Fantasy Football: Heroes and Villains Week 3

Heroes and Villians: Week 3 & An Unrelenting Girlfriend Named Fantasy Football

By Caleb McKee

Nothing you can do about it. Just how the cards fall. You couldn’t have known… It’s not your fault.

And it’s not. Unless you started Allen Hurns (JAC/WR). In that case it’s on you. Last week, I told you about the Heroes & Villians
and Hurns was last week’s Lex Luther.

The NFL had the ugliest, most embarrassing week probably in its entire history, so let’s look at a few guys who can brighten your week 3

Backup RBs Who Might Save Your Week

If you haven’t heard, Adrian Peterson has been de-activated for a second time and will not play until his legal issues are resolved. So if he’s still available:

1. Matt Asiata (MIN/RB) proved more than capable last week. And you may be a week late on him, but if he’s out there, you want him.

2. Knile Davis (KC/RB) Jamaal Charles is questionable with a high ankle sprain and Davis looked really good on Sunday. Really good.

Surprising WRs

1. Andrew Hawkins (CLE/WR) has been a steady player, especially in PPR formats, he sort of has that Pierre Garcon (WSH/WR) feel from last year. He won’t ever hurt you, but he probably isn’t going to win a ton of games. He’s good for 6-10 catches a game but might only give you 40-70 yards.

2. James Jones (OAK/WR) The former Green Bay touchdown machine for Aaron Rodgers has a new home and Derek Carr likes to feed him the ball. Over two weeks he has 12 receptions 146 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’ll be less consistent than Hawkins but he has bigger upside and touchdown capability.

A Tale of Two Tight Ends: A Hero and a Villain

1. Antonio Gates (SD/TE) has still got it. People were concerned about Ladarius Green stealing his thunder (get it? thunder/ lightning…Chargers? no.. Ok.) But Gates, if available, should be rostered immediately.

2. Delanie Walker (TEN/TE) He looked great in week 2, but only had three receptions in week 1. It’s not a terrible choice to pick him up, and since TE isn’t the deepest of positions, if you want to start him, that’s fine, but he won’t continue to be a top five TE. Expect him to come back to earth and be in the top 7-12 range.

A Spin...

Ray Rice (FA/RB) has filed an appeal for his indefinite suspension under the grounds that no new evidence came since his original 2-game suspension had been issued. Who knows how long that will take or if it works, but teams are, seemingly, interested in the guy if he is able to come back so don’t pick him up just yet, but if this gains any steam, you may want to consider it.

Josh Gordon (CLE/WR) I keep hearing reports from just about everywhere saying he’ll serve a 10-game suspension. If that’s true, in weeks 11-16 he’ll be one of the best receivers in the game.

Fantasy football is a cold heartless girlfriend who doesn’t care how much time you put into your relationship. You can scour the waivers and buy your team a pair of nice earrings. Sometimes it just won’t help. At the last minute, players will be activated or deactivated. Or the guy who you needed to come up big will leave after the first series with an injury that keeps him out, and leaves you with a point and a half in your starting lineup. Fantasy football doesn’t love you. It doesn’t matter how devoted you are, how smart you play, how faithful you’ve been–she knows you never went out on her and played Fantasy baseball–she just doesn’t care. You need to know it’s a one-sided relationship. So if you’re sticking with it, don’t expect much. Just keep playing smart and having fun and maybe she’ll show you affection in the playoffs.