Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sit ‘Em Picks For Week 3
By Genna Preston
Heading into Week 3 Fantasy Football action, make sure to sit these top 10 players who are not going to have favorable matchups.
Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) jumps to try and make a catch as Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby (28) defends during the second half at New Era Field. The Jets beat the Bills 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Week 3 of fantasy football. Injuries on the rise, and many players have shown us their team roles and fantasy football value.
Related Story: Fantasy Football: Top 10 Start 'Em Picks For Week 3
Players like Aaron Rodgers and Travis Kelce haven’t been able to live up to their preseason fantasy projections. Adrian Peterson is out for the season, along with several players who are questionable for Week 3.
With bye weeks starting soon, it is important to start your most valuable players while you still can. I believe in taking some risks, but you have to pick and choose your players right.
Don’t take a risk with the wrong players this week. Check out these 10 players that deserve a seat on your bench heading into Week 3.
Next: 10. He didn't even earn double-digit points last week
Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) and linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
10. Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy Hill has been anything but productive so far this season. Last week he didn’t even earn any double-digit points.
In Week 2 he rushed 11 times for 22 yards. He also completed 3-of-5 targets for a little under 40 yards.
So far this season, Hill only totaled 53 rushing yards and 20 carries. This week he’ll take on the Denver Broncos which doesn’t seem promising.
The Broncos have allowed less than 250 yards combined for the season. Not very good odds for Hill this week. He may not even reach double-digits this week, he’s a definite sit.
Next: 9. One good game doesn't earn a starting role
Aug 13, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (88) reaches for a pass during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
9. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Buffalo Bills
Don’t let Marquise Goodwin fool you with last week’s performance. Goodwin is not a consistent fantasy starter and will not always produce numbers like that.
Yes, last week he had an 84-yard touchdown but, it was the highlight of his career. He only completed 205 targets and totaled 108 yards as if it wasn’t for that 84-yard touchdown he would’ve been a fantasy football Week 2 bust.
Goodwin isn’t consistent enough to be a starter this week against the Arizona Cardinals. With his weekly projected points being less than 10, he should definitely be sat in Week 3.
Next: 8. He might be a Viking, but he won't triumph
Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after a catch during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
8. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings
Kyle Rudolph is having a decent start to the fantasy football season. In his last two matchups, he was targeted 16 times.
Last week he completed 3-of-8 targets for 31 yards and a touchdown for the win against the Green Bay Packers. Although he’s doubled his projected points in the last two games it’s still nothing to brag about.
Even Adrian Peterson being sidelined won’t increase his fantasy value. If he doesn’t score, he’s invaluable and is nothing more than a TE2.
The Vikings take on the Carolina Panthers who are 9th against the position. He has projected no more than seven fantasy points and should be sat in Week 3.
Next: 7. He should have been benched two weeks ago
7. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Anyone who drafted Todd Gurley has been bamboozled thus far. Originally ranked fifth to the position, Gurley hasn’t shown any signs of that this season.
He rushed for 51 yards on almost 20 carries. He also had one target that he completed for 19 yards barely giving owners 12 fantasy points.
This week’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers doesn’t seem to offer any improvement. The Buccaneers ranked ninth against running backs and has held opposing teams to under 80 rushing yards per game.
Defenses main objectives are closing the hole and block Gurley from the run; it’s going to be difficult for him to get the yardage needed to earn fantasy football points. Don’t start Gurley in this week’s unpredictable game.
Next: 6. This Lion is too inconsistent
Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. (Play disqualified due to penalty). Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
6. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford has just gotten by this season; it could always be worse! Last week Stafford earned just about his projected weekly fantasy football points.
Stafford completed 22-of-40 passes for a little over 250 yards. He also had one touchdown and one interception in last week’s loss.
Unfortunately, the Lions lose it in the red zone. Without a doubt, this will affect Stafford’s fantasy points per game; not to mention the 17 penalties the Lions had.
This week, Stafford takes on the Green Bay Packers. Although the Packers haven’t looked like the playoff team we saw last season, this seems like the week they may emerge.
Next: 5. This Giant didn't even play half of last week's snaps
Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) breaks free for yardage during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
5. Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants
Once appearing on my sleeper list, Rashad Jennings gets demoted to the bench. Not only is Jennings questionable in health at the moment but, he also hasn’t been a huge value.
In Week 2 Jennings only played 34 of 79 snaps due to a thumb injury. It has been reported that Jennings will play this week, his matchup doesn’t offer positive results.
The New York Giants take on division rivals the Washington Redskins. Although the Redskins offer 30 points per game to the position, quarterback Eli Manning will be focusing on a passing game which decreases Jennings’ fantasy value for the week.
Jennings questionable thumb injury and weekly matchup don’t make him a good Week 3 fantasy football starter. All signs point to sitting Jennings in Week 3.
Next: 4. This quarterback is just too much of a risk
4. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins
I debated back and forth with myself before adding Kirk Cousins to this week’s sit ’em list. He has posted average fantasy football points in the last two weeks but, he is just so unreliable.
As reported by Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, Cousins own teammates, “have begun to complain about quarterback Kirk Cousins…” Can you rely on a quarterback whose team doesn’t even believe in him?
The Redskins come face-to-face with the Giants. The Giants gave opposing teams almost 300 passing yards per game last season.
On paper that’s a good matchup but, have you seen the Giants this season? They stacked their defense during the offseason, and they’re finally looking like the Super Bowl winners we remember. I wouldn’t risk starting Cousins in the Week 3.
Next: 3. This receiver doesn't score touchdowns
Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) cannot catch a pass as San Diego Chargers strong safety Jahleel Addae (37) defends during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
3. Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen Hurns is the Jacksonville Jaguars most targeted receiver. But, you wouldn’t know it based off his fantasy performance.
Last week, Hurns only completed half of his 10 targets. He totaled 64 yards with no touchdowns.
Hurns hasn’t seen the end zone yet this season, and I know it’s only Week 3 but no end zone equals no points. This week doesn’t seem as if it’ll be the week for Hurns either.
The Baltimore Ravens rank 3rd against quarterbacks which means it’ll be difficult for Hurns to get the football. They also rank 5th against receivers.
These statistics don’t make it easy to start Hurns this week. I wouldn’t do it!
Next: 2. This tight end doesn't shine on a team of superstars
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs for extra yards after a catch with Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) chasing during the fourth quarter in a AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
2. Jesse James, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
When you are on a team with players like Antonio Brown and DeAngelo Williams, it’s hard to become a top targeted player. Although Jesse James has been the most targeted tight end, he just isn’t much of a value.
In Week 2, he completed three of only five targets, 29 yards, and a touchdown. He still only got fantasy football owners eight points tops.
Yes, Ladarius Green is out for several weeks so James will get a decent workload but, this week he will potentially be shut down by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles rank 1st in the league against tight ends. If you want to start any Steelers this week go with Williams, just don’t rely on James.
Next: 1. This Bill is a must sit in Week 3
Watkins didn't do much during media viewing portion of practice. Have to imagine he'll have reduced workload each week to save foot. #Bills
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) September 19, 2016
1. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
I will repeat myself 1,000 times until everyone listens; never trust an injured player even if they’re reported fine. Shame on all of you who started Sammy Watkins in last week’s game against the New York Jets.
In Thursday night’s game, Watkins was more than a bust. He only had five targets and completed two. In the last two week’s combined he only had six completions for 63 yards; some receivers had over 100 yards last week alone.
This week Watkins has been limited in practice. There is also a new offensive coordinator on the Bills. Limited practice during the week and a new coach coming to town isn’t an ideal situation for Watkins.
Must Read: Fantasy Football: Top 5 players to acquire in Week 3 waiver wire
Watkins earned a measly four fantasy points last week, and you can’t afford to start him in a week he takes on the Arizona Cardinals. Pro Bowler cornerback Patrick Peterson is not the matchup owners want this week.