With the week two injury disaster now in the rear-view, week three should come back to reliable levels while seeing other talents take the next step. Matchup play is only one aspect to this madness, with team dynamics taking a front seat to how each club has been utilizing their abilities. Already, we have seen a flip-flop of top end players taking a backseat early – but this should be the week most came back and reward you for drafting them where you did. Buckle up as we are in for another crazy ride!
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Ryan Tannehill (TEN)
At this point of the season, Ryan Tannehill clearly has picked up where he left off a year ago and can be trusted to provide sound numbers. Having no turnovers to his name as of today and facing the Vikings who can’t stop a cold on defense – this will be a showing of extreme point production. Very safe start here.
Even though this may be something of a risk, seeing rookie Joe Burrow be trusted by his coach to throw 60-plus passes last week was incredible. Clearly, Burrow is capable of handling that type of work and showed improvement as the last contest moved forward. Going up against the Eagles and their spotty defense – Burrow is ready to make a name for himself. Some risk, but the reward should be strong.
David Montgomery (CHI)
In our eyes, the Bears seem to be pretenders given the level of competition they`ve gone up against in the first two weeks. Facing the Falcons who do give up loads of points to the position, we could see the run game abandoned if the score gets out of hand. Nevertheless, Atlanta is a complete mess on defense and can be trusted to give up yards in bunches. Finding the endzone should be a formality.
Over the course of the offseason, we preached Leonard Fournette and didn’t jump ship when he found his way to Tampa. Now after last weeks showing of gaining involvement in the offense, get ready for his role to continue to increase so long as he can produce. Tom Brady wants to win and will push for his playing time if yards and touchdowns are gained. Easy start this week.
With so many talented rookie running backs to enter the league this offseason, the Chargers Joshua Kelley went somewhat under the radar. While we did show this rookie love before the year began, clearly we didn’t preach him enough. Being the perfect compliment to Austin Ekeler and now with Justin Herbert behind center – this will lift Kelley that much more. Verse the Panthers league worst defense, fire him up with ease.
Russell Gage (ATL)
Reports indicate that star Julio Jones may sit this week with an injured hamstring opening the door for Russell Gage to receive more targets. Atlanta has again proven to be a pass happy club with ability to support all pass catchers on the roster. We were high on Gage late last season and the push for him this year continues. He is a glorious slot weapon.
At this point, how can you fade the Bills John Brown and what he continues to do. Playing secondary role to Stefon Diggs, it actually has increased his value as we suspected. Brown now sees secondary coverage with no double teams, while the Bills offensive coordinator has installed the screen passes – massive wins. Facing the Rams where Jalen Ramsey will try to lock down Diggs, Brown has appeal for days.
The next young super star that will make you take notice is the Steelers Diontae Johnson. Becoming a favorite target for Ben Roethlisberger early, the target share is coming. Facing the Houston Texans who have had issues stopping high powered offenses, the Steelers should also exploit that weakness and Johnson should again have a very sound day. His role is only going to increase as the year moves forward.
Tyler Higbee (LAR)
Some may believe a suggestion to play a tight end who just blew up is an easy evaluation – but verse the Bills who have struggled to cover this position is where we preach. Tyler Higbee showed the world what he could do verse lesser line backers and the points just rolled in. The Bills have a similar issue as their line backing core isn’t overly adept in locking tight ends down. Higbee will be leaned on to make plays once again.
In terms of an easy evaluation, the 49ers Jordan Reed is as easy as they come. With George Kittle once again missing in action for week three – Reed will be the trusted target for a club that has injures for days. Even with Nick Mullens the starter this week, Reed should find the endzone once again.
Kirk Cousins (MIN)
At this point, there is no conceivable situation you can comfortably start and play the Vikings Kirk Cousins. This team as a whole has so many issues and yet we believed the garbage time points would come – they haven’t. The Vikings defense is so bad that lifting Cousins with fantasy points was the thought, but his play in itself has been dreadful. Move along, nothing to see here.
Even though the Raiders looked like world beaters this past week verse the Saints, this could be the week they come back down to earth. Reports are showing that Darren Waller has been nursing injuries which is a major concern for Derek Carr and his fantasy outlook. While we do like the Raiders overall, we`ll play it safe this week and sit Carr.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)
Are we overly surprised that the rookie week one revelation saw a massive downgrade in week two? NOPE! Understanding how teams adjust, is one major aspect in predicting fantasy football success. Its not that Chiefs won’t attempt to ride CEH, but opposing defenses now have tape to dissect in how to slow him down. This isn’t necessarily a must sit evaluation, but more of buyer-beware. Facing the Ravens stout defense is a risk that could be tough to overcome. Play at your own risk.
At this point, the Patriots Sony Michel can’t be trusted until he shows us anything tangible. The Patriots offense does look good with Cam Newton behind center, but Michel couldn’t even muster enough to make us take notice last week or the week prior to that. Michel could get a bigger role this week and show something – but we will not be apart of suggesting to suit him up for your team.
Here we find another speculative sit candidate, simply going up against the Bears tough front seven. Its not that we don’t like the play of Todd Gurley this week, but are playing it safe. Atlanta will try to establish the run to control the clock but could jump right back into feeding the pass in bunches, leaving Gurley touchdown dependant. Risky play this week, but understand if he’s your only option.
TY Hilton (IND)
As we stand today, the Colts TY Hilton has completely lost our favor and we cannot suggest starting him whatsoever. Our initial thought from promoting Hilton this offseason was Phillip Rivers – but at this point, he’s shown to not be able to get him the ball. Until that changes and Hilton is used a lot more, the bench is where we shall keep him.
This is one of the most difficult sit recommendations we’ve made in quite some time. Stefon Diggs has fit in with the Bills so well it’s like hot sauce on buffalo wings! However, facing Jalen Ramsey will come with issue as he still is one of the best corners in the entire NFL. This is a true test for the Bills to show what they are made of and Diggs could surprise us too. To play it safe – we want to see what happens before we sound off the good graces.
The history has proven to not trust Will Fuller and again he did it to all of us. Not getting a target last week while playing decoy with a hamstring issue – he ruined everyone’s day that started him. This week facing the Steelers stout defense, we will not promote this sideshow. Fuller is the worst for fantasy football and we will not be sucked in again – well, at least for this week.
Evan Engram (NYG)
We’ve been saying it all offseason and nothing has changed here. Evan Engram has become one of the biggest busts loaded with talent. Its not to say he can’t find that magic we all thought he would – but as of today, we will not support him in fantasy until his numbers see anything of consistency. Move right alone, can’t play him.
As we stand, we must apologize to the masses who took our word to draft Eric Ebron in hopes he would find traction with the Steelers. Nothing credible has materialized and its due in part to the numerous weapons on the roster. Ebron is now fixed into solely a matchup role and that doesn’t guarantee any points. Until we see success, Ebron isn’t it.
Mitchell Trubisky (CHI)
When it comes to the Bears and Mitchell Trubisky, he still is very tough to trust, but the matchup is mouth watering. The Falcons hemorrhage points to opposing quarterbacks and this should lift the Bears quarterback to decent levels. The landscape of passers is very fluid and securing that edge is always needed. If you need an upgrade this week – Trubisky could be that light.
Over the first two weeks, we have been very critical on Carson Wentz, but this is the week we come back to favor him. The Eagles host the Bengals and should take every advantage in adjusting verse a weaker defense. The Eagles are in desperation mode and will scheme up everything possible to gain yards and touchdowns. Miles Sanders lifted them last week and will help take them over the top. Wentz should have a great day.
Jonathan Taylor (IND)
Is it possible to be more excited about Jonathan Taylor after two weeks? We have been all over the Taylor wagon when he came to the Colts and we can’t stop the excitement. Taylor hasn’t seen his breakout game just yet and could witness that come to fruition in week three. Facing the Jets and their injury plagued roster – Taylor is ripe to pick them apart. Fire up this rookie and smile.
Thus far, Devin Singletary hasn’t seen much traction as far as the Bills game plan is concerned, but this week should tell a different tale. Not only is rookie Zack Moss on the shelf with an injury, but the Bills will have to control the clock and be multi-dimensional to beat the Rams. We should witness more screen passes and dedication to the run, making this back a very sound play. There is risk for bust, but it’s a risk we are willing to take.
With the injury to Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson is now in a privileged role to take touches and make things happen. Granted, the 49ers are also littered with injury and will struggle to provide any top end numbers. However, coach Kyle Shanahan is one of a kind and can expel everything form the talent he puts on the field. Wilson is a risky start, but his ceiling is quite high this week.
CeeDee Lamb (DAL)
For the second week in a row, we are lifting CeeDee Lamb to the level of big play start because of how the Cowboys seem to be operating. Getting Lamb the ball is an easy request, as his teammates pull so much coverage from his direction. Lamb is super talented and displayed that last week and should again feast. Playing the Seahawks who gave up a lot in the pass last week – Lamb is a safe bet to score points.
Can we say revenge game here – absolutely! Robert Woods comes back to Buffalo where he was drafted and should be on point to stick it to his old club. The Rams haven’t utilized their receivers as much in the first two weeks, but this could be the game that comes back to plan. Woods is a safe bet for PPR points, but scoring a touchdown in Buffalo would be the cherry on top for him. A big day could be on the horizon.
We truly don’t like promoting players who played well the week before just by default. However, Michael Thomas is likely out for this match again, and Tre’Quan Smith held the best in terms of chemistry with Drew Brees. Smith should be the priority again this week and could earn well in the flex spot. Some risk for potential good reward.
Dalton Schultz (DAL)
When we discussed Blake Jarwin, we really didn’t have much positive to promote. Now with Dalton Schultz taking his spot – we are over the moon. Schultz is much more put together as a pass catcher than Jarwin and Dallas has realized that. Having a big role in the offense should continue as the mismatches are all over the field for this team. We have no issue playing Schultz and it could become a weekly event.
The Bengals Drew Sample is a player that wasn’t highly regarded as a playmaker but more of a blocking tight end. Now being thrust into the starting role for what could be the rest of the season, he is a sneaky plug-in play! Sample has Joe Burrow at his disposal and many teams will not put much attention to his direction. Sample has a very low floor but his ceiling is touchdowns with good target share. If you need a tight end – he is worth a shot.
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