Fantasy Football Mailbag - Week 3

September 20, 2019

Kev Mahserrjian answers reader questions from the fantasy football mailbag with his weekly Q&A session. In Week 3, he will provide lineup advice to answer pressing start/sit questions for tough matchups.

This article's content may vary week-to-week, but generally, it will be answering questions fielded from either the @RotoBallerNFL twitter account or my personal one (@RotoSurgeon). This week, the focus is on start/sit questions, and there were plenty. Every week, many of us struggle with which quarterback to start, or who to flex, and I am here to help.

The questions selected will combat difficult decisions that might be specific to Week 3 starters. We have seen plenty of early risers and fallers who may not make the cut in our lineup as we stumble through the season. The hype and shine wear off some places and begins to glisten elsewhere. However, sometimes, it is just best to not rock the boat (particularly if things are going well).

If you need any questions answered in the coming weeks, feel free to follow and ask either account and we will make sure to respond promptly.

Week 3 Sit/Start Questions

Verdict: Devonta Freeman

Here is a tough spot to be in. Devonta Freeman is a disappointment thus far and has failed to perform through two weeks, albeit against tough run defenses. This weekend, he gets to face a Colts' defense that may be without star linebacker Darius Leonard. The Colts' are giving up around 5.5 yards per carry so far and were ripped by Austin Ekeler in the passing game.

Cooper Kupp has looked stellar on the field in his return from a torn ACL. There was a magnificent 66-yard touchdown in which he shed multiple would-be tacklers on his way to the goal-line but was deemed just short after review. Kupp now looks to face a decent Browns' secondary in a primetime game that could be high scoring. He is a great WR2 option, particularly in PPR leagues, but should not be started over Freeman as a flex due to the upside inherent with lead running backs. This is the week for Devonta Freeman to show up before you consider removing him from your lineup at least temporarily. This is the potential boom week that will remind owners why they invested a third-round pick in him.

Verdict: Lamar Jackson

If you're in a position where you have to choose between Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson every week, congrats, you officially have #FantasyRichPeopleProblems. My best recommendation here would be to sell one of them to boost a position of need, however, if it came down to deciding, I would have to consider the context of this upcoming bout between goliaths.

The Ravens are coming in on fire. Their offense has been incredible through the ground and air, however, the competition thus far is Miami and Arizona, not exactly the defensive stalwarts of the league at the moment. Lamar Jackson looks like a better version of his college self as he is significantly more comfortable throwing. The Chiefs' defense is not mediocre, but not much to write home about. They have pieces but overall lack enough talent at linebacker and cornerback to stop what is coming from a healthy Ravens' squad.

Patrick Mahomes is coming in as the top quarterback in the NFL but has to face a stout Ravens' defense. However, they were a little shaky against Arizona last weekend, leaving some room for doubt as to whether they are that good. Unfortunately, Eric Fisher, the left tackle for Kansas City is set to miss roughly a month of action and both of the Chiefs' featured running backs, LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams carry injury designations. Mahomes might be forced to throw a ton due to this, but that predictability is often countered by good defenses and coaches. Given that both QBs are likely to be forced to throw plenty this week, Lamar Jackson is the answer given his easier matchup.

Verdict: Matt Breida

As much as I prefer David Montgomery as a back, Breida is the better start for now. He was electric last weekend, rushing for 121 yards on 12 carries against the Bengals, and surely would have gotten more work if the game was not a blowout. Breida is the lead-back in a better offense, and that is typically what I value in making start/sit decisions. David Montgomery's increased workload in Week 2 is promising, but with Matt Nagy, you really never know what the situation is going to be like game-to-game. Montgomery's fantasy line last week was carried by a touchdown. His floor remains lower than Breida for now.

The Redskins and Steelers both present formidable run defenses which are essentially negligible. The loss of Joe Staley is huge, but the rest of the 49ers line is still excellent enough to hold up in his absence. If Breida is used even slightly more in the passing game, he could erupt this weekend.

Verdict: O.J. Howard

I'm glad that fake Tedi Bruschi asked this question. It seems as if many are already jumping off of the O.J. Howard wagon. I am here to say WAIT. Give it just one more week. Howard is in line to face arguably the worst linebacker/safety corps in the league. If he cannot find success against the New York Giants, he won't be able to figure it out against anybody. This is the blow-up spot for him, and he should be started, especially over a rookie TE like Noah Fant who is facing a stout Packers' defense. Fant is fine in deeper leagues where the waiver wire is barren and could be better the rest of the year if Howard progresses the way he has, but for now, he is not the option.

Howard has had a rough start to the season, and worst of all, put up a goose egg in Week 2. However, this was coming off of a short week and after he had been on the injury report. Howard was seen bocking on a majority of downs rather than running routes, which is extremely concerning. The best explanation I could come up with was that either this was due to the ankle issue or a result of his fumbling in Week 1. Maybe Coach Arians felt that running routes would aggravate Howard's injury, who knows. The fact of the matter is that he is still an elite talent at the tight end spot and is being criminally underutilized. Start him and pray he shows up as he did most of last season before his injury.

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