Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Week 3

After one of the most injury-ridden weeks in NFL history, fantasy owners are scrambling to find replacements and waiver wire steals to numb the pain of losing some of their best players. Have no fear, for I am supplying said fantasy owners with three players who I believe will be valuable pick-ups and starts this week on the waiver wire. Since we live in a world of negativity, I am also providing three players who are sit worthy this week.

(All stats and analysis are given through the lens of an ESPN Standard PPR league)

Start: Mike Davis (RB) @ Los Angeles Chargers (2.7% Rostered)

Who would have ever thought that Mike Davis, backup for the fantasy King Christian McCaffrey, would ever be on a fantasy football “Must Start” list? CMC’s high ankle sprain will put him out of play for at least three weeks, but Panthers say that the timetable for his injury is more likely to be 3-6 weeks. McCaffrey owners, myself included, should look to the waiver wire in hopes to pick up now starter Mike Davis. Davis touted excellent receiving numbers, catching all eight of his targets for 74 yards— tallying up 15.4 points through the air alone. Although the ground game was not completely there for Davis last week against the Buccaneers with only one carry for a whopping one yard, do not let this fool you. The Panthers will use Davis in the running game in order to try as best as they can to emulate a little of the production that McCaffrey brought to this team. Look for Davis to be extra productive through the air this week against the Chargers— who just gave up six receptions and 32 yards to rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Start: KJ Hamler (WR) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1.5% Rostered)

Following two significant injuries to the Broncos’ young offensive core (Courtland Sutton and Drew Lock), Fangio will look to get his young weapons more involved than ever before. In his career debut against the Steelers, Hamler caught three out of his seven targets for 48 yards, also adding one carry for nine yards to his stat line. Although KJ did not manage to haul in the majority of his targets, most of these missed opportunities were at the fault of quarterback Jeff Driskel who was not able to fit the ball in Hamler’s (5’9”) catch radius. On his receptions however, Hamler was absolutely torching his defenders, gaining separation on the sideline against veteran corners with ease. Hamler will most certainly be able to replicate this separation against the Buccaneers young secondary providing Jeff Driskel with an easy target amidst Sutton’s injury. Hamler’s one rushing attempt came on an end around that gained the Broncos 9 yards— a concept I am sure Fangio is eager to dial up again.

Start: Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR) vs. Miami Dolphins (18.2% Rostered)

Entering the league as one of the most exciting players to watch in college football last year, Laviska Shenault Jr. has given us glimpses as to why the Jags selected him with the 42nd overall pick. But, trust me, we have not seen anywhere near his full potential. With Minshew outperforming all his expectations, the Jags seem to be getting more comfortable giving him the reigns of this offense, truly letting him wheel and deal. We saw Minshew target Shenault Jr. four times last Sunday with Shenault Jr. hauling in three of those balls for 35 yards. Laviska however is not just a threat through the air, he is an absolute WEAPON on the ground— tallying up five carries for 37 yards last week against the stout Titans defense. Expect Laviska to soar this week against a Dolphins defense that gave up a total of 73.8 points last week to the Bills’ receiving core.

Sit: Antonio Gibson (RB) @ Cleveland Browns (86.6% Rostered)

After the releases of both Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson, the Washington running back room seemed to be firmly in the hands of rookie Antonio Gibson. However, his production on the field has not yet matched the expectations we held him to late in the offseason. In two weeks, he has tallied 22 carries for 91 yards and a rushing touchdown scoring a total of 18.6 fantasy points this season. Although I expect Gibson to slip into RB2 territory later this season, this week against the Browns is not the week for him to do so. In back to back weeks the Browns held the Ravens and the Bengals to 68 and 49 rushing yards respectively while only allowing two rushing touchdowns on the season (both to J.K. Dobbins in week one). If this game becomes a blowout, which is more likely than not, the ground game will become non-existent and Washington will let Haskins throw almost every down.

Sit: Jared Goff (QB) @ Buffalo Bills (43.6% Rostered)

If anything, this is not a bash at Goff instead a praise for how well Buffalo plays against the quarterback when in Buffalo. Only once has an opposing quarterback thrown for over a touchdown in Buffalo in the last 14 games. Buffalo is a hard place to play, not to mention the forecast in Buffalo calls for thunderstorms with a 30% chance at rain. Even if it does not rain, the Bills are going to do everything to halt the Rams’ passing attack including throwing everything they have at tight end Tyler Higbee who has been tearing up defenses so far this season.

Sit: Marquise Brown (WR) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (96.2% Rostered)

Marquise has recorded five catches on six targets in each game up to this point against two very weak secondaries in the Browns and the Texans. Even though his receptions were the same, Marquise tallied only 42 yards against the Texans as opposed to his 101 yards against the Browns. Not a lot of consistency there, and when you are playing the Chiefs you need consistent yards. He has also not scored a touchdown this year as the Ravens have looked elsewhere in the red zone. Lamar has tons of weapons at his disposal, and once he sees the Chiefs target Brown and send their best to make sure he does not burn them, he will look elsewhere. Expect Brown’s targets and thus receptions to go down against this Chiefs secondary who looks to embarrass the Ravens on national TV.