Welcome to Week 3! As we move deeper into the fantasy season, the all-or-nothing roster will begin to take a different turn. Once heralded superstars become riskier plays, role players ascend into flex-worthy territory, and defensive matchups become a bigger factor. After a week with injuries at every position, many fantasy managers are digging into their bench and looking for upgrades to help them push toward victory.
This week’s roster presents several intriguing challenges. Are we willing to risk it all on a wide receiver who has surprisingly low production? Should we rely on volume and inconsistent veteran touches? Can we trust an emerging rookie?
Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss
The Bengals’ backfield has been disappointing. Moss has taken over the lead role, but let’s be honest, there hasn’t been a “winner” here. In Week 1, Moss saved his fantasy day with a touchdown in what was an underwhelming performance of just nine carries for 44 yards and two receptions for 17 yards.
Week 2 didn’t offer much of an improvement with 12 carries for just 34 yards and one reception for 13 for a total of 5.2 fantasy points. Moss has out-touched Chase Brown 24 to 10, so the usage is there, but we need more than just touches to consider this a good play.
It will be moss do either break What will be your lineup for Week 3?
The best cure for a stretch of disappointing production is a dream matchup, and Washington might be the exact matchup Moss needs to sneak into low-end RB1 territory. Washington just allowed 95 yards on 16 carries to Devin Singletary, averaging 5.94 yards per attempt and one touchdown. If there’s a game where Moss can finally pay off in his leadership role, this is it. he game.
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Demarcus Robinson, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams
Yo want believe in a Rams receiver. Forget about it. need believe in a Rams receiver. All offseason we debated where to go with Puka Nacua or a healthy Cooper Kupp, and now we’re stuck with neither. If you’ve followed my work in the past, you know I’m a big He advocates for Robinson and believes in his viability as the Rams’ WR3.
This week, the Rams face the 49ers, and while the Niners’ defense is solid, they’re not invincible. In Week 1, Allan Lazard had two touchdowns while Garrett Wilson had 11 passes against him. In Week 2, Justin Jefferson shined and even Jalen Nailor managed to make an impact. Robinson may be able to provide value.
It will be Robinson do either break What will be your lineup for Week 3?
I’m not going to downplay this. very Worried about everyone except Kyren Williams going forward. When the Rams offensive line struggles, Stafford struggles. My confidence level in Robinson actually lies in the Rams offensive line’s ability to give Stafford enough time to really find Robinson. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson returns this week from his early-season suspension, but they still have two offensive linemen on IR and another expected to miss time. Robinson is too volatile in this weak season and leans more toward a break than a brand.
Brian Thomas Jr., wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas was in my week 1 “Make or Break” column as doAnd it immediately paid off. Thomas’ performance wasn’t huge, but he immediately stood out as the big man in the Jags’ offense. Thomas is averaging 11.55 fantasy points per game in PPR, ranking as the WR25 and the third-highest scoring rookie this season. It’s a fantastic start to the season for Thomas, but turning him into a must-start player for the week isn’t that simple.
It will be Thomas do either break What will be your lineup for Week 3?
In a good matchup, I’m all for Thomas coming out on top. However, this week he faces a Buffalo defense that has been solid against the pass. The Jags rank eighth-lowest in total pass attempts (51) through two weeks, and that low passing volume has been fairly evenly distributed throughout the receiving corps. Thomas has just four targets in each game this season. He’s managed to make the most of his sparse opportunities, but that kind of production makes him a more volatile fantasy asset that could break Your lineup this week.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland wide receiver
Volatility has been an accepted part of Amari Cooper’s game, but 2024 is off to a rough start even by his standards. In fact, this is the worst start to a season in Cooper’s career. Cooper is the Browns’ target leader through two games with 15 targets but just 5 receptions, an abysmal 33% catch rate.
Deshaun Watson continues to struggle, and the involvement of Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore has caused Amari Cooper to lose his ability to perform. Cooper has gone from being a forced starter to becoming a liability in the lineup.
It will be Cooper do either break What will be your lineup for Week 3?
The increased involvement of Jeudy and Moore wouldn’t be a significant problem if Watson showed any promise of improvement. Watson has failed to top 186 passing yards with a surprisingly low 4.5 yards per attempt and a 58.2% completion percentage.
This week, the Browns have an excellent matchup against the Giants and starting Cooper should be a no-brainer. Cooper is a player who is on the verge of victory or defeat. With injuries across the league, you may be forced to start him. If you have the luxury of switching options, do so until Watson demonstrates a competent level of play.
Mike Gesicki, tight end, Cincinnati Bengals
Could Mike Gesicki accomplish the impossible and give us a starting tight end in Cincinnati?
It seems like a pipe dream, but Gesicki’s early-season usage is very intriguing. In Week 2, Gesicki had seven receptions on nine attempts for 91 yards. In Week 1, Gesicki had just three receptions on four attempts for 18 yards, but he did have a big touchdown that was overturned. Had he been able to hold onto the ball, it would have been another double-digit scoring and top-10 performance.
While we can’t base value on “whether he caught the ball,” we can use it to gauge his overall role within the offense. It’s very early in the season, but if the Bengals have finally found a match at tight end, Gesicki could have offered consistent volume in a bleak tight end landscape.
It will be Gesicki do either break What will be your lineup for Week 3?
Gesicki could take a step back when Tee Higgins returns, but Higgins’ status for Week 3 is still unclear. Even if Higgins returns this week, Higgins has typically returned from injuries on a limited basis in past seasons. The Bengals have a fantastic matchup against Washington, and Gesicki could have top-five potential again.
