Sit ‘Em, Start ‘Em – Week Three
Start Em
Kirk Cousins – Those in deeper formats or two QB leagues may want to take a look at Kirk Cousins this week versus the Philadelphia Eagles in what should quickly morph into a shootout. We currently have Cousins ranked as our number 21 QB for week three as he looked like a solid fit for Jay Gruden’s system in week two. Cousins should be a good bet for another 250+ yards with at least two touchdowns in what is expected to be a high scoring affair.
Knile Davis – Measurable monster Knile Davis has been unleashed. Jamaal Charles is expected to miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain and Knile Davis slides in as an immediate RB2. Davis obviously has RB1 upside in Andy Reid’s running back centric offense and he produced like one when called on in week two where he turned 28 touches into 118 yards and two touchdowns. Davis was one of this weeks hottest pickups and should be started in all league formats until JC Superstar returns for the Chiefs.
Stevan Ridley – Left for dead on draft day Ridley had a throwback performance in week two versus the Vikings racking up 101 yards on 25 carries. Ridley looks like a RB2 for week three and a RB2/RB3 option until he inevitably puts the football on the ground again. Start Ridley versus the Raiders which is a game he has a legitimate opportunity to pile up another 100 yards rushing in as the Patriots look to ground and pound as they nurse a second half lead.
Mohamed Sanu – While Sanu projects more as a number two or three type receiver in the NFL he will be the Bengals top receiver this Sunday and after going off for 84 yards and a touchdown in week two he has the looks of an upside flex play and as long as AJ Green is on the shelf. Even if the Bengals are a run first team, they need to pass the ball some and with both Green and Eifert on the shelf Sanu figures to be the teams top option at wideout which should lead to a healthy diet of targets.
Brandin Cooks – With the Browns scheming to neutralize the Saints wideouts in Cleveland, Cooks followed up his breakout week one with a disappointing week two. Things should be back in the black as the Saints feed their wideouts in what should be a cakewalk versus a Vikings team without the league’s best player in Adrian Peterson. We have Cooks ranked as an WR2 this week much like we did last week and expect him to post at least five receptions for 80 yards on the day.
Antonio Gates – Much like Stevan Ridley, Antonio Gates was left for dead on draft day. Two weeks, three touchdowns and 88.5 yards per game later no one should be doubting this first ballot Hall of Famer anymore. Rivers to Gates is now officially the most prolific QB to tight end duo ever and Gates is healthy this year unlike last year. Start Gates wherever possible.
Sit Em
Tony Romo – Tony Romo has looked like he is still not back to form after his offseason surgery and the play calling may reflect that fact as Demarco Murray has finally be unleashed on the NFL. Romo currently has only two touchdowns to three interceptions after two weeks of play and has not looked like the consistent if underwhelming QB1 his fantasy owners are used to him being and drafted him to be. If you have a top-20 option behind Romo you may want to sit him despie the plus match-up until he shows some signs of life. Romo should be counting his lucky stars that Jerry Jones passed on Johnny Football for Zack Martin or we would already have a QB controversy in Dallas.
Bobby Rainey – With Doug Martin expected back for week three Bobby Rainey should be on fantasy benches. His potential limited shelf life is why we omitted him from our top pickups for week three. Rainey could produce some flex3 value in deeper leagues at least until Charles Sims returns as Lovie Smith has consistently indicated that he wants an RBBC in Tampa.
Toby Gerhart – Toby Gerhart has proven he is exactly that we thought he was, a below average grinder back who probably needs 20+ carries per game to get it going. All Gerhart had going for him this season was opportunity but one has to believe that when the Jaguars make the inevitable switch to Blake Bortles at QB that they may promote his college teammate Storm Johnson along with him if due to nothing more than comfort and familiarity between the two. Gerhart needs to step it up as he is in danger of losing his job. Gerhart is no more than a flex option until further notice.
Riley Cooper – Out-targeted by Jordan Matthews in week two Riley Cooper continues to be exposed. Cooper should be a good bet for about five touchdowns this season but will be nothing close to the fantasy factor he was in 2013 playing across from the field stretching Desean Jackson. Cooper should be on wires in shallower formats and should be low end bye week filler in deeper leagues.
Brian Hartline – Jarvis Landry is coming. No longer the second most talented wide receiver in a barren receiver corps Brian Hartline, despite his chemistry with Ryan Tannehill, is not a good fantasy option. Hartline should have his annual blow up game or two this season but fantasy owners should be looking to bench stash Jarvis Landry over Brian Hartline going forward. Hartline is nothing more than a severe bye week crunch filler.
Ladarius Green – The hype train has officially been derailed. For all his talent the Chargers refuse to utilize Green as their de facto second wideout and with Antonio Gates firmly entrenched as the starting tight end and the Chargers asking Green to block on a large percentage of his snaps Green is no longer a fantasy option in any format until he shows some glimpses.
