Fantasy Football Warning Signals for Week 3: Joe Burrow, Khalil Herbert, Jahan Dotson

September 24, 2023

Kev‘s fantasy football warning signals and lineup sit ems for Week 3 (2023). Who should I start instead of these players worth benching, sitting, and avoiding?

Week 3 of the fantasy football season is underway and despite a limited set of data, it is okay to consider benching players with name value. We often hear the phrase "start your studs" and it is a tried and true method, especially earlier in the season. When injuries, tough matchups, and/or questionable team situations arise, we must adjust. Today, I'll be looking at Joe Burrow, Khalil Herbert, and Jahan Dotson.

This may be difficult to stomach benching a player drafted within the top 100 for a possible free-agent acquisition, but sometimes such measures must be taken to ensure victory throughout the fantasy football season.

Here is a look at some fantasy football players who have shown warning signals recently, and you should think twice about putting them in your lineup in Week 3. Will they bounce back, or continue to underperform? For any and all issues or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on Twitter.

Quarterback Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 3?

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams

This is an obvious selection with Burrow trending towards doubtful for Monday's game. However, given the slow leak of news, we may not have a final update until Monday afternoon, which would leave fantasy managers holding the bag. The pivot towards Matthew Stafford is possible (or at worst, Jake Browning), but who wants to be stuck between these two?

The best course of action with Burrow is benching him prior to Sunday morning's games and rolling out the likely viable option on a fantasy bench of the best streamer available if not. Burrow has the shine of his name but his performance thus far has been lackluster and will continue as such until his calf issue is resolved. With his lack of rushing (four yards on two attempts) and his inability to push the football downfield, he is a shell of himself. Bench him this week and until further notice.

What To Do

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons

Goff is once again a QB1 to start the season and welcomes a vulnerable Falcons defense to Detroit this Sunday. As an added boost, Amon-Ra St. Brown appears healthy while lead RB David Montgomery is not. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs will take over RB1 duties and boost a pass offense that has found plenty of success through two games despite the absence of last year's first-round selection Jameson Williams.

With Gibbs operating as a quasi-receiver out of the backfield, ARSB commanding his share of respect, and the emergence of Sam LaPorta at tight end, there are plenty of ways for Goff to attack the Atlanta defense. He will be required to throw thanks to Detroit's defense losing multiple starters already. The Falcons' offense is frustrating for fantasy managers but effective nonetheless due to the scheme, elite OL, and high-end talent at WR, TE, and RB. Expect plenty of scoring between these two teams and if Goff is not available, Desmond Ridder with his rushing ability is a fine pivot.

Running Back Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 3?

Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears @ Kansas City Chiefs

Herbert is the most talented rusher in the Bears' backfield but due to their porous defense and discombobulated offense, the Bears find themselves trailing early and often. With deficits on the scoreboard sooner than later, Chicago abandons the run game outside of Justin Fields' scrambles on pass plays. Through two games, the Bears' RBs have combined to rush just 30 times.

Kansas City's defense is often vulnerable to the rush as DC Steve Spagnuolo knows that pass defense wins games but this will not matter if Herbert does not get the necessary volume to succeed in fantasy. The likeliest scenario is backup RB Roschon Johnson playing more due to his pass-blocking acumen and consistent hands. Herbert is far from a trusted receiving back despite seeing eight targets this season. His 36 targets in 32 career games are fairly low for a back with 275 total touches.

What To Do

Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers @ Minnesota Vikings

Kelley was incredible in Week 1 playing as Austin Ekeler's backup who rushed for 91 yards and a TD on 16 carries. In Week 2 as the starter in Ekeler's absence, he was nowhere near as effective with 39 yards on 13 carries. Nevertheless, there is a bright side as Kelley logged 79% of the snaps and should remain the clear lead against a leaky Vikings run defense.

The Week 2 matchup against Tennessee is forgivable as they rank second in DVOA against rushing this season after ranking first last season. Kelley is a must-start option in fantasy even with zero targets through two games.

Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 3?

Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders vs. Buffalo Bills

Dotson is struggling early in the season. There was plenty of reason for excitement after a promising rookie season and Terry McLaurin injuring his toe during preseason but that has quickly died down. Dotson leads the team in targets (12) but has produced just 62 yards without a TD. A major factor in his success last season was TDs but we know they are volatile for receivers year-to-year and oftentimes luck and quarterback-based.

Dotson is okay to start in full-PPR leagues thanks to his targets but given the weather on the East Coast this weekend and his lack of flash thus far, benching for another option is best.

What To Do

Nico Collins, Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Nico Collins not only leads the Texans in targets (20) but is also tied for seventh in the NFL. His emergence this season could be very real as his talent was not much of a question (though maybe not to the degree of a fantasy WR1). Quarterback issues in Houston and dating back to his college days at Michigan always capped Collins but he persisted and finally has what appears to be a real franchise QB under center in C.J. Stroud.

Collins is a big-play threat who can attack the middle of a field well, too. He is not just a start this week in what should be a catch-up game against Jacksonville, but every week moving forward as Houston's alpha WR.

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