NFL Week 3 Takeaways

I mentioned this last week, but Tank Dell (HOU) is one of the most underrated players in the league right now. He had his breakout game following my Week 2 write-up and will be on the radar now after his 5 catch, 145 yard, 1 TD performance. He led the team in targets with 7.

BUT do not forget about the other options in Houston. Nico Collins and Robert Woods had disappointing stat sheets in Week 3, but the utilization rates are very good. The best ability is availability and Dell, Woods and Collins are all proving they can be weekly options for fantasy football and prop betting.

Elijah Moore (CLE) was quiet in Week 2, although the Browns did try to get him the ball. In Week 3, he was everywhere. He is clearly a big piece of the offense and I wouldn’t be hesitant to play him moving forward. In week 3 he led the team in targets with 9, catching all 9 balls for 49 yards. He also ran the ball 3 times.

Breece Hall’s (NYJ) workload is increasing. His numbers were not good against a tough New England defense, but he played 49% of the snaps in Week 3, compared to 33% in Week 2 and 32% in Week 1. I would expect that number to keep increasing, although Dalvin Cook will likely split time with him, to some degree, all season. Hall is extremely explosive and 15 touches will typically be enough for him to break several long runs.

Michael Thomas (NO) continues to be very relevant. He finished with 3 with 6 catches and 50 yards on 9 targets. The interesting nugget is how often Jameis Winston targeted Thomas after Derek Carr left with injury. I suspect Carr may miss time with injury and I am all in on Thomas if that is the case. C. Olave is still a dynamite play, but Thomas is the underrated option you won’t hear much about.

Sam LaPorta (DET) is the rare rookie TE who has established himself as a legitimate threat after 3 weeks in the NFL. LaPorta had his breakout game in Week 3, securing 8 catches for 84 yards and a TD on 11 targets. He is a top-tier TE already.

Jayden Reed (GB) is turning into a legitimate option every week. He was targeted 7 times and caught 3 passes for 63 yards in Week 3. C. Watson is on the brink of returning, so this is a situation to monitor moving forward, but Reed looks like the real-deal at WR for a Packers offense that continues to impress.

Zack Moss (IND) is one of the most underrated RBs in football right now. In Week 3, he ran for 122 yards on 30 carries against a good Ravens rush defense. The Colts are in no rush to get J. Taylor back in the fold, as they have started the season 2-1 with rotational QB play (due to injury). It’s a good team and they like to run the football.

Having said that, M. Pittman (IND) is becoming a must-play. He had his third straight 8+ catch game, catching 9 passes for 77 yards on 11 targets. It doesn’t matter who is playing QB for the Colts. Both are looking for Pittman early and often.

Zay Flowers (BAL) continues to show that he will be showcased in the Baltimore offense on a weekly basis. After 2 strong performances to begin his NFL career, Zay had 8 catches for 48 yards on 10 targets. While 48 yards isn’t eye-popping, the fact that he is touching the ball that many times is promising. He is electric and can break one at any time, so touches = huge opportunity.

De’Von Achane (MIA) had his breakout game, rushing for 203 yards on 18 carries and catching 4 passes for 30 yards and 2 TDs. The Miami offense is incredible and will likely be leading the majority of games they play, meaning garbage time rushing. He is someone to closely monitor next week.

Adam Thielen (CAR) was a player I was high on coming into Week 3 and he did not disappoint, catching 11 passes for 145 yards and 1 TD. He was targeted 14 times. He passes the eye test for me. He gets open, he’s extremely savvy and has a veteran presence and I expect Carolina QBs to continue targeting him often, as they try to mold J. Mingo into a great NFL WR. Thielen should be on your radar moving forward.

Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) is someone to watch. He only ran 8 routes in his 1st game this season and was targeted FIVE times. He caught 4 passes for 21 yards. He’s not a play every week for me, but if the matchup is weak, I would consider playing him.

Rookie Zach Charbonnet (SEA) is a player to watch. He saw a dramatic increase in playing time in Week 3, getting a 44% snap share, compared to 28% in Week 2 and 24% in Week 1. He had 9 carries for 46 yards. I don’t think he’s a play just yet, but he might only be 1-2 weeks away (or a K. Walker injury, which has happened before).

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (ARI) is getting a healthy amount of targets as the Cardinals continue sticking around in games that they aren’t expected to stick around in. In Week 2, Brown had 10 targets and caught 6 passes for 54 yards and 1 TD. He followed that up with 5 catches for 61 yards and 1 TD in Week 3.

Keenan Allen (LAC) is coming off a phenomenal Week 3 performance, where he saw 20 targets, catching 18 passes for 215 yards. Mike Williams will miss the remainder of the season. The Chargers are going to throw the football and we are seeing vintage K. Allen right now. He is 100% someone to target.