Brandon Aiyuk vs. LAR
Aiyuk was limited in Week 1, as he ran a route on 79% of the 49ers’ pass plays. That increased in Week 2 to a 93% route rate, an elite level, but production was still lacking. Through two games, Aiyuk has just six receptions for 71 yards with no touchdowns, which isn’t great for fantasy football managers.
But this should change in week 3.
Aiyuk will face a Rams secondary that has allowed the most yards per pass play so far this season. Los Angeles allowed 121 yards to Jameson Williams in Week 1 and 130 yards to Marvin Harrison Jr. in Week 2. This is a great situation for Aiyuk, but it gets even better because Deebo Samuel is questionable for this game.
Since Brocky Purdy became the starting QB in 2022, Aiyuk has played in six games without Deebo Samuel. In those contests, Aiyuk is averaging 15.1 fantasy points on 7.3 targets per game according to RotoViz. Line up Aiyuk with confidence this week.
D'Andre Swift vs. IND
Swift hasn't had a great start to the season. After two games, he ranks outside the top 36 fantasy RBs, totaling 72 yards on 28 touches. The interior of the Bears' offensive line has looked rough. This is bad news for Swift, but there is some good news to discuss.
Swift has played 67% of the Bears' snaps and handled 77% of the RBs' carries this season. He ranks 13th in RB usage according to Player Profiler and will now have a big matchup against the Colts. Indianapolis allows the eighth-most yards before contact this season and has allowed both Joe Mixon and Josh Jacobs to top 150 rushing yards in the past two weeks.
Plus, the Colts just lost defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for at least the next four games. It may be unpleasant, but this is a tough matchup for Swift.
Amari Cooper vs. NYG
Cooper has just 27 receiving yards in two games. It hasn't been a great result, but the good news is that he's getting strong usage. Amari has caught a team-high 17 passes and leads the NFL with 170 passing yards according to the NFL. Player Profiler.
Cooper has dropped the ball three times this season, one of which would have resulted in a 50-yard touchdown; he's come close to some big plays. But the important thing to note here is that Cooper is earning himself some good opportunities both downfield and in the red zone.
Over time, this use should lead to great performances, and that could start this week.
Cooper will face the Giants, who are allowing the sixth-highest EPA per pass play this season according to NFL Pro. Cooper will remain the starter this week in a matchup he should be able to take advantage of.
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Brian Robinson Jr. vs. CIN
Robinson Jr.'s role has been solid to start the season. He has played 59% of the Commanders' snaps and has gotten 74% of the carries in the backfield. In Week 2, Robinson totaled 136 yards on 18 touches. He broke five tackles in this game and currently ranks in the top 10 for the season in broken tackles according to the NFL. Player Profiler.
These broken tackle stats are important for their matchup this week. Robinson will be facing the Bengals, who have allowed 160 rushing yards per game this season. But more importantly, the Bengals have struggled to tackle, allowing the sixth-most yards after contact this season according to NFL Pro. Even though Washington is a big underdog, efficient play is expected from Robinson.
Chuba Hubbard vs. LV
This may sound unpleasant, but hear me out. The fact that the Panthers benched Bryce Young and started Andy Dalton is a big deal. Dalton is a veteran quarterback who knows how to run an NFL offense. This should benefit all of the Panthers' skill position players, including Hubbard.
Believe it or not, the Panthers' offensive line is off to a terrific start to the season. The investments they made in free agency at their guard positions are paying off so far. This should help Hubbard, who took 59% of the team's snaps in Week 2 and handled 59% of the carries in the backfield.
This week, Hubbard will face the Raiders, who are allowing the most yards before contact in the NFL according to NFL Pro. Las Vegas is also allowing 6.1 rushing yards per play, the second-highest mark in the league. Hubbard isn't a player who should be starting, but in a week riddled with injuries, there's nothing better than putting him through his paces in Week 3.
Tee Higgins vs WAS
Higgins missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury, but it appears he'll make his season debut in Week 3 against the Commanders, and the Bengals desperately need him.
Andrei Iosivas hasn't performed well as Higgins' backup; he ranks 64th in yards per route run through two games and hasn't been able to consistently separate himself down the field. The Bengals have just one completion of 20 yards or more this season. This is exactly where Tee Higgins can help the most, and he has a great matchup to do so if he can play in Week 3.
Higgins faces a Commanders secondary that has allowed the most EPA per pass play this season. Washington is also allowing 7.6 yards per pass play, the third-highest mark in the NFL. The Commanders just gave up five explosive plays of 20-plus yards to rookie Malik Nabers in Week 2. Look for Higgins to have plenty of opportunities to produce for you in Week 3 if he's active.
