Flex On Fire: 5 must-starts for Week 3 fantasy football

Before we get to my Week 3 must starts, a quick recap on Week 2. Diontae Johnson has very quickly emerged as the Steelers’ number one receiver and if you started him last, he gave you eight catches for 92 yards and a touchdown for 23.2 points as the WR6. However, Anthony Miller got you a goose egg for the Bears this week as he failed to catch any of the three targets sent his way. In between it was a decent week for Marquez Valdes-Scantling (9.3 points) and Jared Cook (9.2 points), but Scott Miller (two catches for 11 yards ) and Nyheim Hines (one catch for for yards) disappeared in what looked to be promising match ups. J.K. Dobbins barely had a look in for the dominant Ravens, but broke off a long run in garbage time to finish with 7.1 fantasy points.

Onto Week 3 and the players I think you should have in your lineups this week.

WR Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans @ Minnesota Vikings

It’s been a strong start for Davis, who, in the absence of A.J. Brown, has stepped up and has had back to back double digit fantasy performances so far. Facing a Vikings team in complete disarray, Davis is in line for another strong day as he looks to put more solid play on tape in a contract year.

WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles vs Cincinnati Bengals

I’m going back to the well for Jackson after having him as a Week 1 must start, as he’s seeing a solid number of targets and I’m banking on this being the week he breaks out and puts the ball in the paint. The Bengals’ pass defense has been below average and has allowed the second most yards per completion, a sign they are susceptible to the big play, something Jackson has made a career out of.

RB Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers vs Carolina Panthers

Kelley’s numbers weren’t off the charts against the Chiefs in Week 2, but the touches were a great sign of potential production. Kelley carried the ball 23 times last week for 64 yards, and also caught two passes that went for another 49 yards. Facing the Panthers in Week 3 who just gave up a 100 yard game to Leonard Fournette, if Kelley continues to be the workhorse runner, he could see his breakout game and be on everyone’s fantasy radar. Also with Justin Herbert the Week 3 starter, the offense will likely retain a rushing bias, which in turn favors another high-usage week for Kelley.

WR N’Keal Harry, New England Patriots vs Las Vegas Raiders

In a wild Week 2 match up with the Seahawks, Harry saw the most targets he’s seen in his short career with 12, catching eight of those targets for 72 yards, both also career highs. With the receiving depth chart behind Julian Edelman up for grabs, Harry is trending towards being the No. 2 and taking on the Raiders in Foxborough this week, he faces a favorable match up against a bottom 10 pass defense and should be in line for a further 10 targets and push for his first 100-yard receiving game.

TE Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals @ Philadelphia Eagles

Sample was an unlikely beneficiary of the injury suffered by C.J. Uzomah in Week 2, as he was targeted nine times by Joe Burrow in what is looking like being an extremely pass-heavy offense. Every young quarterback needs his tight end safety blanket and with the path clear from competition, Sample could be thrust into a prominent position in the Bengals’ offense. In a battle of two 0-2 teams, I think the Bengals’ offensive firepower could be the difference in this match up, and having allowed four passing touchdowns to tight ends in the first two weeks of the season, there’s a potential edge to had by adding Sample to your starting lineup.