Roethlisberger, Fitzpatrick should be in your lineup
NFL fantasy football league analysis by staff writer Cat Vasquez
All of a sudden the Cleveland Browns look as if they’ve got a few options to start on your fantasy squad. Baker Mayfield entered Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets and led the Browns to their first win since Dec. 24, 2016. With Mayfield inserted into the lineup, Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway get an increase in value. Landry should remain the top target for the rookie QB, but Mayfield also had a nice rapport with fellow rookie Callaway in the preseason. The trio will deserve to be started in the near future. Here’s a look at who else should start and sit in Week 3:
Start these guys
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers — Yes, he’s on the road, and yes, Antonio Brown threw a fit this week. Big Ben should be fine, however, as he takes on the Buccaneers. They’re in the bottom 10 in fantasy points given up to quarterbacks.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buccaneers — Ride the Fitzmagic wave as long as you can. Not only does he get to face the Steelers, second-worst in points allowed to quarterbacks, but his defense isn’t great. Both quarterbacks in this matchup should be productive.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions — The Lions will have to score points to keep up with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Patriots. New England is in early season, beatable mode. Kenny Golladay looks like another solid option for the veteran quarterback.
Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons — It’s a simple rule, really. If Devonta Freeman is out, start Coleman. He’s coming off a game in which he gained 125 yards on 20 touches. The Saints have been good at limiting running backs, but they faced Peyton Barber in one of their best defensive efforts against a rusher.
Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals — He’ll fill in for Joe Mixon and has the skill set to stay on the field for the most part. The Panthers aren’t good at limiting running backs on yards per carry.
Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins — He’s getting double-digit touches per game, but he’s only had one good week. Facing Oakland should yield a productive day for Drake, who is sharing carries with the unsinkable Frank Gore.
Nelson Agholor, WR, Eagles — With the return of Carson Wentz, Agholor might have even better results. He’s caught eight passes in each of the first two games. Agholor should remain the top target Sunday, especially with Mike Wallace out.
Will Fuller, WR, Texans — The Giants are third-best in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, but those numbers have come against the Jaguars and Cowboys. Tavon Austin scored on a big play last week against New York. Fuller’s speed makes him a danger to defenses if his hamstring is healthy enough.
Allen Robinson, WR, Bears — Chicago is moving the receiver all over the field to make sure he’s involved. The Cardinals are decent at limiting wideouts’ fantasy points, but that’s mostly due to their first-week success against Jamison Crowder and Paul Richardson. Last week they gave up 159 yards to Brandin Cooks.
George Kittle, TE, 49ers — Last week’s performance will scare you, but he should bounce back against a Chiefs squad that got torched by Pittsburgh’s tight ends.
Sit these guys
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers — I hate sitting Rivers, but he’s got a very tough matchup this week as he faces the Rams’ league-best defense in limiting quarterbacks’ fantasy points.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans — He’s already dealing with an odd injury that is giving him tingling in his throwing hand. Even if he were fully healthy, I would sit him against the Jaguars’ pass defense.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders — Carr hasn’t been a good fantasy player this season yet, though he had a great completion percentage in Week 2. It would be a big surprise if he managed to be productive against a good Miami defense on the road.
Peyton Barber, RB, Buccaneers — He’s highly inefficient, gaining just 91 yards on 35 carries through two weeks. He also has only one reception for 7 yards. The Steelers are a tough matchup, and the game should be a passing affair anyway.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills — Not real sure there’s anyone in Buffalo who could start on your fantasy team at this point. McCoy is dealing with a rib injury he might not even play through. He faces a tough Vikings defense to boot.
Colts running backs — A tough Eagles defense that allowed just 74 yards rushing to the Falcons and 43 yards to the Bucs won’t let any one Indy rusher have much success.
Seahawks receivers — Doug Baldwin is out, and the Cowboys have been good at limiting receivers with the help of a solid pass rush. Nobody for the Panthers gained more than 45 yards receiving, and Odell Beckham had just 51 yards last week against Dallas.
Corey Davis, WR, Titans — Mariota isn’t a slam dunk to play, and Davis faces a big challenge against the Jaguars.
Redskins receivers — The Packers should have a decent day holding down Washington’s receivers. They were torched by Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen last week, but Richardson and Crowder are definitely a lower-tier group.