The best fantasy football gamble of Week 3

Will this veteran come to life in Week 3 thanks to a fine matchup?

Every week, at least one player becomes my fascination of whether he’s worthy of a fantasy football start as a streamer. The decision can be a mental wrestling match, but for the purpose of brevity, only one player can be chosen as the fantasy football gamble of the week. Be sure to check out one of our newest pieces, Streamers of the Week, from the talented Kevin Hickey.

The best fantasy football gamble for Week 3

Tracking my predictions: 0-2-0
Win: Player produces ≥ 75% of projected fantasy points
Loss: Player produces >75% of projected fantasy points
Tie: Player is ejected, leaves with an injury, or lands on COVID-19 list after publishing

2021 record: 8-9-1
2020 record: 5-10-1

After a major swing and miss in Week 1 by counting on Aaron Rodgers, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Allen Robinson was the choice for a shot at sweet, sweet redemption. The projection was seven targets, six receptions, 90 yards, a TD (21.0 PPR points). He was thrown to five times, landing four balls for 53 yards and a score (15.3 points) to barely fall short of the 75 percent threshold (72.9 percent) for a “win.” Robinson would have scored a second time if not for the medical “eye in the sky” intervening to end the play even though it had no bearing on him beating coverage and breaking the plane.

Nevertheless, a loss is still a loss, no matter how close he came to pulling through. Onward we go in search of our first dub of 2022!

Tennessee Titans TE Austin Hooper vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Going for broke here … in some ways, it harkens back to my offseason affinity for the former Cleveland Brown and Atlanta Falcon. Despite a sloth-like start in his new confines, Hooper is in an intriguing position to contribute this week. “Contribute” is an extremely subjective word when discussing a player with a whole two receptions in as many games.

Working in Hooper’s favor: He saw an uptick in action last week, going from one to four targets. While TE Geoff Swaim has technically started each of the first two games, Hooper has been in on at least 50 percent of the plays in each contest and saw his snap count top that of Swaim’s in Week 2.

In addition to the Titans needing to open up the passing game to help keep defenders out of the box, Hooper faces a tremendous matchup for his position. The Raiders have met Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett (14.4 PPR) and the Arizona Cardinals’ Zach Ertz (15.5 PPR) over the first two weeks. Everett scored a touchdown to get into double figures, whereas Ertz racked up 75 yards on eight grabs. The matchup is 64 percent better than the league average so far, and both teams totaled at least six catches and 77 yards from their collection of tight ends.

The Titans may need to throw more to keep pace with the Raiders, and it’s not like the Tennessee receiving corps has been impressive through two outings. Circling back to the expectations aspect, Hooper needs to post a strong enough line to warrant a flex spot or it’s a wasted opportunity. Don’t bank on the degree of volume Ertz posted, but we can still get a playable numbers from Hooper, particularly if the Titans falter on defense.

Given his current role, no bye weeks, and few TE injuries of consequence, Hooper is more safely utilized in daily fantasy rather than redraft. It is officially time to abandon ship if he doesn’t get it going this week.

My projection: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD (16.2 PPR points)

Fantasy football start/bench list: Week 3

Check out where your roster options fit into our Week 3 start/bench tiers.

Player analysis and projections can be found in our Start/Bench Tool customized to your myHuddle league scoring and rosters. All player listings by groups are in no particular order.

Key: Upgrade / Downgrade

QUARTERBACKS WIDE RECEIVERS
BEST BETS Opp BEST BETS Opp
Josh Allen @MIA Stefon Diggs @MIA
Jalen Hurts @WAS J. Jefferson DET
Kirk Cousins DET A.J. Brown @WAS
GREAT STARTS Opp Tyreek Hill BUF
Lamar Jackson @NE Cooper Kupp @ARI
Patrick Mahomes @IND Davante Adams @TEN
Joe Burrow @NYJ GREAT STARTS Opp
Justin Herbert JAC Ja’Marr Chase @NYJ
M. Stafford @ARI Tee Higgins @NYJ
Kyler Murray LAR Jaylen Waddle BUF
SOLID STARTERS Opp A. St. Brown @MIN
Derek Carr @TEN Mike Williams JAC
Tua Tagovailoa BUF SOLID STARTERS Opp
Jared Goff @MIN DeVonta Smith @WAS
Carson Wentz PHI CeeDee Lamb @NYG
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp Allen Robinson @ARI
Russell Wilson SF Jarvis Landry @CAR
Matt Ryan KC Garrett Wilson CIN
Joe Flacco CIN Amari Cooper PIT
Marcus Mariota @SEA C. Sutton SF
Aaron Rodgers @TB J. Smith-Schuster @IND
Jameis Winston @CAR R. Gage Jr. GB
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp Adam Thielen DET
Daniel Jones DAL Michael Thomas @CAR
Cooper Rush @NYG Jakobi Meyers BAL
Tom Brady GB Diontae Johnson @CLE
Jimmy Garoppolo @DEN Curtis Samuel PHI
Davis Mills @CHI Deebo Samuel @DEN
Ryan Tannehill LVR M. Pittman Jr. KC
Mac Jones BAL Christian Kirk @LAC
Justin Fields HOU DK Metcalf ATL
Trevor Lawrence @LAC Drake London @SEA
Jacoby Brissett PIT Brandin Cooks @CHI
Geno Smith ATL Tyler Lockett ATL
M. Trubisky @CLE FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp
Baker Mayfield NO Allen Lazard @TB
RUNNING BACKS M. Valdes-Scantling @IND
BEST BETS Opp Marquise Brown LAR
Austin Ekeler JAC O. Zaccheaus @SEA
C. McCaffrey NO Sammy Watkins @TB
Joe Mixon @NYJ B. Perriman GB
GREAT STARTS Opp Corey Davis CIN
D. Montgomery HOU D.J. Moore NO
Dalvin Cook DET Terry McLaurin PHI
Nick Chubb PIT Jahan Dotson PHI
Derrick Henry LVR Isaiah McKenzie @MIA
SOLID STARTERS Opp Josh Palmer JAC
L. Fournette GB Nico Collins @CHI
C. Edwards-Helaire @IND Chase Claypool @CLE
Jonathan Taylor KC Hunter Renfrow @TEN
J. Williams SF Rashod Bateman @NE
Aaron Jones @TB Chris Olave @CAR
C. Patterson @SEA Robbie Anderson NO
Nyheim Hines KC Noah Brown @NYG
Kareem Hunt PIT S. Shepard DAL
Miles Sanders @WAS DJ Chark Jr. @MIN
Tony Pollard @NYG Brandon Aiyuk @DEN
Antonio Gibson PHI Treylon Burks LVR
D’Andre Swift @MIN Zay Jones @LAC
Saquon Barkley DAL Greg Dortch LAR
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp Elijah Moore CIN
Eno Benjamin LAR Nelson Agholor BAL
Khalil Herbert HOU SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp
Raheem Mostert BUF K.J. Osborn DET
Chase Edmonds BUF Alec Pierce KC
Damien Harris BAL Randall Cobb @TB
Travis Etienne @LAC Parris Campbell KC
Najee Harris @CLE KJ Hamler SF
Jeff Wilson Jr. @DEN Quez Watkins @WAS
D. Singletary @MIA Darnell Mooney HOU
Dameon Pierce @CHI Julio Jones GB
Ezekiel Elliott @NYG Keenan Allen JAC
J.D. McKissic PHI Chris Godwin GB
Josh Jacobs @TEN Jerry Jeudy SF
Jamaal Williams @MIN Gabriel Davis @MIA
AJ Dillon @TB Scotty Miller GB
Michael Carter CIN C. Watson @TB
D. Henderson @ARI Michael Gallup @NYG
James Robinson @LAC Josh Reynolds @MIN
Breece Hall CIN Romeo Doubs @TB
Mark Ingram @CAR Kyle Philips LVR
Rashaad Penny ATL A.J. Green LAR
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp Marvin Jones @LAC
Rex Burkhead @CHI Tyler Boyd @NYJ
M. Gordon III SF Mecole Hardman @IND
Darrel Williams LAR Ashton Dulin KC
Zack Moss @MIA Kadarius Toney DAL
R. Stevenson BAL Devin Duvernay @NE
K. Gainwell @WAS D. Peoples-Jones PIT
K. Walker III ATL Richie James DAL
Cam Akers @ARI Robert Woods LVR
Kenyan Drake @NE DEFENSIVE TEAMS
Tyler Allgeier @SEA BEST BETS Opp
Marlon Mack @DEN Eagles @WAS
Jordan Mason @DEN Cowboys @NYG
Brandon Bolden @TEN GREAT STARTS Opp
Alvin Kamara @CAR Chargers JAC
James Conner LAR Bills @MIA
D. Hilliard LVR Rams @ARI
TIGHT ENDS Browns PIT
BEST BETS Opp SOLID STARTERS Opp
Travis Kelce @IND 49ers @DEN
Mark Andrews @NE Steelers @CLE
Darren Waller @TEN Chiefs @IND
GREAT STARTS Opp Texans @CHI
Pat Freiermuth @CLE Packers @TB
Tyler Higbee @ARI Vikings DET
SOLID STARTERS Opp Giants DAL
Dawson Knox @MIA Broncos SF
Logan Thomas PHI FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp
Kyle Pitts @SEA Raiders @TEN
Zach Ertz LAR Jets CIN
Evan Engram @LAC Buccaneers GB
Dallas Goedert @WAS Ravens @NE
Gerald Everett JAC Saints @CAR
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp Panthers NO
Irv Smith DET Falcons @SEA
Robert Tonyan @TB Bears HOU
Austin Hooper LVR SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp
Mike Gesicki BUF Jaguars @LAC
Tyler Conklin CIN Cardinals LAR
Hayden Hurst @NYJ Titans LVR
T.J. Hockenson @MIN Bengals @NYJ
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp Dolphins BUF
Hunter Henry BAL Colts KC
D. Bellinger DAL Seahawks ATL
Cole Kmet HOU Commanders PHI
George Kittle @DEN Lions @MIN
David Njoku PIT Patriots BAL
A. Okwuegbunam SF
Juwan Johnson @CAR
Noah Fant ATL

Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings: Week 3

Forecasting where all of the notable players net out over the remainder of the season.

These fantasy football rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation.

The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Rankings key:
UP/DN is trending up or down from week’s ranking.
NR means the player wasn’t ranked last week.
UP/DN numbering shows where the player was ranked the prior week.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

Quarterbacks
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Josh Allen, BUF 7 making it look easy right now
2 Justin Herbert, LAC 8 UP3 suffered a rib injury in Wk 2; he is considered day-to-day
3 Patrick Mahomes, KCC 8
4 Lamar Jackson, BAL 10
5 Jalen Hurts, PHI 7 keeps solidifying his place as a weekly start
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Kyler Murray, ARI 13 made some great ad-lib plays late, but ARI’s base offense looks terrible
7 Joe Burrow, CIN 10
8 Russell Wilson, DEN 9 still a work in progress, and his WR corps is thinned by injuries
9 Matthew Stafford, LAR 7
10 Tom Brady, TB 11 36 completions in two gms? this ain’t Bruce Arians’ world anymore
11 Aaron Rodgers, GB 14 looked better in Wk 2, but still a ways to go for GB’s passing attack
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
12 Kirk Cousins, MIN 7 DN9 with a game’s worth of film, PHI dominated MIN’s offense and made Cousins look awful
13 Derek Carr, LV 6
14 Tua Tagovailoa, MIA 11 UP16 …but now you have my attention
15 Dak Prescott, DAL 9 UP18 DNP in Wk 2 w/ a thumb injury; he’s expected to miss several games
16 Trevor Lawrence, JAC 11
17 Jared Goff, DET 6 UP25 DET has some legitimate weapons
18 Matt Ryan, IND 14 DN17 the move from ATL has not gone smoothly
19 Jameis Winston, NO 14
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
20 Ryan Tannehill, TEN 6 DN18 pulled in a blowout loss; ugly start for TEN
21 Justin Fields, CHI 14 DN19 does the coaching staff trust Fields? like at all?
22 Carson Wentz, WAS 14
23 Marcus Mariota, ATL 14 UP27 at least there’s some athleticism w/ Mariota
24 Mac Jones, NE 10
25 Daniel Jones, NYG 9
26 Davis Mills, HOU 6
27 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 9 NR enters the rankings w/ Lance (ankle) lost for the season
28 Baker Mayfield, CAR 13 maybe it wasn’t the shoulder…
29 Zach Wilson, NYJ 10 missed first 2 gms w/ a knee injury; he’s not expected to return prior to Wk 4
30 Cooper Rush, DAL 9
31 Jacoby Brissett, CLE 9
32 Mitchell Trubisky, PIT 9 KEN-NY! KEN-NY! KEN-NY!
33 Geno Smith, SEA 11
34 Deshaun Watson, CLE 9 suspended until Dec. 4
35 Kenny Pickett, PIT 9
36 Desmond Ridder, ATL 14
Running backs
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Jonathan Taylor, IND 14 might be time to recommit to the running game in Indy
2 Austin Ekeler, LAC 8
3 Christian McCaffrey, CAR 13 topped 100 yds rushing in Wk 2
4 Joe Mixon, CIN 10
5 Derrick Henry, TEN 6 DN4 back to the drawing board for the Titans
6 Nick Chubb, CLE 9 his decision not to slide was a good one for fantasy owners at least
7 Dalvin Cook, MIN 7 DN6 Zimmer used Cook too much; O’Connell isn’t using him enough
8 Najee Harris, PIT 9 UP9
9 Alvin Kamara, NO 14 DNP in Wk 2 w/ a rib injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
10 Saquon Barkley, NYG 9 UP11
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
11 D’Andre Swift, DET 6 played through an ankle injury in Wk 2; so much talent, but durability remains a real concern
12 Aaron Jones, GB 14 UP14 feels like he could be in for a really big year as both a runner and receiver
13 Leonard Fournette, TB 11
14 Javonte Williams, DEN 9
15 David Montgomery, CHI 14 UP17 looked like CHI’s best offensive player in Wk 2
16 James Conner, ARI 13 suffered an ankle injury in Wk 2 and did not return; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
17 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL 9
18 J.K. Dobbins, BAL 10 missed first 2 gms w/ a knee injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
19 AJ Dillon, GB 14
20 Kareem Hunt, CLE 9 UP23
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
21 Breece Hall, NYJ 10 DN20 basically splitting work w/ M. Carter
22 Miles Sanders, PHI 7 UP29 PHI’s ground game is looking dangerous again this season
23 Antonio Gibson, WAS 14
24 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC 8 maximizing his touches, but steadier usage would make his value feel more secure
25 Travis Etienne, JAC 11 DN18 had 9 carries to Robinson’s 23 in Wk 2; his descent could continue in the weeks ahead
26 Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL 14 being used like a more traditional RB thus far
27 Josh Jacobs, LV 6
28 James Robinson, JAC 11 UP35 was the focal point of the offense in Wk 2; if that continues he’ll jump another tier
29 Chase Edmonds, MIA 11 DN25
30 Dameon Pierce, HOU 6 had 15 carries to Burkhead’s 0 in Wk 2
31 Damien Harris, NE 10
32 Cam Akers, LAR 7 logged 17 touches in Wk 2 w/ Henderson posting 10
33 Devin Singletary, BUF 7 DN28 when BUF pulled Allen, the 3 RBs had 36 yds rushing combined
34 Tony Pollard, DAL 9
35 Jeff Wilson, SF 14 UP41 was the primary runner until late when SF used Davis-Price w/ the lead
36 Darrell Henderson, LAR 7
37 Michael Carter, NYJ 10 UP39
38 Rashaad Penny, SEA 11
39 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE 10 DN32
40 Melvin Gordon III, DEN 9
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
41 Kenneth Walker III, SEA 11 returned in Wk 2 after missing a game w/ a hernia
42 Nyheim Hines, IND 14
43 Raheem Mostert, MIA 11 UP51 more work than Edmonds in Wk 2, but given his injury history I don’t want to bump him too much
44 Kenneth Gainwell, PHI 7
45 Jamaal Williams, DET 6
46 Khalil Herbert, CHI 14 still feel like he could have a major role this year, especially if they don’t trust Fields
47 Tyler Allgeier, ATL 14 UP57 split carries w/ Patterson in Wk 2, which is an encouraging sign for the rookie
48 J.D. McKissic, WAS 14
49 Isiah Pacheco, KC 8 DN43 had no real role in a close game v LAC, which tells you he’s third on the depth chart
50 Alexander Mattison, MIN 7
51 Rachaad White, TB 11 DN47 not seeing much work yet, but hard to believe Fournette can sustain his currrent usage over 17 gms
52 Mark Ingram, NO 14
53 Darrel Williams, ARI 13 UP66 he’d have some waiver wire appeal if Conner misses time
54 Zack Moss, BUF 7
55 Tyrion Davis-Price, SF 9 Will miss a few weeks with ankle sprain
56 James Cook, BUF 7 DN50 led the Bills in rushing in Wk 2, but it all came in garbage time
57 Brian Robinson Jr., WAS 14 will miss at least the first 4 gms w/ a knee injury; he could return in Wk 5
58 Jerick McKinnon, KC 8
59 Rex Burkhead, HOU 6 DN55 zero carries in Wk 2
60 Dontrell Hilliard, TEN 6
61 Eno Benjamin, ARI 13
62 Elijah Mitchell, SF 9 suffered a sprained MCL in Wk 1; he’s expected to miss around 2 months
63 Gus Edwards, BAL 10 Edwards (Achilles) will miss at least the first 4 gms of the season on the PUP list
64 Zamir White, LV 6
65 Sony Michel, LAC 8 has been less effective than Joshua Kelley thus far
66 Kenyan Drake, BAL 10 DN59 can’t get anything going, and that’s w/ Dobbins still out
67 Matt Breida, NYG 9
68 Isaiah Spiller, LAC 8
69 Samaje Perine, CIN 10
70 Ty Montgomery, NE 10 NR on IR w/ a knee injury; eligible to return in Wk 6
Wide receivers
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Cooper Kupp, LAR 7
2 Justin Jefferson, MIN 7 turns out using your best CB to cover Jefferson is beneficial
3 Stefon Diggs, BUF 7
4 Davante Adams, LV 6 bad game; it happens
5 Tyreek Hill, MIA 11 UP7
6 Ja’Marr Chase, CIN 10 DN3 those protection woes are a real concern for the passing game in Cincy
7 Deebo Samuel, SF 9
8 Keenan Allen, LAC 8 DNP in Wk 2 w/ a hamstring injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
9 Mike Evans, TB 11 ejected from Wk 2 and has been suspended for Wk 3 (pending an appeal)
10 Michael Pittman Jr., IND 14 DNP in Wk 2 w/ a quad injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
11 A.J. Brown, PHI 7
12 Jaylen Waddle, MIA 11 UP18 Hill/Waddle is on the short list for best 1-2 WR combo in the NFL
13 D.J. Moore, CAR 13 DN12
14 Tee Higgins, CIN 10
15 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET 6 UP22 no sign his strong close to 2021 was anything other than a legit ascension
16 CeeDee Lamb, DAL 9 DN11
17 Brandin Cooks, HOU 6
18 Courtland Sutton, DEN 9 UP20
19 Diontae Johnson, PIT 9 need to see more from PIT’s offense in Wk 3 or Johnson could drop
20 Terry McLaurin, WAS 14 DN16 w/ Samuel and Dotson around, McLaurin’s production may decline
21 DK Metcalf, SEA 11 same way w/ Metcalf as Johnson; need better QB play
22 Mike Williams, LAC 8 capable of huge things, but he needs more consistency
23 Marquise Brown, ARI 13
24 Jerry Jeudy, DEN 9 suffered a shoulder injury in Wk 2 and did not return; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
25 Allen Robinson, LAR 7 much more involved in Wk 2; had a second TD taken off the board
26 Michael Thomas, NO 14
27 Christian Kirk, JAC 11 UP30 maybe we shouldn’t have laughed at how much the Jags paid him in free agency?
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
28 Gabriel Davis, BUF 7 DNP in Wk 2 w/ an ankle injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
29 Amari Cooper, CLE 9 UP33 looked every bit the lynchpin of CLE’s passing game in Wk 2
30 JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC 8
31 Chris Godwin, TB 11 DNP in Wk 2 w/ a hamstring injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
32 Rashod Bateman, BAL 10 UP35 has a pair of big TD grabs, but the low volume is mildly concerning
33 Curtis Samuel, WAS 14 UP50 looks like he’s carved out a sustainable role in WAS’ offense
34 Adam Thielen, MIN 7
35 Hunter Renfrow, LV 6 may have suffered a concussion on the final play of the game; monitor his status
36 Drake London, ATL 14 UP39
37 DeVonta Smith, PHI 7 UP44
38 Darnell Mooney, CHI 14 DN23 that CHI passing game looks lost
39 Tyler Lockett, SEA 11
40 Jakobi Meyers, NE 10 more than twice as many targets as anyone else in NE for Wk 2
41 Garrett Wilson, NYJ 10
42 Elijah Moore, NYJ 10 DN37 hard to accurately evaluate NYJ WRs until Wilson returns
43 Allen Lazard, GB 14 returned in Wk 2 after missing a game w/ an ankle injury
44 Robert Woods, TEN 6
45 DeAndre Hopkins, ARI 13 suspended until Oct. 20
46 Jahan Dotson, WAS 14 UP48 I still have concerns about the long-term viability of Wentz leading this offense
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
47 Chris Olave, NO 14 UP56
48 Brandon Aiyuk, SF 9 UP53 short term, Aiyuk might be better off w/ Jimmy G at QB
49 Robbie Anderson, CAR 13
50 Jarvis Landry, NO 14 DN46
51 Chase Claypool, PIT 9
52 Treylon Burks, TEN 6 UP59
53 Tyler Boyd, CIN 10 DN47 being the No. 3 WR on a team only works if the offense is clicking
54 Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE 9
55 K.J. Osborn, MIN 7
56 Mecole Hardman, KC 8 right now Kelce is the only sure bet among KC’s pass catchers
57 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, KC 8 DN49
58 George Pickens, PIT 9 DN52
59 Julio Jones, TB 11 DNP in Wk 2 w/ a knee injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
60 Romeo Doubs, GB 14
61 Michael Gallup, DAL 9 missed first 2 gms w/ a knee injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
62 DJ Chark Jr., DET 6 DN58 looks like St. Brown and then everyone else in DET right now
63 Rondale Moore, ARI 13 UP67 missed first 2 gms w/ a hamstring injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
64 Zay Jones, JAC 11
65 Sterling Shepard, NYG 9 NR
66 Josh Palmer, LAC 8
67 Noah Brown, DAL 9 NR off to a good start, but what will his role be once Gallup returns?
68 Christian Watson, GB 14
69 Van Jefferson, LAR 7 missed first 2 gms w/ a knee injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
70 Russell Gage Jr., TB 11 minimal production in Wk 2 w/ both Godwin & Jones inactive
71 DeVante Parker, NE 10 DN64 zero impact thus far
72 Nico Collins, HOU 6
73 Alec Pierce, IND 14 DNP in Wk 2 w/ a concussion; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
74 Marvin Jones, JAC 11
75 Devin Duvernay, BAL 10 suffered a concussion in Wk 2; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
76 Jameson Williams, DET 6 Williams (knee) will miss at least the first 4 gms on the RES/NFI list as he recovers from a torn ACL
77 Kadarius Toney, NYG 9 DN62
78 Skyy Moore, KC 8
79 Corey Davis, NYJ 10
80 Jauan Jennings, SF 9
Tight ends
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Travis Kelce, KC 8
2 Mark Andrews, BAL 10
3 Kyle Pitts, ATL 14 how is he not being targeted more???
4 George Kittle, SF 9 missed first 2 gms w/ a groin injury; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
5 Darren Waller, LV 6 UP6
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Dalton Schultz, DAL 9 suffered a knee injury late in Wk 2; his status for Wk 3 is TBD
7 Pat Freiermuth, PIT 9
8 T.J. Hockenson, DET 6 DN7
9 Zach Ertz, ARI 13 UP11
10 Dallas Goedert, PHI 7
11 Tyler Higbee, LAR 7 UP19 20 targets through 2 gms
12 Dawson Knox, BUF 7
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Hunter Henry, NE 10
14 David Njoku, CLE 9
15 Mike Gesicki, MIA 11
16 Gerald Everett, LAC 8 UP26 playing well in his return to LA
17 Irv Smith, MIN 7
18 Hayden Hurst, CIN 10 UP22 10 catches on 15 targets through 2 gms
19 Albert Okwuegbunam, DEN 9
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
20 Cole Kmet, CHI 14 DN12 doesn’t have a reception this season
21 Noah Fant, SEA 11 DN16
22 Austin Hooper, TEN 6
23 Evan Engram, JAC 11 UP25
24 Robert Tonyan, GB 14
25 Isaiah Likely, BAL 10
26 Logan Thomas, WAS 14
27 Tyler Conklin, NYJ 10
28 O.J. Howard, HOU 6
29 Juwan Johnson, NO 14 NR
30 Taysom Hill, NO 14
Defensive teams
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Bills, BUF 7 dominant
2 Buccaneers, TB 11
3 Rams, LAR 7 got sloppy late, but this is still an elite group
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
4 Packers, GB 14 that late-game run defense was a bit scary
5 49ers, SF 9
6 Cowboys, DAL 9 UP9 Micah Parsons; that’s it, that’s the note
7 Dolphins, MIA 11
8 Patriots, NE 10
9 Saints, NO 14 DN7
10 Eagles, PHI 7 UP14
11 Chargers, LAC 8
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
12 Steelers, PIT 9
13 Colts, IND 14 DN5 nothing looks good in Indy right now
14 Broncos, DEN 9 UP14
15 Ravens, BAL 10 DN11 woof
16 Chiefs, KC 8
20 Jaguars, JAC 11 NR 6 sacks and 5 INTs in 2 gms; still skeptical, buuuuut…
18 Bengals, CIN 10
19 Browns, CLE 9
17 Vikings, MIN 7 DN17

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans suspended again for fighting

The NFL came down hard on Evans after his Week 2 ejection.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will be suspended one game, pending appeal, for his role in a Week 2 brawl vs. the New Orleans Saints, specifically for shoving cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

The two have a storied rivalry that resulted in a one-game suspension for a previous incident in 2017, so it should come as no surprise the star receiver once again was told to take a seat.

The Bucs listed virtually the entire roster on the injury report in Week 2, though all but WRs Julio Jones (knee) and Chris Godwin (hamstring) were able to play. While Jones appears to be closer to being in the lineup than Godwin for Week 3, we’ll have to wait until the end of the week for an official status.

Fantasy football takeaway

Tampa hosts the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, and the loss of Evans will be felt. The Packers are better vs. the pass than running game, despite what we saw in Week 1 vs. Justin Jefferson, so expect a healthy dose of Leonard Fournette.

Devalue quarterback Tom Brady to the level of bench status in nearly all formats. Peripheral options, like Breshad Perriman and Scotty Miller, garner a boost in playing time, whereas Russell Gage is likely to be the de facto WR1 of this group. TEs Cade Otton and Cameron Brate figure to be in line for more looks, too.

Perriman and Miller are flex plays for those looking to save a buck in DFS action. Gage is a fringe WR3 or flex in deep PPR settings otherwise. The rookie TE is unplayable, but Brate has a sniff of appeal in deep settings. Even still, it’s a low-upside play with a poor matchup ahead.

In redraft formats, if one must pick up a wideout from this roster, Perriman is the best bet for a touchdown. However, it’s a risky play, and looking outside of Tampa is wise. Given it is so early in the season and bye weeks aren’t here yet, we can lean on our benches for help. Check out our waiver wire release for more tips.

Ride it out with Evans on the bench, and about all we as gamers can do is hope that cooler heads prevail when these pugilists meet again in Week 13.