Sanders is ok after a Week 1 scare, although the Eagles look like trash through 2 weeks. Boston Scott can go back to benches.

 

• Though just 5th in targets, Jalen Reagor(4 rec/41 yards) played more snaps(61) than any Eagles receiver against the Rams. He’s going to start showing up in the box score with that kind of weekly action. 

 

49ers – 31 @ Jets – 13

 

• Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a high ankle sprain, and could be out from 4 to 6 weeks. Nick Mullens relieved him and proceeded to go 8 for 11 with 71 yards and an INT. Mullens last started 8 games in 2018 and threw 13 TD to 10 INT, so that’s what we’re working with. 

 

• Kendrick Bourne(4 rec/65 yards) led the 49ers in receiving with Deebo Samuel and Georg Kittle sidelined. Brandon Aiyuk played limited snaps in his first start but could see his usage increase, as long as Kittle and Samuel are out. 

 

• Raheem Mostert has a mild ACL sprain and could miss a week or more. Tevin Coleman got the bulk of carries(14) in his absence, but he only gained 12 yards on the day. Jerrick McKinnon was much more effective, picking up 77 yards and a TD. Both are advisable pickups this week while we wait on more news out of SF. I feel like McKinnon is the better upside pick, but it’s hard to argue with Coleman’s usage. 

 

• The Jets are a dumpster fire, so take all of this with a grain of salt. Frank Gore led the team with 21 carries for 63 yards and was involved even when they trailed significantly. He’s no spring chicken, but Gore could actually help a lot of teams out right now, considering the carnage that went on in Week 2. 

 

• Braxton Berrios(6 rec/59 yards/1 TD) led the Jets in receiving, for what it’s worth, and could provide some PPR value as long as Jamison Crowder is sidelined. 

 

Bills – 31 @ Dolphins – 28

 

• Josh Allen wouldn’t be denied on Sunday, putting up over 400 yards and 4 TD. With the league high in 4-wide sets thus far, multiple WRs could eat every week. Rookie Gabriel Davis has played in at least 40% of the Bills offensive snaps, and though he only caught one pass on Sunday, it was a TD and he should stay involved moving forward. He’s a nice speculative add in dynasty and deeper formats. 

 

• Zach Moss and Devin Singeltary had a close to even timeshare on Sunday, 8 to 10 carries. Both are decent flex options in 12 + team leagues. 

 

• Myles Gaskin(13 tou/82 yards) is still a backup according to OC Chan Gailey, but he out-touched all Miami backs for the second straight week. His involvement in the running and passing game in negative game scripts makes him a valuable asset right now, with all the injuries going around. He needs to be owned, as does TE Mike Gesicki(8 rec/129 yards/1 TD), who’s still unowned in over 30% of leagues.

 

• Isaiah Ford had the most targets(9) and yards (76)for the Dolphins WRs, but that was in large part to Prerston Williams being covered by Tre’Davious White. Ford is worth a look in deep leagues, as the Dolphins are going to have to throw a lot to stay in games, but don’t get too excited. 

 

Vikings – 11 @ Colts – 28

 

• Kirk Cousins has a $96 million dollar contract. Kirk Cousins threw for 113 yards and 3 INT on Sunday – And people get on Dak Prescott‘s case for wanting to get paid. Please. As usual, Cousins is off to a slow first half of the season, although the loss of Stefon Diggs makes this an even uglier start than usual. No Vikings pass-catcher other than Adam Thielen is worth considering at this point.

 

• Jonathan Taylor took over the Colts backfield in Marlon Mack‘s stead. It wasn’t even Hines behind Taylor on Sunday, that role went to Jordan Wilikins who carried the ball 9 times. The Colts were playing with a lead, so Hines’ services weren’t necessary. He’s still worth owning, but you’re going to have to pick and choose what spots you play him in. He’s not an advisable start against the Jets this week. Wilkins might be a shrewd daily play though, as the Colts are likely to run away with this one. 

 

• Mo-Allie Cox(5 rec/111 yards) started in place of an injured Jack Doyle and the former basketball star did not disappoint. If Doyle can’t go, MAC makes for a decent streamer versus the horrendous Jets this week. 

 

• Parris Campbell can’t seem to escape the injury bug, as he went down again, this time to a PCL injury. He avoided an ACL tear, but he’ll miss time. Zach Pascal scored in his absence, but it was rooke Michael Pittman who tied with Cox for the target lead(6). Pittman is worth a look in deeper formats as potentially the no.2 WR in Indy for the time being. 

 

Lions – 21 @ Packers – 42

 

• The Lions backfield rotation is frustrating to say the least. It was Kerryon Johnson who scored this week, but neither he nor Adrian Peterson are more than low ceiling flex plays right now. D’Andre Swift provides the most upside, as he’s heavily involved in the passing. 

 

• If you take away the scoring, no Lions WR had more than 4 receptions or 54 yards on the day, an underwhelming game on the whole. This offense sorely misses Kenny Golladay, who is slated to return this week. Only Marvin Jones is worth flexing opposite Golladay, if that’s the case. 

 

• Davante Adams suffered two separate injuries on Sunday, though neither seem serious. Still, both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard need to be added this week as a precaution, in that order of priority. 

 

Falcons – 39 @ Cowboys – 40

 

• With Julio Jones getting all the attention in the passing game, Matt Ryan is going to his other WRs, and they’re not disappointing. Russell Gage(6 rec/46 yards/1 TD) needs to be added in most formats, as he’s garnered 12 and 9 targets over the first 2 weeks of the season. 

 

• Don’t look now but CeeDee Lamb(6 rec/106 yards) is already turning into the premier pass-catcher for the Cowboys. I said it this Summer, and I’m not backing down: Lamb is my favorite to lead the Cowboys in receiving this season. 

 

• Dalton Schultz(9 rec/88 yards/1 TD) looks like an apt fill-in for Blake Jarwin, leading the Cowboys in targets(10) in Week 2. He’s worth streaming, as long as Jarwin sits. 

 

Giants – 13 @ Bears – 17

 

• The worst news of the day has to be for Saquon Barkley, who tore his ACL on Sunday. His season is over, and he’ll have surgery shortly. A lot of people expect the Giants to sign Devonta Freeman imminently, and I don’t disagree with that move. He should be a high-priority speculative add in all formats. Wayne Gallman and Deon Lewis would take over the backfield otherwise. Gallman was inactive on Sunday, and that’s why you didn’t see him in the game after the injury. 

 

• Sterling Shepard is dealing with a case of turf toe and could miss the next 2 weeks. Darius Slayton is widely owned, but Golden Tate is still available in over 60% of leagues. 

 

• The Bears won, but their offense was anemic outside of contributions from David Montgomery and rookie Darnell Mooney. Mitch Trubisky landed firmly back on earth after a transcendent Week 1, throwing 2 INT and less than 200 yards. As much as we hope for an Anthony Miller breakout, I’m not sure it’s possible in this offense. Mooney deserves consideration in dynasty formats, as he’s playing as the no.2 WR in Chicago right now. Allen Robinson did have 9 targets, but they were low yielding. 

 

Washington – 15 @ Cardinals – 30

 

• One week after leading Washington in carries, Peyton Barber was relegated to 1 carry against Arizona. He can be dropped in most formats, as the team is intent on getting Antonio Gibson more touches, and J.D. McKissic is a more effective back. McKissic actually deserves consideration in deeper leagues, or if you lost your RB in Week 2. He was actually the best looking back on Sunday, with 6.6 YPC. 

 

• The buck stops with Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas in the Washington passing game, as distribution is limited. Thomas definitely needs to be owned in 12 team leagues though, as he’s been 2nd in team targets to only McLaurin thus far. 

 

• Christian Kirk is wasting away in the Arizona WR corps. 49 of his 57 yards came on one play, and he had only 4 targets on the day. He can be dropped in 12 team leagues as his productive days could be few and far between, especially with Andy Isabella working into the offense. 

 

Chiefs – 23 @ Chargers – 20

 

• Darrel Williams left the game with an ankle injury on Sunday. Darwin Thompson took over as the no.2 back behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire but probably won’t see significant action against Baltimore this week. 

 

• Sammy Watkins sustained a concussion related injury Sunday, forcing him from the game. He’s got to clear concussion protocol to be cleared for Week 3, otherwise Mecole Hardman could step in in what would be a tough matchup. 

 

• Justin Herbert was solid in his first outing, and he could be in line to make another start this week, if Tyrod Taylor(chest) can’t go. I’d be a little wary of starting him though, as rookie QBs often do well in their first game or two, until defenses get tape on them. He should be at least serviceable against Carolina this week.

 

• Joshua Kelley led the Chargers backfield, out-carrying Austin Ekeler 23 to 16. Kelley also caught 2 passes for 49 yards. Only 39% owned, Kelley is an every week flex until further notice. 

 

Ravens – 33 @ Texans -16

 

• The Ravens backfield was a committee once again this week, with J.K. Dobbins taking the backseat this time. Gus Edwards actually led Baltimore in rushing, as he closed out the game when the Ravens had a lead. The Ravens play the Chiefs this week though, so I don’t expect Edwards to get enough action to use him in fantasy

 

• No Ravens WR had a fantasy worthy day, but it is worth mentioning that Miles Boykin(4 rec/ 38 yards)was 2nd to Marquise Brown in targets because the Ravens will need all the firepower they can get against the Chiefs this week. Boykin is a sneaky upside play.

 

• The Texans looked lost on Sunday, and Will Fuller(0/0) was nowhere to be seen. No injury was reported, yet he was seen stretching on the sideline and came in and out of the game. Looks like we might be in for another aggravating season from Fuller. Brandin Cooks is probably owned in your league, but Randall Cobb had a promising 6 targets for 59 yards against Baltimore, and TE Jordan Akins was actually 2nd in targets(7) to Cook(8).

 

Patriots – 30 @ Seahawks – 35

 

• Cam Newton threw the ball the best I’ve seen him throw it in years on Sunday night. His single passing TD went to a fullback, so that’s not promising for his WR corps, but he put up enough yardage to make Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry and Damiere Byrd all relevant in PPR formats. Not every week is going to be a shootout like it was with the Seahawks, but it’s encouraging to know Cam still has it in him. Harry led the team in targets(12) and should be picked up if you have the space. He has a cherry matchup with the Raiders this week. 

 

• James White missed the game due to a horrific car accident involving his parents. We wish the best for White, who is likely to return for Week 3. Rex Burkhead(4 rec/47 yards) got quite a bit of run in his stead and would be a low floor flex should White happen to sit this week. 

 

• Russell Wilson looked like the best deep ball QB in the league on Sunday night, throwing 5 perfect TDs to 5 different pass-catchers on the night. That being said, only Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf are advisable starts in the passing game moving forward, as no other players had more than 3 targets and 48 yards on the night.