Burning Questions: Week 3
After a week full of intrigue, injuries, and irrationality, we tackle the burning questions once again on M0nday morning that shape the fantasy landscape moving forward. Follow our contributors for this week’s Burning Questions: Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive), Nate Hamilton (@DomiNateFF), and Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
1. Which player do you feel like owners need to press the “panic button” on after Week 2?
“Panic on Russell Wilson, he has put up terrible weeks back to back. Hurt or not, this offense looks terrible and weapon-less. I would not be comfortable running him out there week after week in fantasy…and you spent a 4th or 5th on him!” -Ryan Weisse
“Yes, it’s already time to hit the panic button on Arian Foster. He got lucky with a 50 yard reception week one to give him some fantasy value. Here we are in Week 2 and he is already hurt. This should come to no surprise to anyone that Arian Foster is missing time due to an injury, I just think his owners were just hoping it was deeper into the season before the headache with Foster began.” -Nate Hamilton
“Yikes! I’m glad I don’t own him anywhere but AP owners need to pull the plug on any RB1 hopes for 2016. Now I’m not telling owners to drop him by any means, but this looks rough especially with his knee ligament damage that could allow him to miss a week or two. Hopefully you have Jerick McKinnon as a handcuff as the Vikings still look capable of winning the division. ” -Kyle Borgognoni
2. Whose Week 2 performance should give their owners confidence moving forward?
“The easy answer is Dez Bryant. After looking like he and Dak weren’t even in the same book in Week 1, they got on the same page in Week 2 and Dez owners can calm down if they didn’t sell low after Week 1.“- Ryan Weisse
“For the second week in a row, Will Fuller has eclipsed the 100 receiving yard mark. He has great chemistry with quarterback Brock Osweiler and benefits from lining up opposite DeAndre Hopkins. The field opens up for Fuller and presents great opportunities that he has taken advantage of in his first two NFL games. Will Fuller is the real deal and his production is here to stay.” -Nate Hamilton
“Melvin Gordon ran the ball 24 times on Sunday, the most of his young career as he locked down the RB position with Danny Woodhead down and out. Gordon seems like a safe bet to get 15-20 touches per game, a weekly total that is becoming quite rare in RB world. He’s an every week start for me especially with a juicy schedule coming up of Indianapolis and New Orleans. He seems like a bankable RB2 with upside.” -Kyle Borgognoni
3. What is one statistical trend after Week 2 fantasy owners need to take note of?
“Be careful with your WR against Denver, same as 2015. Even with KB’s good Week 1 the Broncos have only allowed 16 receptions to WR this season. 6 were to Benjamin. They are fantasy WR kryptonite.” -Ryan Weisse
“One statistical trend after Week 2 fantasy owners should take note of is the “non-trend”. It is very difficult not to take production (or lack thereof) of players from their most recent game and use that in your decision to start them or not the next week. It’s a long season, do not allow 2 weeks to frustrate you. Stay focused, pay attention to the waiver wire, make smart decisions and trades to strengthen your weak positions and stay confident that you can and will DomiNate this season! Keep your chin up 0-2ers!” -Nate Hamilton
“Despite all the offseason moves the Raiders made to improve their defense, their secondary is Swiss cheese thin after two weeks giving up 404 yards per game, worst in the league. They’ve given up 13 plays of 20+ yards of more already this year. CB Sean Smith, who came over from division rival Kansas City, has been routinely burned and the nickel coverage has been atrocious. Fantasy owners need to take notice as 2nd and 3rd options in opposing offenses can be start-worthy and feast against these Raiders.” -Kyle Borgognoni
4. Who is one player you feel legitimately silly for not owning any shares in?
“Mike Evans, he performs when his team does not. He was a target monster last year and there was no reason to think different in 2016 but I shied away. To top it off he’s only 23 in his 3rd year as a pro and I have him in 0 keeper leagues.” -Ryan Weisse
“I am in 4 leagues and I can’t believe I do not own LeGarrette Blount! The man is a beast, very athletic and has perfected hurdling over defenders. No matter who the Patriots have lined up as the next starting RB, Blount out-produces and takes the job. He will continue to see plenty of work in this offense and will continue to produce.” -Nate Hamilton
“I’m kicking myself for buying into the “Kelvin Benjamin is too slow” narrative this offseason. I own him in none of my leagues and yet he’s been a fantasy difference maker in two games so far. Beyond just the 3 TDs, he’s been a target monster for Cam Newton and seems to dwarf CBs in the middle of the field on post routes. I wish I would’ve overlooked my own bias because his asking price is astronomical and he seems like a low-end WR1 here on out.” -Kyle Borgognoni