Week 3: We Hardly Knew Thee
Join me, won’t you, for our 4-EYED RECAP of Week 3 in fantasy land! Each week, we kick off with a quick review of one fantasy-relevant player for each position, including IDPs. Without further adieu…
Quarterback: Josh Allen
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 32.24 | 31.3 |
May I present your QB2 on the season: Josh Freaking Allen! In Week 3, Allen was 24 of 33 for 311 yards and 4 passing TDs. He also added a signature goal-line rushing TD for a grand total of 32.24 fantasy points. Dance like nobody’s watching, Josh.
Perhaps most impressive was the fact that Allen put up 32 fantasy points with only 4 carries for 8 rushing yards. Against a formable Los Angeles Rams secondary, Allen made some incredibly accurate throws. Rather than using his legs for rushing, Allen spun in and out Aaron Donald’s clutches to extend plays and find Stephon Diggs and Cole Beasley for critical catches. Even if you are a bitter Rams fan (and I agree the defensive pass interference call on the last drive was VERY questionable) and want to pretend Allen’s game-winning TD pass should be stricken from the record, Allen would still be the QB4 on the week.
This was a “prove it” game for Allen. He beat up the Jets and Dolphins. His accuracy was questionable at times. Against the Rams, he looked like Josh Allen 2.0. The Bills should see a number of competitive games all the way up until their Week 11 bye: Raiders, Titans, Chiefs, Jets, Patriots, Seahawks, Cardinals. Only after the bye come the scary defenses (Steelers, 49ers, Chargers). At least through his bye week, Josh Allen is a MUST START.
Running Back: James Robinson
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| Non-PPR | 24.9 | 17.3 |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 27.9 | 19.0 |
| PPR | 30.9 | 20.6 |
It’s a crime. Twitter and the Internet writ large have failed us. There are no good James Robinson GIFs. What more does this man need to do to deserve an homage in the form of 3 second video clip on a loop? It what may seem like an eternity ago, Robinson rushed for 46 yards and 2 TDs on 11 carries and caught all 6 targets for 83 yards last Thursday night.
As I write this on Sunday night, Alvin Kamara is putting on a SHOW. He’s proving why he deserved to be a top-5 RB in your draft. Robinson, on the other hand, was drafted by nearly nobody. Even after Leonard Fournette was traded, the prevailing thought was that Jacksonville would feature Ryquell Armstead or that Chris Thompson really would have the most value as the pass-catching running back. Raise your hand if you blew FAAB on either/both players. (Thompson here…)
Robinson looks like the real deal, averaging 19 fantasy points per game in half-PPR scoring. So far, he looks like the favorite for best waiver wire add in 2020. Don’t be surprised if you see Robinson on many rosters playing for the fantasy championships this year. Hopefully, he’s on yours.
Wide Receiver: Tyler Lockett
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| Non-PPR | 28.0 | 16.6 |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 32.5 | 20.6 |
| PPR | 37 | 24.6 |
I hate to say that Todd and I told you so (here and here) this offseason, DK Metcalf truthers. But Lockett remains ELITE. (Don’t worry, Metcalf truthers. Metcalf is elite too.) On Sunday, Lockett finished as the WR1 with 9 receptions on 13 targets for 100 yards and 3 TDs. Currently, he is the WR2 on the season in all major scoring formats.
There are three reasons why Lockett should be a WR1 for the rest of the season. First, Russell Wilson continues to show that he can sustain multiple elite WRs, with Metcalf currently as a top-5 receiver in all major scoring formats. Second, Lockett continues to see tremendous volume, averaging just under 10 targets per game. Third, Russ is targeting Lockett in basically any situation. Whether it’s a 40-yard bomb, a first or third down play at midfield, or 1st and goal from the 1-yard line, Russ finds Lockett. In fact, two of Lockett’s TDs this weekend were end zone crossing routes from the 1-yard line.
Over the next three games, the Seahawks face the Dolphins, Vikings and Cardinals. Although a potential Patrick Peterson shadow could lower his ceiling against the Cardinals, Lockett looks like a lock to remain a top-5 wide receiver.
Tight End: Zach Ertz
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| Non-PPR | 7 | 6.3 |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 10.5 | 8.8 |
| PPR | 14 | 11.3 |
Zach Ertz didn’t win you your week with 7 receptions on 10 targets for 70 yards and zero TDs. But he didn’t lose you your week, which, with tight ends, is sometimes the best you can ask for.
But I think Ertz is actually a “buy low” target. He has scored only 1 TD this season, which was in the first quarter of Week 1 against the Washington Football Team. In three games, he has only 130 receiving yards on 24 targets. That’s an average of 5.4 yards per target, and Ertz’s career average is over 7 yards per target. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the Eagles continue to suffer injuries in their receiving corp. Dallas Goedert is expected to miss some time, and Desean Jackson suffered a hamstring injury. It’s possible the Eagles get back Alshon Jeffrey next week, but it seems unlikely.
Carson Wentz does not look like the MVP candidate he was a few years ago. The offensive line is struggling. That said, this is still an NFL team that wants to throw the ball and Zach Ertz is still an amazing athlete. Wentz loves targeting Ertz in clutch situations and did so on a beautiful pass in overtime that SHOULD have set up a game winning field goal. (Insert noises of disgruntled Eagles fan here.) Even if the Eagles continue to underperform, Ertz could be a standout tight end.
Defensive Lineman: Aaron Donald
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| FantasyPros | 20.25 | 9.58 |
Aaron Donald is NSFW! Against the Bills, Donald racked up 6 tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted), 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In fact, on one play, Aaron Donald single handedly swung Josh Allen around by his shoulder pads, forced Allen to fumble the ball and recovered it. Not safe for work. Not safe for any QB. Most likely, Donald is owned in your IDP league. But take a look on your waiver wire, as someone may have dropped him after his 0.75 fantasy points scored last week. Coming up, the Rams face the Giants and Washington Football Team, each of which is in the top 10 in terms of sacks allowed. Fire up Donald for at least the next two weeks.
Defensive Back: Jordan Poyer
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| FantasyPros | 18.00 | 12.50 |
Go and have yourself a day, Jordan Poyer! Against a high-flying Rams offense, he amassed 14 tackles (10 solo, 4 assisted). Good gravy! That’s a personal best for Poyer. Over the next two weeks, he will continue to see run-first offenses in the Raiders and Titans. Crazy talented strong safety + run-first offense = IDP riches. Poyer looks to be safely on his way to a third straight year of 100+ total tackles and perhaps his best fantasy season yet.
Linebacker: Shaq Thompson
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| FantasyPros | 22.75 | 12.58 |
Shaq Thompson must have tuned into the Fantasy in Frames pre-game show on Sunday where Jorge and Nate basically asked, “Where in the world is Shaq Thompson?” (I hope you were singing the Carmen Sandiego theme song in your head. “Do it Rockapella!”) Well, Shaq showed UP against the Chargers: 13 tackles (8 solo, 5 assisted), 2 passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
IDP owners had dreamed that Thompson would take over Luke Kuechly’s production as Carolina’s middle line backer. Sure, the forced fumble against Joshua Kelley was a bit lucky – ramming his knee into Kelley’s elbow and knocking the ball loose – but Thompson was flying all over the field on Sunday. Facing the Cardinals and Falcons next, he is in line to see a lot more runs and routes come his way. Perhaps we’re on the verge of another #TackleMachine in Shaq Thompson.