Biggest Week 3 Studs and Stinkers (Fantasy Football)
With Week 3 mostly in the books, The Fantasy Footballers review and react to the Studs & Duds performances on the latest episode. Here, I’ll highlight the best and worst fantasy finishes from Week32, previewing their upcoming stretch of games. To get the full breakdown of Week 3 performances, don’t miss Week 3 Studs & Stinkers + Weekly Rewind, Maniel Jones.
Biggest Studs
Russell Wilson, QB Seahawks
Week 3 vs NO: 32/50 for 406 yds & 2 TD passing | 7 rushes for 51 yds & 2 TD
Upcoming Schedule: @ARI, LAR, @CLE
Russell Wilson is an elite quarterback in the NFL. Talent has never been in question with Russell…Offseason skeptics pointed to opportunity as the limiting factor for Wilson in fantasy. In 2018, the Seahawks were dead last in pass attempts and second in rush attempts. They have two solid running backs and entered the season without Doug Baldwin, who retired in the offseason. Wilson looked incredible Sunday despite losing to the Saints in a tough matchup, and he currently leads all fantasy players (prior to the Monday game). He passed the ball 50 times, most of his career. He also rushed for 51 yards. Although Wilson is a terrific runner, he’s only rushed for more than 51 yards six times in the previous three seasons (avg two games/year). Keep in mind that Rashaad Penny was inactive and Carson’s role was limited due to fumbling issues, so Wilson took charge through the air and on the ground. Is this a preview of a new offensive scheme in Seattle? Or is this merely the byproduct of a unique set of circumstances? The latter is more likely the answer. That being said, I think Wilson will have a handful of monster games this season. Predicting them is the biggest challenge.
Mike Evans, WR Buccaneers
Week 3 vs NYG: 8/190/3 on 15 targets
Upcoming Schedule: @LAR, @NO, CAR
There he is! Evans balled out on Sunday, nearly hitting the 200-yard mark in receiving and catching three touchdowns IN THE FIRST HALF! Evans looked great on a Tampa Bay offense that showed some improvement. Meanwhile, his teammate Godwin had a poor performance. Godwin and Evans should continue to have good games mixed with mediocre games, as they are competing as the 1a and 1b of the Bucs offense. Evans remains the lead dog and a must-start every week. I expect more consistency moving forward and less of the boom-bust roller coaster we’ve seen through three weeks.
Keenan Allen, WR Chargers
Week 3 vs HOU: 13/183/2 on 17 targets | 1 rush for 3 yds
Upcoming Schedule: @MIA, DEN, PIT
Allen has had at least eight receptions and 98 receiving yards every game so far this season. He looked amazing in Week 3, carrying the Chargers on his back in a tough matchup versus the Texans. Unfortunately for Chargers fans, the Bolts came up short in an exciting final drive trying to tie it up. Regardless, Allen has been the primary beneficiary in Hunter Henry‘s absence and Mike Williams‘ knee injury. Keenan Allen is worthy of top-3 consideration moving forward and looks like a huge value compared to his draft cost. While Allen is a stud, I expect Mike Williams (go buy him low) to take on more work as he gets healthier.
Darren Waller, TE Raiders
Week 3 @ IND: 13/134/0 on 14 targets | 1 rush for 7 yds
Upcoming Schedule: @IND, CHI, BYE
Waller commanded 38.2% of the Raiders target share in a tough matchup versus a stout Vikings defense. Jon Gruden wasn’t kidding when he said the offense would run through the tight end position. Waller is the MVP of the Raiders offense and has caught an incredible 89.7% of passes thrown his way so far this season. For reference, Michael Thomas broke an NFL record last year by catching 85% of his targets. Michael Thomas had Drew Brees throwing the ball. Waller has Derek Carr (at least for now). Waller has yet to catch a touchdown pass but remains a top-5 play every week. Once the touchdowns come, Waller will enter the next level of fantasy stardom. Thank the fantasy gods for finding this gem late in drafts or on the waiver wire, and continue to plug him into lineups (except for his upcoming week 6 bye).
Biggest Stinkers
Chris Carson, RB Seahawks
Week 3 vs NO: 15/53/0 rushing | 1/-2/0 receiving | 1 fumble
Upcoming Schedule: @ARI, LAR, @CLE
Carson’s fumbling problem is concerning. For the third week in a row, he fumbled the football. This time, it turned into a defensive touchdown in a week where the Seahawks only lost by six points. Even the most loyal coaching staff has to wonder if the Seahawks would have won the game if Carson didn’t play. I still think Carson is the most talented running back on the roster, but three disappointing fumbles may push him down the depth chart behind 1st round draft pick Rashaad Penny. The Seahawks have a juicy matchup in week 4 versus the Arizona Cardinals, and it’s unclear at this point in time whether Carson will be start-worthy. I do expect him to rebound this season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he rides the bench for a week or two while Penny (if healthy) gets the shot at the starting role. Pay attention to reports this week and listen to The Fantasy Footballers for Carson advice before the Week 4 matchups.
Mark Andrews, TE Ravens
Week 3 @ KC: 3/15/0 on 7 targets
Upcoming Schedule: CLE, @PIT, CIN
I’ll keep this simple. Andrews was banged up this week with a foot injury and was visibly limited. Despite that, he was still targeted in the end zone. Hopefully, Andrews gets healthier throughout the week. He remains a must-start every week.
Stefon Diggs, WR Vikings
Week 3 vs OAK: 3/15/0 on 3 targets
Upcoming Schedule: @CHI, @NYG, PHI
The Vikings put up 34 points this week. Diggs was only targeted three times. Three of the four Vikings TD this week were rushing TD. Through three weeks, Diggs hasn’t surpassed 3 receptions OR 50 receiving yards. Kirk Cousins looks like a back end starting QB in the NFL. His teammate Adam Thielen has seen a 33% higher target share and has scored more touchdowns so far this season. Diggs is a good NFL wide receiver, but he’s in a difficult situation that limits his opportunity. The Vikings want to run the ball, and they are very successful when they do. Diggs should have better days ahead, but I would personally wait until a big week and then try to trade him away.
Don’t miss the latest episode of the podcast for the full breakdown on the rest of the Week 3 Studs & Duds.
Other Week 3 Studs
QB
- Daniel Jones @TB — 23/36 for 336/2/0 — 4/28/2 rushing — 2 fumbles
- WAS, MIN, @NE
- Patrick Mahomes vs BAL — 27/37 for 374/3/0 — 4/9/0 rushing
- @DET, IND, HOU
- Deshaun Watson @LAC — 25/34 for 351/3/0–,7/18/0 rushing — 1 fumble
- CAR, ATL, @KC
- Kyle Allen @ARI — 19/26 for 261/4/0 — 3/-1/0 rushing — 1 fumble
- @HOU, JAX, @TB
- Jameis Winston vs NYG — 23/37 for 380/3/1 — 4/3/0 rushing
- @LAR, @NO, CAR
- Matt Ryan @IND — 29/34 for 304/3/1 — 2/3/0 rushing
- TEN, @HOU, @ARI
RB
- Mark Ingram @KC — 16/103/3 — 4/32/0 on 4 targets
- CLE, @PIT, CIN
- Alvin Kamara @SEA — 16/69/1 — 9/92/1 on 10 targets
- DAL, TB, @JAX
- Christian McCaffrey @ARI — 24/153/1 — 3/35/0 on 4 targets
- @HOU, JAX, @TB
- Phillip Lindsay @GB — 21/81/2 — 4/49/0 on 5 targets
- JAX, @LAC, TEN
- Dalvin Cook vs OAK — 16/110/1 — 4/33/0 on 5 targets
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- Mattison – 12/58/1
- @CHI, @NYG, PHI
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WR
- Cooper Kupp @CLE — 11/102/2 on 12 targets
- TB, @SEA, SF
- Tyler Lockett vs NO — 11/154/1 on 14 targets
- @ARI, LAR, @CLE
- Amari Cooper vs MIA — 6/88/2 on 7 targets
- @NO, GB, @NYJ
- Sterling Shepard @TB — 7/100/1 on 9 targets — 2/21/0 rushing
- WAS, MIN, @NE
- Julio Jones @IND — 8/128/1 on 9 targets
- TEN, @HOU, @ARI
TE
- HOU Jordan Akins @LAC — 3/73/2 on 5 targets
- HOU Darren Fells @LAC — 5/49/1 on 6 targets
- CAR, ATL, @KC
- Greg Olsen @ARI — 6/75/2 on 7 targets
- @HOU, JAX, @TB
- Evan Engram @TB — 6/113/1 on 8 targets
- WAS, MIN, @NE
- Austin Hooper @IND — 6/66/2 on 7 targets
- TEN, @HOU, @ARI
Other Week 3 Stinkers
QB
- Baker Mayfield vs LAR — 18/36 for 195/1/1 — 1/-1/0 rushing
- @BAL, @SF, SEA
- Jimmy Garoppolo vs PIT — 23/32 for 277/1/2 — 6/3/0 rushing
- BYE, CLE, @LAR
RB
- Todd Gurley @CLE — 14/43/0 — zero catches on 1 target
- TB, @SEA, SF
- James Conner @SF — 13/43/0 — 4/14/0 on 5 targets
- CIN, BAL, @LAC
- Josh Jacobs @MIN — 10/44/0 — zero catches on 2 targets
- @IND, CHI, BYE
- Latavius Murray @SEA — 2/2/0 rushing
- DAL, TB, @JAX
WR
- Kenny Golladay @PHI — 2/17/0 on 8 targets
- KC, BYE, @GB
- Calvin Ridley @IND — 1/6/0 on 1 target
- TEN, @HOU, @ARI,
- Chris Godwin vs NYG — 3/40/0 on 4 targets
- @LAR, @NO, CAR
- John Ross @BUF — 2/22/0 on 6 targets
- @PIT, ARI, @BAL
- Emmanuel Sanders @GB — 2/10/0 on 4 targets
- JAX, @LAC, TEN
- Marquise Brown @KC — 2/49/0 on 9 targets
- CLE, @PIT, CIN
- Robby Anderson @NE — 3/11/0 on 5 targets
- BYE, @PHI, DAL
TE
- Jared Cook @SEA — 1/7/0 on 2 targets
- DAL, TB, @JAX
- Jimmy Graham vs DEN – zero catches on 1 target
- PHI (Thurs), @DAL, DET