(Image credit: Andy Patton/USA Today Sports)
By: Jett Rosenstein
Twitter: @rosey_jett
Welcome back to “The Playbook!” Believe it or not, we are already 2 weeks into the NFL season. Guys like Cooper Kupp and Kyler Murray have skyrocketed to the top of their position, while high-touted breakout candidates like Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Antonio Gibson have gotten off to slow starts. To get Week 3 underway, I will be looking at some of my favorite start/sits, defensive streams, buy low/sell high candidates, and much more. Let’s get into it!
START
QB Teddy Bridgewater (DEN)
After being immersed in a QB battle all of training camp, Teddy Bridgewater has proved the higher-ups in Denver right so far. While he has played 2 subpar teams to begin the season, he has looked great finishing no worse than QB15 and averaging close to 21 PPG. In Week 3, he has another matchup against the NY Jets who look extremely dysfunctional right now. For those who stream the QB position, Bridgewater is a great play who should continue to put up numbers once again this week.
RB Ty’Son Williams (BAL)
Coming into training camp, Ty’Son Williams was buried on the Ravens depth chart, but a few injuries have catapulted him to a bigger role. While he is in a committee with Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman, Williams has been the most productive despite some fumbling issues. Williams gets a great matchup here in Week 3 against the Lions. The Lions are currently allowing the 2nd most fantasy PPG to RBs after Aaron Jones went wild on MNF. Look for Williams to potentially have his best game thus far with the Lions seemingly unable to stop any rushing attack.
WR Sterling Shepard (NYG)
After years of mediocrity, is this the year Sterling Shepard puts it all together? Daniel Jones has loved looking Shepard’s way throughout the first 2 weeks of the season. 9 targets in Week 1 and 10 targets in Week 2. That has led to consecutive Top 20 performances. Now, the Giants play host to an Atlanta Falcons team that looks lost. The Falcons are giving up the 11th most fantasy PPG to WRs so look for Shepard to continue his hot streak and continue to build his case for the best waiver wire pick of the year thus far.
SIT
RB Darrell Henderson Jr. (LAR)
Darrell Henderson has looked very good thus far as the lead back for the Rams. Now, he has a tough test against the Buccaneers that seemingly always have an answer for the opposing team’s rushing attack. On top of that, Henderson is not fully healthy and could be in danger of missing this game anyways. Regardless, if Henderson goes in this game or not, I don’t trust anyone in this backfield to have a great outing.
Saints WRs
After a promising start to the season for the Saints offense, they fell flat on their face in Week 2 against the Panthers. What was supposed to be a breakout season for Marquez Callaway has yet to come to fruition. He has 5 PPR points through 2 games. So far, the best WR on this team has been Deonte Harris and his numbers are inflated by 1 long TD. Hopefully, you have a better option than Callaway or Harris, cause they are in for a tough test against a stout Patriots defense.
WR Brandin Cooks (HOU)
Brandin Cooks has looked phenomenal through 2 weeks of the season as the alpha receiver on a rebuilding Texans squad. He has accumulated 21 targets which is 6th best in the NFL. Despite all of these positives, it is going to get a little tougher in Week 3. After developing solid chemistry with QB Tyrod Taylor, Davis Mills will now be taking over due to injury. They will be up against a Panthers squad that has been stingy against opposing WRs. They have allowed the 5th fewest fantasy PPG (27.45). You may not have a better option than Cooks, but I would temper expectations for the Thursday Night Showdown.
BUY LOW
RB Antonio Gibson (WFT)
Throughout the offseason and into training camp, Washington’s coaching staff had said they were looking to try and put Antonio Gibson in a “Christian McCaffrey-like role.” Thus far, that has not been the case. He has got decent volume on the ground but has not been as involved through the air. Part of that is due to JD McKissic’s involvement in those situations. Despite all of this, I believe Gibson is a nice buy-low candidate at the moment. He has yet to find the end zone and as the season progresses, he should find a way to get more work through the air. Check in on a fantasy owner that may be panicking on Gibson and see if you can get him for a bargain.
WR DK Metcalf (SEA)
Through 2 weeks of play, DK Metcalf has largely been overshadowed by his fellow WR Tyler Lockett, who has put together a strong start to the year. While DK hasn’t gotten going just yet, there are better days ahead. DK is still the WR1 on this team and there will be plenty of games where Tyler Lockett will play second-fiddle to DK and vice versa. Talent and opportunity always win out, therefore, making DK a great buy-low candidate before he has that signature game that will elevate his stock back to his draft-day price.
SELL HIGH
RB Derrick Henry (TEN)
Derrick Henry seemingly could not get anything going through 6 quarters of his 2021 campaign. Then in the late stages of the game versus Seattle, he looked like the Derrick Henry we all know and love. He got loose for a big run and ended the day with 48 PPR points. Henry will be amongst the top RBs once again, but this is a prime opportunity to see what you can get from him. While Henry was involved in the passing game in Week 2, historically that has not been a part of his game. If you are able to get a haul in return, set him free.
WR Tyler Lockett (SEA)
As was previously mentioned, DK Metcalf hasn’t gotten going just yet due to the remarkable start from Tyler Lockett. While Lockett is an integral part of the Seahawks offense and a mainstay among fantasy lineups, it may be a good idea to test the market. Lockett has been known for his big weeks while sprinkling in some bad ones. Currently, the WR2 in PPR leagues, that will most likely not continue. See if you can get someone that has just as much upside, but more consistency in return.
DEFENSIVE STREAM OF THE WEEK
Arizona Cardinals Defense (Available in 47% of Yahoo Leagues)
The Arizona Cardinals are in a great position to put up big fantasy numbers for Week 3 as they head to Jacksonville. They currently rank as the 9th best defense in fantasy and will be going up against a Jaguars team that is currently allowing the 9th most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t looked great in the early going so look for this revamped Cardinals defense to force some turnovers. They are available in almost all of Yahoo leagues, so if you are still in need of a defense or cannot decide on one, this is my favorite option for Week 3.
THE 5
Predictions for the Top 5 at each position heading into Week 3
QB
1. Kyler Murray (ARI)
2. Josh Allen (BUF)
3. Lamar Jackson (BAL)
4. Patrick Mahomes (KC)
5. Jalen Hurts (PHI)
RB
1. Dalvin Cook (MIN)
2. Christian McCaffrey (CAR)
3. Austin Ekeler (LAC)
4. Jonathan Taylor (IND)
5. Saquon Barkley (NYG)
WR
1. Stefon Diggs (BUF)
2. Davante Adams (GB)
3. DK Metcalf (SEA)
4. AJ Brown (TEN)
5. Calvin Ridley (ATL)
TE
1. Darren Waller
2. TJ Hockenson
3. Travis Kelce
4. Rob Gronkowski
5. George Kittle