Quarterbacks:
Ryan Fitzpatrick (TB) After another impressive performance, what else is there to say about Ryan Fitzpatrick? He was even able to do a great impression of Conner McGregor! Jameis Winston is due back Week 4, and at this point, it could stop the momentum if they go back to Winston. Fitzpatrick will at least have one more sure start this week, going up against a terrible defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers defense is a shell of its old self from a few seasons ago, and obviously, the loss of Ryan Shazier was the start of troubles for the Steelers. If Fitz has a great home game on Monday Night, he will continue until he has a bad game. I’d pick him up in any two-quarterback league, and in deep leagues of twelve teams or more.
Joe Flacco (BAL) This is a different year for Joe Flacco, and his numbers from this year look better than the previous two seasons. Every week you may see different wide receivers getting targeted for gains, but he has a better stable of receivers than the last few seasons.
2018 89 Attempts 64% completion 612 yards 6.9 Avg306 Yards per Game5 TD 2 INT
2017 549 Attempts 64.1% completion 3141 Yds 5.7 Avg196.3 Yds per Game 18 TD 13 INT
2016 672 Attempts 64.9% completion 4317 Yds 6.4 Avg269.8 Yds per Game 20 TD 15 INT
Andy Dalton (CIN) Andy has looked so much better this season and has a great connection with AJ Green. Having a favorable schedule the majority of the season, he makes for an excellent QB2 on rosters.
Case Keenum (DEN) Case has all the weapons he needs at wide receiver this season. As long as he’s able to control his interceptions he should be looking up in the stats category. Over the last two games, he’s given up four interceptions, after only throwing seven interceptions in 2017 for Minnesota. Case is a quarterback that you could use during the bye weeks, and if you do play him, just don’t watch the game.
Blake Bortles (JAX) Blake is another quarterback that you probably don’t want to watch play. He does like to run and with doing that he’s able to create new plays downfield. Jacksonville has a great running game between Fournette and Yeldon, and that helps Bortles in the pocket.
Baker Mayfield (CLE) While I realize he’s playing on a team that has missed out on winning two games in a week due to play calling, Baker has the “it” that is needed in order to be a star in this league. If Hue Jackson wants to keep his job, he needs to realize that Baker is going to give him the wins. I view Baker as the most reliable rookie play caller in his rookie class. Pick him up now, because once he starts starting, he will be more expensive to get off of waivers.
Quarterbacks I don’t quite trust yet…
Derek Carr (OAK) Set the all-time completion record, completing ninety percent of his passes, with at least twenty-seven attempts. According to Pro Football Reference, only eight other quarterbacks have ever completed ninety percent with just twenty attempts. Whether he keeps this up is hard to estimate at this point of the season. But, he is definitely someone to keep an eye on over the next couple of games. Chances are he’ll get picked up this week if someone is hurting at QB. Don’t worry about it though, because there is enough depth at QB this season.
Ryan Tannehill (MIA) Ryan’s had such bad luck since coming into the NFL. He’s missed too many games as a young quarterback, with little experience at that position in his football career. With a newer receiving corp this season, he will need to rely on Kenny Stills. Every week we may see him targeting different receivers. Until he has a couple of good back to back games, I find him hard to rely on every week or as my backup.
Running Backs:
Nick Chubb (CLE) Carlos Hyde seems to be not performing at the same level as he did in San Francisco in 2017. This could just be an issue to the play calling, however, he also doesn’t seem to gain too much on runs. I think Chubb could be the difference maker on this roster this season. We saw what Antonio Callaway was able to do for Cleveland last weekend in New Orleans. Just imagine having a runner that can break tackles and move the ball further down the field. Chubb is that running back. Grab him now if he’s still available on waivers.
Giovani Bernard (CIN) With Mixon going out due to his knee surgery. Gio should see the starting rotation at least for the next two to three weeks. If you drafted Joe Mixon in leagues, I hope you handcuffed him like I suggested earlier int he preseason. Even though Bernard was a ninth-round pick, he added to taking Joe Mixon in the second round. Gio isn’t as great a runner as Mixon, but he should be able to produce behind this line and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Aaron Jones (GB) Everyone now understands that Jamaal Williams isn’t that great of a running back. He hasn’t helped Aaron Rodgers in the backfield, so Green Bay should be itching to get Aaron into the starting lineup this week. Look for Aaron to either take over as the starting running back in Week 3 or Week 4.
Latavius Murray (MIN) Murray is an older back at twenty-eight, seeing many hits from his time in Oakland. While he is a must add if you own Dalvin Cook, I would probably not spend too much of my bidding dollars just to pick him up. The line in Minnesota isn’t as strong as previous seasons, lowering my interest if I don’t own Cook.
Corey Clement (PHI) Clement was one my favorite non-starting running backs in drafts this season. He has the ability to be a starter in this league, and more importantly, he’s playing behind a running back that has a history of injuries.
Tips for 2019:
This is the year of the wide receivers in the NFL. We’ve had receivers outperform running backs through
the first two weeks of the season. While every defense is focusing on stopping the running game this year, most teams can’t stop the receivers downfield. There seems to be an inconsistency on most teams backfields so far into the league. Just a fair warning that if this does continue through the season, look for people to go wide receiver heavy in 2019 fantasy drafts. We will probably be looking at teams going back to the “Zero RB drafts.” This gives us the opportunity to take advantage of the quality running backs getting drafted later in the early rounds.
Now back to the waivers for Week 3of the season…
Wide Receivers:
Dede Westbrook (JAX) Dede finally came through for us in week two. Although Keelan Cole made a fantastic one-handed grab and touchdown run early in the game, Dede came on later in the game for a touchdown. I think Dede is a playmaker and should continue to see targets and find ways to score.
Antonio Callaway (CLE) After news broke Saturday evening regarding Josh Gordon, Callaway went to the teams that could get to their computer or phones first. He went for an end zone catch in New Orleans on Sunday. Actually, making a very impressive catch late in the game. If Callaway was able to avoid the off-field issues at Florida, he would’ve been a first-round pick. If Todd Haley can stay with Callaway and have the veterans take him under their wings, we could be looking at great things for Callaway when Mayfield takes over.
DJ Moore (CAR) DJ finally was given the opportunity on Sunday and came through for the Panthers. I’m sure the injury to Greg Olsen helped expedite DJ to the field, so they just need to stick with DJ through the season. Look for Moore to become the playmaker for Cam Newton on the field.
Chris Godwin (TB) Although Fitzpatrick has a great connection with DeSean Jackson, Godwin is someone to pick up now if you missed out on him in the draft. He’s going to be a very good receiver down the field.
Michael Floyd (WAS) Floyd was just signed this week and should start to climb the depth chart immediately. He only has to pass Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson, so that shouldn’t take him long to see the majority of snaps. Alex Smith needs a receiver of Floyd’s ability to throw to besides Jordan Reed. Get Floyd now if you need help at the receiver position.
Tight Ends:
Hayden Hurst (BAL) Hurst should be your top TE target on waivers this week. He’s coming off of an injury, and most teams dropped him on waivers the past couple of weeks. While, he isn’t expected to play this week, look for him to get back out on the field next week. It could be the last time you can get him for low value before he starts to see snaps in Baltimore.
Austin Hooper (ATL) Hooper’s been in the Atlanta offense for a while now and has seen an increase in his role in Atlanta. While I don’t expect to see week two numbers every week, at the same time, you know he’s a reliable target for Matt Ryan on the field.
Antonio Gates (LAC) Now’s a great time to pick up Gates if you need another tight end. After not playing or practicing in the preseason, Gates finally signed with the Charges before week one. The only reason he came back to play another year for the Chargers, was because he will be needed on the field and in the red zone. He is River’s safety blanket and if he wouldn’t have the opportunity, the Chargers and he wouldn’t have agreed to terms for this season. Look for Gates to have an increasing role as he gets back into game shape in week three. Especially, as teams start to double down on Keenan Allen or Mike Williams in the red zone. I still think we might be one game away from the old Gates, he does take on the Rams this week who gave up 180 yards to Cook in Week one, while only 17 yards to Ricky Seals-Jones in week two because of the terrible offense in Arizona. Get Gates now as your backup, and I would play him as a lower owned tight end in DFS this week.
Kickers:
Dan Bailey (MIN) Bailey’s luck just got better after not making the opening day roster for the Dallas Cowboys. He now comes onto a playoff contending team in the NFC Central, with a chance to make it deep. This is more of an opportunity than he had in Dallas over the last few seasons. He probably only has another year or two but should do well kicking for the Vikings this season.
Mason Crosby (GB) Crosby looked great on Sunday at home against the Vikings, and one could only hope he’s back to his old self this season. I’d pick him up if you have Boswell or another kicker not performing.