RADIO
Welcome to Week 3 RotoBallers! The season is starting to ramp up, and it is crucial to start getting some wins under your belt to make the playoffs and win a fantasy championship. For those who have started 0-2, it is very important to set an optimal lineup this week as an 0-3 hole is very hard to get out of.
Heading into the third week of action, we are getting to the stage where fantasy managers can start to get a real grasp on how good or bad their team is for the 2022 campaign.
Here are some players I think will be in for a challenging game in Week 3 and could disappoint their fantasy managers.
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Should I Start Tom Brady In Week 3?
Brady will go against a very solid Packers defense that includes the likes of Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes in Week 3. The Packers have given up the fourth-fewest passing yards through the first two weeks of the season and have given up just two passing touchdowns Despite this, they have allowed the eighth-highest completion percentage (69.8%) and yards per attempt (7.4).
The Buccaneers' offense will be shorthanded in this one, as Mike Evans (suspension), Chris Godwin (hamstring), and Julio Jones (knee) could all be held out of action. Brady has had an abysmal start to the season in terms of fantasy production, as he has put up performances of 10.4 and 9.4 fantasy points against the Cowboys and Saints.
Hope you sat Tom Brady in fantasy this week
pic.twitter.com/rfrn4Lis1j— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) September 18, 2022
The Saints game was a potential preview of what life will be like without his three star receivers, as Mike Evans was ejected early, leaving him without Evans, Godwin, and Jones for a portion of the game.
The veteran amassed just 190 passing yards and a touchdown with a lost fumble, so it wouldn't be a crazy idea to consider putting Brady on the bench in Week 3. We could see the Tampa Bay offense rely heavily on Leonard Fournette in this one, potentially limiting the passing output of the team’s star quarterback once again.
Should I Start AJ Dillon In Week 3?
Dillon draws a nightmare matchup with the Buccaneers in Week 3, who rank ninth in run defense through the first two weeks of the season. He took a bit of a backseat to Aaron Jones in Week 2 in terms of production but was still able to tally 19 touches for 67 yards against the Bears.
#Packers Week 2 RB Usage
- Aaron Jones: 59% snaps, 15 carries, 3 targets (170 yds, 2 TDs)
- AJ Dillon: 58% snaps, 18 carries, 3 targets (67 yards)We’ve seen a floor and ceiling type game from each so far. Still, advantage Jones but both in play weekly
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 19, 2022
Dillon is going to need to be much more efficient than that in this one, as it is hard to imagine he will be getting that many touches against such a stout run defense in what should be a much more competitive game than Week 2 vs the Bears. However, being more efficient is easier said than done when you consider his matchup.
Aaron Rodgers has gone on to say he would like to get both his running backs at least 15 touches on a weekly basis, but that may not be enough to get strong fantasy production against one of the league’s best run defenses. Nor will it necessarily be a good strategy to keep feeding the running backs considering that is the strength of the opponent's defense.
Dillon isn't a must-bench because he could find his way into the end zone, but fantasy managers should be cautious.
Should I Start Chase Edmonds/Raheem Mostert In Week 3?
Edmonds and Mostert face the best defense in the league in Week 3, which puts them in must-sit territory when you consider the Bills have allowed the fewest rushing yards and third-fewest yards per carry through the first two weeks of the season.
Mostert got the bulk of the action in Week 2, as he out-touched Edmonds 14-6. However, in Week 1 it was Edmonds who out-touched Mostert 16-6. Yes, the Dolphins have looked impressive to start the season, but the Bills look like an absolute juggernaut which could turn into an ugly game script for the Miami running backs.
When you consider we don't know who will get the bulk of the carries/targets out of the backfield coupled with the fact Tua Tagovailoa may be throwing the ball a lot, it looks like an extremely murky situation to insert into starting lineups this week. Fantasy managers should consider benching both Edmonds and Mostert in Week 3, as neither looks like more than a low-end FLEX option.
Should I Start Terry McLaurin In Week 3?
After seeing what Darius Slay just did to Justin Jefferson on Monday night, McLaurin’s outlook is worrisome heading into a matchup with the Eagles in Week 3.
Lowest passer rating allowed among CBs this season:
3. James Bradberry - 7.0
...
5. Darius Slay - 25.2This Eagles CB duo 👀 pic.twitter.com/pCFg8jjYaY
— PFF (@PFF) September 20, 2022
McLaurin is an extremely talented No. 1 wide receiver, but his volume has been a bit concerning this season as he has seen just 12 targets through two games. The emergence of Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson has factored into McLaurin not getting true alpha target numbers, which is a cause for concern when you consider his matchup this week.
Carson Wentz has spread the ball around to Samuel, Dotson, and Logan Thomas, so it doesn't seem like McLaurin is going to get the astronomical volume to offset the tough matchup with one of the league’s best cornerbacks.
Given his talent and big play ability, he isn't a must-bench, but fantasy managers should downgrade their expectations for McLaurin in Week 3.
Should I Start D.J. Moore In Week 3?
Moore will face a tough Saints defense in Week 3 and will likely be seeing a lot of cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The Saints have allowed the 11th-fewest passing yards and have surrendered just one passing touchdown so far this season, as their talented secondary has got off to a strong start against the Falcons and Buccaneers.
Moore has gotten off to a slow start with his new quarterback Baker Mayfield, as he has recorded just six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets through the first two games of the season. Mayfield hasn't looked very impressive, so the tough matchup and poor quarterback play look like a recipe for disaster for Moore this week.
Fantasy managers should keep him in their starting lineup, but expectations should be tempered quite a bit. Moore can be valued as a lower-end WR2 option this week.
Should I Start Mike Gesicki In Week 3?
Piggybacking from what I mentioned earlier, the matchup with the Bills' defense is an absolute nightmare for fantasy production. The Bills have given up the second-fewest passing yards through two weeks and were the No. 1 passing defense in the 2021 season.
Gesicki made a great play to get into the end zone in Week 2, but regardless he is an easy fade this week. He’s seen just five targets through two games, which he has turned into five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. He’s an extremely talented weapon as a receiver, but his volume is very concerning considering Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have seen a combined 59% target share through two weeks of action.
Tagovailoa attempted 50 passes against the Ravens and Gesicki still only had four targets, as he salvaged his day with an unlikely touchdown snag. The Dolphins' passing attack will not have it as easy as they did in Week 2, so fantasy managers should be putting Gesicki on the bench in this one. Some better options include Hayden Hurst, Tyler Conklin, and Irv Smith Jr.
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