I won't lie, it saddens me that we are in Week 3 of the NFL season already. Seemed like just yesterday we were drafting our teams and now next week will be the quarter mark of the fantasy season. But let’s not look too far ahead. It's still early and we have lots of football left. Even if you’re 0-2, there's still a lot of games to be played and situations can change quickly. Let’s go set those lineups and get you a win.
Starts
QB- Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Den)
Yes, Tampa QB Baker Mayfield has made the start list for back to back weeks. Still available in 40% of leagues, people need to realize the value of the veteran QB. Now through two weeks, Baker has thrown for over 500 yards and 5 TDs. He’s also rushed for over 50 yards and a TD. Additionally, he has one of the best WR duos in the league. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans have combined for 23 catches, 293 yards, and 4 TDs. This combo is putting up Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne type numbers. Nothing else needs to be said. Get Baker into your lineup before it’s too late.
RB- Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (LAC)
The Steelers were one of the few teams coming into the year with a true RB committee (or we at least thought that). Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren were going to be utilized in this offense. Used enough to start both of them? Now that was the question, which has now been answered. Through two games, Najee has 37 carries and 2 catches, while Warren has 11 carries and 4 catches. It’s clear that this is still the Alabama alumni’s backfield. With three straight 1K campaigns under his belt, Harris looks to continue to pound the rock this year. He took a big dip in ADP but it’s clear he’s going to get 15-20 touches a game, which makes him a must start.
WR- Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (JAX)
Coming into the season no one knew what to make of this WR core, since Buffalo lost its star wide out Stefon Diggs to the Texans and took a rookie late in the first round in Keon Coleman. Now they have a rookie and almost no name veterans to pair with one of the best QBs in the league. As a result, someone has to rise to the top. So far, it's looking like it’s going to be Khalil Shakir, as he's leading the team in catches and yards with 8 for 96 through two games. This offense wants to run the ball though, so the only receiver that should be in your lineup is the guy getting the biggest target share. At the moment that man is Shakir. He’s a solid flex play, and if he keeps catching every ball thrown his way, will be a solid WR2 in closer games.
TE- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (Car)
The rookie TE Brock Bowers has arrived! We actually might be watching the next best TE coming to form right before our eyes. I mean this guy is looking to bring some respect back to the TE position! TE is so bad from a fantasy perspective that we have talked ourselves into thinking 3 catches for 30 yards is a solid game. Well Bowers has different ideas. Through two games he’s totaled 15 catches for 156 yards. His numbers are so good right now he’s already nearly locked up a top TE spot for the year. Get this rookie in your lineup and forget about it the rest of the year. This week he’s up against a terrible Panthers team, so things are only going to get better from here.
Def- Houston Texans ( @ Min)
When the Texans come up in conversation, everybody wants to talk about that offense. They are putting up numbers, but so is the defense. Through two games they have combined for 3 interceptions and 9 sacks! As a result, they might be one of the best all around defensive units in football. Even the matchup this week is a good one going up against the Vikings and Sam Darnold. On paper Minnesota is 2-0 but I don’t see that lasting past this week. Start the Texans, and if they perform well keep them in for Week 4 due to another favorable matchup at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sits
QB- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers ( @Pit)
Week 2 was the week that Chargers QB Justin Herbert was in prime position to go off against a terrible Panthers team. Instead, he threw for 130 yards and 2 TDs. He also had 2 turnovers. A once promising QB is nearing being a complete non-factor in fantasy football. Herbert has failed to pass for more than 159 yards in each of his first 2 contests, and is a non factor on the ground as well with just 10 carries for 24 yards. He’s still owned in 60% of leagues. Be smart. Start someone else.
RB- D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (@Ind)
Now this isn’t the spot of the article where you want to be back to back weeks. Yet here we are with D’andre Swift. I mentioned his ADP last week being at 56. Fantasy managers are kicking themselves at the moment. After having 10 carries for 30 yards in Week 1 you would think things couldn’t get worse. Things have gotten worse, as Swift was held to just 18 yards on 14 carries. Those type of numbers will cause you to end up on the fantasy waiver wire. To add insult to injury, the Bears offense as a whole right now is nearly untouchable. Regardless of the matchup don’t think about starting Swift until that offense kicks things into gear.
WR- Tank Dell, Houston Texans (@Min)
Things were not planned like this but there's a lot of focus on the Texans in this week's article. After the acquisition of WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon the Houston offense suddenly has many mouths to feed. It's slowly looking like the man being left out is Tank Dell. Through two games Dell has caught 4 balls for 37 yards. In comparison, Nico Collins has 14 catches for 252 yards and a TD, and Stefon Diggs has 10 catches for 70 yards and 2 TDs. Obviously we know who Stroud wants to get the ball to. Yes Dell will have a breakout game here and there, but he’s a risky play until he shows us some sort of performance. Keep him on the bench until then.
TE- Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (@Dal)
I thought it was an obvious flash in the pan week 1 when TE Isaiah Likely went for over 100 receiving yards on 9 catches. Not all people saw it that way. I could squint and see situations where Likely continued to be a solid fantasy TE, but It’s almost as if people have forgotten about veteran TE Mark Andrews just because he had a quiet game. Things went back to normal in week two with Likely having 2 catches for 26 yards while Andrews caught 4 balls for 51 yards. I know the TE position is bleak but in fantasy it's vital to have a starting TE who has a solid target share. Go get a starting TE instead of hoping for another breakout performance by Likely.
Def- Kansas City Chiefs (@Atl)
Defense is one of those positions that carry year to year with that ‘hope’ factor. They have one or two great years and you think they are just always a great play. The Chiefs are a great example of that. An obviously great team and all around on both sides of the ball. Does that mean the defense needs to be started? NO! The Chiefs are owned in over 50% of leagues, which is wild since they just played back to back games against Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. They have a matchup that looks good at a glance but don’t be fooled. The Chiefs defense has yet to get an Interception on the year and has just 4 sacks through their first 2 games. They won’t do terrible against Atl but don’t think this until will go out and win you a game.
