Here are my picks for week 3 of NFL UK’s Fantasy Football...
Quarterback's
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, $4m.
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, $4m.
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
After all the shenanigans in the
off-season following Deflategate, Brady is a motivated man. With a favourable
match up against the Jaguars, I fully expect another big score from Brady in
week 3.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
I’m not particularly sold on the
strength of the Panther offense this year, however, the Saints have been
dreadful. This is a pure matchup play where I expect Newton to score point
through the air and on the ground.
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Palmer is an elite talent at a bargain
price. He’s up there with some of the best in the league, and this week he
faces a 49ers side blown away by Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. He may
not quite match Big Ben’s 30 point haul but I see 20+ points from this one.
Outside Bet
Brandon Weeden, Dallas Cowboys, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Brandon Weeden, Dallas Cowboys, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Now, I’m not a big Brandon Weeden fan
but with Tony Romo out injured for a number of weeks, Weeden should be the man
to fill in. This is a decent match up, and despite missing Dez Bryant he will
be behind one of the best offensive lines in professional football and still
has adequate weapons at his disposal. Could score some decent points this week.
Avoid
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers
Brees is starting to look like a bit of
a spent force in a Saints team that isn’t offering him a lot of help. Struggled
to score point against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team torn apart by rookie
Marcus Mariota, and now playing against one of the better defences in the
league. Could be another tough day for Brees.
Running Back's
Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams
One of last year’s top fantasy points
scorers, Bell returns following his 2 game suspension. DeAndre Williams has
scored plenty of points whilst deputising and Bell is a far superior player.
Should score big points regardless of the opposition, my only concern is lack
of game time.
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers
Week 3 Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers
The Packers kept Marshawn Lynch to a
low score last week but generally they struggle to defend the run. Charles is
one of the league’s best runners and should score points. A good top end option
if you don’t fancy jumping straight back on Le’Veon Bell.
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Seattle Seahawks
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Seattle Seahawks
I was going to avoid Forte this week,
but with Jay Cutler out the Bears may lean on the run even more than normal.
The Seahawks can give up points to the run despite their strong defence and
Forte can score points whoever the opponent.
Chris Ivory, New York Jets, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Ivory, New York Jets, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
My Ivory pick last week didn’t come to
much but he still represents good value at $2m. This weeks match-up with the
Eagles should be favourable, so if you went with him last week don’t lose faith
just yet.
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Dion Lewis looks the real deal. Even
with LaGarrette Blount returning last week he saw the majority of the ball and
ended the 3rd highest scoring RB of the week against one of the
toughest defences in the league. Good form should continue this week even if
Blount gets more touches.
Outside Bet
Arian Foster, Houston Texans, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Outside Bet
Arian Foster, Houston Texans, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Foster could return from injury this
week and, if he does, it’s a favourable match up against the Buccaneers. One of
the best Running Back’s in the league, he’s only in this section because of the
questions over if he will return and, if so, in what condition. Keep an eye on
his status right up to just before the game. Could be worth a spot.
Avoid
DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams
Avoid
DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams
Don’t be seduced by his big numbers
last week and the fact he appears at the top of the list when you’re selecting
your Running Back’s. With Le’Veon Bell back from suspension, expect to see
Williams’ touches severely reduced. Avoid for this week so you can judge how
much value he retains going forward.
Wide Receiver's
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams
Wide Receiver's
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams
Brown is right up there with Julio
Jones as one of the best receivers in the business, and this shows in the
amount of fantasy points he accrues. Last week I thought Jones was the slightly
better option (I was wrong!), this week I’m going for Brown who has a slightly
easier match up.
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
Randall Cobb looked like he was getting
back somewhere close to full fitness against the Seahawks and amassed 116 yards
off 8 receptions. If he can match that and maybe add a touchdown against the
Chiefs he could have a big week. At full fitness he will be Aaron Rodgers go to
guy this season with Jordy Nelson missing.
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
An important cog in the Patriots
machine, Edelman has been in impressive form so far this year. He has 97 yards
in each of his games so far plus 2 touchdowns, so he should be reliable. As
with Brady earlier, a good match up makes Edelman a strong contender for a spot
on your team particularly for $2m.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Last week I went with John Brown, this
week I’m going with Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald looked on the decline last
year but with Palmer back at the helm he seems to have a new lease of life. He
will share the limelight with Brown some weeks and either are worth a
selection. Fitzgerald is maybe the slightly safer bet at the current time.
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ New England Patriots
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ New England Patriots
I’ve a feeling the Jaguars could be
chasing the game for large parts against the Patriots so Blake Bortles should
turn to his favourite target plenty. Robinson has the skill to make plays
against any opponent, and whilst the Patriots are stacked on the offensive side
of the ball they are not always the most solid defensively.
James Jones, Green Bay Packers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
James Jones, Green Bay Packers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
I’ve gone with Jones again for the pure
value he represents as a red zone target for Aaron Rodgers. With the Packers at
home again, there should be plenty of scores to share round.
Outside Bet
Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Oakland Raiders
Outside Bet
Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Oakland Raiders
Benjamin seems to have struck up a nice
relationship with Johnny Manziel the last couple of weeks. He is a little
reliant on big plays, so could be boom or bust, but with the Oakland Raiders up
next he could score some further big points.
Avoid
Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers
Avoid
Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers
One of my picks for last week has gone
full circle. As mentioned earlier, the Saints do not look good and are up
against one of the league’s best defences. I’ll be laying off Cooks despite his
talent until the Saints start showing something a little better.
Tight End's
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, $4m
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville
Jaguars
Yes, he’s here again. What more needs
to be said about Gronkowski? Get him in your team so you can enjoy him spiking
the ball in the end zone against the Jaguars.
Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers, $3m
Week 2 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Olsen doesn’t have a touchdown to his
name yet in 2015, but I’ve a feeling this could be his week. He doesn’t have a great
record against the Saints in the past, with just 2 TD’s in 10 career games
against them, but this isn’t the Saints of previous years. One of those
touchdowns did come last year along with 72 yards, wouldn’t be surprised to see
similar figures.
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Baltimore Ravens
Eifert and the Bengals still look good,
so definitely worth considering again this week. Looks like he could be a
consistent pick this year.
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ New York Giants
Good match up for Reed who should see
plenty of targets in DeSean Jackson’s continued absence. For me he is the most
dangerous weapon for the Redskins currently and the Giants are a little all
over the place defensively.
Outside Bet
Scott Chandler, New England Patriots, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Scott Chandler, New England Patriots, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Another Patriots player. This one is a
bit of a gamble as Gronkowski & Edelman will be the main red zone targets,
but Chandler scored in week 1 and could do so again this week. At some point
this year I’m sure he’ll get multiple touchdowns in a game – maybe this could
be the one?
Avoid
Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: Chicago Bears
Avoid
Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: Chicago Bears
Not necessarily a bad match up for
Graham but he hasn’t really got it going yet with his new team. Scored 1 point
last weekend. Not worth the outlay.
Defence / Special Teams
New York Jets, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
Defence / Special Teams
New York Jets, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
The Jets were great against the Colts
on Monday night. Yes, they were helped by some poor quarterback play from
Andrew Luck but sometimes you create your own luck. Sam Bradford isn’t quite in
the groove yet and could give the Jets plenty of opportunities.
Miami Dolphins, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Buffalo Bills
Tyrod Taylor’s biggest issue so far is
throwing interceptions. He needs to learn when not just to launch the ball. The
Dolphins could benefit this week.
Carolina Panthers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
This should be a fairly comfortable
afternoon for the Panthers on recent form. Can’t see the Saints troubling them
too much. Famous last words.
Outside Bet
Oakland Raiders, $1m
Week 2 Opponent: @ Cleveland Browns
Outside Bet
Oakland Raiders, $1m
Week 2 Opponent: @ Cleveland Browns
He didn’t do it last week, but I still
expect Johnny Manziel to throw interceptions. The Raiders aren’t the greatest
defence but could hopefully benefit from the odd stray ball.
Avoid
Kansas City Chiefs, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers
As with the Seahawks last week, Lambeau Field is a tough place to visit. Stay well away from the Chiefs this week.
Avoid
Kansas City Chiefs, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers
As with the Seahawks last week, Lambeau Field is a tough place to visit. Stay well away from the Chiefs this week.
Kickers
Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Detroit Lions
McManus has hit 3 field goals over 50
yards in the first 2 games. The Broncos may not move the ball quite so easily
against the Lions so hopefully McManus will get plenty more opportunities.
Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Seattle Seahawks
Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Seattle Seahawks
Joint top scoring kicker with McManus.
The Bears travel to Seattle without Jay Cutler so will lean more on the running
game. This could lead to opportunities for Gould if the Bears can’t quite get
the ball over the line.
Outside Bet
Kyle Brindza, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Houston Texans
Outside Bet
Kyle Brindza, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Houston Texans
Brindza kicked 4 of 5 field goals last
week, with a longest of 55 yards for the improving Buccaneers. Texans tough
defence could present further opportunities for Brindza.
Avoid
Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Tennessee Titans
Avoid
Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Tennessee Titans
Just not going well for Vinatieri at
the moment with 1 point from 2 games. Spend your money on other areas of the
team.
Watch List
These are the players I have been impressed with recently but I want to see a little more of before I commit them to my team.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
Big first week, average second week.
Going to be inconsistent but will continue keeping an eye on his progress
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Denver Broncos
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Denver Broncos
Once the Lions recognise his is the
best Running Back on the team his points tally should improve. Until then, he
stays on watch
Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Houston Texans
Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Houston Texans
Decent second week for Martin but needs
to have a big game this week for him to stay on this list.
Matt Jones,
RB, Washington Redskins, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ New York Giants
Very nearly on my picks list this week
but thought I’d take a week to see if he is the real deal or just a one game
wonder. Everything I see tells me he could be a good player for the Redskins
this year.
Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
Agholor has talent but doesn’t seem to
be trusted yet. Sam Bradford isn’t exactly setting the world alight at the
moment but I’m sure that will change as he gets his match sharpness back.
Hopefully Agholor will profit from that later in the year.
Phillip Dorsett,
WR, Indianapolis Colts, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Tennessee Titans
Not really done much yet but believe
Dorsett can become a star. Once Andrew Luck & co decide to start playing
this season it will be interesting to see what he can do.
Darren Fells, Arizona Cardinals, $1m
Darren Fells, Arizona Cardinals, $1m
Week 3
Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Had Fells on my picks list last week
put didn’t do anything. Dropped down to my watch list as still think he could
become a useful player. Need to figure out how consistent he will be.