Running backs have taken a hit this week, and only a handful of fantasy squads will be able to claim Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata, and Fozzy Whittaker. This could potentially leave a bunch of FLEX slots wide open. Receivers, old and new, have set the tone for offensive outbursts in fantasy, and will continue to do so in Week 3.
Here is a look at the surprise target grabbers from Week 2, and a look at possible breakout options for Week 3 based on the usage they are seeing in the passing game.
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Surprise Week 2 Target Grabbers
Corey Coleman - Cleveland Browns
The sun shined bright early on Sunday for the Cleveland Browns. Their 2016 home opener began with a 20-point outburst in the first quarter. More importantly their opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, were staring up at a goose egg. But three quarters later, consisting of a blocked extra point and one epically, Browns-like collapse, the only thing that stood shining in Cleveland after regulation was the performance of rookie receiver Corey Coleman. Coleman finished Sunday's contest with five receptions on eight targets, 104 yards and two touchdowns. He's a home run threat and will be targeted often weekly.
However, the Browns have announced that they will start rookie quarterback Cody Kessler in Week 3 versus the Miami Dolphins. Kessler makes the third starting quarterback in three weeks for the Brownies. Regardless, Coleman will still be the leading target-getter on the Browns. He's a WR3 against a Dolphins team that allowed 234 yards and three touchdowns in the air last week.
Quincy Enunwa - New York Jets
Here's a guy that should have been included in last week's article, but wasn't, simply because I wasn't convinced that he could repeat, or be consistent. Brandon Marshall continues to tell the media how much better Quincy Enunwa has become. Well, he proved B-Marsh right again in Week 2. Following an impressive 2016 debut, Enunwa caught six passes on six targets for 92 yards. Five of six receptions came in the first half of Thursday night's win, as he was quieted in the second half by an aching rib injury. It's also difficult to find an opening when playing with the aforementioned Marshall and his ball-hog counterpart, Eric Decker.
Enunwa appears to be on pace to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs; a team that allowed two 100-plus yard receivers last week. Enunwa will undoubtedly lose targets to Marshall and Decker, but the second-year wideout has also assured himself a role in New York's explosive offense. He's a WR4 in Week 3.
Kenny Britt - Los Angeles Rams
Britt's production has been lost by the fact that the Rams haven't scored an offensive touchdown yet this season. He's also overshadowed by the tiny, but mighty, Tavon Austin and his giant 42 million dollar contract. Britt reeled in six catches on 10 targets for 94 yards in Sunday's 9-3 win against the Seattle Seahawks; a solid stat line for PPR formats. It's certainly not safe to start anyone on the Rams offense right now, just ask Todd Gurley owners. But Britt is the Rams' clear number two receiver, and will be in the mix consistently.
The Rams face the Buccaneers Week 3, a week after Tampa Bay allowed 40 points, 308 receiving yards, and three touchdowns to the Arizona Cardinals. The Bucs have relinquished the sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL and are already averaging 326.5 receiving yards allowed per game.
Possible Week 3 Breakout Options
Kenny Stills - (WR, MIA)
The Dolphins are coming off a 389-yard performance by Ryan Tannehill. Even though Kenny Stills was a minuscule part of that chunk of yardage with his 39, he was targeted four times and has a very favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.
Stills, who scored last week against the Patriots and dropped a sure-thing versus the Seahawks in Week 1, could definitely see a boost in targets this week against a team that was torched by Joe Flacco and the Ravens last week. He has certainly taken a backseat to DeVante Parker, but is capable of surprising on a week-to-week basis.
Josh Doctson - (WR, WAS)
Doctson's involvement in the struggling Redskins offense has certainly increased over the past week, and should continue. It certainly doesn't seem that way considering he only caught one pass against the Dallas Cowboys, but the rookie receiver was targeted five times. He also displayed some home run ability as his sole reception went for 57 yards. We all know Kirk Cousins loves to throw the ball, attempting at least 40 passes in two straight games.
The Redskins face a New York Giants secondary that has been notoriously weak the past couple of years, allowing 298.9 yards per game last season. Doctson is owned in less than 10% of Yahoo! leagues but could provide some much needed relief to teams stacked with injuries. He's a guy to watch.
Rishard Matthews - (WR, TEN)
The Titans host the Oakland Raiders Week 3, which is good news for them. Through only two weeks, the Raiders have allowed an insane 808 receiving yards, the most in the NFL. It's pretty clear that every game the Raiders are involved in will not only be fun to watch, but will also be a wild shootout consisting of offensive explosions. Delanie Walker and Tajae Sharpe are the obvious choices to break out on Sunday. But like I said, obvious.
Marcus Mariota has been nearly identical week-to-week thus far, and could be in store for his breakout performance of the season as well. This would involve spreading the ball around, specifically to Rishard Matthews. With the injury bug swarming through the league at a rapid pace, that FLEX position is looking pretty good in deeper leagues of 12-plus teams. Matthews made some noise on Miami last season and with Kendall Wright continuing to miss time, Matthews should see a bulk of targets.
Other Options: Mike Wallace (WR, BAL) @JAX, Coby Fleener (TE, NO) vs ATL, Tyrell Williams (WR, SD) @IND