Fantasy Football Week 3: Start’em / Sit’em
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
WR
DeSean Jackson @PHI (62%, 15) – Even if D-Jax plays he’s one good hit away from sitting the rest of the game. I don’t think the upside is worth the injury risk considering that he is only averaging 5-6 fantasy points per game right now. There are much safer options out there being started in less leagues (Cooks, Colston, Watkins, Smith Jr).
Torrey Smith @CLE (45%, 11) – Only has 4 catches on 10 targets over two games. The addition of Steve Smith Jr and a healthy Dennis Pitta has turned Smith in to the 3rd option at best. I’m glad I don’t own him in many leagues and I’m not starting him until the balance of targets shifts in Baltimore. Smith may catch a deep ball or two but I don’t see him getting enough targets to be a consistent fantasy starter.
Kelvin Benjamin @PIT (36%, 12) – Is averaging a solid 8 targets per game, but only caught 2 from Cam Newton after 6 the previous week from backup Derek Anderson. Benjamin has #1 WR talent, but like most rookies will have some ups and downs this season. I don’t quite trust him on an every week basis yet and need to see some rapport between Cam and Kelvin until I put him in my lineups.
Greg Jennings NO (15%, 11) – After a decent week 1 performance (6-58-1), Jennings disappeared in week 2 (1-4) and QB Matt Cassell was awful. I don’t trust Cassell or Jennings at this point and I’m not using Jennings until I see some consistency or Teddy Bridgewater takes over.
Justin Hunter @CIN (12%, 11) – Ugh. I started Hunter in multiple leagues last week and it backfired. Locker was bad, but Hunter didn’t do him any favors running sloppy routes and making a half-ass effort on a couple of jump balls. It’s possible we were all fooled by a few good preseason performances. Hunter needs to show up soon or he’s going to end up on the waiver wire.
TE
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Cameron @BAL (44%, 12) – I tend to bench players coming off of injury until they prove to me they can make it through a full game without incident. Nothing is more frustrating than seeing a player you started leave the game in the first half. TE is extremely deep and even teams in 12 team leagues you should be able to find a reliable option on the waiver wire (Kelce, Donnell). Cameron obviously has the potential to put up double-digit fantasy points if he stays on the field, but it’s a big if and too risky for my taste.
Charles Clay KC (18%, 9) – Disappointing start to the season for one of last year’s breakout TEs. The Dolphins are running a new offense this year and it has yet to be seen if the TE is going to be a major factor. Like Cameron, Clay is banged up (knee) and hasn’t shown enough upside this season for me to risk starting him. I dropped Clay for Kelce in a couple of leagues this week.