We’re only two weeks into the season Razzscallions and the QB-pocalypse is upon us. Much to the dismay of many a fantasy player, several top 12-ish quarterback options came down with somewhat significant injuries. Throwing a major road block into the grandiose plans of those with early leads coming out of the one o’clock games. Seriously marinate on that for a sec. How many managers rolling out one o’clock heroes like Antonio Brown, Jamal Charles, Dion Lewis, Gronk, and Julian Edelman were counting victories going into the four o’clock game with Tony Romo at QB? Literally tons! At work today, 2-3 of my coworkers came into “The Lifshitz’s” office looking for guidance on replacing Romo. That’s right, yours truly is an actual functioning member of society when I’m not filling the pages of three Razzball sites. (Speaking of which, go check out some real Fútbol over on RazzSoccer). Two of the three coworkers were in your standard 12-team PPR leagues, so there were plenty of viable options available (Tygod all day sun!), but the third coworker was in a slightly more difficult predicament… Co-worker number three, we’ll call him, is in a 14-team 2-QB league, and owns Romo WITH Brees. (YIKES!) He obviously came into the season with a major advantage, but here’s the problem, he has Jameis Winston as his third stringer and even Johnny Manizel is already owned. Shizzzzz, I’m freaking out just reading this. So what does this chap need to do? Who the hell can he pickup? Well Co-Worker number three, this one’s for you. Here are your Wavier Wire adds for Week 3 in Fantasy Football…
Quarterbacks
Brandon Weeden, Cowboys (Yahoo 1% – ESPN .1%) – Alright, alright I know Brandon Weeden’a a bum and all that, but unless Kyle Orton is putting down the Baconator, Weeden’s going to start. He wasn’t his usual awful self Sunday either. Albeit a small sample size, but he did go 7-7 with a TD. Honest question, how many times did you hear that last line today? A dozen? Must have. Anyway moving on, this poses the question, “Do I start Weeden?”. Simple answer, not in 12-team leagues. Notice the qualifier “12-team leagues”, because that’s where it gets murky. If you’re in a predicament similar to previously discussed coworker number three, you probably want to take a flier on Weeden. While at the same time, burning two brushes of sage. One to ward off the bad spirits that have haunted Weeden’s career and the second to ward off Kyle Orton’s neckbeard.
Johnny Manziel, Browns (Yahoo 3% – ESPN 4.5%) – I’m going to insult college football fans when I say this, Johnny Manziel sucks. He just does things that can only be described as Tebow-esque. What I mean by that is he displays a low QB IQ, not that he’s a martyr for all angry Christians meme’s on social media. Because that would not be befitting of Manziel at all. But here’s the thing, he does one thing really well… throw the deep ball. This kid can slang it! Sure, he’ll run into a sack or two or force a throw he shouldn’t, but he’ll go downfield on dat azz all day. If you’re in a league with bonuses for 20+ yard passes, pick him up if you need a quarterback fill in. In two QB leagues, he’s probably already owned. If he’s not, you know what to do.
Luke McCown, Saints (Yahoo 0% – ESPN 0%) – From what I’m hearing at the time of writing this (10:00 pm EDT), Drew Brees is the proud owner of a “bruised” rotator cuff. It’s not “torn”, I repeat it is not “torn”, but they’re going to have the infamous Dr. Freeze take a look anyways. You know, just as a “precautionary” thing. As for McCown, he sucks plain and simple. Only way you pick him up is if you’re coworker number three and your Weeden claim doesn’t go through.
Jimmy Clausen, Bears (Yahoo 0% ESPN .1%) – OH MY GAWD!!! WHY AM I WRITING ABOUT JIMMY F&@$IN CLAUSEN! Somewhere Charlie Weis smiles. He’s probably eating a cupcake. Cutler is potentially out for two plus weeks at this point, so the job is Clausen’s to lose. With Alshon Jeffrey hopefully back in the fold next week, Clausen might have a decent arsenal of weapons around him.
Running Backs
Devonte Freeman, Falcons (Yahoo 45% – ESPN 64.6%) – With Tevin Coleman sidelined with a broken rib for at least the next couple weeks, Freeman finds himself an opportunity to be the lead dog in the Atlanta backfield. Problem is, he’s shown nothing so far in his NFL career. The time to shine is now for Freeman, and he’s going to get the touches this week. Question is, can he do anything with them? He certainly didn’t on Sunday. He saw 12 carries and 8 targets in the passing game and came up with a poultry 59 yards and a TD. Granted, he did have one touchdown called back, but it’s all the same.
James Starks, Packers (Yahoo 13% – ESPN 8.7%) – After a first quarter injury to Eddie Lacy, Starks stepped in and gained 95 yards on the ground against the notoriously tough Seattle run defense. I’m not sure if Lacy misses Week 3 with an ankle sprain, after all the Pack doesn’t play until Monday. But if Lacy is out, Starks is a low-end RB2. The matchup with the Chiefs isn’t ideal but it’s not any more difficult than the Seahawks.
Matt Jones, Redskins (Yahoo 24% – ESPN 16.4%) – Blew up on Sunday like your post-college waistline. Everyone and their mother was on this dudes jock back in pre-season, or as I call it: two weeks ago. He played three fewer snaps than Alfred Morris and out carried him 19-18. We, ladies and gentleman, have ourselves a timeshare where both backs have value. Jones is owned in just 23% of Yahoo leagues and if you’re reading this than stop and go add him. NOW!
Wide Receivers
Aaron Dobson, Patriots (Yahoo 0% – ESPN 1%) – Had a career day on Sunday against the Bills. And by career day I mean he caught the ball with his hands. I wouldn’t own Dobson in anything under a 14-team league and even then we’re stretching it. If he can gain some momentum this week against the Jags and there is an injury to Edelman or Amendola, he could see an uptick in work. In the meantime he’s just a mirage.
Michael Crabtree, Raiders (Yahoo 24% – ESPN 31.7%) – Went for 9-111-1 against the Ravens on Sunday and is owned in just 23% of Yahoo leagues. Not a bad flier to take if the Raiders passing game and Derek Carr continue to look the way they did yesterday.
Travis Benjamin, Browns (Yahoo 15% – ESPN 7%) – Has a fluky 4 TD’s through two games. I don’t see this holding up and wouldn’t add him personally outside a 14-team league. He’s obviously making big plays though and so he’s going to get a lot of love this week on the wire.
Rishard Matthews, Dolphins (Yahoo 3% ESPN 1%)- Looked pretty damn good as he hauled in 6 catches on 7 targets for 115 yards. He’s way off the radar in a lot of leagues, but could be someone to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. If the Dolphins are able to establish an actual passing game, he’s going to be the top option after Jarvis Landry.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Steelers (Yahoo 1% – ESPN .5%) – Is only owned in just 1% of Yahoo leagues and could have some big potential over the next two weeks before Martavis Bryant returns. He’s not going to light up the PPR leagues with reception points but he’s going to get looks on big plays downfield, and that’s always something to be mindful of. Probably a better DFS play, but in deeper leagues, he could be a worthy WR3 boom or bust stream.
Tight End
Crockett Gillmore, Ravens (Yahoo 5% – ESPN 1.6%) – With the name of a professional baseball player and the combination of size and athleticism, Gilmore is a for sure add this week. He looks to be the Ravens second option in the passing game at the moment, and is a better option than a lot of teams starting tight ends at the moment. Drop the guy you got and add Crock G, one more week like this and he’ll be 75%+ owned.
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