I hope you made your sacrifices to the injury gods early, because boy they seem pissed.
The number of key players across all skill positions that have gone down feels a bit… much. (Although some quick research shows these numbers are within league average, they just feel higher since the players are higher profile).
Regardless, we must sally forth.
Here’s another breakdown of teams, rosters, pick ups, drops, and those crazy vibes thanks to weeks 2 & 3.
Atlanta
Bijan Robinson
Vibes: Still Very Good.
Bijan is getting about 15.7 carries per game and averaging about 79.7 yards per game. At that rate he could have 1275.2 total yards end of the season. Choo choo.
Baltimore
Mark Andrews (acquired)
Vibes: Discount Shopping.
Some leaguemates got impatient and dropped him. I know a bargain when I see one. Snapped up. Let’s go, Marky Mark.
Chicago
Luther Burden III
Colston Loveland (dropped)
Rome Odunze
Caleb Williams (acquired)
Vibes: Life in the Fast Lane.
Well, well, well, how the turn tables. Now, this could be a mirage, here and gone, but week 3 is what I’ve been hoping and expecting from these furry friends. The only question is can they sustain the mojo. I’ve dropped my Loveland shares for now but kept the receivers and picked up some Caleb at potentially the right time. The division is still tough as hell, but I’m excited to see if they can ride the momentum. They’ve got some softies coming up before things get rough again.
Cincinnati
Chase Brown
Vibes: Complete Ass.
My Brown shares are about to be benchwarmers. I’m not dropping him (yet). But I’ve yet to see anything remotely justifying about keeping him in with the starters. They face Denver next, and although the Broncos are 20th in rushing yards allowed, I cannot stomach another week with 10ish or less points and him hitting around RB25.
Cleveland
Harold Fannin Jr.
Jerry Jeudy (dropping)
Vibes: Yawn.
Fannin still holds potential value, but even though I got a huge discount on Jeudy in an initial draft, I just don’t see myself starting him for any of the rest of my bench. Trade in.
Dallas
Jake Ferguson (acquired)
George Pickens
Dak Prescott (acquired, now dropping)
Vibes: Ace in the Hole (Part II).
All this Pickens is about to come in handy with CeeDee injured. He’ll get covered more, but with the limited options Dallas has and the abysmal defensive showings there should be a lot of room for some explosive games. I’m not crazy about starting him against Green Bay as a stout defense with the 7th fewest passing yards allowed through week 3, but they also have some soft patches coming up and will be looking forward to those. Dak became QB insurance, but now that he’s served his purpose, he gone. Keeping Fergie around.
Denver
JK Dobbins
RJ Harvey (dropped)
Vibes: Better than Average.
Suit up, mi amigo! With weeks of RB15 or above, Dobbins is showing some semblance of consistency and will be in some starting spots this week. Especially going against Cincy D. Harvey may turn around but I’m pushing the chips in on Dobbins for now.
Green Bay
Josh Jacobs
Tucker Kraft
Vibes: Simmering.
Was not crazy about week 3, but going against this Dallas defense, Kraft in particular should shine. These guys are safe, probably all season.
Houston
Nico Collins
Jayden Higgins (dropped)
CJ Stroud (dropped)
Vibes: Help Me, Nico Collins, You’re My Only Hope.
The towel is (mostly) thrown. I don’t know what’s going on down in Texas (ok, I do, bad coordinating, bad offensive line, young players), but it’s one of my major mistakes. I thought the Texans would be turning this around, but I see none of the signs. Nico had a nice week 3 which saves him here, but Higgins and Stroud are out of the running.
Jacksonville
Travis Hunter
Bayshul Tuten
Vibes: Slow Burn?
Still holding down the bench. With Bigsby gone and some nice flashes, Tuten is a stash. Hunter, no idea. I may be wrong on his talent and usage, we’ll see.
Las Vegas
Brock Bowers
Aston Jeanty
Vibes: Tarnished Silver?
Tucker went nuclear and these two are treading water. An average day for Brock is still going to be better than most tight ends, but if they don’t figure out how to use both he and Jeanty better given all the snaps they’re present for, these could end up as high-priced misses.
Los Angeles (C)
Keenan Allen
Omarion Hampton
Justin Herbert
Ladd McConkey
Vibes: ZZZZZZZZTTTTT-ZZZZZZZZTTTTT.
Pure love. I’ve been on target here and with Najee Harris out, Hampton should be secure. I wish McConkey was averaging a bit better week to week, but can’t ask for much more from these guys, glad to have them for the full season.
Los Angeles (R)
Blake Corum
Vibes: Bench Warmer.
Still keeping him as insurance.
Miami
Ollie Gordon II
Jaylen Waddle
Vibes: The Plunger Worked!
Waddle is starting to show his potential and Gordon saw the field more week 3. The Dolphins are entering peak desperation mode, which is what I want from this team. There’s going to be pressure to win and win now, so things are about to spice up. Boom or bust, ya’ll.
New England
TreVeyon Henderson
Vibes: Still Patient.
It was Fumble City USA for Stevenson and Gibson. When the world turns dark, you turn to Henderson. We’re so close, my people.
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart
Cam Skattebo (acquired)
Vibes: Great Expectations.
Called it. After the madness that was Russell Wilson’s 4th quarter week 3 against the Chiefs, they are startin’ the Dart. I don’t expect hot out the gate, but this should do some wonders for the Giants. Same with Skattebo. He’s like a miniature Juggernaut, ramming his way through people. Love it.
San Francisco
Christian McCaffrey
Ricky Pearsall
Brock Purdy
Vibes: For the Bay.
Purdy should be coming back and CMC has been lit. Pearsall bobs up and down like a buoy, but still digging on this trio for the long haul.
Seattle
Kenneth Walker III
Vibes: Glory, Glory.
KWIII will be on-again, off-again for me, but I started him this past week and glad I did. It’s really going to be matchup-dependent, but the ‘Hawks did me a solid here.
Tampa Bay
Emeka Egbuka
Mike Evans
Bucky Irving
Vibes: Hey, Hey Tampa Bay.
Evans is out with a hammy (I called this way back in my profile on him). But that just leaves more room for Egbuka and Irving to shine. The offense continues to become even more concentrated, and even though the Eagles may look tough, they have some cornerback issues right now. This could be a golden opportunity for an upset.
Washington
Jayden Daniels
Deebo Samuel
Vibes: Jumpstart My Heart.
With Daniels out, it’s not the same go-go gadget Deebo. Need these two to rekindle the magic.
Good luck out there.
Here’s to Champions,
Mike