Quarterbacks:
Baker Mayfield (CLE) If you didn’t listen to me last week about picking Baker up off of waivers, I hope you have a top waiver selection or dollars to spend in waiver selections this week. Baker came in to relieve Tyrod Taylor on Thursday night, throwing for 201 yards on 23 attempts. Look for him to remain as the starter going forward for the Cleveland Browns. He has the talent to perform in this league on a high level, and I expect him to perform as a QB1 by the middle of October. Starting with week seven through week thirteen, Cleveland has a very favorable pass schedule. This is the last chance to pick up Baker Mayfield!
Andy Dalton (CIN)Even after AJ Green went out of the game with an injury, Dalton still performed and brought the Bengals to a victory. He was without his top running back and top wide receiver, showing that he still has some juice. Of course, it helps that the Bengals now have another reliable target outside of AJ Green every week, with Tyler Boyd. Through three games, Dalton is throwing for 860 yards and eight touchdowns, off of 74 completions. He does have five interceptions, but with the very good quarterback schedule ahead, that stat should decrease. I would feel comfortable starting Dalton most weeks as my top quarterback.
Joe Flacco (BAL) As we talked about last week, Flacco has performed so much better this season. Through three weeks, he has averaged 889 yards in 82 completions, throwing for six touchdowns and only two interceptions. I think he’ll keep it up with a very favorable quarterback schedule.
Blake Bortles (JAX)When Jacksonville finally allows Fournette to start at running back again, the passing game should really take off. The Jaguars have very talented wide receivers and need the running game to open up their passing scheme. Through week three, Bortles has thrown for 68 completions, 707 yards, and five touchdowns, with only two interceptions. I would pick up Bortles if your hurting at QB due to injuries or quality of play.
Eli Manning (NYG)Eli’s probably available in most leagues at this point, and this week the Giants take on the New Orleans Saints. If you lost Jimmy G, or have a quarterback on bye, take a chance on Eli this week. He’s coming in hot after the Giants victory in Houston on Sunday.
Ryan Tannehill (MIA)Through the first three weeks of the season, the Dolphins are 3-0 with Tannehill as the quarterback. Ryan’s gone for 54 completions, 687 yards, and seven touchdowns. At the rate of ongoing injuries in the NFL, I would pick him up as a backup.
Jameis Winston (TB) Ryan Fitzpatrick had a terrible first half of the Monday Night Game against Pittsburgh, and although Fitz came back in the second half, Winston is looking over his shoulder. Tampa goes into Chicago on Sunday, and if Fitz doesn’t perform well, Dirk Koetter may decide to try Winston in week six against Atlanta (TB has a bye week five).
Quarterbacks I don’t quite trust yet…
Derek Carr (OAK) Carr has finally found his receivers over the last two weeks, throwing to Amari Cooper in week two for 116 yards and ten receptions, and Jordy Nelson in week three for 173 yards, six receptions, and one touchdown. Now if only he could connect with both in the same game, we would be looking at a top starting fantasy quarterback spot every week. Through three weeks, Carr has gone for 936 yards with 85 completions, only two touchdowns and five interceptions. He needs to reverse his interceptions and touchdowns in order to turn around the Raiders win-loss record. Oakland currently sits at 0-3, going back home to face the Cleveland Browns.
CJ Beathard (SF) CJ started in five games for the 49ers last season, before Jimmy Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers and took over. In those five games, he threw for 1185 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions, completing fifty-five percent of his passes. Beathard isn’t the best quarterback to rely on every week, but he does know the game plan and will be starting for the foreseeable future. I wouldn’t pick him up unless you are in a quarterback flex or two-quarterback league. Of course, the 49ers will be forced to bring up another quarterback or sign a passer off of free agency. But, it will take some time for a new quarterback to get familiar with the playbook. No, I don’t see Colin Kaepernick getting signed by the 49ers. Colin isn’t familiar with this regimes playbook since he played under Chip Kelly and not Kyle Shanahan. Also, Tim Tebow and Johnnie Manziel are not going to get signed either. Tebow is rehabbing a broken hand from playing in the minors in July, and Manziel is playing in the Canadian Football League and is a long way from playing in the NFL again.
Running Backs:
Jalen Richard (OAK) Richard went for six receptions in 59 yards against Miami on Sunday. He is the preferred choice for the Raiders in their hurry-up offense this season. Look to Oakland to continue to rely on Richard through the season. Richard is a good pickup in PPR leagues.
Nyheim Hines (IND)Andrew Luck rushed for more yards than any running back for the Colts on Sunday. Although, if Marlon Mack is out for more games or the Colts finally realize Mack is not their answer, there should be a timeshare between Hines and Wilkins. Hines did catch five balls for twenty-five yards on Sunday.
Jordan Wilkins (IND)Although Wilkins out rushed Hines by a yard on Sunday, he also needed one more attempt, and his longest run was only five yards. Again, the Colts running game is not a good situation right now, so it’s a wait and see approach with these two backs even though they are better than Marlon Mack.
Theo Riddick (DET)Theo wasn’t needed as much Sunday night at home against the Patriots. Whenever Detroit is winning, Theo won’t be utilized as much, but when Detroit is losing, Theo will be relied on more to keep up with game flow. I see Detroit losing more this season, so Riddick still has a chance to put points on your PPR team. Pick him up if you need a running back.
Corey Grant (JAX)Corey looked so much better than TJ Yeldon on Sunday (and the previous weeks). Although Grant didn’t have a great game on Sunday, the team play was terrible all the way around. Look for Fournette to come back in week four and Grant should still see time on the field, while Yeldon will take a back seat until Fournette is out again.
Nick Chubb (CLE) Carlos Hyde had a great game on Thursday like I said he would. I just don’t see Hyde staying healthy the entire season, or continuously having the game he has on his birthday. Chubb is a very good runner and will be used at some point of the season. Pick him up now, if he’s available and cheap on the waivers.
Running Backs I don’t trust…
Chris Ivory (BUF) Ivory only ran for 56 yards on 20 carries Sunday. I liked Ivory coming into the season to take over for McCoy, but I now only view him as a goal-line back.
Marcus Murphy (BUF) Murphy has a lot more juice in the running game than Ivory, plus he’s younger and a little more durable. Whether he sees very much playing time is up to the Buffalo coaching staff. He’s another running back that I’m keeping my eye on. If McCoy was out for an extended period of time, Murphy would eventually replace Ivory as the primary running back.
Get your backups…
Rod Smith (DAL) Smith would take over for Ezekiel Elliott if he went out.
Wayne Gallman (NYG) Gallman would be the top choice to take over as the primary running back if Saquon Barkley went down with an injury.
Spencer Ware (KC)Ware is the primary backup to Kareem Hunt in Kansas City. Although, if Hunt went out I believe Damien Williams would split carries with Ware. Of the two backs, Williams is the better pass-catching running back.
Wide Receivers:
Calvin Ridley (ATL) If Ridley is somehow available in your league, pick him up! On Sunday he went for 146 yards, 7 receptions, and three touchdowns! Ridley will continue to see better coverage, with teams doubling up on Julio Jones.
Antonio Callaway (CLE) Callaway only went for four receptions and twenty yards on Thursday, just missing a couple of nice throws for major yardage. I view Callaway as Baker Mayfield’s go-to guy going forward. Callaway is a playmaker and should have a good game going forward.
Tyler Boyd (CIN) Here’s another young wide receiver to target heavily in waivers, if he’s somehow still available. Again, like Ridley, he will see better coverage when AJ Green is on the field. On Sunday he went for six receptions and 132 yards with a touchdown. He still saw targets with Green out of the game on Sunday, so he was able to show he’s a legit threat in the Bengals passing game. Pick him up, if he’s on waivers!
Dede Westbrook (JAX) Jacksonville showed on Sunday, that they need Fournette in the game to have any type of offense. Yeldon is not the answer on the running side and unfortunately, Bortles needs a good running back in order to throw well. Westbrook is still a receiver I would stick with going forward, especially playing from the slot in PPR leagues. Look for Bortles to start to rely on Westbrook more as Keelan Cole plays on the outside.
DJ Moore (CAR) This week may be a good week to pay low bidding dollars on Moore. Carolina is on their bye week, so most teams will not want to grab him off of waivers. I like Moore on Carolina this season, he’s another playmaker that Newton can throw to from anywhere on the field.
Courtland Sutton (DEN) Sutton’s another young durable receiver, that could make a difference in Denver. While he may not see very much time at this point of the season, I would have him on my roster if you have another Denver wide receiver.
Josh Gordon (NE) I’m sure he’s not available on waivers, but if someone dropped him last week add him to your waivers this week. He’s a playmaker that will be utilized in New England with Tom Brady.
*Notice how there’s a continuing theme of young playmaker wide receivers this season? You should have a few young playmaking receivers on your roster this season.
Tight Ends:
Jared Cook (OAK) Cook was still involved in the passing game on Sunday. While he doesn’t have the best schedule going forward, he’s at least being used in the passing game.
Austin Hooper (ATL) Hooper is a tight end that you should have going forward. He’s been around this team for a few seasons and is familiar with the game plan. Although he wasn’t needed too much on Sunday, he still was able to obtain three receptions for twenty-three yards. The Falcons should continue to put up points this season, so I’d feel comfortable with Hooper.
Ben Watson (NO) Watson’s in another comfortable offense in the NFL. With the Saints able to put up points most weeks, Watson should be in the game flow. Pick up Watson if you are in need of a tight end.
Antonio Gates (LAC) Gates was coming off an illness on Sunday but, was still able to put up three receptions for forty-five yards. He should eventually see the end zone. Pick up Gates if you need a tight end or a backup.
Kicker:
Dan Bailey (MIN) I wouldn’t give up on Bailey yet. He is one of the most accurate kickers in the league, and the Vikings should get back to moving the ball coming up.
You can reach me on twitter @TheSteveBateman or via email at steve@fansportsvisor.com