Week 3 fantasy football is upon us, and here we are, dancing around some tough plays this coming weekend. The match-ups are in, the staff has been polled, and we have all the predicted rankings heading into Week 3. I’ve taken the top spot (Lucky Lester) each of the first two weeks, but it’s close, and I know I have some guys out to take my crown. Once again, I’ve listed my 4 levels of plays, elites, solids, sleepers, and no-nos, I hope they help. Josh, Papa, Red Red Ryan, and I have our rankings further down the page. I hope you enjoy it all!
Elite Starters: Guys picked early that I love this week…
1. Maurice Jones Drew – I don’t think the Texans can stop MJD, ala Chris Johnson last week.
2. Andre Johnson – That being said, I’m not so sure the Jaguars can stop the Texans either, I’ll take AJ.
3. Drew Brees – He has to come back to earth one of these days, dude can’t throw 72 touchdowns. Not this week.
4. Matt Schaub – Two weeks in a row at the top? You bet.
5. Brandon Jacobs – It’s been a slow start for the beast, enter the Buccaneers as unlucky opponent in Week 3.
Solid Starters: Guys picked in middle rounds that should outplay their ranking/draft position this week…
1. Ray Rice– I think Ray will be the top scoring back on the Ravens team this week against Cleveland.
2. Ryan Grant – The Packers haven’t been dedicated to the run this year, I think that changes this week.
3. Larry Johnson– Questions surrounding Larry, I think he has a nice game this week.
4. Dwayne Bowe – Big nasty receiver going against the Eagles, and I think KC will be down – I like this pick.
5. Braylon Edwards – Drop a couple, catch a couple, he’ll have plenty of opportunities down early.
Sleeper Starters: Guys ranked low, drafted low or not at all, but I still like them this week…
1. Mario Manningham – Yeah, I like what I saw, me and every other guy.
2. David Garrard – I’d take him a lot of weeks, should be real good against Houston.
3. Trent Edwards –Both teams should have lots of snaps and score lots of points. Even in a loss I like Trent.
4.Fred Jackson– If he’s a beast one more week, does he keep the starting job when Lynch comes back?
5. Jabar Gaffney – The Raiders will take away the top guys, but Gaffney should find room. Good sleeper pick.
Sit ‘Em Son: I don’t care where they were drafted, I don’t like these guys starting this week…
1. Joseph Addai – The Cardinals are very tough against the run, shutting down two studs in Gore and MJD.
2. Cedric Benson – His style versus the Steelers is not a good match-up for his fantasy owners.
3. Willie Parker – I don’t know if Willie will have too many more big games, the Bengals are tough on the run.
4. Bernard Berrien – Is he even the #1 receiver anymore, either way, Nate Clements should shut him down.
5. Chris Johnson – Can you sit this guy? Probably not, but if you have other options I’d suggest it.
PS – Don’t start injured or suspended players, it makes you look dumb.
Week 2 Fantasy Rankings
Josh Arsenault Ryan Kauffman Papa Weimer Lucky Lester QBs---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Drew Brees 1.Drew Brees 1.Peyton Manning 1.Drew Brees 2.Tom Brady 2.Aaron Rodgers 2.Tom Brady 2.Matt Schaub 3.Phillip Rivers 3.Matt Schaub 3.Drew Brees 3.Peyton Manning 4.Aaron Rodgers 4.Peyton Manning 4.David Garrard 4.Tony Romo 5.Carson Palmer 5.Trent Edwards 5.Aaron Rodgers 5.Tom Brady RBs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Michael Turner 1.Maurice Jones-Drew 1.Adrian Peterson 1.Maurice Jones-Drew 2.Maurice Jones-Drew 2.Brandon Jacobs 2.Steve Slaton 2.Brandon Jacobs 3.Adrian Peterson 3.Ronnie Brown 3.Maurice Jones-Drew 3.Adrian Peterson 4.Matt Forte 4.Matt Forte 4.Fred Jackson 4.Matt Forte 5.Clinton Portis 5.Steven Jackson 5.Clinton Portis 5.Ryan Grant WRs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Randy Moss 1.Andre Johnson 1.Larry Fitzgerald 1.Andre Johnson 2.Larry Fitzgerald 2.Reggie Wayne 2.Reggie Wayne 2.Randy Moss 3.Reggie Wayne 3.Randy Moss 3.Steve Smith (NYG) 3.Reggie Wayne 4.Andre Johnson 4.Greg Jennings 4.Andre Johnson 4.Steve Smith (CAR) 5.Steve Smith (CAR) 5.Santonio Holmes 5.Calvin Johnson 5.Jericho Cotchery TEs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Chris Cooley 1.Jeremy Shockey 1.Dallas Clark 1.Antonio Gates 2.Tony Gonzalez 2.Tony Gonzalez 2.John Carlson 2.Dallas Clark 3.John Carlson 3.Dustin Keller 3.Tony Gonzalez 3.Jason Witten 4.Antonio Gates 4.Dallas Clark 4.Owen Daniels 4.Chris Cooley 5.Jason Witten 5.Owen Daniels 5.Jason Witten 5.Tony Gonzalez DSTs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Ravens 1.Ravens 1.Bears 1.Ravens 2.Redskins 2.Broncos 2.Steelers 2.Packers 3.Packers 3.Giants 3.Eagles 3.Broncos 4.Broncos 4.Bears 4.Packers 4.Redskins 5.Vikings 5.Redskins 5.Redskins 5.Eagles Kickers------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The three other guys would rather kick Lucky than rank kickers, so no dice on the K rankings!