You added Jerome Ford this week after Nick Chubb (knee) was lost for the season. And some of you spent all of your remaining FAB with the chance to get the starting running back for the Browns.
But now you have to make the decision to start or sit Ford in Week 3 against Tennessee, which isn't easy. And the situation got even more complicated when Cleveland reunited with Kareem Hunt on Wednesday.
Let's start with Hunt, who shouldn't impact Ford in a major way -- for now. The Browns were always going to add a running back after Chubb was hurt Monday night against Pittsburgh, and Hunt spent the past four years in Cleveland and knows this offense.
But the Browns decided to let Hunt leave this offseason as a free agent for a reason, and Kevin Stefanski has said Ford will be the top running back. Now, Ford has to prove he deserves the job, starting this week against Tennessee.
This will be a tough task for Ford, who looked great against the Steelers with 16 carries for 106 yards and three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown on four targets. But the Titans have already shut down Jamaal Williams (7.2 PPR points) and Joshua Kelley (3.9 PPR points) to start the season, and last year Tennessee was No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.
If this were Chubb, we'd be starting him without hesitation, even in a tough matchup. But Ford isn't Chubb, and I'm downgrading Ford for this week. I have him ranked as a low-end No. 2 running back in all formats. As always, it will come down to who you have on your roster if you're going to start Ford or not.
I'm hopeful he can excel against the Titans, despite the tough matchup, and prove he was worth the FAB investment. But even if he struggles, don't panic. Tennessee is great against the run, and Ford should do fine moving forward, as long as he stays in the lead role ahead of Hunt.
Start of the Week
Projections powered by
Sportsline
| ||||||||||||||||||
It's been an excellent start to the season for Raheem Mostert on several fronts. The Dolphins are 2-0 with road wins at the Chargers and Patriots. He's thriving with 28 carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns, along with three catches for 19 yards on three targets. And his competition continues to get hurt.
Jeff Wilson (abdomen) is on the PUP list and isn't eligible to return until Week 5. And now Salvon Ahmed (groin) could be out in Week 3 against Denver. We'll see what that means for rookie De'Von Achane, but Mostert played 73 percent of the snaps in each of the first two games. That percentage could increase this week against the Broncos.
With that in mind, I like Mostert as a top-15 Fantasy running back in all leagues. Denver has been hit or miss against running backs so far this season, holding Josh Jacobs to 71 total yards and no touchdowns despite 21 total touches in Week 1, but also allowing Brian Robinson Jr. to gain 129 total yards and score two touchdowns in Week 2.
I'm expecting this game to be a tough test for the Broncos defense. It's obviously hard to slow down Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle through the air, which should allow Mostert to have plenty of open running lanes like we saw against the Patriots in Week 2.
This is also Miami's first home game and the first road game for Denver, and the 1 p.m. ET start in the humidity of South Florida should favor the Dolphins. We could see a worn-down Broncos defense late in the game, and this team hasn't played outside of Denver since the second preseason game on Aug. 19.
Mostert has been one of the best surprises to start this season. And he should stay hot in Week 3 for the Dolphins and Fantasy managers.
Fantasy Football Today Newsletter
Know What Your Friends Don't
Get tips, advice and news to win your league - all from the FFT podcast team.
By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge Paramount's Privacy Policy.
Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
QBs to Start
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Cousins is on pace for 6,018 passing yards, which is insane. He won't keep this up, but he's been great so far in two games this season against Tampa Bay and Philadelphia with 708 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception. This week, he's facing a Chargers defense that has already allowed 712 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception against Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Tannehill, and the projected score for this matchup is the highest of the week at 54 points. Look for a shootout between Cousins and Justin Herbert in Minnesota on Sunday.
| ||||||||||||||||||
The Broncos so far have allowed 19.1 Fantasy points to Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 1 and 25.3 points to Sam Howell in Week 3. And now they get to face Tagovailoa and Miami's passing attack -- good luck. Tagovailoa didn't have his best game in Week 2 at New England with just 14.3 Fantasy points, but he scored 33.1 points in Week 1 at the Chargers and has proven capable of those types of performances on a weekly basis. He's also averaged 288.8 passing yards per game in his past five home outings going back to last year. I wouldn't be surprised if Tagovailoa is a top-five Fantasy quarterback once again in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Goff excelled as the Start of the Week in Week 2 against Seattle, continuing his trend of playing well at home. In nine home games last year, Goff averaged 26.5 Fantasy points per game, and he scored 28.9 points against the Seahawks in Detroit last week. This week, Goff gets a Falcons defense that just allowed Jordan Love to score 26.3 Fantasy points in Week 2, and I'm going to consider Goff a top-10 Fantasy quarterback almost every week when he's playing at home.
| ||||||||||||||||||
I was wrong about Smith last week when I said he was a bust alert, and he did great against the Lions with 27.1 Fantasy points. He should have the chance for another quality outing against the Panthers at home in Week 3. Carolina is without two of its best defensive players with cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (leg) on injured reserve, and Smith should be able to lean on his playmakers in DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III in this matchup. I like Smith as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy quarterback this week.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by
Sportsline
The reason Prescott isn't considered a slam-dunk starter this week is the potential for another Cowboys blowout at Arizona. The Cowboys have already trounced the Giants and Jets in two games by a combined 70-10, but Prescott was still successful in Week 2 against the Jets for 23.6 Fantasy points. Now, he also scored just 6.3 points in Week 1 against the Giants, so keep that in mind, but the Cardinals just placed standout safety Budda Baker (hamstring) on injured reserve. And Daniel Jones also had 37.4 Fantasy points against Arizona in Week 2. I'd use Prescott as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy quarterback in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Purdy only scored 14.7 Fantasy points in Week 2 at the Rams, which ended a nice streak he had going to start his career. Going back to last season, Purdy had scored at least 20.0 Fantasy points in six games in a row in the regular season. He should get back on track this week against the Giants in the 49ers first home game of the year. The Giants just allowed Joshua Dobbs to score 27.2 Fantasy points in Week 2, and I wouldn't be shocked if Purdy had similar success on Thursday night.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Stafford and Kirk Cousins are the only two quarterbacks with at least 300 passing yards in each of the first two games. The difference is Cousins has six touchdowns compared to just one for Stafford, which is why Stafford isn't a must-start Fantasy quarterback. We'll see if Stafford can get a multiple-touchdown game this week against the Bengals, and he's trying with an average of 46.5 pass attempts a game. With the way Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell are playing right now, you hope one or both will find the end zone since neither has scored. Stafford has top-15 upside in Week 3 against the Bengals, who just allowed two passing touchdowns to Lamar Jackson in Week 2.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Four designed runs. That's it for Fields so far this season, and it likely explains his struggles in Fantasy and reality. Now, part of that is teams are taking away his rushing lanes by playing zone defense on 74 percent of his dropbacks, which is the third-highest rate among quarterbacks, per ESPN. But still, let him use his legs since he rushed for 1,143 yards last season. He's averaging just 16.6 Fantasy points per game this season, and the Chiefs have held Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence to a combined 25 Fantasy points in two games. I still have Fields as a low-end starter in most leagues, but he'll likely need garbage time to help his Fantasy production this week.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Jones was miserable in Week 1 against Dallas with 4.5 Fantasy points, but he rebounded nicely as expected in Week 2 at Arizona with 34.7 points. His protection was much better, and he went from seven sacks against the Cowboys to three against the Cardinals. Now, he gets to face the 49ers and Nick Bosa in Week 3, and Jones should be under duress again. On top of that, Saquon Barkley (ankle) is hurt, so the threat of a rushing attack is minimized. I would only start Jones in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 3, and the 49ers have allowed two passing touchdowns and four interceptions in two games against Kenny Pickett and Matthew Stafford.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Love has been among the best surprise stories this season, and he's the No. 2 Fantasy quarterback through two weeks at 27.7 points per game. What's more remarkable is he's done that without Christian Watson (hamstring), and hopefully Watson can return in Week 3 against the Saints. But even if that happens, I would still just use Love in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. While it isn't the best of opponents, the Saints have shut down Ryan Tannehill and Bryce Young in two games with a combined 351 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. And going back to last year, the Saints have allowed just one quarterback to score multiple touchdowns in their past eight games, with five touchdowns and nine interceptions over that span.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Wilson comes into Week 3 as the No. 3 Fantasy quarterback with an average of 25.6 Fantasy points per game. He got a boost with a 50-yard Hail Mary to end Week 2 at Washington, but Wilson has definitely looked better under new coach Sean Payton. In Week 3, however, I'm expecting Wilson to struggle at Miami. Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gets the chance for some revenge against his former team, which fired him as the head coach after the 2021 campaign. And Miami has allowed just two passing touchdowns against Justin Herbert and Mac Jones despite facing 75 pass attempts. I would only start Wilson in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sit in 2QB/Superflex (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Carr struggled at Carolina on Monday night with 228 passing yards, no touchdowns and one interception for 6.7 Fantasy points, and he only scored 16.6 points in Week 1 against Tennessee. He seems to have limited upside, despite a stellar receiving corps, and I'm not willing to trust him in most formats in Week 3 at Green Bay. The Packers have only allowed 453 passing yards in two games against Justin Fields and Desmond Ridder with two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Until Carr shows more upside on a consistent basis, Fantasy managers shouldn't be inclined to start him.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Jones had a great Fantasy outing in Week 1 against the Eagles with 30.1 Fantasy points, but he struggled in Week 2 against Miami with 15.7 points. He's attempted 96 passes in two games, which is great, but I don't love this matchup against the Jets. In four career games against the Jets, Jones is averaging 233.3 passing yards per game with three touchdowns and one interception. While Dak Prescott scored 23.6 Fantasy points against the Jets in Week 2, Josh Allen was held to 11.0 Fantasy points at New York in Week 1. This should be a low-scoring affair with a projected total of 37, and I'm not expecting a big outing from Jones in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Tannehill showed some life in Week 2 against the Chargers with 23.0 Fantasy points, and he needed that kind of game after scoring 2.4 points in Week 1 at New Orleans. He's back on the road this week, and the Browns have been great so far against Joe Burrow and Kenny Pickett, holding them to a combined 304 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Titans offensive line should be tested in this game, and Tannehill could be running for his life. I would try to avoid him in most formats if you can.
| ||||||||||||||||||
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
RBs to Start
Projections powered by
Sportsline
It's probably obvious at this point to start Williams, but I just want to illustrate how impressive the past two games have been for him. According to NFL.com, Williams is the first Rams player ever to score multiple touchdowns in each of his first two games of a season, something legends like Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt never accomplished. His 28 PPR points against San Francisco in Week 2 were the most against the 49ers in their past 28 games. And he's made Cam Akers irrelevant and on his way out the door in Los Angeles. This week, Williams should maintain his high level of play on Monday night at Cincinnati, and the Bengals have allowed a running back to score at least 12.2 PPR points in each of the first two games. I like Williams as a top-10 Fantasy running back in all leagues.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cook lost out on two short-yardage touchdowns in Week 2 against Las Vegas, which went to Damien Harris and Latavius Murray, but Cook still had a breakout game against the Raiders. He had 17 carries for 123 yards and four catches for 36 yards on four targets, and he now has at least 16 total touches in each of the first two games, with eight catches on 10 targets. He's also clearly the lead running back when it comes to playing time, and the only flaw is the lack of goal-line work. The touchdowns will come, and hopefully he'll score this week against the Commanders. I like Cook as a No. 1 running back in PPR in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
After what happened to Mattison following Minnesota's Week 2 loss at Philadelphia, I'm rooting for him to have a big outing in Week 3 against the Chargers. Mattison, who rushed for 28 yards on eight carries and lost a first-quarter fumble against the Eagles, received racist messages after the game, which is uncalled for. I hope he shuts up everyone who is doubting him with a strong showing against the Chargers, who have allowed a running back to score at least 13.0 PPR points in each of the first two games. Mattison has the chance to be a top-15 Fantasy running back in all leagues this week.
| ||||||||||||||||||
It hasn't been a smooth start to the season for Sanders with his new team in Carolina. He had a quality stat line in Week 1 at Atlanta with 98 total yards on 22 touches (four catches), but he lost a fumble. Then he was limited to just 47 total yards on 17 touches (three catches) in Week 2 against New Orleans. I expect him to have a rebound game in Week 3 at Seattle, and the Seahawks have already allowed three running backs to score at least 12.6 PPR points this season, with four rushing touchdowns. As long as the Panthers can remain competitive in this game, Sanders should get around 20 total touches and have the chance to post positive production in this matchup.
| ||||||||||||||||||
The Chiefs are favored by 12.5 points in this matchup with the Bears, and they should have the chance to run the ball with success against Chicago. The last two starting running backs against the Bears -- Aaron Jones and Rachaad White -- each scored at least 21.3 PPR points. While they did a significant chunk of their scoring in the passing game, Chicago has allowed a rushing touchdown in each of the first two games. And Pacheco has five catches through two games on six targets. Pacheco has yet to score, but he has led the Chiefs backfield in snaps in each of the first two outings. This should be his best game of the season to date, and he should be considered a No. 2 running back in all leagues.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by
Sportsline
We're waiting to find out if Austin Ekeler (ankle) will play in Week 3 at Minnesota, but if he's out then consider Kelley a starter in all Fantasy leagues. He had a bad game in place of Ekeler in Week 2 at Tennessee with 13 carries for 39 yards and no catches on one target, but that was a brutal matchup against the Titans. The good news is Kelley played 79 percent of the snaps, and he would once again see a hefty workload if Ekeler can't play. The Vikings did a good job in holding Rachaad White to 49 total yards in Week 1, but D'Andre Swift had 181 total yards in Week 2. If Ekeler is out, Kelley should be considered a No. 2 running back in all leagues.
| ||||||||||||||||||
I actually don't mind Najee Harris this week as a low-end starter in all leagues, and Warren is right behind him as a high-end flex. And we might see Warren actually perform better than Harris -- like he did in Week 2 against Cleveland. Harris had 10 carries for 43 yards and one catch for no yards on three targets, while Warren had six carries for 20 yards and four catches for 66 yards on six targets. The playing time was still tilted in Harris' favor (57 percent to 43 percent), but Warren definitely looks more explosive. The Raiders couldn't stop Buffalo's running backs in Week 2 as James Cook, Damien Harris and Latavius Murray combined for 30 carries, 178 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and six catches for 45 yards on six targets through the air. Pittsburgh would be smart to lean on Harris and Warren in this matchup.
| ||||||||||||||||||
I wish we could say all the running back touches for the Lions in Week 3 were going to Jahmyr Gibbs with David Montgomery (thigh) not expected to play, but we know that's not likely to happen. Dan Campbell will lean on Reynolds, and he could be a surprise Fantasy option against the Falcons. Through two games, Montgomery is averaging 19 touches a game, and I wouldn't be shocked if Reynolds had more carries than Gibbs in this outing. Gibbs should be locked into your lineups as a top-tier Fantasy option, but Reynolds is a potential flex. Keep in mind that Montgomery has rushed for a touchdown in each of the first two games, so Reynolds could fall into the end zone against Atlanta at home.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Jamaal Williams (hamstring) isn't expected to play in Week 3 at Green Bay, but Miller should make his NFL debut. The rookie from TCU missed the first two weeks of the season with a hamstring injury, but Miller is now looking at a potential workhorse role with Williams hurt and Alvin Kamara still suspended for one more game. Most likely, Miller will work in a committee with Tony Jones and Taysom Hill, but there's a lot of upside if Miller gets the majority of snaps against the Packers, who are No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to running backs. It's risky to trust Miller in his first NFL outing, but I like him as a flex in this matchup.
| ||||||||||||||||||
RBs to Sit
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Hall is still too risky to trust right now heading into Week 3 against the Patriots. He was great in Week 1 against Buffalo with 147 total yards on just 11 touches, but he was miserable in Week 2 at Dallas with four carries for 9 yards and no catches on two targets. He's played fewer snaps than Dalvin Cook in each of the first two games, which will hopefully change soon, but the Jets are being cautious with Hall coming back from last year's knee injury. New England was trounced by Raheem Mostert in Week 2 for 127 total yards and two touchdowns, but the Patriots were daring Miami to run to protect against the Dolphins passing game. The Jets passing game isn't scaring anyone right now with Zach Wilson under center, so Hall could have another game with poor production in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Moss was exceptional in Week 2 at Houston with 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown and four catches for 19 yards on four targets. He played 98 percent of the snaps, and it was awesome to see the Colts lean on him. But the Ravens defense is a step up in competition compared to the Texans, and Baltimore so far has held Dameon Pierce to 47 total yards and Joe Mixon to 95 total yards in two games, without a touchdown. Moss will likely be somewhere in the middle, making him a flex play at best in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dillon was a huge disappointment in Week 2 at Atlanta with Aaron Jones (hamstring) out. Dillon had 15 carries for 55 yards and one catch for 8 yards on one target, and he's now struggled in consecutive weeks despite getting at least 15 total touches in each outing. We don't know if Jones will return in Week 3 against New Orleans, but I would only use Dillon as a flex in all leagues, even if he remains the starter. The Saints have yet to allow a running back to score in two games against Derrick Henry and Miles Sanders, and Dillon has been unimpressive so far to start the season.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Pierce is more of a bust alert than a must-sit option, but he's been a bust so far in two games this year. Against the Ravens and Colts, Pierce has combined for 26 carries for 69 yards and four catches for 13 yards on six targets. It's not all his fault since the Texans offensive line has been a mess due to injuries, but the results have been terrible for Fantasy managers. We'll see if he can turn things around in Week 3 against the Jaguars, who have yet to allow a rushing touchdown or a running back to gain more than 70 total yards, although they've only played the Colts and Chiefs. Pierce went off against Jacksonville last year in his lone meeting with 113 total yards and a touchdown on 29 total touches (three catches), and we would love to see him do that again in Week 3. For now, consider Pierce just a flex in most formats.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Robinson has been fantastic so far to start the season, scoring 13.6 PPR points in Week 1 against Arizona and 28.9 PPR points in Week 2 at Denver. He has three total touchdowns over that span, but I'm worried that Robinson could be in for a letdown this week. Buffalo gave up some big plays to Breece Hall in Week 1, and he had 147 total yards on 11 total touches. But the Bills also clamped down on Josh Jacobs last week for nine carries for minus-2 yards and five catches for 51 yards on six targets. If the Commanders are chasing points this week then we could see more of Antonio Gibson and less of Robinson, who might need to score a touchdown to save his Fantasy value. He's still a flex option in the majority of leagues, but don't be surprised if he struggles in Week 3 against the Bills.
| ||||||||||||||||||
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receivers
WRs to Start
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Cooper surprised us by even playing Monday night at Pittsburgh after it was reported that he aggravated a groin injury in practice Saturday. And he played well with seven catches for 90 yards on 10 targets. He should build off that performance in Week 3 against the Titans, who are once again struggling against opposing receivers. In two games against the Saints and Chargers, five receivers have scored at least 11.0 PPR points against Tennessee, with four gaining at least 83 yards. We know Cooper loves playing at home, and with a plus-matchup on the docket, he should have the chance for a big outing in Week 3.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Collins was one of my favorite players to draft this year, and I've been excited about his play through the first two weeks of the season. He's headed toward a third-year breakout with 13 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown on 20 targets, and he's averaging 20.8 PPR points per game. The No. 1 receiver against Jacksonville in each of the first two games -- Michael Pittman in Week 1 and Skyy Moore in Week 2 -- has scored at least 16.0 PPR points, and I expect Collins to post similar production. And, if you want another sleeper for Week 3, look at Nathanial Dell, who just had seven catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets in Week 2 against the Colts.
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
