By Cody Smith
Week 2 sure was interesting… and not necessarily in a good way. Many fantasy owners find themselves scrambling for a quarterback after two perennial top-10 guys (Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees) went down with injuries.
For anybody streaming this position going forward, take a look below to find out who I’m high on this week.
Also scroll to the bottom of the page to see how my Week 2 likes and dislikes fared.
Without further ado, here are my Week 3 ranks.
Quarterbacks I like
Jimmy Garoppolo threw for nearly 300 yards in a blowout road victory against Cincinnati. The QB will return home Sunday to play in the 49ers home opener against the 0-2 Steelers. An addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick may help sure up the Pittsburgh secondary that currently ranks 28th in the league against the pass, but I think Jimmy G lights it up in San Fran.
My Rank: QB8
ESPN Rank: QB17
Matthew Stafford had a nice game in Week 1 against a soft secondary and will get another chance this weekend at Philly. The Eagles have been carved up by Case Keenum and Matt Ryan for 700 yards and six passing touchdowns through two weeks. I’m firing up Stafford without any worries this week.
My Rank: QB10
ESPN Rank: QB20
Andy Dalton is quietly hanging on the border of top-10 QB territory on a team that seems likely to be playing from behind most of the season. Though the Buffalo pass defense poses a threat, Dalton has thrown the ball 93 times in two games. Dalton surprisingly has many weapons at his disposal with the newly emerging John Ross III along side Tyler Boyd. Just wait until A.J. Green comes back.
My Rank: QB21
ESPN Rank: QB24
Quarterbacks to avoid
Carson Wentz briefly left Sunday night’s game after getting banged up, as did nearly every other Eagles' playmaker. We’re still unsure if Philly will have Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson or Dallas Goedert this weekend. Losing any combination of these three players could spell trouble for the Eagles offense. I’m lowering my expectations for Wentz this weekend.
My Rank: QB17
ESPN Rank: QB10
Jameis Winston is off to a great start right? Not exactly. The fifth-year quarterback out of Florida State has more turnovers than touchdowns through two games and has barely eclipsed 200 passing yards in a single game. Still, people insist on playing him against soft defenses. This week he gets the Giants who are currently ranked 30th against the pass, but c’mon, how many times are you going to go back to the well when you know it’s going to be dry?
My Rank: QB18
ESPN Rank: QB11
To put it nicely, Mitchell Trubisky has not been good. Just like Jameis, Trubisky has barely eclipsed the 200 yard mark in a game and is yet to throw a touchdown pass. He also hasn’t recorded double digit fantasy points. He faces a beatable defense this week in Washington, but I have to see a quality game out of Trubisky before I trust him in my lineup.
My Rank: QB20
ESPN Rank: QB16
Quarterback Rankings
1. Lamar Jackson @KC
2. Patrick Mahomes vs. Bal
3. Dak Prescott vs. Mia
4. Tom Brady vs. NYJ
5. Russell Wilson vs. NO
6. Josh Allen vs. Cin
7. Matt Ryan @Ind
8. Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Pit
9. Deshaun Watson @LAC
10. Matthew Stafford @Phi
11. Philip Rivers vs. Hou
12. Aaron Rodgers vs. Den
13. Jared Goff @Cle
14. Kyler Murray vs. Car
15. Cam Newton @Ari
16. Baker Mayfield vs. LAR
17. Carson Wentz vs. Det
18. Jameis Winston vs. NYG
19. Kirk Cousins vs. Oak
20. Mitchell Trubisky @Was
21. Andy Dalton @Buf
22. Derek Carr @Min
23. Jacoby Brissett vs. Atl
24. Marcus Mariota @Jax
25. Daniel Jones @TB
26. Case Keenum vs. Chi
27. Gardner Minshew vs. Ten
28. Ryan Fitzpatrick @Dal
29. Joe Flacco @GB
30. Teddy Bridgewater @Sea
31. Mason Rudolph @SF
32. Luke Falk @NE
Running Backs I Like
I’m not going out on a huge limb here with my RB picks, but the first player I really like this week is Le’Veon Bell. In a Week 2 game where the Jets were reduced down to their third string quarterback, Bell touched the ball 31 times! Volume is key in fantasy and Bell is going to get just that. The veteran back will likely be playing from behind this week against New England, but his 10 receptions in a blow-out loss to the Browns proves he can still produce even in a negative game script.
My Rank: RB3
ESPN Rank: RB8
Todd Gurley is off to a bit of a slow start in his new, slightly reduced, role in the Rams' offense. This week he’ll get the Browns, who as you see above, allowed Le’Veon Bell to record 129 total yards on 31 touches. Though Gurley won’t see this amount of touches, I still believe he will find room to run against an exploitable Browns defense, especially if the Rams can take a late lead and run some clock.
My Rank: RB8
ESPN Rank: RB13
Josh Jacobs comes with a lot of “ifs” this week. If Jacobs is healthy and if he sees the same amount of touches as a 100% healthy Jacobs should, the rookie is primed for a big game. Jacobs takes on the Minnesota defense that Aaron Jones torched for 116 yards and a touchdown last week. Jacobs’ groin may hold him back, and if it does, I wouldn’t be quite as optimistic, but there aren’t many other options in Oakland, so if he is 100% I believe he is an RB1.
My Rank: RB10
ESPN Rank: RB19
Running Backs to Avoid
Sony Michel has had a bit of a rough start as he hasn’t yet rushed for 100 total yards through two games this season. Michel is limited in the passing game thanks to James White and Rex Burkhead which also caps his value. Michel was not even targeted in the passing game last week against Miami. New England faces the Jets this week, so I would expect a similar game script to last week.
My Rank: RB26
ESPN Rank: RB20
Damien Williams is banged up with a knee injury and is yet to practice this week. He carried the ball nine times for eight yards last week, but salvaged borderline decent numbers with three catches for 48 yards out of the backfield. I expect the match-up with the Ravens to be a shootout with little happening on the ground against the current No.1 defense against the run.
My Rank: RB33
ESPN Rank: RB22
After rushing for over 1,000 yards last season, Phillip Lindsay finds himself in a timeshare with Royce Freeman early this season. Even worse yet, Freeman looks like the better of the two running back I expect Freeman to continue getting at least 50% of the work, which really limits Lindsay. The Broncos offense has also looked abysmal at best on a few occasions this year. I wouldn’t expect a huge game from Lindsay even if the team does find itself behind to Green Bay.
My Rank: RB28
ESPN Rank: RB26
Runningback Rankings
1. Ezekiel Elliott vs. Mia
2. Christian McCaffrey @Ari
3. Le’Veon Bell @NE
4. Saquan Barkley @TB
5. Austin Ekeler vs. Hou
6. Alvin Kamara @Sea
7. Dalvin Cook vs. Oak
8. Todd Gurley @Cle
9. Nick Chubb vs. LAR
10. Josh Jacobs @Min
11. David Johnson vs. Car
12. Marlon Mack vs. Atl
13. Leonard Fournette vs. Ten
14. Chris Carson vs. NO
15. Derrick Henry @Jax
16. Aaron Jones vs. Den
17. James Connor @SF
18. Mark Ingram @KC
19. Kerryon Johnson @Phi
20. Devonta Freeman @Ind
21. Joe Mixon @Buf
22. Peyton Barber vs. NYG
23. Royce Freeman @GB
24. James White vs. NYJ
25. David Montgomery @Wsh
26. Sony Michel vs. NYJ
27. Carlos Hyde @LAC
28. Phillip Lindsay @GB
29. Frank Gore vs. Cin
30. Matt Breida vs. Pit
31. Chris Thompson vs. Chi
32. Miles Sanders vs. Det
33. Damien WIlliams vs. Bal
34. Tarik Cohen @Wsh
35. Duke Johnson @LAC
36. Rashaad Penny vs. NO
37. Kenyan Drake @Dal
38. Jamaal Williams vs. Den
39. Devin Singletary vs. Cin
40. LeSean McCoy vs. Bal
41. Raheem Mostert vs. Pit
42. Adrian Peterson vs. Chi
43. Justin Jackson vs. Hou
44. Ronald Jones vs. NYG
45. Jordan Howard vs. Det
46. Giovani Bernard @Buf
47. Darren Sproles vs. Det
48. Rex Burkhead vs. NYJ
49. Ito Smith @Ind
50. Malcolm Brown @Cle
Wide Receivers I Like
Sammy Watkins may have disappointed last week, but I expect the half-man, half-lizard to have a bounce back week. Watkins ought to find himself in a shootout with Baltimore which will keep Mahomes throwing the ball all game long. I expect Watkins to post numbers closer to his week 1 totals than his week 2 totals in week 3.
My Rank: WR2
ESPN Rank: WR12
Amari Cooper made my list last week and disappointed, but I’m going back to the well this week in a plus-matchup with the Dolphins. I expect Cooper to extend his touchdown streak to three games against a team that has allowed a ton of points in the first two weeks. Expect Cooper to see more targets with Gallup out for a few weeks with a knee injury.
My Rank: WR7
ESPN Rank: WR10
Allen Robinson also let me down last week and I’m not exactly sure why I’m so high on him this week. The Bears offense needs to figure something out quick if the team plans on winning the NFC North again this season and earning a playoff berth. I’m hoping a prime-time match-up against the worst pass defense in the league will spark the Chicago offense this season.
My Rank: WR16
ESPN Rank: WR28
Wide Receivers to Avoid
Tyler Boyd had a huge game last week, catching all of his targets in a 10 catch, 122 yard performance. I’m not yet buying Boyd because his catch rate on the season of 81% is unsustainable (Michael Thomas set the NFL record last year with 75%). The Bills also aren’t too shabby against the pass, leading the NFL in 2018 in passing defense. I think Boyd may struggle this week.
My Rank: WR27
ESPN Rank: WR19
Mike Williams is no longer on the injury report, but the injury-prone wide-out only has five catches this year. I’m not utilizing Williams until I see that he can handle a full workload.
My Rank: WR41
ESPN Rank: WR32
Wide Reciever Rankings
1. Michael Thomas @Sea
2. Sammy Watkins vs. Bal
3. DeAndre Hopkins @LAC
4. Keenan Allen vs. Hou
5. Julio Jones @Ind
6. Odell Beckham Jr. vs. LAR
7. Amari Cooper vs. Mia
8. Tyler Lockett vs. NO
9. Juju Smith-Schuster @SF
10. Davante Adams @Den
11. Adam Thielen vs. Oak
12. Antonio Brown vs. NYJ
13. Kenny Golladay @Phi
14. Cooper Kupp @Cle
15. Julian Edleman vs. NYJ
16. Allen Robinson @Wsh
17. Emmanuel Sanders @GB
18. Chris Godwin vs. NYG
19. Mike Evans vs. NYG
20. Robert Woods @Cle
21. Brandin Cooks @Cle
22. Larry Fitzgerald vs. Car
23. T.Y. Hilton vs. Atl
24. Stefon Diggs vs. Oak
25. Marquise Brown @KC
26. Christian Kirk vs. Car
27. Tyrell Williams @Min
28. Tyler Boyd @Buf
29. Calvin Ridley @Ind
30. D.J. Moore @Ari
31. Nelson Agholor vs. Det
32. John Brown vs. Cin
33. Jarvis Landry vs. LAR
34. Courtland Sutton @GB
35. Randall Cobb vs. Mia
36. Mecole Hardman vs. Bal
37. Marvin Jones @Phi
38. Terry McLaurin vs. Chi
39. Jamison Crowder @NE
40. Curtis Samuel @Ari
41. Mike Williams vs. Hou
42. DK Metcalf vs. NO
43. John Ross III @Buf
44. Demarcus Robinson vs. Bal
45. Sterling Shepard @TB
46. D.J. Chark vs. Ten
47. Robby Anderson @NE
48. WIll Fuller V @LAC
49. Chris Conley vs. Ten
50. Dede Westbrook vs. Ten
Tight Ends I Like
Gerald Everett isn’t a tight end I believe is worth a start except for the deepest of leagues, but fellow Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is questionable with an “injured lung” which does not sound good. If Higbee misses time, Everett is a sneaky play. He already has a touchdown this season.
My Rank: TE20
ESPN Rank: NR
Tight Ends To Avoid
T.J. Hockenson was on this list last week and posted a 1-7 line. I’m going to leave him here until the hype dies down.
My Rank: TE18
ESPN Rank: TE12
Tightend Rankings
1. Mark Andrews @KC
2. Travis Kelce vs. Bal
3. Zach Ertz vs. Det
4. Evan Engram @TB
5. Vance McDonald @SF
6. George Kittle vs. Pit
7. Greg Olsen @Ari
8. Delanie Walker @Jax
9. Darren Waller @Min
10. Jared Cook @Sea
11. O.J. Howard vs. NYG
12. Austin Hooper @Ind
13. Jason Witten vs. Mia
14. Jimmy Graham vs. Den
15. Jordan Reed vs. Chi
16. Will Dissly vs. NO
17. Tyler Eifert @Buf
18. T.J. Hockenson @Phi
19. Trey Burton @Wsh
20. Gerald Everett @Cle
21. Eric Ebron vs. Atl
22. Noah Fant @GB
23. Kyle Rudolph vs. Oak
24. Jack Doyle vs. Atl
25. Mike Gesicki @Dal
Week 2 likes/dislikes
Quarterback likes
Dak Prescott: My Rank - QB2; ESPN Rank - QB7; Actual finish - QB3
Drew Brees: My Rank - QB4; ESPN Rank - QB13; Actual finish - QB37
Russell Wilson: My Rank - QB6; ESPN Rank - QB12; Actual finish - QB5
Jared Goff: My Rank - QB10; ESPN Rank - QB15; Actual finish - QB11
Quarterback dislikes
Cam Newton: My Rank - QB20; ESPN Rank - QB4; Actual finish - QB27
Derek Carr: My Rank - QB21; ESPN Rank - QB14; Actual finish - QB26
Jameis WInston: My Rank - QB22; ESPN Rank - QB18; Actual finish - QB21
Running Back likes
Dalvin Cook: My Rank - RB6; ESPN Rank - RB9; Actual finish - RB1
Derrick Henry: My Rank - RB7; ESPN Rank - RB13; Actual finish - RB9
Chris Carson: My Rank - RB9; ESPN Rank - RB12; Actual finish - RB30
Mark Ingram: My Rank - RB11; ESPN Rank - RB19; Actual finish - RB30
Sony Michel: My Rank - RB14; ESPN Rank - RB23; Actual finish - RB22
Running Back dislikes
David Johnson: My Rank - RB16; ESPN Rank - RB7; Actual finish - RB37
James Connor: My Rank - RB17; ESPN Rank - RB8; Actual finish - RB18
Justin Jackson: My Rank - RB45; ESPN Rank - RB38; Actual finish - RB40
Wide Receiver likes
Amari Cooper: My Rank - WR2; ESPN Rank - WR12; Actual finish - WR30
Alshon Jeffery: My Rank - WR12; ESPN Rank - WR21; Actual finish - WR116
Tyler Boyd: My Rank - WR14; ESPN Rank - WR16; Actual finish - WR9
Allen Robinson: My Rank - WR17; ESPN Rank - WR25; Actual finish - WR58
Wide Receiver dislikes
Stefon Diggs: My Rank - WR21; ESPN Rank - WR15; Actual finish - WR51
Robert Woods: My Rank - WR19; ESPN Rank - WR13; Actual finish - WR69
Brandin Cooks: My Rank - WR22; ESPN Rank - WR14; Actual finish - WR22
DJ Moore: My Rank - WR25; ESPN Rank - WR22; Actual finish - WR14
Tight End likes
Vance McDonald: My Rank - TE8; ESPN Rank - TE11; Actual finish - TE3
Mark Andrews: My Rank - TE5; ESPN Rank - TE12; Actual finish - TE1
Tight End dislikes
Jared Cook: My Rank - TE11; ESPN Rank - TE5; Actual finish - TE25
T.J. Hockenson: My Rank - TE16; ESPN Rank - TE14; Actual finish - TE47
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