Faux Football Preview - Week 3
Chew previews Week 3 in the NFL with some redraft and dynasty fantasy advice.
Week 2 is behind us, and our fantasy rosters are already battling poor performances and injuries. There were pleasant surprises in Russell Wilson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Juwan Johnson (again); however, there were bummers such as Geno Smith, Derrick Henry, Marvin Harrison, and Mark Andrews. Let’s look ahead to a healthy, point-filled Week 3.
Check out last week’s preview here to see how things shook out. As a reminder, both redraft and dynasty are considered in this weekly roundup, so without further ado, let’s get to it.
DYNASTY BUY/SELL
Once the NFL season starts, the dynasty mindset can take a backseat to the redraft mindset. Each week, I will highlight two players to buy and two players to sell in dynasty, providing examples for each. As always, the trades are taken from the dynasty-daddy.com trade database.
Buy #1 - JORDAN MASON
The offseason investment in Jordan Mason has already paid off, with Aaron Jones set to miss the next four weeks on the Injured Reserve. The Vikings offense is even more in flux with Carson Wentz stepping in for a surprisingly injured J.J. McCarthy. After showing what he could do both on the ground and through the air for the 49ers in 2024, look for Mason’s value to grow in Jones’ absence. Beyond that, Mason could very well be the heir-apparent in Minnesota, with Jones a potential salary cap casualty after 2025.
Trade #1: Jordan Mason + Javonte Williams ←→ Alvin Kamara
Trade #2: Jordan Mason + ‘26 2nd ←→ Matthew Golden + Cedric Tillman
Sell #1 - TREVOR LAWRENCE
Despite starting his NFL career with the “generational” label, Trevor Lawrence’s play could be described as uneven and inconsistent. To start 2025, Lawrence has fantasy finishes of QB-23 and QB-11, and a TD/INT ratio of 4/3. This Jaguars offense has been buoyed by its strong backfield and playing against some lackluster opponents. This may not be a sell-high opportunity, but with the schedule getting more difficult and Lawrence already leaving something to be desired as far as fantasy production at this point in his career.
Trade #1: Trevor Lawrence + Brian Thomas + ‘26 1st + ‘28 2nd ←→ Justin Herbert + Ladd McConkey + Aaron Jones + ‘26 2nd
Trade #2: Trevor Lawrence + ‘28 2nd ←→ Drake Maye + Tyreek Hill
Buy #2 - ROMEO DOUBS
The Packers appear to be a Super Bowl contender, boasting a steady offense and a lockdown defense. And outside of Tucker Kraft, it is yet another season of the revolving relevancy at wide receiver each week. In the absence of Jayden Reed (broken collarbone) and Christian Watson (2024 ACL tear), it is Doubs who has gotten valuable touches, albeit in a small sample size. With Doubs in a contract year, I am bullish on buying him in dynasty and considering my options at season’s end.
Trade #1: Romeo Doubs ←→ ‘28 3rd
Trade #2: Romeo Doubs + ‘26 2nd ←→ Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Sell #2 - DYLAN SAMPSON
The Dylan Sampson project is definitely not over, but with Quinshon Judkins joining the fray, there are fewer touches to go around. While Jerome Ford led the Browns’ backfield in snaps for the second straight week, those numbers are not trending in his favor, and the same goes for Sampson after a booming Week 1 performance. I think Sampson offers an intriguing flex option in PPR formats in the hopes that he garners enough targets, but at best, he becomes the 1B option in a subpar offense.
Trade #1: Dylan Sampson ←→ Blake Corum + ‘27 3rd
Trade #2: Dylan Sampson ←→ ‘27 2nd + ‘27 3rd
HANDCUFF HEIRARCHY
The running back position can be one of frustration in fantasy as we scour the bench and waiver wire to fill in when injuries and bye weeks strike. But since we are just now getting started with the NFL season, here is a look at the various tiers for all 32 backup running backs. As the season progresses, we will see players rise and fall amongst the tiers, so stay tuned!
*This list only includes each team’s RB-2; thus, if the RB-1 is injured, then the RB-3 will take the place of the RB-2 on this list.
STANDALONE VALUE
These players have flex appeal even with the RB-1 being healthy in Week 3.
Some exciting names on this list could overtake the current RB-1s even without injury.
A role reduction for TreVeyon Henderson was not expected in Week 2, and Dylan Sampson will likely be the 1B to Quinshon Judkins’ 1A from now on.
Cam Skattebo, Kenneth Gainwell, and Bhayshul Tuten climb one tier after showing an increased role in their respective backfields.
David Montgomery and Rachaad White showed their value as trusted veteran backs in high-powered offenses.
SPOT STARTER
The initial RB-1 is injured, and everyone moves up the depth chart, or a specialized role is created for the player.
There are some touchdown vultures and gameflow beneficiaries that could creep into flex territory if the stars align.
Blake Corum and Woody Marks saw their roles increase in Week 2, with the former ideally getting 30-35 percent of the backfield touches, per head coach Sean McVay.
Najee Harris saw his role increase as the game progressed in Week 2, which is understandable considering the team's investment during the offseason.
Tyler Allgeier proves to be one of, if not the most, important handcuffs for fantasy as a running back who could step into a significant role without having it greatly curtailed.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If you are in a DEEP league, these are the rest of the bunch that you’re picking from for Week 3.
I expect some of these names to change as Week 1 could reveal a change in the RB-2, as compared to the current depth charts.
After the injury to Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason is elevated to a starter, and former undrafted free agent Zavier Scott steps up to represent the University of Maine.
The Chicago Bears’ backfield continues to flow through D’Andre Swift, so Kyle Monangai’s value is capped, barring a shift in that split.
TIGHT END STREAMERS
Of all the fantasy-relevant positions, it’s the tight end that is my favorite to stream. If you were not fortunate enough to get one of the top few tight ends, it can be a futile process to find fantasy points at the tight end position. Here are three tight ends ranked outside the top 12 who are stream-worthy in Week 3.
Week 2 (If Top-12 ✅)
Harold Fannin → 15.9 points ✅
Juwan Johnson → 9.8 points ✅
Jonnu Smith → 6.7 points ❌
Week 3
HAROLD FANNIN (TE-13) v. GB
Another week of Harold Fannin? You betcha! Despite a slightly smaller opportunity in Week 2, Fannin maximized it, catching each of his five targets and churning out nearly ten fantasy points. It will be no easier for the Browns’ offense in Week 3, as they face the stout defense of the Green Bay Packers. Through the first two weeks of stingy defense, the players who led their respective teams in receiving yardage happened to be tight ends (Sam LaPorta and Zach Ertz, respectively). So with sustained opportunity and difficulty for every other Browns’ pass catcher, I like my odds rolling out Fannin.
DALTON KINCAID (TE-16) v. MIA
I have long shared my hesitancy regarding the Dalton Kincaid hype since his 2023 NFL season. At this point, I think expectations have normalized, and he can be viewed as a streamable option in the right matchups. The Dolphins just so happen to be that matchup. Kincaid continues to evenly split snaps with Dawson Knox; however, the former is garnering a handful of targets, and scoring upside is apparent against Miami in Week 3. If I am going to believe in Kincaid, it will be against a hapless defense, so here we go!
JA’TAVION SANDERS (TE-19) v. ATL
I was bullish on Ja’Tavion Sanders leading into the season as an often under-mentioned pass-catching weapon at Bryce Young’s disposal. Unfortunately, the Panthers did not pick up where they left off in 2024, starting the season 0-2. Week 2, however, included a late-game comeback that ended with Sanders getting nine targets. Similar to the aforementioned Fannin, a tight end who can garner that kind of volume is worth streaming. I do not expect another nine-target game in Week 3, but the Falcons’ defense presents a great opportunity for Sanders that is worth streaming.
So you made it this far, and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow fantasy football degenerates, I would greatly appreciate it!
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