By Alex Kiritsy
Sports Reporter
After three weeks in the NFL season, fans have started to get a sense of which teams are for real and which teams are not. However, in fantasy football, the real and the fake are not so clear cut. Here’s a little bit of advice for all fantasy football managers, whether you’re 3-0 or 0-3:
Players to Pick Up:
Karlos Williams (Owned in 24% of ESPN leagues): The Buffalo Bills running back has shown a powerful running style that has led him to be the tenth ranked RB in fantasy football. Additionally, with Lesean McCoy probably out this week, Williams is a no-brainer pick-up if he’s available. He is playing against the weak Giants run defense.
Rishard Matthews (Owned in 16.4% of ESPN leagues): While the Dolphins wideout has plenty of competition and a struggling offense, he has still hauled in a total of 262 yards while catching three TDs. While Matthews has a tough matchup against a stout Jets secondary, he could be a valuable receiver as the season plays out.
Derek Carr (Owned in 19.9% of ESPN leagues): With the latest injury to Ben Roethlisberger, many fantasy team owners will be scrambling for a QB. Your first thought may direct you toward Michael Vick, but that is extremely risky! Vick is the absolute definition of volatile. He could give you 28 points one week but give you eight the next. This is why I suggest picking up someone a little more consistent such as Derek Carr. With two back to back weeks of 20+ fantasy points, Carr is making a claim as a secret gem in this year’s QB class. Additionally, with the emergence of Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper, Oakland has a respectable offense that could make some noise for the first time in years.
Players to Trade for:
Marshawn Lynch: The Seahawks running back has been an elite back for the last five years and people are wondering if his time has come at the relatively old age of 29. Don’t buy into these speculations! While Lynch does have some nagging injuries, he has encountered solid run defenses in addition to feeling out a young offensive line. As the Seahawks start to build some confidence in their offense, Lynch will reap the benefits, as he is still one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Calvin Johnson: Megatron has always posed a dilemma for opposing defenses given his unique speed and strength; however, Johnson has definitely lost a step as he turned 30 just a couple of days ago. While Johnson is averaging 8.33 yards per target, a decrease from years past, do not buy into this offensive scheme. The Lions are 0-3 and this type of offense does not fit the gunslinging mentality of Matthew Stafford. In total, expect Megatron to pick things up as the Lions desperately search for a win.
Players to Stay Away From:
Carlos Hyde: While the San Francisco RB shows plenty of promise given his week one performance (168 yards and two TDs), he should be a player everyone stays away from as he is a part of an offense that is struggling, to say the least. Additionally, he plays in a division with the Seahawks, Rams, and Cardinals, all of which are stellar defenses. While the talent is there for this young running back, the situation is not.
Demaryius Thomas: One of the elite WRs in the NFL has felt the brunt of the Broncos’ offensive issues. Demaryius is the definition of a deep ball threat, but his value is significantly diminished when he has a QB who struggles throwing the ball deep downfield. The Broncos’ transformation to a quick pass and short gain offense has led them to a 3-0 start, so it’s not looking like a major change in game plan is coming anytime soon. While Demaryius has a good matchup this week, be wary of him over the course of the season.
Peyton Manning: Peyton Manning is not the same quarterback as he was pre-neck surgery. It’s as simple as that. Every year post-surgery, his arm strength has significantly decreased leading to screen passes and check downs. The unsettling thing about Manning is that the Broncos’ running game has really struggled, forcing Manning to pass 40+ times each game this season, yet this has not really turned into fantasy production. He is ranked the 18th QB in fantasy football right now. While it is never smart to doubt a player of Manning’s caliber, there are plenty of other QB’s to target for a cheaper price such as Carson Palmer or Matt Ryan.
