👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 3 Boom/Bust Candidates for Early Games

By now you're likely starting to get a feel for your team, but as the first two weeks have shown, just about everything we think we know is wrong. DeMarco Murray and Andrew Luck have been disappointing, Alfred Morris is being replaced, Jimmy Graham is barely being targeted, Peyton Manning can't throw anymore and Adrian Peterson is still in search of his first touchdown.

All of the preparation and studying in the world is nothing compared to the randomness and unpredictability that is fantasy football. It's the thing that we both love and hate about playing. This weekly boom/bust column is here to help you sort through the unpredictability, using logic and match up trends to determine what will most likely happen.

Full disclosure: I've had mixed results through the first two weeks of the season. In Week 1, I had a 50 percent accuracy, but in Week 2, I guessed almost everything wrong. That's the thing about early season fantasy football - the trends haven't fully taken shape yet, so there's a lot of luck involved. Here is this week's potential booms and busts for the early games.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Potential Booms for Week 3

Quarterbacks

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots:
I bet against the four-time Super Bowl champion last week in Buffalo – I won’t be making that mistake again. At home against the Jaguars is about as favorable a matchup Tom Brady's fantasy owners can have. Ryan Tannehill threw for 359 yards and two TDs in Jacksonville last weekend, so it’s tough to imagine Brady doing any worse playing in Foxborough. Deploy with confidence.

Running Backs

Joseph Randle, RB, Cowboys: Anyone who understands the nature of running backs in fantasy football knows that value is all about volume. The more touches a runner has, the better. Without Dez Bryant or Tony Romo for the foreseeable future, an uptick in carries for Joseph Randle is inevitable. They certainly aren’t going to put their trust in Brandon Weeden to go win them games. Atlanta’s defense has been very generous to running backs through the first two games of the season, and has allowed more touchdowns, receptions and receiving YDs to running backs than any other team in the NFL.

Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders: The fact that Latavius Murray is one of the few bellcow, three-down backs in the NFL makes him a great starting option nearly every week. Facing the Cleveland Browns, the worst rushing defense in the NFL (160 YDs per game allowed), only makes Murray a more enticing start in Week 3.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: After the Week 1 dud, Adrian Peterson owners let out a collective sigh of relief when the All-Pro runner got 29 carries and 134 rushing yards in Week 2. San Diego hasn’t exactly been strong in the run defense department, getting shredded by Ameer Abdullah in Week 1 and then Giovanni Bernard in Week 2. At home, fresh off of a win and a big performance, expect a statement game from Peterson in Week 3.

Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots: At this point it seems that Julian Edelman may be among the two or three best slot receivers in the NFL. He’s posted back-to-back weeks of 11 catches and 97 receiving YDs and tacked on a pair of TDs in Week 2. Jacksonville has no answer for Edelman so expect another monster stat line.

Brandon Marshall, WR, Jets: Through the first two weeks of the season, the Eagles have surrendered three TDs and 362 YDs to wide receivers. Brandon Marshall has been heavily targeted and is the clear top option for Gang Green. At home against a reeling Eagles team, Marshall is a good bet to catch a TD for a third consecutive week to start the season.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans: If he plays this week (concussion), fantasy owners of DeAndre Hopkins should be salivating at the matchup against the Buccaneers. Through the first two weeks of the season, receivers have torched Tampa bay for 23 receptions, 344 YDs, and three TDs. Hopkins is clearly the best offensive weapon on the team and figures to receive a lot of targets.

Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars: After a terrible Week 1, Robinson reminded us all why he was a popular sleeper pick this offseason. Robinson grabbed six receptions for 155 YDs and a pair of TDs in a surprising win against Miami last weekend. New England’s secondary has been highly vulnerable so far and with Jacksonville likely playing from behind, Robinson should be in line for a big day.

Tight Ends

Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals: Tyler Eifert has been the best receiver in Cincinnati so far this season, even better than A.J. Green. Eifert already has three TD catches and has led his team in receiving yards in the first two weeks of the season. Despite the matchup against a tough Baltimore Ravens defense, Eifert has been too consistent early on to bench.

Ladarius Green, TE, Chargers: Provided he gets the start (concussion), Ladarius Green could exploit a Minnesota defense that has been vulnerable to tight ends in the passing attack. Green also has only two games remaining to put a strangle hold on the starting position before Antonio Gates returns from suspension, so he has even more reason to step up. Call it a gut feeling, but I think Green breaks into the endzone this week.

Defenses

New York Jets: The New York Jets have forced 10 turnovers in two games and the Eagles have turned the ball over five times during the same stretch. Coming into Metlife Stadium on Sunday afternoon against one of the better defensive fronts in the NFL, it’s hard to imagine the Eagles offense getting on track this week.

 

Potential Busts for Week 3

Quarterbacks

Sam Bradford, QB, Eagles: Against the mediocre defensive fronts of the Falcons and Cowboys during Week 1 and Week 2, Sam Bradford struggled mightily, tossing four picks against just two TDs. Now he’s going on the road against a New York Jets defense that is shaping up to be one of the best in the league. No thank you.

Running Backs

DeMarco Murray, RB, Eagles: In two games this season, DeMarco Murray has 11 rushing YDs. If that astonishingly low number doesn’t have his fantasy owners hitting the panic button, the Jets run defense certainly will. The unit hasn’t surrendered more than 69 yards on the ground and still have not given up a rushing touchdown. You most likely have to start Murray if you drafted him, but you may want to prepare for another disappointing outing.

Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers: The Muscle Hamster has looked decent throughout the first two weeks of the season, but still hasn’t reached 80 yards or broken into the endzone. He’ll face a Texans team that hasn’t given up a touchdown on the ground yet this fall and has been pretty stingy with yardage. I wouldn’t trust Martin as anything other than a flex, and even then, you’re probably better off going in another direction.

Wide Receivers

Andre Johnson, WR, Colts: Andre Johnson is starting to look like a fixture on bust list this season. Drafted as a WR2 in most formats, Johnson has looked slow and uninspiring thus far. It appears that WR Donte Moncrief is poised to move ahead of the veteran receiver as well, dropping Johnson to the number four option on offense. Add this to the fact that he’ll be facing a respectable Titans passing defense, and leaving Johnson on the bench this week seems like the smart decision.

Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles: Two words: Revis Island. Not only does the Eagles offense look terrible this season, they’ll be headed to Metlife Stadium to face one of the league’s better looking defenses. Jordan Matthews has had a solid start to the season, so chances are good that you won’t bench him. Just remember that No. 1 receivers facing Darrelle Revis don’t often fare very well. Proceed with caution.

Tight Ends

Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys: Not only are the Cowboys without star WR Dez Bryant, they’re also without star QB Tony Romo. This leaves Jason Witten as the most seasoned pass catcher and Brandon Weeden as his quarterback. Atlanta has been pretty good against TEs so far this season and despite a good start to the season, going with Witten is risky. There’s just too much going against him to trust he has a good performance.

Defenses

Baltimore Ravens: After a negative fantasy showing against the Raiders a week ago, how can we trust Baltimore to put up big numbers against a better Cincinnati team? It may be a home divisional matchup, but this Bengals team looks more explosive and starting Baltimore is extremely risky.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]
 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tommy Fleetwood

on Upward Trend Ahead of PGA Championship
Bryson DeChambeau

a High-Upside Play With Risk at PGA Championship
Isaiah Davis

' Dynasty Value Takes a Hit Thanks to Teammate's Extension
Kaleb Johnson

Will Kaleb Johnson Have a Bigger Role Under New Coaching Staff?
Draymond Green

Set to Stay With Warriors
Trey McBride

an Elite Fantasy TE Any Way You Slice it
Stephen Curry

Warriors Looking to Extend Stephen Curry in Offseason
Brock Purdy

All Signs Point to Bounce-Back Season for Brock Purdy in 2026
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks Listening to Offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jalen McMillan

has a Path to Bigger Role, But There Will be Target Competition
OG Anunoby

Expected to Be Ready for Game 1 of East Finals
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Game 5
A.J. Ewing

Mets to Call Up Top Prospect A.J. Ewing
Kevin Huerter

to Remain Sidelined in Game 4
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 4 on Monday
Thomas Bryant

is Available to Play in Game 4
Victor Wembanyama

Won't be Suspended Following Game 4 Ejection
Mookie Betts

is Officially Back on Monday
Nathan Eovaldi

Scratched From Monday's Start With Side Tightness
Mark Jankowski

Signs Two-Year Extension With Hurricanes
Joel Kiviranta

Cleared to Play Monday
Josh Manson

Available for Game 4 Monday
Mackenzie Blackwood

Expected to Start Monday
Jonas Brodin

Won't Play Monday
Joel Eriksson Ek

Remains Out Monday
Justin Jefferson

Dynasty Stock on the Rise With New QB in Minnesota
J.J. McCarthy

Injuries, QB Addition in Minnesota Deal Big Blow to J.J. McCarthy's Dynasty Value
Aaron Rodgers

Doesn't Meet With Steelers Over the Weekend
Chris Boswell

Steelers Agree With Kicker Chris Boswell on Four-Year Extension
Henry Bolte

Athletics to Promote Top Outfield Prospect Henry Bolte to Major Leagues
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Harold Fannin Jr.

Offers Tantalizing Dynasty Upside Despite Uncertain Offense
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
Dalton Kincaid

Is Dalton Kincaid's Long-Term Dynasty Upside Fading Due to Health Concerns?
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Jordan James

Could Emerge as a Must-Roster Handcuff Option for Dynasty Managers
Jaylen Waddle

Dynasty Stock Rising After Offseason Move to Denver
Josh Downs

in Line for Expanded Role in Indianapolis
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Mike Evans

Could Be Well-Positioned for a Resurgent Season in San Francisco
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
Ameer Abdullah

Jaguars Sign Running Back Ameer Abdullah for Backfield Depth
Mookie Betts

Dodgers Expect Mookie Betts to Return on Monday
NFL

Ahmad Hardy in Stable Condition After Suffering Gunshot Wound on Sunday
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Kayshon Boutte

in a Likely No-Win Scenario for 2026
Anthony Edwards

Powers Wolves to Game 4 Win
Tetairoa McMillan

Can Tetairoa McMillan Become a Dynasty Cornerstone?
De'Aaron Fox

Posts 24 Points as Spurs Drop Game 4 to Wolves
Justin Herbert

One of Fantasy's Biggest Offseason Winners
Victor Wembanyama

Ejected in Game 4 Loss
VJ Edgecombe

Struggles with Shot in Game 4
Oronde Gadsden

Breakout Chances Dealt a Serious Blow
Paul George

Held to Seven Points in 76ers' Game 4 Loss
Josh Hart

Helps Knicks Reach East Finals
Jalen Brunson

Finishes Game 4 Sweep with 22 Points
Rasmus Dahlin

Records Two Points in Game 3 Loss
Tage Thompson

Comes Alive in Game 3 Against Canadiens
Cole Caufield

Ends Dry Spell Sunday
Alex Newhook

Nets Two More Goals in Sunday's Victory
Mitchell Marner

Notches Three Assists in Losing Effort
Beckett Sennecke

Extends Goal Streak to Three Games
Cutter Gauthier

Records Hat Trick of Assists in Game 4 Win
Karl-Anthony Towns

Logs Sixth Double-Double of Postseason
Mike Conley

Ayo Dosunmu Replaces Mike Conley in Starting Unit Sunday
Miles McBride

Tallies Game-High 25 Points in Series-Clincher
Tyrese Maxey

Settles for 17 Points Sunday
Joel Embiid

Scores Efficient 24 Points in Season-Ending Loss
Auston Matthews

Uncertain About Future With Maple Leafs
Frederik Andersen

Enjoying Special Postseason
Josh Manson

"Close" to Returning
Joel Kiviranta

Could Return to Action Monday
Radko Gudas

a Game-Time Call Sunday
Mark Stone

Unavailable Sunday
Connor Zilisch

Will Start Fifth in his First Watkins Glen Cup Series Race
Tyler Reddick

Is A Top DFS Option for Watkins Glen Lineups
Christopher Bell

Is Likely to Bounce Back This Week at Watkins Glen
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Activated for Season Debut on Sunday
William Byron

Is William Byron Playable in DFS Lineups at Watkins Glen?
Kyle Larson

May have A Positive Day at Watkins Glen
Chase Briscoe

May Compete for A Top-10 Finish at Watkins Glen
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger May have Another Solid Outing at Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Watkins Glen?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain Worth Rostering for Watkins Glen Lineups?
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Watkins Glen?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite at Watkins Glen
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott a No-Brainer DFS Pick at Watkins Glen?
Chris Buescher

Qualifies 14th at Watkins Glen
Ryan Blaney

Has Upside at Watkins Glen After Signing Contract Extension
Michael McDowell

Still Searching for First Top-Five Finish at Watkins Glen
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Too Aggressive for Road-Course Racing?
Luis Castillo

Mariners Intend to Piggyback Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller
Logan Webb

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Knee Bursitis
Bryce Miller

is Set to Return on Wednesday
Jeff Hoffman

Could Return to Closer Role
CHI

Blackhawks Bring in Roman Kantserov for Next Season
Mason McTavish

Set to Rejoin Ducks Lineup Sunday
Taj Bradley

Hits the Injured List With Pectoral Inflammation
Kyle Bradish

has Nice Bounce-Back Performance With 10 K's
Casey Mize

Throws Bullpen on Friday, Return Not Imminent
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Optimistic About Returning Next Wednesday
Tyler Glasnow

Dodgers Put Tyler Glasnow on Injured List With Back Spasms
Blake Snell

to Make Season Debut for Dodgers on Saturday
Cole Ragans

Royals Place Cole Ragans on Injured List With Elbow Impingement
Sean Strickland

An Underdog At UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev

Set For UFC 328 Main Event
Tatsuro Taira

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Joshua Van

Set For His First Title Defense
Alexander Volkov

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Nick Lodolo

Officially Activated, Making Season Debut on Friday
CFB

Walker Lyons Could be Go-To Target for Bear Bachmeier
CFB

Ty Benefield a Potential Game-Changer for LSU Defense
CFB

Hayden Lowe Set for Significant Role Following Miami's NFL Departures
CFB

Taylor Wein in Position for Big Season on Oklahoma's Defensive Line
CFB

Rasheem Biles an Instant Impact Player for Texas
Roman Anthony

Heading for the Injured List
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
Tarik Skubal

Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Cole Ragans

Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
CFB

Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
CFB

Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
CFB

Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
CFB

Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
CFB

Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
CFB

Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Truist Championship
Xander Schauffele

Carries Elite Form Into Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Secures Third Win of 2026 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well Heading to Truist Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Returns to Action For Truist Championship
Justin Thomas

Searching for Consistency at Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Break Through at Quail Hollow
Adam Scott

Brings Strong Form to Quail Hollow
Robert MacIntyre

a Steady Option at Truist Championship
Jason Day

Looks to Overcome Approach Struggles at Quail Hollow
Akshay Bhatia

Looks for Complete Game at Truist Championship
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF