By: Caleb Luketic// Contributing Writer
Start ‘em
The first two weeks of the NFL season are in the books, which has come with some fantasy surprises and disappointments. Fantasy owners here are some players that you should look to plug-and-play or avoid completely.
QB: Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton lost his primary receiver Kelvin Benjamin during training camp, which made all the prognosticators say Newton was in for a terrible season. Newton started the season slow in week one, but he was able to find himself in the second game against Houston. He threw for a pair of touchdowns, while also finding the end zone on the ground. Newton takes on the Saints this week, who gave up 24 points to Carson Palmer in Week 1, and 18 points to Jameis Winston in Week 2. Newton should be able to use his arm and legs to tear up the Saints defense
RB: Joseph Randle – Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have had some terrible luck recently, as they lost both Dez Bryant and Tony Romo for an extended period of time. Brandon Weeden will take over as quarterback in place of Romo, so Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan will have to rely more on the running game without his star quarterback. This boosts Joseph Randle’s value as he’s expected to see an increased workload come Sunday against a low ranked Atlanta run defense.
WR: Julian Edelman – New England Patriots
Julian Edelman absolutely exploded on Sunday in the fantasy world, as he hauled in 11 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Edelman had the same stat line in Week 1, minus the two touchdowns. Edelman is taking on a weak Jaguars defense that has been exposed in the first two weeks of the season. Edelman is a fantastic play on Sunday whether it is in your season long fantasy league or in a daily fantasy league.
TE: Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers
Greg Olsen had 14 targets on Sunday against Houston, but he only grabbed six of those passes for 70 yards. The Panthers take on a raddled Saints defense, which gave up 18 points to Jameis Winston in Week 2. Cam Newton should have an even more successful game than Winston did, and Olsen looks to join in on the success. Olsen is a must start in Week 3 against New Orleans.
D/ST: New York Jets
The New York Jets went out and brought back Darrelle Revis this offseason, which has given their secondary a much-needed boost. The Jets have forced 10 turnovers in only two weeks, and Andrew Luck accounted for three of the five turnovers the Jets forced on Monday Night Football against the Colts. Sam Bradford has had five turnovers in his first two games in an Eagles’ uniform, which looks to be a gold mine for the Jets. The Jets should create a plethora of turnovers, once again, against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.
Sit ‘em
QB: Sam Bradford – Philadelphia Eagles
Sam Bradford looks to be a turnover machine, as he has had five turnovers in the first two weeks of the season. The Eagles are taking on the Jets, who have forced 10 turnovers in two weeks, and I look for the Jets defensive front seven to wreak havoc on Bradford. Bradford needs to be benched in all leagues he is owned, and I would consider completely dropping him because he is showing no signs of fantasy improvement.
RB: DeMarco Murray – Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles were expected to a fantasy powerhouse, but they have looked absolutely horrendous. Bradford should be sitting this week, as should DeMarco Murray. Murray only had two rushing yards on 13 carries, which is mind boggling since he was the leads leading rusher just a season ago. Murray is going up against a top ranked run defense in the New York Jets, so I would avoid Murray altogether.
WR: Brandin Cooks – New Orleans Saints
The Saints are taking on stout defense in the Carolina Panthers, and as of late are a team bitten by the injury bug. Quarterback Drew Brees was rumored to have a serious injury to his throwing shoulder that could keep him out for weeks, but was ultimately exaggerated. Brees had an MRI on his shoulder, revealing a bruise making him uncertain for Sunday. I would avoid Cooks altogether this week.
TE: Eric Ebron – Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are taking on the Denver Broncos this week, which provides a difficult matchup for Ebron because the Denver linebackers are athletic and quick. Ebron was expected to have a huge fantasy season this year, but he isn’t getting the targets he needs to be successful. I would avoid Ebron this week, but he is worth stashing on your bench.
D/ST: St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are taking on a high octane Pittsburgh offense that put up 43 points in Week 2. The Rams gave up 31 points to Seattle in Week 1, and 24 points to the Redskins in Week 2. Pittsburgh has a much more dynamic running attack with Le’Veon Bell, and a dynamic passing attack with arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Antonio Brown. I look for the Steelers to put up 30 points on St. Louis, so the Rams D/ST needs to be riding the bench in Week 3.
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