Week 2 featured some surprises, but I was much more on top of who would perform and who wouldn’t measure up. Let’s hope that stays true in Week 3. The most important thing is the NFL Season is here and in full swing! While we’re all blissfully rejoicing the return of the NFL, with it comes the specter of lineup decisions. Who should start? Who should sit? Let this weekly post be your guide as I go on a journey with you these next 18 weeks.
The criteria is simple: I pick one sit and one start from each position (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end). This is based on my rankings for each week, which you can find in full at www.campus2canton.com. The standard is Top 12 for quarterbacks and tight ends, Top 24 for wide receivers and running backs. Each week I’ll begin with a review of how I did the previous week because accountability is a part of this process.
Let’s review how I did in Week 2.
Starts
QB: Russell Wilson, QB24 Miss. Wilson struggled, as did the Broncos, missing out on a Top 12
RB: Miles Sanders, RB18 Hit. Sanders didn’t get a touchdown, but he made the most of his 17 carries and posted a Top 20 finish.
WR: Michael Thomas, WR18 Hit. Thomas got another touchdown and appeared to be the guy in New Orleans.
TE: O.J. Howard, TE46 Miss. Howard’s renaissance didn’t extend into Week 2.
Start Record: 2-2
Sits
QB: Trey Lance, QB33 Hit. Lance unfortunately was injured on Sunday.
RB: David Montgomery, RB10 miss. The Bears’ offense struggled, but Montgomery ran wild for 122 yards on just 15 carries.
WR: Darnell Mooney, WR112 Hit. Mooney was limited to two targets, one catch and -4 yards. Ouch.
TE: Hunter Henry, NA Hit. Henry went without a catch on Sunday
Sit Record: 3-1
Now, on to my Week 3 picks!
Quarterbacks
Start: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
About: The game of the week features the undefeated Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen traveling to Miami to battle the undefeated Miami Dolphins and red-hot quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tua threw for nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns in the fourth quarter of Miami’s Week 2 win. He sits as QB5 through two weeks and seems to be making the most of his weapons in receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. The game with the Bills figures to be high scoring, so I’m all in on Tua and his receivers playing a big role on Sunday.
Sit: Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
About: I still believe in Russ, and I still think it was an upgrade for the Broncos. But it’s clearly going to take some time. Through two weeks, Russ is QB20. Last week, despite a win, the Broncos’ offense struggled. The team is at home in Week 3, which is good but facing a stout 49ers defense. I still have Wilson as a QB2, but I’m not buying a Top 12 performance just yet.
Running Backs
Start: Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
About: Lenny is off to a strong start. Despite a tough week against the stout front of the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, he’s RB18 on the season. And he’s doing that by dominating the touches in the ground game. That’s a good sign heading into Week 3 for two reasons. First, with Chris Godwin and Julio Jones ailing, and Mike Evans suspended, the Buccaneers are running short on receivers. Second, he’s facing a Green Bay defense that has struggled to bottle up the run. In Week 1, Dalvin Cook went for 90 yards and in Week 2, despite bottling up the Bears’ passing game, the Packers let David Montgomery rush for 122 yards on 15 carries. All that bodes well for Fournette as he likely carries a heavy part of the load for Tampa Bay’s offense. I like him to easily finish Top 24.
Sit: Chase Edmonds, Miami Dolphins
About: The Dolphins’ offense has been great to start the season. Well, the pass offense anyway. Edmonds signed a free agent deal this off-season and figured to lead the rushing attack. Through two weeks, that hasn’t panned out. He’s currently sitting as RB39. That’s not great. He’s also facing a Buffalo defense this week that has contained the run. They held Cam Akers to zero yards on Opening Night and only let Derrick Henry rush for 25 yards on 13 carries in Week 2. I like the Miami passing game, but I’m steering clear of Edmonds.
Wide Receivers:
Start: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
About: The man’s on the cusp of a record, so this feels redundant. Nonetheless, I’m telling you to throw him in your lineup. Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, and Tyreek Hill are the only receivers who have more points than St. Brown in 2022. He’s currently WR4 and the Lions have put up 35 or more points in both games. This week they play a Vikings team that got lit up by Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in Week 2. I like the Lions in this game, and The Sun God is a big part of the reason why. Fire him up and reap the benefits.
Sit: Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
About: Renfrow is dealing with a concussion, so this could end up being a moot point. But even if he does play, I’m not rolling him out. Prior to the season, I was bullish on Renfrow and his potential role in the offense. But while Derek Carr has gotten Davante Adams, Darren Waller, and even Mack Hollins involved, things have been slow for his favorite target from 2021. Renfrow is WR58 through two weeks, and after a crippling fumble that cost his team the game last week, I’m steering clear until we see signs of optimism.
Tight Ends
Start: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
About: Tight End continues to be a tough position. The Eagles’ offense is humming and I doubt that changes in Week 3 facing a stout Commanders’ offense. Better still, Jalen Hurts is getting his best pass-catchers involved. DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, and Goedert all saw six or more targets on Monday, and all were heavily involved. Goedert is TE8 through two weeks and I expect him to continue to be a key part of the Eagles’ attack. That makes him a great option for those looking for at least a steady premise at a volatile position.
Sit: Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos
About: When the Broncos traded Noah Fant this off-season, I thought it would be a boon for Albert O. Then the team drafted Greg Dulcich. While Dulcich hasn’t been available, the Broncos still have three other tight ends—Eric Saubert, Andrew Beck, and Eric Tomlison—and all are involved in the offense. That combined with an offense that is still finding its way makes it tough to count on opportunities. He’s TE31 on the year, and until we see signs he’s going to have a consistent role, I’m not counting on him as my starting tight end.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
