For many fantasy football owners, the Week Two theme was, unfortunately, either injuries or dud performances. That opened the door not only for other players on the actual field, but also for those guys sitting on the fantasy waiver wire. Shakeups are definitely needed in Week Three, so here are five intriguing sleepers for this coming weekend’s slate of action.
After a dud in Week One, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker erupted last week. Tucker torched the Los Angeles Chargers defense for 119 yards and a touchdown on five catches. All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers is expected to make his season debut for the Raiders this week, but as he works his way back to peak form, Tucker should see his fair share of work.
The Raiders will face a New Orleans Saints defense that allowed Rashod Bateman to come back to life last week. The Saints have allowed at least 60 yards and a touchdown to the WR1 in the first two weeks, which bodes well for Tucker. Another fantasy football performance like last week is probably unlikely, but even half of last week’s yardage and a score would be a solid day at the office.
Fantasy football owners probably have the urge to bench Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins, which is surely understandable. Judkins has 24 carries for 54 yards over the first two weeks, for an abysmal 2.3 yards per carry. The Browns tried to get him involved in the passing game last week, but Judkins only had 27 yards on five catches.
Fortunes could change this week with a favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have surrendered 224 rushing yards per game over the first couple of weeks. Even in a dominant win over the Atlanta Falcons last week, Carolina still gave up almost 160 yards on the ground.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson finally looked like a starter again in Week Two against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a now respectable passing game for Cleveland, combined with how awful the Panthers’ run defense has looked, Judkins should be able to find some running lanes this week.
Speaking of QBs looking like starters again against the Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray could join that club this week. Many fantasy football owners cut bait after Murray’s Week One concussion, but with all the other quarterback injuries last week, he suddenly could be the savior.
Tampa Bay is coming off a week where they allowed Watson to pass for 238 yards and two TDs. That was probably his best game in three years, and it suddenly makes the Buccaneers look like a good “get right spot.” Murray has the weapons and is facing a somewhat vulnerable defense that is down two starters. If Murray stays upright, this could be a fantasy football breakout performance.
The New York Giants will be without QB Jaxson Dart for the rest of the season, after suffering meniscus and MCL injuries to his left knee. That devastating news took the air out of the building, as the Giants now turn to veteran Jameis Winston for the foreseeable future. Winston can still connect on some deep passes, but he also remains generous to the opposition.
The ladder bodes well for the Tennessee Titans, who will be on the road this week against this deflated New York squad. Despite the record, the Titans looked respectable on defense, especially considering their anemic offense. Tennessee’s defense may have to create scoring opportunities, as they did last week. Against Winston, a member of that infamous 30/30 club, turnover opportunities are on the board. Fantasy football owners looking for a defense to stream this week should grab the Titans, who are available in over 90 percent of most leagues.
Los Angeles Rams TE Terrance Ferguson served as option two last week, with All-Pro WR Puka Nacua out with a groin injury. Nacua is listed as doubtful for Week Three, and Ferguson should again be the main beneficiary. After having zero catches in the season opener, the second-year man from Oregon had the best game of his young career. Ferguson had six catches for 54 yards and a TD in Week Two, and started to look like the player many raved about in training camp.
The Rams will host the Denver Broncos on Sunday night, who have one of the league’s best cornerbacks, All-Pro Patrick Surtain II. With Nacua likely out again, Surtain will probably cover Davante Adams for most of the night. Stafford loves to pepper his WR1 with targets, but with a CB the caliber of PS2 on Adams, it may be a struggle for him to get open. With that, Ferguson, who had nine targets last week, should have plenty of opportunities. This should be another solid fantasy football option here in Week Three.
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The fortunes for many fantasy football participants quickly changed after a tough Week Two. Many owners either had a key starter go down or a player who posted a stat line similar to the fans who were watching the games. There are always moves to make, as injuries and players simply performing up to expectations are inevitable. This list will hopefully help you choose those key replacements and lead to victory in fantasy football Week Three.
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