Looking into week 3 of fantasy football in the NFL

As we head into week three of the NFL season, standings are starting to take shape and players are starting to find their roles as everything starts clicking again. Week two saw some growing pains from teams who were dominant last season, as well as hot starts from some teams who would be new to the playoffs this year. 

A lot of these results have an impact on fantasy outlook, so it is important to pay attention to game scripts when choosing which players to play week to week. It is also important to hold on to players who are due for a breakout week and sustainable future and not drop or trade them early.

The two biggest hold candidates: Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Titans wide receiver AJ Brown. Barkley has had two very lackluster weeks in fantasy so far, but he has not had a chance to regain full health after his ACL surgery last season. Barkley is now due for a 10 day rest period after playing in Thursday night football this past week against Washington. 

Barkley is gaining touches week to week as his health rises, and he gets a juicy matchup against Atlanta this week. He might be a sneaky start and a buy low candidate as his health continues to improve. 

Brown has had two back to back weeks of disappointing fantasy performances in comparison to his absolutely dominant last year. Brown is averaging just over 11 fantasy points per game in PPR formats this season, but is doing it in games where he’s caught the ball four and three times respectively. 

In both of these games, Brown has seen wide receiver one target volume while getting targeted eight times in game one and nine times in game two. It is only a matter of time when Brown is able to start hauling in more footballs and the Titan offense starts rolling.

As far as sell high candidates goes, there are several that jump off the page. One in particular is Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski is currently the TE2 in PPR formats after putting up two monstrous performances to start the season. 

The problem though; volume. Other top tight ends like Darren Waller and TJ Hockenson are their teams’ favorite target through the air, while Gronkowski fights for targets in a crowded Tampa Bay pass catchers’ room. 

Gronkowski averages just over six targets while Waller and Hockenson both average ten or more. Gronk is also very touchdown dependent, hauling in four already this season, which is generally not sustainable for a whole season. I’d recommend selling high.

Week two did not produce many valuable waiver wire pickups, but there are many players who are worth looking at to make sure you start or sit correctly. At the running back position, Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley both have started off slow but are worth starting this weekend versus two defenses that have struggled against the run.

Two valuable sit ‘em candidates include DJ Chark and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Chark is quickly becoming the wide receiver three on his team behind Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault, which does not spell for future targets against a very good Arizona Cardinals team. 

Edwards-Helaire just has not had his number called yet. The Chiefs need him most when they are up big in games, but when the team is constantly battling in close shootouts, it is tough to turn to your running back for big plays.

The Chiefs get another anticipated shootout this week against a good Chargers team, and since Edwards-Halaire has been struggling to see red zone touches, he is a must sit even in a high scoring game.

One of the top strategies when picking a weekly defense is looking at their matchup.

A top fantasy defense is not always the best option week to week. Some teams you want to target when picking a defense include the Jets, Jaguars, and Dolphins.

These teams have struggled mightily to start the season on offense, so picking a defense against them will surely help you gain extra points from your defense.