CLEVELAND, OH – There were a ton of injuries in Week 2, which means this week’s list will look a little different than normal.
The game of the week is Baltimore at Kansas City. Both teams are 2-0 and the matchup is filled with fantasy potential. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson should start every week, but their supporting cast could benefit in what should be a high scoring game.
Feel free to send me your fantasy questions on Twitter or Instagram.
Here are the players you should start in Week 3:
Start 'Em
Mark Ingram – Ingram has 154 yards and two touchdowns in two games. The Ravens’ offense is one of the most explosive in the NFL, but they will likely try to slow the game down and keep the ball away from the Kansas City offense. That means Ingram should get plenty of opportunities. The Chiefs gave up 84 yards from scrimmage to Leonard Fournette in Week 1 and allowed rookie Josh Jacobs to rush for 99 yards last week. Ingram is a borderline RB1 with plenty of upside in Week 3.
Josh Allen – Allen was a sleeper coming into the season and he’s delivered thus far. He’s averaging 250 yards passing and 30 yards rushing-per-game. Those numbers should go up this week against the Bengals. Cincinnati allowed 579 yards of offense last week. Allen is a QB1 with plenty of upside and is worth considering in all formats.
Darren Waller – The Raiders could be without Tyrell Williams, who’s dealing with a hip pointer. Even if Williams plays, Waller is a big part of the Raiders’ offense. He has 13 receptions so far this season. He’s gotten off to a steady start, which should continue this week against the Vikings. Waller is a TE1, but has the most value in PPR leagues.
Philip Rivers – Rivers is averaging 23 fantasy points-per-game against the Texans (four matchups). Drew Brees and Garner Minshew fared well against Houston this season. Rivers is at home and is a borderline QB1 with plenty of streaming potential.
Mike Evans – Evans has gotten off to a slow start, but he’s poised for a Week 3 breakout against the Giants. New York has allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Tampa Bay is at home, which should help their cause. Evans has six receptions for 89 yards and no touchdowns in two games. Don’t be surprised if he doubles those numbers and finds the end zone this week.
Adam Thielen – Thielen is another wide receiver that’s gotten off to a slow start. He has eight receptions for 118 yards and one touchdown in two games. Oakland’s secondary is banged up and was vulnerable at the start of the season. Thielen is one of the best route runners in the game and should have a big week, even though the Vikings are running the ball more than they have in the past.
Devonta Freeman – The Falcons’ rushing attack has struggled this season, but Freeman should be able to find some running room against the Colts. Austin Ekeler and Derrick Henry both had productive games against Indianapolis. That trend should continue this week. Freeman is a RB2 with upside in this plus matchup against the Colts.
Pats Wide Receivers – Antonio Brown's release was far from surprising, but it has a huge fantasy impact on the rest of the pass catchers on the roster. Julian Edelman remains a high-end WR2, but Josh Gordon suddenly becomes a top-20 option in all formats this week against the Jets. Phillip Dorsett is also worth adding. He should have plenty of opportunities in Week 3 and beyond. Dorsett was owned in just 16 percent of Yahoo Leagues on Friday following Brown's release. It's safe to assume Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and company will try to run up the score on the Jets and show the league they don't need Brown to be great on offense.
Sit 'Em
Andy Dalton – Dalton’s numbers look solid through two weeks, but it’s hard to trust him this week against the Bills. Buffalo limited Sam Darnold and Eli Manning in their first two games, which may not sound like much, but is Dalton any better? The Bengals’ offensive line was bad before and now they’re dealing with injuries. Dalton is a QB2 with plenty of bust potential.
Joe Mixon – Mixon hasn’t been able to get going this season. It’s hard to envision him having a big day against the Bills. He has 27 rushing yards this year. Buffalo went up against two of the leagues best backs in Le’Veon Bell and Saquon Barkley to start the season. Containing Mixon should be a cakewalk compared to what they’ve had to deal with in their first two games. The Bengals have one of the worst offensive lines in the league, which will likely limit Mixon’s fantasy potential all season.
Adrian Peterson – Peterson scored a touchdown last week, but don’t let that fool you. He averaged 2.5 yards-per-carry last week and is no longer the dominant runner everyone remembers. The Bears have allowed 11.4 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs dating back to Week 12 of last season. Peterson is better off on the bench this week.
Tyrell Williams – Williams is expected to play against Minnesota, but he’s dealing with a hip injury and isn’t expected to be 100 percent. He’s scored in back-to-back weeks and is clearly the number one wide receiver in the Raiders’ offense, but there’s plenty of bust potential this week against the Vikings. He’s a WR3 that should be avoided in daily leagues.
Derek Carr – Carr has been efficient at times this season, but the Raiders’ offense doesn’t produce enough big plays and isn’t consistent enough to consider him a viable fantasy option. The Raiders are in Minnesota this week, which is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. Combine that with the Williams injury and Carr isn’t in the top 25 of my rankings for Week 3.
Jared Cook – Cook’s fantasy value is shaky at best with Drew Brees injured. Terry Bridgewater is a capable quarterback, but it’s hard to predict how he much he will rely on Cook. Bridgewater is accurate and threw to Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota, but it’s better to wait and see how much Cook will be used before putting him in your lineup.
Jarvis Landry – Something is wrong with the Browns’ offense. Baker Mayfield took the blame on Wednesday, but it isn’t just his fault. The offensive line has its’ issues, the running game hasn’t been consistent and they haven’t gotten Landry involved as much as they planned. He has seven receptions for 99 yards in two games. Make him earn his way back into your lineup.
Sleepers
Kyle Allen – If Cam Newton can’t play this week due to a foot injury, then the second-year undrafted free agent will get the start against the Cardinals. Arizona has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in two games this season. It’s risky, but Allen is a tempting option in two quarterback leagues and in daily formats.
James Washington – Washington only has four receptions for 74 yards, but that should change moving forward. Mason Rudolph is taking over at quarterback following Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow injury. Washington and Rudolph played together at Oklahoma State. The duo should trust each other right away, which could lead to some early success for Washington this week against San Francisco.
Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson – Robinson and Hardman should both be considered starters after their performance in Week 2. Robinson finished with six receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Hardman had four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, but also had a 72-yard touchdown called back due to penalty. Both players are in the WR3 range with plenty of upside.
Nelson Agholor – With Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson likely out this week, Algholor becomes start-able in most leagues. He was targeted 11 times last week, finishing with eight receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. He could put up similar numbers this week against a Detroit defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.
Deebo Samuel – Last week was a coming out part for Samuel. He finished with five receptions on seven targets for 87 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. The 49ers offense looked fluid and he was a major factor in the passing game. That could continue this week against a beatable Steelers’ secondary. Samuel is a WR3 and should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Darwin Thompson – LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams didn't practice on Wednesday and could miss Sunday's game against Baltimore. That means Thompson could be the lead back for the Chiefs. The rookie has one reception and one rushing yard on the season, but that doesn't mean he won't have an impact on the field. Thompson should be considered in daily games if McCoy and Williams aren't able to play. He's also worth a speculative add in season-long leagues.
