Who's Hot, Who's Not 2016 Week 3

By Jen Ryan

There are so many exciting things to look out for this week. Josh Norman and Odell Beckham will square off for their first of two meetings this year. The Vikings with be without Adrian Peterson and we may finally get to see exactly what they have in Jerick McKinnon, but we will have to look out for Matt Asiata and his goal line vulturing. The Browns will be starting rookie quarterback Cody Kessler, while it will be Brian Hoyer time in Chicago. This game is a constantly turning wheel and new, crazy things happen each week. Before we get into Week 3, let’s take a look back at how Week 2 turned out.

I Knew It

Josh McCown – QB21 – McCown was a good call before the injury. Granted he threw two touchdowns to two interceptions, but he was hitting deep throws and gave the Browns a sign of life they hadn’t had the week prior.

Russell Wilson – QB27 – This was indeed a low scoring game, and Wilson was held without a score.

Jack Doyle – TE25 – While I believed Doyle was a case of fool’s gold, and part of me still does, I am starting to wonder if he will see an increased role in the Colts’ offense.

I Blew It

Jeremy Langford – RB24 – Despite hitting pay dirt, Langford saw just 11 carries. Could it be Jordan Howard time in Chicago?

Vincent Jackson – WR57 – 56 wide receivers scored more points than Jackson last week. I blame Jameis Winston.

Virgil Green – TE26 – So much for Demaryius Thomas playing the decoy role. Green was ineffective with three receptions for 36 yards and injured his foot.

Willie Snead – WR21 – Snead turned an otherwise pedestrian stat line of five receptions for 54 yards into a solid WR2 performance when he scored. Shame on me for relegating him to the bench.

Giovani Bernard – RB2 – Well this is just embarrassing. Bernard had 100 receiving yards and a score.

Now that Week 2 is behind us, forward and onward to Week 3.

Who’s Hot

Fire Starter: Frank Gore – RB – Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers
I’m giving old man Gore my top spot this week against the 26th ranked run defense in football. Gore has yet to carry the ball 15 times in a game but he is being used as a receiver. This week sets up nicely for his 2016 breakout game. There is no reason why Gore can’t have his first 100-yard rushing game and rushing touchdown of the year.

Ryan Tannehill – QB – Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns
Tannehill will be a recommended option by most this week and is trending towards being the chalk play at quarterback. He may not be an ever-week starter for everyone but he should be this week. The Cleveland Browns seem to unravel further and further each week and will be without top corner back Joe Haden. Not only do I expect Tannehill to do some damage through the air but I anticipate him racking up a decent amount of yardage with his legs. I love his chances of finishing as a top five quarterback this week.

Mohamed Sanu – Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
You will have to wait until Monday night to play Sanu, who is questionable but expected to play. Play it safe by putting him in your flex spot and enjoy his monster performance that will win you your league this week. I do not need to tell you how bad the Saints’ defense is or how scoring-friendly the Super Dome is. With Julio Jones clearly less than 100%, Sanu will be in for a big night.

Jesse James – Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles
I think the Steelers will expose the Eagles for what they are this week, and that is a team that had two cake matchups during the first two weeks and are projecting an image of a stout defense. I am not knocking the Eagles, who currently have held tight ends to 33 yards on four receptions this season. What I am saying is the Eagles will be brought back down to Earth this week and Jesse James will debunk this “tough on tight ends” image. James is one of two players who has been on the field for 100% of his teams’ snaps. He is seeing looks in the red zone and I like his chances of scoring this week.

Who’s Not

Ice Cold: Carson Wentz –QB – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Back to what I was saying about the Steelers…their veteran defense with James Harrison at the helm will properly welcome the rookie to the big leagues this weekend. I understand the Steelers’ secondary is soft and typically one we target, but this is a pass rush Wentz has not seen yet. To their credit, there has been one touchdown thrown them this season. The Steelers will sack Wentz more than once and give him his first career interception.

Randall Cobb – WR – Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
I am accepting the risk that comes with benching Cobb. I realize he is a top tier receiver and can have a big game at any point. My problem with Cobb is the play of Aaron Rodgers. Anyone with eyes can see that his average play really dates back to the end of last season. All of the red zone looks are going to Jordy Nelson and Cobb just does not seem to be utilized as he should be. You probably drafted Cobb as your WR2, but I am suggesting you avoid him this week.

Spencer Ware – RB – Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets
That’s right, I am benching Ware this week. We all know Darelle Revis has lost a step but the Jets’ defensive line has not. Alex Smith is a sack-happy quarterback and will have his hands full this week. They will stuff Ware with every opportunity he gets. Speaking of Ware’s opportunity, there are rumblings coming out of Kansas City that Jamaal Charles could return this week.

Coby Fleener – TE – New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Maybe you are giving Coby Fleener another chance, but I am not. I don’t think I am jumping the gun on Fleener either. His struggles with the Saints’ offense are well documented, dating back to the early summer. “Saints tight end” is almost always a valuable role, but when you can’t get the playbook down or catch the ball, the position becomes useless. This is one of Fleener’s easiest matchups of the year and I am benching him because of how much I believe he is not a good football player.

Start/Sit decisions come down to a few things. Research, matchup analysis, game theory, and a plethora of other fantasy-relevant variables need to be taken into consideration. The fun in redraft is that the final roster comes down to one thing and that is your intuition. There are players who I think are hot and who are not this week but ultimately you need to go with your gut. You know what you are doing so trust in yourself. Good Luck!

Remember to consult our Ease of Schedule tool when considering the matchups for this week. Feel free to reach out to me @FFdeJENerate for any of your fantasy needs!