🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Target Risers and Possible Breakouts for Week 3

Chris Moore looks to identify PPR sleepers based on targets and receptions risers from Week 2 of fantasy footballs. Add these WRs, TEs, RBs - or trade for them.

You know the drill. To succeed in fantasy football, you need players who will have ample opportunities to touch the ball from week to week. In the passing game, a reliable volume of targets is usually a prerequisite for consistent production.

In this installment of Target Acquired, we'll take a closer look at some players with the biggest or most surprising target totals from Week 2.

We'll also list some breakout and sleeper candidates who could put themselves on the fantasy map in Week 3 in order to help you at the wide receiver and/or flex position.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Rising Target Grabbers

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jarvis Landry (WR, MIA), 15 targets

Heading into the 2017 fantasy draft season a number of factors conspired to drive down Jarvis Landry’s perceived value. Losing quarterback Ryan Tannehill to an ACL tear and facing domestic violence allegations, Landry looked like he might be suspended for a significant portion of the regular season and catching balls from a signal caller with more of a penchant for downfield chunk plays than the ball-control style that made Landry a fixture atop PPR wide receiver ranks. If the Ezekiel Elliott case has taught us anything about the speed of due process, it seems safe to assume that even if the DV charges do stick, it’s not likely to affect Landry’s availability in 2017. Moreover, when we finally got a look at the Jay Cutler version of the Miami Dolphins, Landry caught a ridiculous 13 of 15 targets for 78 yards in their Week 2 opener. In PPR leagues, he’s still a borderline WR1.

Marqise Lee (WR, JAX), 12 targets

As much as I’m sure Doug Marrone means it when he says he wants to “run the ball on every play,” Blake Bortles in garbage-time comeback mode figures to be a familiar sight once again this season. With Allen Robinson on the shelf until 2018, Marqise Lee turned his 12 targets into seven catches for 76 yards. The volume should be fairly safe going forward.

Jaron Brown (WR, ARI), 11 targets

With John Brown hobbled, it was Jaron Brown who paced the Cardinals in targets in Week 2. Although he’s probably not worth a pick up even in deep leagues just yet, it’s worth noting that Jaron stands to see a significant spike in opportunity when John Brown sits, which could be a common occurrence.

Rashard Higgins (WR, CLE), 11 targets

Corey Coleman had impressed in Week 1, catching five of six targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. As of Sunday night, however, it has been reported that Coleman is dealing with a broken hand for the second straight season. Meanwhile Higgins caught 7 of 11 targets for 95 yards for a WR corps that combined for just 11 catches total, including just one from Kenny Britt who had been the presumptive starter opposite Coleman in preseason. If Higgins is going to be the WR1 in this offense, he’ll at least have decent PPR appeal.

Kendall Wright (WR, CHI), 10 targets

Although it didn’t happen for him in Week 1, Kendall Wright is yet another guy in a ‘last man standing’ scenario for the Chicago Bears. He makes for a safe, volume-based PPR flex in a WR corps devoid of any household names as his Sunday line of seven catches for 69 yards was good for a WR20 finish in such formats in Week 2.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Tarik Cohen (RB, CHI), 9 targets

There isn’t an awful lot to say here as Cohen led all RBs in targets for the second straight week. Further bolstering his PPR stock is the fact that starter Jordan Howard was spotted with his arm in a sling following the Bears loss to Tampa Bay in Week 2. Cohen is a PPR RB2.

 

TIGHT ENDS

Jason Witten (TE, DAL), 13 targets

The opportunities don’t seem to be going away any time soon for the future hall of famer as he led his position in targets for the second straight week with 10 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Fire up as a TE1 for the time being, especially with injuries ravaging the top end players at the position.

Martellus Bennett (TE, GB), 11 targets

It wasn’t pretty, but Bennett quietly led all Packers in targets during Sunday night’s loss to the Falcons, catching just four for 47 yards. Perhaps more importantly, Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson left the Week 2 contest with injuries so the volume could be there, assuming the lack of efficiency doesn’t land him in the doghouse.

Jack Doyle (TE, IND), 8 targets

One of three players I’m going to highlight here who caught every single target in Week 2, Jack Doyle showed a quick rapport with Jacoby Brissett, leading the Colts in receptions (8) and yardage (79) by a wide margin. Any production we can get out of Jack Doyle ahead of Andrew Luck’s return is gravy, with potential upside for a whole lot more on the horizon.

Benjamin Watson (TE, BAL), 8 targets

Watson was Brees’s go to TE in 2015 before leaving town for Baltimore and missing all of last season with an achilles injury. It’s a crowded TE corps in Baltimore so despite catching all eight of his targets for 91 yards in Week 2, Watson is a streamer to be approached with caution for now, but if the targets prove sustainable, he’ll be a usable streamer during the bye-week crunch. Dennis Pitta drew 121 targets from Joe Flacco in 2016, good for third at the tight end position for the season so Watson wouldn't be the first reclamation project that Flacco turned into a volume-based fantasy stalwart.

Hunter Henry (TE, SD), 7 targets

Owners who were patient with Hunter Henry after not being targeted in the season-opener were rewarded handsomely in Week 2 as the second-year TE caught all seven of his targets for 80 yards and a TE7 overall finish against the Dolphins. It may take a couple of weeks to shake the worry that Henry will be erased from the game plan the way he was in Week 1, but he’s too talented a player not to roster. If an impatient owner cut bait, I’d make a play for him on waivers.

 

Potential Week 3 Breakouts

Geronimo Allison (WR, GB)

In Sunday night’s contest against the Falcons, Green Bay lost both Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to injuries. Though both players appear to have avoided anything serious, Nelson has already been called “50-50” for Green Bay’s Week 3 tilt with the Bengals. Allison “started” two games to close out the 2016 season as the number three WR for Aaron Rodgers and caught 8 of 13 targets for 157 yards and a touchdown. He’s a viable streamer and DFS punt play if either Nelson or Cobb are ruled out.

Devin Funchess (WR, CAR)

Through the season’s first two games, the Saints defense has given up 793 yards and six touchdowns through the air. Funchess has been Cam Newton’s second most targeted wide receiver. Picking on New Orleans will probably be a theme for streamers at every position for the rest of the season. Funchess is risky, but the opportunity for a big game is there.

Jalen Richard (RB, OAK)

As the best receiver in the Oakland backfield, Richard comes off a game in which he tallied eight total touches for 109 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. This week he takes on a Redskins defense that has already surrendered 11 catches for 92 yards and a pair of receiving touchdowns to running backs through two weeks. Richard probably won’t be a candidate for double digit touches unless the game gets out of hand, but his game-breaking ability keeps him in play as a PPR flex.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, NYJ)

Suspended for the season’s first two weeks and playing for probably the worst team in the NFL, Seferian-Jenkins has been a forgotten man for fantasy purposes. While streaming ASJ in his first game off suspension is not a move for the faint of heart, let’s not forget that he had been drawing rave reviews in Jets camp in the first half of August. There is a legitimate chance that he is the most talented player in a Jets passing game that has featured Jermaine Kearse as its centerpiece through the season’s first two weeks. Seferian-Jenkins is best viewed as a watch-list candidate for the time being, but a big role in this New York Jets offense is there for the taking. The TE landscape in 2017 is a wasteland of injuries and disappointments and ASJ could quickly ascend to fantasy relevance.

 

More Week 3 Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Zach Werenski

Escapes Serious Injury, May Play Wednesday
Auston Matthews

Could Be an Option Wednesday
Neemias Queta

Ruled Out For Wednesday's Contest
Jason Robertson

Scores in Seventh Consecutive Game
Wyatt Johnston

Ends Dry Spell With Four-Point Performance
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

May Skip Wednesday's Contest
Andrew Wiggins

Questionable Wednesday
Norman Powell

Expected to Return Wednesday
Shaedon Sharpe

Uncertain for Wednesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

In Danger of Missing Wednesday's contest
Trendon Watford

Won't Return to NBA Cup Meeting with Orlando
Corey Kispert

Suffers Thumb Injury on Tuesday Night
DeVonta Smith

Listed as DNP on Tuesday
Vinnie Hinostroza

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Pyotr Kochetkov

Dealing With Undisclosed Injury
Tristan Jarry

Expected to Be Available Wednesday
Evgenii Dadonov

Doubtful for Wednesday
J.T. Miller

Joins Team for Road Trip
Joel Kiviranta

Ready to Return Wednesday
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Expected to Return on Saturday
Marvin Bagley III

Ruled Out Versus Atlanta
Luke Kennard

Available on Tuesday Night
RJ Barrett

Unavailable Wednesday
Landry Shamet

Out for Wednesday
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Questionable for Wednesday's Matchup With Milwaukee
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Jauan Jennings

Won't be Suspended
Draymond Green

Will be Questionable for Wednesday Against the Rockets
Goga Bitadze

Downgraded to Questionable
Dereck Lively II

Will Miss At Least 7-10 Days
Paul George

Will Not Play Tuesday against the Magic
Tyrese Maxey

Will Play Tuesday Against the Magic
Omarion Hampton

Chargers Open Omarion Hampton's Practice Window
Joel Embiid

Ruled Out Against Orlando
Lamar Jackson

Returns to Practice
DK Metcalf

D.K. Metcalf Will Be Limited Early in the Week
Isiah Pacheco

Set to Return on Thursday
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
Brian Thomas Jr.

Expected to Make his Return in Week 13
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Have "Great Optimism" Aaron Rodgers Will Play in Week 13
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Jayden Daniels

has Been Throwing, Return Timeline Unclear
NFL

As Many as Three NFL Teams Could Have Interest in Hiring Bill Belichick
Sam Reinhart

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Adam Fox

Delivers Two Assists in Monday's Win
Brandon Hagel

Tallies Three Points Against Flyers
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Extends Winning Streak With Shutout Performance
Logan Cooley

Erupts for Five Points in Monday's Win
Mathieu Olivier

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Monday
Zach Werenski

Hurt Against Capitals
Isiah Pacheco

Targeting a Return on Thursday
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Lamar Jackson

Now Dealing With a Toe Injury
Jake Walman

to Remain Out Tuesday
Ridly Greig

Still Out Monday
Baker Mayfield

Dealing With Low-Grade Shoulder Sprain
Thomas Chabot

Misses Monday's Matchup
Chris Godwin

Buccaneers Plan to "Ramp Up" Chris Godwin's Usage
Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
Ashton Jeanty

Ankle Injury isn't Severe
Jayden Daniels

to Practice This Week, Considered a Long Shot for Week 13
C.J. Stroud

Remains in Concussion Protocol
Mike Evans

Could Return Before End of Regular Season
J.J. McCarthy

in Concussion Protocol
Tyrod Taylor

to Remain the Jets' Starting QB
Shedeur Sanders

to Make Another Start for Browns in Week 13
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return
Adolis García

Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP