Can DeSean Jackson keep up this pace?
History tells me no, but he’s making a strong case for starting in fantasy football leagues.
Jackson has 275 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the first two weeks. He’s averaging a ridiculous 30.5 yards per catch. Obviously those numbers aren’t sustainable, but can he produce WR1 numbers each week?
I still have my doubts. This is the same receiver who averaged just 13.5 yards per catch last season and he’s not a high volume receiver. He’s averaging just four targets per game, so if he doesn’t hit a home run ball in one of those touches, he’s basically non-existent in fantasy football.
He’s a WR3, with solid upside this week against a Pittsburgh secondary that didn’t look good last week. However, he’s not someone I would trust as a regular WR1. Here’s the rest of the week 3 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em guide for wide receivers.
Start
Keelan Cole vs. Tennessee Titans
OK, so I screwed up last week in multiple ways. I not only told you not to start Cole, but I also put him on my bench.
Whoops.
Cole had the catch of the year against New England and looked the part of a No. 1 wide receiver. Jacksonville opened up the passing game, and if the Jaguars can continue to keep it open, then Cole has tremendous value.
He had eight targets in week 2 and it’s becoming commonplace to see him put up 100-yard receiving efforts.
Tennessee is allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. As long as the Jaguars don’t mind putting the ball in Blake Bortles’ hands, then Cole is a solid WR2, with WR1 upside.
Demaryius Thomas vs. Baltimore Ravens
Thomas is losing some market share in the fantasy football world after the week 2 performance.
He dropped multiple balls and he generated just 18 yards on five catches.
However, he was targeted 11 times in the game, which gives him 21 targets in the first two weeks. We’re well aware that Case Keenum doesn’t mind throwing the ball, and that should continue, even against a Baltimore defense that is good against the pass.
However, Cincinnati found some open lanes in week 2 against the Ravens secondary, and Keenum won’t shy away. Keep the faith with the targets generated by Thomas and give him another chance in week 3.
Quincy Enunwa vs. Cleveland Browns
Follow the targets.
Enunwa is Sam Darnold’s most trusted receiver. He has 21 targets in two games. He’s turned those targets into production, too, notching 155 yards receiving and one touchdown in the first two weeks.
The Browns have been better defensively, but they’re still allowing 6.9 yards per pass attempt, ranking 18th in the NFL. Cleveland also ranks 12th from the bottom in fantasy points allowed against wide receivers.
In Darnold’s first short week, he’ll need a security blanket at the wide receiver position. Enunwa will fill that role in week 3.
Sit
Corey Davis vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The uncertainty at the quarterback position is a nightmare for Tennessee. And with a game against Jacksonville’s defense, this is not a good spot for Davis or anyone on the offensive side of the ball for the Titans.
Davis is leading the team in targets this season, but without a quarterback who can push the ball down the field, Davis just isn’t going to be productive. He has 20 targets this season, but hasn’t eclipsed the 70-yard mark in receiving yards this season.
If Blaine Gabbert is quarterbacking this team in week 3, that is a major red flag for fantasy potential. Jacksonville’s defense is one of the best in the NFL, so if you have some decent weapons on the bench, give them a go over Davis.
Allen Robinson vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are a dumpster fire. And Robinson, as I predicted in the offseason, has easily emerged as the No. 1 receiver for Chicago.
However, despite Arizona’s inability to play at a high-level in any phase, this isn’t a matchup that I believe Robinson can be a solid WR2. He’ll likely draw an assignment across Patrick Peterson, who is still one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL.
That spells trouble for Robinson, who will likely see his target share drop in week 3. Without the targets, I don’t like Robinson’s value. Even in blowouts, the Cardinals still haven’t allowed a touchdown by a wide receiver in 2018. That’s worth noting when considering whether to start or sit Robinson.
Devin Funchess vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Through two weeks, I’ve seen enough out of the Bengals to believe that the defense is pretty good.
That will dwindle the value for Funchess in week 3. He had a nice bounce-back performance in week 2 against an injury-riddled Atlanta Falcons defense. When playing against a Dallas defense in week 1 that appears to be one of the better units in the NFL, he drew only five targets and tallied just 41 yards.
I’m expecting a similar output against a Bengals defense that is allowing the ninth-fewest yards per pass attempt, and is top-half in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.
The Bengals are for real on the defensive side of the ball, so I’m fading Funchess for week 3.
