RADIO
Brandon's fantasy football start'em and sit'em for Week 2 lineups in 2022. Sneaky players to start that may boom, and typical starters to disappoint or bust.
In fantasy football, Week 2 became a case of the haves and the have-nots. Around the league, several jaw-dropping performances set up many managers for easy victories. Of course, Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa saw much of the press in an impressive back-and-forth quarterback battle from Sunday. But the play from guys like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garrett Wilson, and Christian Kirk is what took away some headlines.
Sure, sitting back and watching the lights-out play from your quarterback feels great and all, but it's when those secondary players on your roster hit it big in a week that brings a sense of pride in a victory. These kinds of efforts also were a major factor for managers needing those Monday night miracles when they watched Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs blow the Titans off the field. The massive production weeks don't come around often for most players, so it was quite crazy to see so many players contribute to Week 2.
The major takeaway from the first two weeks of the NFL season is how much better of start fantasy managers are off to that went with wide receivers early in drafts. Scoring has been lackluster, to say the least, from the running back position as only five players at the position currently sit inside the top 20 in fantasy points at the skill positions. For the teams that went running back early in drafts, staying competitive over the first two games may be tough in certain cases. Having to play the catch-up game means taking chances with lineup decisions each week. Relieving the stress of those decisions is what I aim to do each week with this piece. I look for the diamonds in the rough in an attempt to give you an advantage over your competition. Simultaneously, bracing you for what could be disappointing weeks of production from your typical starters. I dive into the numbers to point out these players that I will be wooing and those that will be getting booed.
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Week 3 Woos - Fantasy Football Booms
Kirk Cousins - QB, Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
If you are looking for the perfect candidate to have a bounce-back week, look no further than Kirk Cousins. Primetime Cousins showed up terribly on Monday night throwing for just 221 yards and three interceptions playing from behind against the Eagles. As Darius Slay kept Justin Jefferson locked down, Cousins simply struggled to get the ball elsewhere.
That will not be the case in Week 3 as he is looking at a get-right game at home against a Lions secondary ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks (26.8 FPPG). In a game that could turn into a shootout, Cousins should be looked at as an easy QB1 in Week 3 as the home crowd helps to propel the Vikings' offense.
Dameon Pierce - RB, Houston Texans @ Chicago Bears
After Week 1 many fantasy managers were getting the early season jitters as Pierce played sparingly behind Rex Burkhead. That changed in a big way to Pierce's favor in Week 2 as he saw 63% of the snaps and handled 79% of the rushing duties. Although the production has yet to come around, his ranking of 13th in evaded tackles (10) at the position indicates that he is beginning to create his opportunities. The opportunities in Week 3 could turn into scoring changes against a Bears defense that is currently allowing 22.9 FPPG to the position. Based on the potential in this matchup and increased workload, Pierce should be viewed as a low-end RB2 for managers looking to get him into lineups.
Tyler Lockett - WR, Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons
Another player trending in the right direction is Tyler Lockett. After largely going unnoticed in Week 1 with just 28 yards, he saw his route participation rise to 97% resulting in a 37% target share last week. He turned 11 targets into nine receptions for 107 yards, good for a WR2 finish. Lockett could yet again see positive production in Week 3 as he faces a Falcons secondary that is near the bottom of the league in points allowed to opposing receivers (42.2 FPPG).
I am expecting to see a lot of attention shifted towards DK Metcalf in this game, which should free up plenty of single coverage down the field for Lockett. Feel free to plug him into your lineup as a WR3 this week with the upside to provide WR2 production.
Tyler Higbee - TE, Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
The trend of players on the rise continues with Tyler Higbee, who many may not realize leads the position in targets (20) and sits third in receptions (12) after two weeks. His three red-zone targets show potential for much more statistical improvement as well. He is currently looking very similar to start the season to Dalton Schultz and his play in 2021.
I am expecting the strong play to continue in Week 3 as he could not be seeing a better matchup. The Cardinals' defense is currently the worst in the league in points allowed to opposing tight ends (24.4 FPPG) and Higbee should see one of those red-zone targets pay off in this matchup. This makes Higbee a no-doubt start for fantasy managers that likely may have plucked him off the waiver wire this week.
Week 3 Boos - Fantasy Football Busts
Aaron Rodgers - QB, Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Many were expecting Rodgers to struggle after the loss of Davante Adams coming into the 2022 season, but through 2 games he sits at QB30 in FPPG (10.5). The uncertainty of the pass catchers around him has caused the Packers offense to lean more on the running game. The struggles may very well continue in Week 3 as Rodgers goes on the road to face a Buccaneers defense that allows just 9.3 FPPG to the quarterback position. Until we see one of the receivers get healthy and step up their game, Rodgers remains a player to keep on the bench.
Antonio Gibson - RB, Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Although he has been somewhat of a surprise to start the season with his production numbers, Antonio Gibson may be on borrowed time. Sure, he currently sits as an RB1 in FPPG (16.1) but that is largely due to his work as a receiver to start the year. Unless he shows a little extra over the next couple of weeks, Gibson could start losing work to rookie Brian Robinson upon his return to action. The production could be slowed in Week 3 as Gibson will be facing an Eagles defense that is coming off of a very impressive performance against the Vikings on Monday night. Unless he sees a return to his 21% target share from Week 1 (down to 10% in Week 2), his fantasy numbers may be no better than Flex material this week.
Michael Thomas - WR, New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Thomas is another player whose fantasy production to start the year (20.6 FPPG - WR10) can be a tad bit deceiving. He is just WR19 in targets (17), WR18 in receptions (11), and WR28 in yards (122). It's the fact that he has found the end zone three times in two games that have vaulted him up in the rankings.
With Jameis Winston battling broken bones in his back and the possibility of turning to Andy Dalton, Thomas could hit a wall in production quickly. This could start as soon as Week 3 as he will be facing a tough test in a Panthers secondary that currently ranks 30th in leagues in points allowed to the position (18.4 FPPG). Although he will be ranked as a WR2 coming into this week's games, his fantasy numbers could reflect that of a WR3/4 by the end of Week 3.
Cole Kmet - TE, Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans
Not much has to be said about the start of the season for Cole Kmet as he has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy still sitting at zero receptions. If you want to find a silver lining, it's that he currently ranks TE10 in snap share at 82.5%. That has translated to just two targets on the year as the head-scratching play calling for the Bears continues.
For the fantasy managers that are brave enough to stay strong and hold onto Kmet, this will not be the week you see improvement. He will be facing a Texans defense that has been strong against the position to start the year, allowing just 8.0 FPPG. Kmet could eventually turn things around, but Week 3 will again be a game in which he should be firmly on the bench.
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