Week 2 is in the books as we begin to move toward the heart of the season. The most important weeks for fantasy football are coming up quickly and we need to begin to establish an edge over our competitors. I’ve always thought the first two weeks are the most difficult to predict. There are rookies, new coaches, new schemes, and a lot of firsts that are not always easy to account for. Now that we move into the third week of the season it should be more clear what teams are trying to do and which players are going to be featured. So, let’s get right to it.
Here are 10 things that you should know heading into Week 3:
1. Mike Williams has become a must-start
Here’s one of those scenarios that weren’t clear heading into the season. There was some training camp chatter that the Chargers were going to use WR Mike Williams as the X receiver in their offense. This just so happened to be the same spot that Michael Thomas played so effectively in New Orleans. But it was unclear if this was just coach speak–pumping a player up. Turns out it wasn’t.
Mike Williams hasn’t been a bust per se but he has failed to live up to expectations for fantasy purposes. This isn’t the case anymore. Williams is the WR6 overall, receiving double-digit targets and a touchdown reception in both games. He has established a nice report with QB Justin Herbert and is currently outscoring teammate WR Keenan Allen by nine points.
2. What in the 2015 is going on?
Ah, yes–2015. A simpler time for many reasons. QB Tom Brady and TE Rob Gronkowski have apparently found a time machine to travel back there because they are playing at an absolutely elite level. Brady is the QB2 through two weeks and Gronk is the TE2.
The Buccaneers travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams’ tough defense in Week 3. However, I don’t really expect this to have much of an impact on Brady and Gronk. I would feel confident starting both in fantasy.
3. Give Elijah Mitchell another chance
So you spent all of your free agent acquisition bucks on RB Elijah Mitchell just for him to score eight fantasy points in Week 2? No worries. He faces a Packers defense that has been bullied in the running game. They have given up 279 rushing yards in two games.
Mitchell could be the only real option at running back for the Niners on Sunday night. RBs Jamycal Hasty and Trey Sermon are dealing with injuries that will likely hold them out of action. He is worth a start at FLEX this week.
4. Najee is ready to break out
Reports are that QB Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with a pectoral injury that causes him pain when he throws. Expect RB Najee Harris to see an increase in touches against the Bengals in Week 3. Najee had a mini break-out performance last week totaling 81 yards and a touchdown.
This week the reigns will be all the way off and he should see a lot more than just 10 carries on the ground. Najee is the one player I would be comfortable playing for the Steelers this week. Rothlisberger has struggled to give any of WRs enough looks to make them must-starts in this one.
5. Saquon bounces back
RB Saquon Barkley has failed to score double-digit fantasy points since returning from his ACL injury. This should be the week that changes. He faces a Falcons defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in every important category.
If you drafted Saquon to be your RB1, then your team is probably off to a rough start. He is a must-start this week but be cautious with him moving forward. He is no longer a set it and forget it in your lineup. He faces the Saints and Cowboys in Weeks 4 and 5–both defenses have allowed under 75 rushing yards per game.
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6. It’s Noah Fant time
After back to back solid weeks TE Noah Fant is establishing himself as a TE1 in fantasy football. Jerry Jeudy is going to miss a couple of weeks and Fant should be the No. 2 option in the Broncos passing game until he returns.
This week Fant plays the Jets. It is a Teddy Bridgewater revenge game of sorts and he should be throwing the rock around quite a bit. Fant is a top-five play at TE this week.
7. Goff worth a start
Through two weeks Jared Goff is the QB4. This is not likely to stand as the year goes on but it could stand for at least one more week. Goff goes against a unusually struggling Ravens defense.
Baltimore has given up the most passing yards this year. They were unable to keep Derek Carr in check in Week 1 and Goff plays similarly to the Las Vegas QB. Both thrive in the short-intermidiate passing game and utilize their tight end heavily.
8. Ekeler is a week winner
RB Austin Ekeler had a solid week after a mediocre Week 1. He now faces off against the Chiefs who have given up the most rushing yards in the league through two weeks. Ekeler is a weekly must-start. This week he will carry your team to victory.
9. Matchup of the week
The Buccaneers vs Rams game is the most intriguing for fantasy football this week. Last week gave us the Cowboys and Chargers which turned out to be kind of a bust. The amount of Bucs and Rams that will be in fantasy lineups will surely have fans glued to this game.
Besides the fantasy implications this is just a great NFL matchup in general. Both teams are 2-0 and could face off again in the playoffs. Tune in for a great game.
10. Defense to stream
The Raiders defense is the go to streaming option this week. QB Tua Tagovailoa is OUT and the Dolphins honestly struggled to move the ball with him. The Raiders have shocked everyone with a 2-0 start against the Ravens and the Steelers. They are in a prime position to improve to 3-0 behind a solid defensive performance.
If you enjoyed this article, then you’re in luck! Be on the lookout for weekly installments of “10 tips to know” throughout the season. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @jaltorfer1. Any and all feedback is welcome.
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