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Welcome to Week 3, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight plays and players to go with when faced with tough lineup decisions for Week 3 of the fantasy football season.
These insights are based off my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a 10% discount and get access to all of my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the entire 2020 season.
Skill position picks here are based on PPR ranks.
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Spotlight RB Starters for Week 3
Joshua Kelley, Chargers: Both Los Angeles RBs are in play this week. Carolina has allowed the most Fantasy Points Per Game to running backs over the first two weeks. Kelley had 113 scrimmage yards in Week 2 and has already effectively taken over much of the old Melvin Gordon role for the Chargers. He should be viewed as a low-end RB this week. Los Angeles does not need to put pressure on its rookie QB when the team can lean heavily on the RBs in this matchup. In many tight decisions involving Kelley, you should stick with most RB choices who take on heavier workloads over him. But he should be used over most other time share backs and flex-type options.
Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers: He made his first bid to take over the starting job last week and can seal it up against Denver. Fournette rushed for 103 yards and two TDs last week and showed why he was signed by Tampa Bay. He can solidify a position which has been an issue for some time now. Denver has allowed 227 rushing yards in the first two games and the defense may spend a lot of time on the field this week. Fournette likely sees the opportunity to officially seize the starting job and will take advantage of the chance. He is a low-end RB2 and a very promising flex option this week.
Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers: Many fantasy players are focused on Jerick McKinnon taking over a significant role in an injury-depleted Niners backfield. But Wilson may be the lead ball carrier and inside runner for San Francisco this week, and he will certainly be the preferred goal-line option. Expect a time share in which both 49ers RBs will be useful as flex plays or lineup pluggers. Last season, Wilson had consecutive games with two TD runs in September. In a two-game sample in December of 2018, he had 226 yards from scrimmage and an eight-catch performance. Kyle Shanahan has not hesitated to go to Wilson when he has needed to reach into his RB depth pool, and he will produce at least respectable totals this week.
Devin Singletary, Bills: With Zach Moss out, Singletary should be quite busy against the Rams. Los Angeles has allowed the fifth-most FFPG to RBs among NFC teams. Singletary has 110-plus scrimmage yards in three of his past four home games. He totaled 76 yards from scrimmage on just a dozen touches in Week 2. In his rookie season, Singletary showed the willingness to take on an increased workload, carrying the ball 20 times in three games. He should get a decent amount of volume this week and is a viable flex or plug-in play.
Spotlight WR Starters for Week 3
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: He is the hot option for Week 3, as the matchup is highly appealing against a Seahawks pass defense that has allowed the most FFPG to opposing WRs. Lamb works out of the slot, and Seattle already has injury issues at LB and nickel back that only make Lamb’s draw even more appealing. He is a must-start Fantasy WR2 type this week. But if you have good WR depth, he is not a surefire option over more proven performers with strong matchups, such as Tyler Lockett in the same game, or Allen Robinson in a bounce-back spot vs, Atlanta. All three Dallas WRs are in play this week as Top 25 choices at the position. But I would not be using Lamb over Calvin Ridley based on a matchup alone. He is a very exciting play, but in 10-team leagues and on rosters where WR depth is excellent, you must be judicious about who you choose him over. In many tight calls, I would take the more established player.
Anthony Miller, Bears: He provided zero Fantasy points last week as he played less snaps than Darnell Mooney. Miller may be feeling the pressure to respond this week and Mitchell Trubisky will likely make an effort to get him involved in the passing flow again. Atlanta has allowed the fourth-most FFPG to WRs so far and this is a case of where a player rebounds from a down outing to regain his place in the offensive mix. The matchup is obviously a friendly one and Miller cannot afford to deliver two stinkers in a row, so he is worthy of WR3/flex consideration.
N'Keal Harry, Patriots: He caught eight passes last week, yet no one seems to be saying much about Harry. Cam Newton, though, is making a strong effort to get him the ball frequently, and Bill Belichick wants to see returns on the only first-round investment he has ever made on a WR in his storied Patriots tenure. Cam is a better passer than he was in Carolina already. His mechanics are improved, and Harry has an opportunity to play a prime role in the New England passing game. This could be the week when Fantasy players take real notice of Harry. Get ahead of those who will react after Week 3 and consider him for a WR3/flex spot.
Darius Slayton, Giants: The reflex move by most fantasy players is to think about reserving Slayton when they see the 49ers as the matchup. But the Niners have actually allowed the third-most receptions to opposing WRs after two weeks. They are also fifth among NFC teams in FFPG allowed to the position. The 49ers are badly banged up and cannot be viewed as the usual full shutdown unit. The Giants need to rework their offensive attack without Saquon Barkley and are a desperate team that can perform above expectations this week. Slayton hung 102 yards and two TDs against Pittsburgh in the opener and is the team’s best playmaker with Barkley out. He has three receiving TDs in his past three home games and should remain in many lineups as a WR3.
Spotlight TE Starters for Week 3
Drew Sample, Bengals: The Eagles have allowed the fourth-most FFPG to TEs and the most TD receptions (four). If you are without George Kittle this week, Sample is a quality plugger as Joe Burrow continues to gun the ball frequently.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys: Facing Seattle is not exactly a plum draw for all pass-catchers. The Seahawks can cover the TE well when both of their starting safeties are in the game. Schultz is coming off a breakout game, though, and with the WRs drawing so much attention, he is also a viable plug-in.
Spotlight QB Starters for Week 3
Carson Wentz, Eagles: Philadelphia is in a must-win situation with a good matchup vs. Cincinnati.
Matt Ryan, Falcons: Don’t get matchup crazy and start Trubisky or Justin Herbert over him. Ryan is still a back-end QB1 this week. The stars deserve to stay in lineups when they have earned it, especially over less proven or reliable options. Defenses don't win every matchup, especially in today's pass-happy NFL.
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