Fantasy Football Picks: Week 3

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Welcome back to the Talon’s weekly fantasy football analysis. This week: Injuries and upsets in Week 2 make way for new fantasy stars in week 3.

Waiver Wire Quarterback: Mason Rudolph(0.2% Rostered)
Ben Rothensburger, the Steelers’ veteran quarterback injured his elbow on Sunday and may be out for the season. In the meantime, Mason Rudolph will be the starter. Rudolph looked very good coming in for Rothensburger, throwing for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He won’t have all star numbers like Big Ben did, but with weapons in Juju Smith-Schuster, Donte Monecrief, and James Washington, he could put up good numbers if your team is in need of a quarterback.

Waiver Wire Running Back: Raheem Mostert(11.0% Rostered)
49ers running back Raheem Mostert had a huge game on Sunday against the Bengals, racking up 21.2 fantasy points. While he will have to share touches with starter Matt Brieda, the combo of the two backs could be similar to the combo between Ingram and Kamara last year, with Brieda as the speed back who can catch and Mostert as the power back. If your team needs a running back he’s a good pick up.

Waiver Wire Receiver: DJ Chark(22.2% Rostered)
Chark has a ⅘ chance of being on your waiver wire. I’m still putting him on this list because of the games he might have. The Jaguars’ season looked like it was going downhill, but hanging in with the Texans could prove otherwise. Either way, Chark was targeted 9 times. The Jags’ new quarterback Gardner Minshew will be running the offense for now, so expect Chark to be targeted even more in upcoming games.

Waiver Wire defense: Packers(7.1% Rostered)
The Packers’ defense has dominated in the first two weeks of the season. Allowing only 9.5 points per game and averaging 11 fantasy points, I’m surprised more teams haven’t picked up this defense. If you are in need of a defense, pick up the Packers.

Must Starts for Week 3:
Jimmy Garropolo: Garoppolo and the 49ers are looking good early in the season. They decimated the Bengals on Sunday and face a struggling Steelers team in week 3. I expect Garropolo to throw all over the Steelers and rack up a lot of fantasy points.

Frank Gore: Devin Singletary, the Bills starting running back, will be limited in week three. Frank Gore has been getting a lot of touches this season, and he will get more with Singletary limited. Gore will have a big game against the terrible Bengals’ defense in week three.

Aaron Jones: Jones and the Packers have started the season red hot. They look to continue their dominance against the broncos. However, the Broncos’ defense looks sharp. Don’t bench Jones. In fact, start him without a doubt. Even the Broncos’ defense is playing well, keeping quarterbacks to an average of 189 yards per game, they have let up over 220 rushing yards in only two games. Aaron Jones will be able to run through the Broncos’ defensive front.

Will Fuller V: The Texans will play the Chargers in week three. The Texans are coming off a win against division rivals, and the Chargers are coming off a loss to the Colts. The Texans’ receivers are set to have a big game in this game. If you have Deandre Hopkins, you are playing him either way. If you have Fuller on your bench, put him in your lineup.

George Kittle: Like Garoppolo, Kittle and the 49ers are on their way to a good season. Kittle is one of Garoppolo’s favorite targets, and while he had a rough game in week two, against the Steelers, Kittle will have a lot of opportunity to make big plays.

Sit These Players in Week 3:
Carson Wentz: Wentz is a popular fantasy play this year, and rightfully so. But, he faces the Lions in week 3. To most football fans, this match-up sounds like a blowout. The Eagles are amazing and the Lions are often last place in their division. Don’t be this easily fooled. The Lions defense played amazingly against the Chargers in week 2, holding veteran Phillip Rivers from scoring a touchdown and even picked him off. Wentz is still a young quarterback. Don’t sleep on this match-up and if you have a backup QB play him instead.

Le’veon Bell: Le’veon might have been your first round pick, but in week 3, the odds are too far against him. Bell may be a consistent point scorer for most of the season, but Bell was stone-cold on Monday night, and he is going into a game against the dominant Patriots’ defense. Even if he was your first pick, do not start Bell in week 3.

Browns’ Receivers:
The Brown’s wideouts Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham were great fantasy assets last year. Against the Jets on Monday they each had a good game. However, for week three against the Rams, who are coming off a win against the saints, Beckham and Landry may face a brick wall. Sit the Browns’ Receivers in week 3.

Matchup of the week: Bengals vs Bills
To many football fans, this matchup is a bad team versus an average team. I disagree. This Bills team is underrated. With a nice defense and a promising young quarterback, the Bills can play. The Bengals, on the other hand, have not played very well this season. The Bills might create a big lead with big plays. Start Bills’ players.

Sleeper Pick: Christian Kirk
Kirk had a great fantasy year last year, coming off the waiver wire to start on many fantasy teams. As a result, he got high projections as the Cardinals #2 receiver. Sadly, he has been very silent so far this season. I predict that he will return to his play level of last year against the Panthers. This may seem improbable with the Panthers’ defense looking good, but, if the Buccaneers could beat the Panthers, so can the Cardinals. If you regret drafting Kirk, Week 3 might be the week to start him.