Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 3.
Notes:
• The first major injury came in Week 2, as Joe Burrow will miss at least three months with a toe injury. Jake Browning takes over at quarterback for Cincy and is a streaming option against poor defenses. It is not only a huge blow to Burrow owners, but Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins owners as well. The numbers for both receivers have historically dropped significantly with anyone but Burrow under center. Chase goes from being the top player in fantasy football to a borderline top-20 player.
• It has been a rough two weeks for quarterbacks around the league. We know J.J. McCarthy will be out multiple weeks. Justin Fields left in Week 2 with a concussion. Jayden Daniels could miss Week 3 with a knee injury. Brock Purdy missed Week 2 with a toe injury and his timeline is uncertain. Injuries hit the position hard two years ago, and it was wise then to add a second QB early in the season. It’s a wise move to add a mid-tier QB as protection.
• Like we all expected, the top two quarterbacks in passing yards are Russell Wilson and Daniel Jones. Wilson had a career day against the Cowboys, but his final throw is a prime example of why he is hard to trust in fantasy. On the other hand, Jones is turning heads in Indianapolis. A change of scenery might have been all he needed to take the next step. Jones was terrific against a vaunted Broncos defense, and the schedule is favorable for the next six weeks. Jones goes from being irrelevant in fantasy to being a must-add, especially in deeper leagues. If you lost one of the aforementioned quarterbacks, Jones needs to be on your radar.
• It is time to hit the panic button on some highly-drafted players. A.J. Brown is WR85 after two weeks. Isiah Pacheco is RB48. Evan Engram and T.J. Hockenson are TE42 and TE46, respectively. Brown did garner eight targets in Week 2 so there is room for optimism. The same cannot be said for Pacheco, who is about even with Kareem Hunt in touches. Pacheco needs to be benched moving forward. Engram and Hockenson should still be in starting lineups for the time being.
• I am not saying the same for Mark Andrews. Lamar Jackson threw four touchdowns on Sunday, but Andrews was a non-factor once again. He has just four targets in two games with Isaiah Likely out of action, and the drops are a problem. Likely could return this week. It’s only a matter of time before he takes over as the top tight end for the Ravens.
• Rome Odunze, Javonte Williams and Tucker Kraft are on the rise. They should continue to produce the rest of the season. I am looking to move on from Kaleb Johnson (this one really hurts), Travis Hunter and Travis Kelce.
• Week 1 was a relatively light week for waiver-wire pickups, but Week 2 brought more clarity. There are a handful of players who must be added, including Quinshon Judkins, Troy Franklin and Juwan Johnson. Judkins is the player to target first and foremost. I am willing to spend more than 60 percent of my free-agent budget to land the Browns’ running back.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection.
Thursday Night Game: Dolphins vs. Bills
Sunday Night Game: Chiefs vs. Giants
Monday Night Game: Lions vs. Ravens
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Daniel Jones
Running Back: Jordan Mason
Wide Receiver: Keon Coleman
Tight End: Juwan Johnson
Defense: Buccaneers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Bo Nix
Running Back: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Wide Receiver: Jerry Jeudy
Tight End: Mark Andrews
Defense: Ravens
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Mac Jones
Running Back: Tyler Allgeier
Wide Receiver: Troy Franklin
Tight End: Ja’Tavion Sanders
Defense: Giants
NFL Picks for Week 3
All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook at time of writing
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 23-9)
Bills (vs. Dolphins)
Commanders (vs. Raiders)
Falcons (at Panthers)
Packers (at Browns)
Patriots (vs. Steelers)
Eagles (vs. Rams)
Colts (at Titans)
Buccaneers (vs. Jets)
Vikings (vs. Bengals)
Texans (at Jaguars)
Seahawks (vs. Saints)
Chargers (vs. Broncos)
49ers (vs. Cardinals)
Bears (vs. Cowboys)
Chiefs (vs. Giants)
Ravens (vs. Lions)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 7-3)
Patriots +1.5 vs. Steelers
Texans +1.5 at Jaguars
Chargers -2.5 vs. Broncos
Bears -1.5 vs. Cowboys
Chiefs +5.5 at Giants
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 5-5)
Dolphins-Bills under 49.5
Bengals-Vikings under 42.5
Colts-Titans over 43.5
Cardinals-49ers over 43.5
Lions-Ravens over 51.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Trevor Lawrence finishes as a top-10 QB against the Panthers. (miss)
Week 2: Zay Flowers remains the overall WR1 after torching the Browns. (miss)
Week 3: Daniel Jones makes it three straight weeks finishing as a top-five fantasy quarterback.
See Also: Fantasy Football Player Rankings
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox