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Fantasy Mad Libs - Starts and Sits for Week 3

“So, how many guys are left on your team this week?” That was how my conversation started this week with my former roommate, who I talk to about once a week. Time zones now mean we can call before he starts his job as a restaurant manager, and as I come home from my marketing job a few states east. He and I both list off names; at first, no one. Well, unless you count Keenan Allen, we both lost him. Oh, well, and Ameer Abdullah, just him. Did either of us have Adrian Peterson? No, we agreed, but I told him someone who I give fantasy advice to does and I feel terrible.

I’ve come to learn that the more of my friends I talk to before the season starts, the more our rosters tend to overlap. So when someone like Adrian Peterson goes down, unless I’m playing in a league with that person, he probably doesn’t own him because I mentioned staying away (or, in this case of Keenan Allen, totally owns him and is also scrambling for a WR replacement.)

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 3. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

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As true as this is for starters, it’s 1000% more true for sleepers. I asked “Hey, so then who are you targeting this week.” We went through our lists, and then we talked about players we are hoping get starting jobs very soon. “Yeah, I am really dying for Kenneth Dixon to get full time work in Baltimore.” Apparently my roommate loves Kenneth Dixon. Loves him! He’s been high on him since the beginning. “Oh, you mean when I told you he was probably gonna be the man.” No, no, he brushed me off. He’s been watching ESPN, he’s been doing research, it’s definitely not me he heard it from. “No man, I told you when Forsett went down, grab Dixon. Remember, I told you I overpaid for him?” Nope, doesn’t remember. Funny how that happens…

These are how these conversations simply go. Until you have a blue check mark behind your name or are giving your picks next to a large DraftKings logo, these conversations you have with friends tend to have this sort of overlap. We recommend one guy casually, and the next week he is your buddy's "guy." This is, of course, the joy and pain of having friends who are as fantasy-nerdy as you are. These friends don’t remember who liked Odell Beckham Jr. first in 2014, but they’ll damn sure let you know who recommended drafting Jeremy Hill in 2015. Oh, and someone mentioned Dwayne Washington this week. Did I mention how much I love Dwayne Washington?

 

Running Back

LeSean McCoy will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.

I can’t imagine a struggling Bills team leaning on the run in what could be a blowout loss to a very good Cardinals team, but then I would be suggesting I have any idea what is going on in Rex Ryan's head strategically. Though McCoy has bailed you out for two weeks, I would be really nervous to start him in Week 3.

Dear DeMarco Murray, do you like like me? I like like you this week.

I’ll raise my hand right now to tell you I was in the “I think DeMarco is about done in Tennessee” group, so much so I traded him away for pennies on the dollar in my dynasty league. So I know I’m going to feel especially stupid when the Oakland Raiders end up letting DeMarco see value, not so much as a pure runner, but as a pass catching running back. There aren’t a lot of “sexy” matchups in Week 3, the kind where you are happily starting your RB’s and ignoring the scores with a margarita in your hand, but I think Murray is good for at least a touchdown. Unless, like, the Raiders secondary is finally going to come through in one of these games.

Am I going to really start Mark Ingram in Week 2? 

Talk about a guy who has had a rough go of it in 2016. Mark Ingram has yet to break a hundred yards in two weeks, so his matchup vs the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 feels like a do-or-die for the talented RB. The Atlanta Falcons have played hosts to two consecutive shootouts, giving up 4.6 yards per carry against running backs. I like Ingram in 2016, but if he continues to struggle, Travaris Cadet could see a workload that dwarfs Ingram’s at some point the rest of the way. I’d feel confident with Ingram in a running back slot this week, but know that this could be the last time I recommend him in 2016.

Hold your nose, here comes Dexter McCluster (less than 2% ownership in ESPN leagues)

There aren’t a lot of… what’s the word… “good” options for a RB in Week 3. Dare I say, there are a lot of bad options! But if you are truly hurting at RB in a deeper league (dare I say, a rare 16-league AP and Woodhead owner?), you may not be able to be picky. We know McCluster didn’t get every-week value in San Diego, but he could be the passing down running back in a shoot-out with Indianapolis. It’s not great, but given the injuries to that team you could see him finding FLEX value in a PPR league without much imagination.

 

Wide Receiver

Don't hand me my money back, I'm going double-or-nothing on Mike Wallace

I don’t know how it happened. I don’t know how Mike Wallace, in 2016, became a dominant force in fantasy football. I don’t know how he did it in Baltimore of all places. And I don’t know how he’s going to suddenly go away when facing a Jacksonville Jaguars secondary who still has the footprints of the San Diego Chargers on their chest. Granted, Jacksonville looked better at home vs the Packers and may enjoy the same home-field advantage against Baltimore, but I’m gonna guess the guy who is averaging 16 yards through the air so far is gonna get his.

I will be discarding my Mike Evans and replacing him with two cards from the deck

Did you limp your way to a winning record with Mike Evans as your WR2, grinning from ear to ear at the production he got you? Grin no more pony boy, because the Los Angeles Rams are coming, and they are bringing another game where they’ve got your receivers number! Oh, well, at least one of the two games they have your receivers number! In all honesty, I don’t know how this Rams game will look, considering how dramatically different these games have looked so far, I just wouldn’t feel comfortable with Evans as my WR2 this week.

I begrudgingly will allow Rashard Higgins room to sit on my bench as long as he brought snacks for the rest of the team (less than 1%)

I'm not as upset about this as the title makes it sound, but in a league where I'm already tight on bench room, I'm having trouble taking my own advice. Higgins is suddenly WR3 in the depth chart for the Browns, but I don't know how much playing time he'll get. Google Higgins' name and you'll see him being favorably compared to Will Fuller... so if you missed out on Fuller and have bench room to roll the dice, especially in dynasty leagues where he's still totally un-owned, I'd pull the trigger.

 

Tight End

Parachute? I don't need no parachute, I have Trey Burton

It’s official; I have seen Gary Barnridge dropped in a deep fantasy league, which may be all of the reason I need to start recommending guys who are largely unowned. Burton is playing a Steelers team that is “Eh” against Tight Ends, in a game that may have Carson Wentz looking for friendly faces. Burton is your guy here, and you should grab him now before he’s suddenly waiver wire body numero uno.

Don't cry kids! We will bury Dwayne Allen in the yard

I think it’s fair to say that everyone dropped Dwayne Allen this…. He’s up 7% in ESPN leagues? Seven percent. He saw less of a workload in competition with Jack Doyle, and not more, and he’s up 7%. I cannot recommend running away fast enough.

 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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