Fantasy Football Watch Week 3: Who’s in? Who’s out?

Preview of Week 3 in the NFL & Fantasy Football

Here we are, we’ve reached Week 3 of the NFL season, and your fantasy football slate. While the season won’t be won or lost this week, the results of this week can have a major impact on your season. Avoiding an 0-3 start is crucial, and getting to 2-1 and above .500 is a big plus early on.

 

Waiver Wonders: Who to Add

Joshua Kelley (RB), Los Angeles Chargers

Kelley has been seeing more touches than anticipated this early in 2020. Kelley has the same amount of carries as Austin Ekeler, but the advantage for Kelley is that he has been their go to guy in the red zone. At this point, with so many running backs injured, Kelley should be on a roster in most leagues.

Jerick McKinnon (RB), San Francisco 49ers

If you’re in a real pinch, McKinnon is a good guy to add and throw in as a potential RB2. The 49ers have a ton of injuries, and that means McKinnon should see a bigger role in that offense. Last week, he only had three carries but did rack up 77 yards and a score.

 

Week 3 Should Be Starters

Allen Robinson (WR), Chicago Bears

Robinson is a guy I’d recommend starting every week. While he has been off to a slow start in fantasy this year, Week 3 should be his breakout week. The Atlanta Falcons haven’t really played much defense through two weeks, and a top end talent like Allen Robinson shouldn’t struggle with them. Atlanta is missing multiple members of it’s already weak secondary. So don’t give up on Allen Robinson. This week should be his best yet. 

Allen Lazard/Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR’s), Green Bay Packers

If you are struggling to find someone to have in the flex, one of these guys should suffice this week. Davante Adams’ status for the Packers Sunday night showdown against the Saints is up in the air, which means one of these Packers receivers will step up.

Valdes-Scantling has seen more targets this season, but Lazard is widely viewed as the Packers second best receiver. Obviously these guys aren’t top options, but in a deeper league (10 or 12+ teams) they could be valuable assets.

Dallas Goedert (TE), Philadelphia Eagles

I’ll probably just put Goedert down as a guy who should start every week. He’s not quite a top-level tight end, but he is a very solid starter. The Eagles are once again lacking depth for their pass catchers, and that means Goedert will continue to see a handful of targets every week.

Diontae Johnson (WR), Pittsburgh Steelers

After two weeks of play, Johnson is starting to make a case for himself as a fantasy football starter. He’s seen 23 targets in two games. That’s around 30% of the Steelers targets. Anyone who’s seeing that many passes coming their way should be in most lineups. If you have Johnson on your bench, it’s about time to start looking at him as a starter.

 

Week 3 Worriers

Jonnu Smith (TE), Tennessee Titans

Many people are high on Smith this season, and through two weeks they look awfully smart. I like Smith as a fantasy tight end, but he has me worried. Fantasy football is all about opportunity, and for receivers and tight ends, that means targets. Smith has only twelve targets this year, but he has three touchdowns. That seems like an unsustainable pace for his fantasy production. While he may see more targets due to the A.J. Brown injury, I’d be wary of Jonnu Smith until we see him continue this level of production for a more extended period of time.

Drew Brees (QB), New Orleans Saints

I hate to say it, but Drew Brees has looked old the last two weeks. While he managed to get some fantasy points last week, I would be wary of playing him this week. The Green Bay defense has been solid through two weeks, but if Michael Thomas still can’t go that offense may stall out. If you have another quarterback with a similar matchup, it may be better to steer clear of Brees and company until Michael Thomas can play.