Fantasy rundown: Week 3

By: Josh Frey-Sam

Owning a rookie running back can test your will to play fantasy football.

This year’s running back draft class is viewed as the best since 2017, and potentially of all time, but we have yet to see the fruits of drafting one of these stars.

Ashton Jeanty is the RB27, Omarion Hampton is the RB44, TeVeyon Henderson is the RB36, RJ Harvey is the RB43, Quinshon Judkins is the RB48 after playing his first game, and Cam Skattebo is the RB34.

Let me be the voice of reason here and tell you, do not panic-drop them. Everything will be alright in the end — well, for many of the rookie RBs. Some of them, not so much.

I’m not worried about most of these names, it’s only a matter of time before each of they get their feet under them and start being used in a way that will bring us wins. In fact, if you know someone in your league who is shaky about Hampton, Harvey, Henderson or Skattebo, I would recommend trading and stashing them.

I am worried about Ashton Jeanty, though. The usage will always be there this season, but it feels like he’s going to have to be incredibly efficient with his opportunities to justify the second-round pick you spent on him.

The offensive line hasn’t opened many holes, and he’s not being used in the passing game like we thought he would be. I’m not sounding the alarm just yet, but this exact scenario is why I didn’t draft him in any of my leagues.

Listen, it’s early. Don’t panic. Take it one week at a time. And dominate the waiver wire.

Many of you will need to hit the wire this week, as the injury bug bit hard in Week 2.

Quarterbacks, in particular, dropped like flies. Jayden Daniels, Justin Fields, Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy and JJ McCarthy have either been ruled out or are in serious doubt to hit the field in Week 3.

Here are a few of my favourite QBs to stream off the wire this week:

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

The Bears are struggling, but Williams has quietly put up respectable performances for fantasy in consecutive weeks. He’s the QB10 overall right now, and is set to face a Cowboys defence that just allowed Russell Wilson to toss for 450 yards and three touchdowns. Don’t watch the game, just play him and check the score later.

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

After a dud Week 1, Darnold jumped into borderline QB1 territory with two touchdowns and nearly 300 yards through the air against the Steelers. This might be another one you “plug and pray,” but he has a juicy matchup against the lowly New Orleans Saints. Keep in mind that this game is in Seattle, so there’s always a chance of rain.

Russell Wilson, New York Giants

The Giants let Russ cook in Week 2, and he rewarded them with one of the best performances of his career. He’s kept his job for at least one more week, and now he gets a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been a bit of a pass-funnel through two games. I’m not salivating at the matchup by any means, but Russ should be forced to throw it. He’s worth consideration at the very least.

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

Danny Dimes is the QB2 overall through two games. Yup, you read that right. The Colts have been clicking on offence, and Dimes is the reason for it. He’s looked great. This week, he gets a divisional matchup against the Titans, who haven’t forced opponents to pass on them much this season. On paper, the Titans are a tough matchup, but I still like Danny as a stream here.

Staying with the waiver wire, double-check to make sure these players have been claimed…

WR Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons

Returned from injury and went right back to his usual role, and actually out-snapped Drake London on Sunday Night Football.

TE Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

If Zach Ertz isn’t picked up in your league already, first, you need to question what kind of league you’re in. Second, go pick him up. He’s a high-floor TE option.

TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

He was likely picked up last week, but Johnson could end up being a sneaky top-five TE the rest of the season

WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

Jayden Reed is out for a while. Young guys will need to step up, but Rome remains the No. 1 option.

Waiver wire pick-ups

RB Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders

Don’t spend much here. It was just interesting to see him log more snaps than Bill Croskey Merritt after Austin Ekeler injured his Achilles.

WR Dontavion Wicks, Green Bay Packers

Either Wicks or rookie Matthew Golden is going to be the main beneficiary of more opportunities with Reed out. Wicks looked great last Thursday. Take a stab.

WR Hunter Renfrow, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers offence scares me too, but Renfrow is showing he’s still a great security blanket. I don’t expect touchdowns, but he could provide flex value if he’s catching five passes for 50 yards in most games.

WR Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants

The big-play threat in the Giants' offence, Robinson popped off for 8-142-1 against the Cowboys and is a guy who the team clearly wants to incorporate into the game plan. I think he could demand that you hang onto him for the rest of the season.

Others I like this week…

WR Elic Ayomaner, Tennessee Titans; WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts; WR Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh