Fantasy Football: Week 3 Watch List Candidates
Scouring the waiver wire can be a daunting and time consuming task due to the sheer amount of talent that is usually available in a league each and every week. The purpose of this article is to identify players who should be put on watch lists so that fantasy owners can be proactive and aware of potential free agent gems over the course of the 2018 regular season. Keep in mind that the names listed below are owned in a small percentage of leagues, but nonetheless offer statistical upside and therefore warrant our attention. Week 2’s edition consisted of names like Nyheim Hines and Will Dissly. Now, let’s look ahead to Week 3’s players to watch for.
RB Corey Grant, Jaguars (3% Owned)
Often praised by Jacksonville’s coaching staff, Corey Grant is once again on the fantasy radar after a strong Week 2 performance. The 26-year-old running back registered 4 carries for 13 yards coupled with 6 receptions for 56 yards on 7 targets in Leonard Fournette’s absence against the New England Patriots. The Auburn product managed to cement himself alongside T.J. Yeldon in the Jaguars backfield and proved that he can offer standalone value when provided sufficient volume for fantasy purposes. Fournette is expected to return from his hamstring injury as soon as this week, but Yeldon continues to battle an ankle ailment. Grant belongs on watch lists in the event that he is asked to fill a larger role on offense in 2018.
WR D.J. Moore, Panthers (28% Owned)
In his second professional game, D.J. Moore emerged onto the fantasy scene with one reception for 51 yards and a touchdown. The Maryland product has played exactly 17 snaps in both of the first two weeks of 2018 for the Carolina Panthers, but warrants add consideration with Greg Olsen sidelined. The 21-year-old is arguably the most talented wide receiver on the team’s roster but appears to be well behind Devin Funchess, Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright in terms of depth chart pecking order. Be proactive and place Moore on watch lists, as he is bound to earn more than 25 percent of snaps he saw in Week 2 as the regular season progresses. Overall, Moore owns the pedigree to succeed at the NFL level after being selected 24thoverall in this year’s draft. His final 2017 collegiate receiving line of 80-1033-8 also indicates that he has the potential to eventually offer a high ceiling in fantasy circles.
WR Christian Kirk, Cardinals (3% Owned)
Over the span of two weeks, Sam Bradford has managed to weaken the fantasy value of virtually all of the Arizona Cardinals skill position players. Amidst poor quarterback play, Christian Kirk flirted with fantasy relevance in Week 2 with 4 catches for 27 yards on 5 targets. The 21-year-old rookie has little in the form of competition in front of him, as Chad Williams has failed to impress over the course of his career to date. As of now, Kirk should not be inserted into starting lineups. However, his output should be monitored closely as Larry Fitzgerald continues to deal with a hamstring issue.
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RB Ronald Jones, Buccaneers (22% Owned)
Labeled a bust before he has even had the opportunity to appear on an NFL gridiron in the regular season, Ronald Jones is a logical player to the roster for the remainder of 2018. He has been inactive for Tampa Bay’s first two contests but is bound to contribute in the near future. The Buccaneers have opted to start Peyton Barber in the interim, and he has turned 35 carries into a pedestrian 91 yards rushing. Jones is undoubtedly the better talent of the two tailbacks, which is evident from his production at USC. Don’t forget, the 21-year-old ran for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns in college last season. Stash the second-round pick from this year’s draft before Tampa Bay’s Week 5 bye, as it could be too late to acquire him after the fact.
QB Josh Rosen, Cardinals (2% Owned)
Placing Josh Rosen on watch lists has more to do with Sam Bradford’s struggles to date than it does with the former UCLA Bruin’s likelihood to contribute as a rookie. So far, Bradford has thrown for 243 yards with zero touchdown and two interceptions. Even worse, he has posted a meager 4.0 yard per pass attempt total in the process. At this point, it’s a matter of when not if Rosen’s number is called to start for Arizona in 2018. When that time comes, he should elevate the Cardinals entire offense based on his profile as an accurate and decisive pocket passer. In 2017 alone, Rosen threw for 3,756 yards with 26 touchdowns in college. He needs to be rostered in all 2QB formas, and deserves to be monitored as a possible streamer in all other league structures.