Stars Of Week 3

QB: Aaron Rodgers, GB: 24-35, 333 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs
RB: Devonta Freeman, ATL: 30 carries, 141 yards, 3 TDs
WR: AJ Green, CIN: 10 catches, 227 yards, 2 TDs          
TE: Greg Olsen, CAR:  8 catches, 134 yards, 2 TDs      

While Pro Football Focus may have given Aaron Rodgers a negative grade for his performance against the Chiefs, I certainly did not. The discount doublecheck expert takes the honor roll for QBs this week, as he made the Chiefs defense look like a JV squad. Expect to see Rodgers on this list several more times this season. Those who started Devonta Freeman received quite a boon to their point totals, as Freeman ran all over the Cowboys. We’ll take a closer look at Freeman below. AJ Green makes his 2015 debut here, and he’s another player that will make recurring appearances. No question that Green is a top-five WR. And those waiting for a Greg Olsen breakout game, predictably you got it in the game against the Saints. Olsen remains a top-five tight end, so no surprise here. 

Week 3 Takeaways – A Closer Look

Each week we’ll take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward. 

Carson Palmer, QB – ARZ: 20-32, 311 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Analysis: Carson Palmer has had a fantastic start to the 2015 season. His fantasy numbers against the 49ers this past Sunday fall into the “good-not-great” category, but that’s really more a function of how the game went – specifically the Cardinals jumping all over the 49ers early. Palmer could have had a field day with the 49ers’ secondary if needed. Through three games, Palmer has thrown for over 800 yards and 9 TD passes. Now, Palmer will be facing some tougher defenses in the weeks to come. But Palmer has developed special chemistry with Larry Fitzgerald and has great command of his downfield throws, so do not expect much regression from here. Palmer has played at a QB1 level, and this will continue going forward – so bump him up accordingly.

Tyrod Taylor, QB – BUF: 21-29, 277 yards, 3 TDs      

Analysis: The Bills’ QB situation was viewed as a mess entering the season. The announcement that Tyrod Taylor had won the starting job was a mild surprise. Three games into the season, it looks like Rex Ryan made the right call. Taylor had no trouble against the Dolphins, connecting on 3 TD tosses and 277 yards. For the season, Taylor has looked the part, with a 7 to 3 TD/INT ratio while averaging just under 240 passing yards per game. Digging further, Taylor has averaged a promising 9.15 yards per attempt. So can we count on Taylor to continue upon his solid start? Yes, but keep expectations in check. We’re talking QB2, with occasional starts for good matchups and bye week coverage. Taylor should be rostered in all but the shallowest of leagues. 

Joseph Randle, RB – DAL: 14 carries, 87 yards, 3 TDs

Analysis: Those who own Joseph Randle had been waiting for a game where Randle asserts himself as “the guy” in Dallas. That happened on Sunday against the Falcons, with Randle rushing for 87 yards with 3 TDs. Also key was the 14 to 6 split in carries in favor of Randle over McFadden. Randle doesn’t have the same talent level of DeMarco Murray, so don’t expect the same level of production from the Cowboys’ running game as last season. But the Cowboys unquestionably have the best O-line in football, and Randle will put up RB2 numbers. There will be some week to week inconsistency, but Randle should be started in all leagues.

Lance Dunbar, RB – DAL: 10 catches, 100 yards, 0 TDs                                              

Analysis: We’ve looked at Randle, and now we look at another Cowboys’ RB, albeit for a completely different reason. For those of you who follow me on Twitter – if you don’t yet, add me at @NeemaHodjat – I tweeted Lance Dunbar as a sneaky play for those in deeper leagues and PPR leagues. Low and behold, Dunbar led the Cowboys in catches, targets and receiving yards against the Falcons. With Brandon Weeden (or Matt Cassel for that matter) as QB for the near future, the shorter passes will be in vogue for the Cowboys’ passing game. As mentioned, Dunbar will especially pay dividends for those of you in PPR leagues. At least with Tony Romo and Dez Bryant out, view Dunbar as an RB3/flex in standard leagues, with a bump to back end RB2 in PPR leagues.

Devonta Freeman, RB – ATL: 30 carries, 141 yards, 3 TDs

Analysis: Besting Joseph Randle’s performance in the Cowboys-Falcons matchup was Randle’s opposing counterpart, Devonta Freeman. With Tevin Coleman out due to injury, Freeman took advantage of his opportunity (and a soft Cowboys run defense) and had himself a game. Tevin Coleman has a fractured rib, so his exact return date is up in the air. While Coleman remains out, Freeman should be viewed in the low-end RB2/high end flex range. Let’s see another strong performance before we solidify him as an RB2. Now for what to expect upon Coleman’s return, there’s a good chance we’re looking at a timeshare situation, so the waters will be muddied. But in the meantime, Freeman should find his way into lineups. 

CJ Anderson, RB – DEN: 8 carries, 18 yards, 0 TDs

Analysis: Usually we split the analysis evenly between RBs and WRs, but we’re going heavy with RB analysis this week due to necessity. A first round pick in most leagues, CJ Anderson has left his owners with buyers’ remorse thus far. What happened to the guy who took the Broncos’ running back job by storm late in 2014? This should serve as a cautionary tale – be careful with players who’s sole body of dominant work consists of half a season (or less). Looks like the immediate future provides for a timeshare, as Ronnie Hillman had seven carries against the Lions to Anderson’s eight.  As for Anderson’s prospects for the remainder year, it’s far too early to throw in the towel. There’s still time for Anderson to re-assert himself as the lead guy. Will it happen? That’s hard to say, but the ceiling remains high. I have received some questions about acquiring Anderson on the cheap. If the owner in your league who has Anderson is ready to give up, and you can get Anderson for ten cents on the dollar, go for it. By cheap, I’m referencing RB3, WR3 and lower in terms of value. There are certainly red flags with Anderson going forward, but if the cost is low, it’s worth taking a flyer on a guy with high upside (albeit with a low floor too).

Gary Barnidge, TE - CLE: 6 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD

Analysis: Crossing the century mark in yardage along with a touchdown was eighth year veteran Gary Barnidge. Over his career, Barnidge has 54 receptions and 4 TDs. So yes, Barnidge had a career game on Sunday against the Raiders. Is Barnidge a relevant fantasy name going forward? Call me skeptical, based on the body of work (or in truth, lack thereof) over the past handful of years. However, those in deeper leagues who want to take a flyer on a tight end would be best served to keep an eye, just in case we’ve got a late stage breakout candidate. It happens, just not very often. For this moment, Barnidge should be viewed no higher than a TE2 in deeper leagues. 

Rapid Fire Pickups

Each week we’ll throw out potential free agent pickups from each position for deeper leagues, in each case 1) someone who has NOT been referenced above, and 2) a player available in most leagues.

QB:                  Derek Carr, OAK

RB:                  Karlos Williams, BUF

RB:                  Ronnie Hillman, BUF

WR:                 Rishard Matthews, MIA

WR:                 Michael Crabtree, OAK

TE:                  Crockett Gillmore, BAL

Week 4 Rankings

Quarterbacks

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Cam Newton
3. Russell Wilson
4. Andrew Luck
5. Matt Ryan
6. Peyton Manning
7. Carson Palmer
8. Philip Rivers
9. Tyrod Taylor
10. Joe Flacco
11. Derek Carr
12. Andy Dalton
13. Drew Brees
14. Colin Kaepernick
15. Ryan Tannehill
16. Sam Bradford
17. Eli Manning
18. Matthew Stafford
19. Michael Vick
20. Alex Smith

Running Backs

1. Le'Veon Bell
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Jamaal Charles
4. Matt Forte
5. Latavius Murray
6. Marshawn Lynch
7. Latavius Murray
8. Joseph Randle
9. Karlos Williams
10. Arian Foster
11. Mark Ingram
12. Devonta Freeman
13. Carlos Hyde
14. Melvin Gordon
15. Frank Gore
16. Jeremy Hill
17. Jonathan Stewart
18. DeMarco Murray
19. Chris Johnson
20. Lamar Miller
21. T.J. Yeldon
22. Justin Forsett
23. Matt Jones
24. Giovani Bernard
25. C.J. Anderson
26. Doug Martin
27. Isaiah Crowell
28. Ameer Abdullah
29. Lance Dunbar
30. Chris Ivory
31. Ronnie Hillman
32. Alfred Morris
33. Todd Gurley
34. David Johnson
35. Ryan Mathews

Wide Receivers

1. Julio Jones
2. Odell Beckham Jr.
3. Demaryius Thomas
4. Antonio Brown
5. A.J. Green
6. Randall Cobb
7. Emmanuel Sanders
8. DeAndre Hopkins
9. Larry Fitzgerald
10. Brandon Marshall
11. Keenan Allen
12. Mike Evans
13. T.Y. Hilton
14. Jordan Matthews
15. Amari Cooper
16. Calvin Johnson
17. Steve Smith Sr.
18. Alshon Jeffery
19. James Jones
20. Jarvis Landry
21. Jeremy Maclin
22. Brandin Cooks
23. Allen Robinson
24. Donte Moncrief
25. Michael Crabtree
26. Golden Tate
27. Anquan Boldin
28. John Brown
29. Terrance Williams
30. Sammy Watkins
31. Vincent Jackson
32. DeSean Jackson
33. Pierre Garcon
34. Travis Benjamin
35. Torrey Smith

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham
2. Greg Olsen
3. Travis Kelce
4. Tyler Eifert
5. Martellus Bennett
6. Jordan Reed
7. Jason Witten
8. Jordan Cameron
9. Eric Ebron
10. Charles Clay
11. Zach Ertz
12. Heath Miller
13. Larry Donnell
14. Jared Cook
15. Ladarius Green

Defense

1. Seattle
2. Denver
3. Arizona
4. NY Jets
5. Buffalo
6. Carolina
7. Green Bay
8. Philadelphia
9. Indianapolis
10. Miami
11. Baltimore
12. Indianapolis
13. Houston
14. St. Louis
15. Oakland
16. San Diego
17. Kansas City
18. Cleveland
19. Detroit
20. Dallas