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Kyle Yates’ Last-Minute Week 3 Cheat Sheet (2021 Fantasy Football)

Kyle Yates’ Last-Minute Week 3 Cheat Sheet (2021 Fantasy Football)

We’ve got some fantastic matchups on the tv this weekend! Are you ready for them?

I’m here with my quick-hitting thoughts to help you get ready for your fantasy matchups heading into week 3! If you’d like a little bit more in-depth studying, you can also find my weekly rankings here or my weekly fantasy projections article with projections and notes for every fantasy-relevant player in the NFL here.

Here are some last-minute quick-hit items designed to help you live your best fantasy life in Week 3.

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5 Players I Like More Than ECR

Ty’Son Williams: Williams is averaging 6.5 YPC on the season and has very comparable stats on the ground to Nick Chubb through the first two weeks. Against the Lions defense that is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing RBs, Williams belongs in your starting lineup as a high-end/mid-range RB2. He’s RB21 in ECR and RB17 in my rankings.

Antonio Gibson: Gibson’s now seen 38 total touches through the first two weeks. While the touchdowns haven’t been there just yet, they’re coming with that type of workload. Start him confidently this week. He’s at RB14 in ECR and RB9 in my rankings.

Cooper Kupp: What more does Kupp have to do for us to rank him as a top-5 option every week? The Bucs defense can be beat through the air and that’s exactly what the Rams are going to try to do this week. Kupp’s WR10 in ECR versus WR4 in my rankings.

Courtland Sutton: Sutton emerged back onto the scene in a big way in week two. Against the Jets, he’s WR21 in my rankings versus WR24 in ECR.

Robert Tonyan: At this range in ECR, every TE is touchdown-dependent. I believe Tonyan has the best chance out of any of them to find the end zone though, so he’s at TE10 in my rankings versus TE13 in ECR.

5 Players I Like Less Than ECR

Najee Harris: Harris has a tough matchup in front of him this week with a Bengals team that has only allowed an average of 95 rushing yards per game. With a Steelers offense that’s underperforming currently, plus injury concerns at WR and QB, Harris is a bit lower in my rankings. He’s RB8 in ECR and RB13 in my rankings.

James Robinson: Robinson saw an uptick in work in week two, but he now has a tough matchup in front of him with the Cardinals defense that is 10th in Rush DVOA. For a Jaguars offense that looks even worse than it was last year, Robinson’s a sit in my lineups this week if I can. He’s RB28 in my rankings and RB24 in ECR.

Calvin Ridley: Ridley’s been solid through two weeks, but I don’t believe he has the upside to finish as the WR7. He’s WR11 in my rankings.

Marquise Brown: First off, there’s no guarantee that Brown even plays in this matchup. If he does, he might not be 100% and there’s also the possibility that Baltimore just won’t need him. He’s WR26 in ECR and WR34 currently in my rankings.

Noah Fant: Fant wasn’t highly efficient last week, but he found the end zone to save his fantasy day. Fant historically doesn’t score touchdowns regularly, so I’m fading him a bit compared to consensus going into this matchup. Fant is TE8 in ECR versus TE11 in my rankings.

Desperation Pickups

Emmanuel Sanders: Sanders can provide value as a fill-in option that’s currently sitting below our 25% rostered threshold in Yahoo leagues.

Tim Patrick: For the second straight week, Patrick deserves to be picked up and played in this matchup.

Bryan Edwards: Edwards has been producing for fantasy in this suddenly explosive offense. He’s currently only 18% rostered.

Hunter Renfrow: Just like Edwards, Renfrow is getting the job done for fantasy. He’s only 10% rostered.

Ty Johnson: He’s in a 50/50 split with Michael Carter now in New York, but he’s still seeing work. It’s hard to find that at this point of the waiver wire. He can be picked up and played if you’re absolutely desperate at RB.

Peyton Barber: Just like Johnson, Barber is going to see work with Josh Jacobs most likely out for this matchup. If you’re in an absolute pinch, he can be picked up.

Tyler Conklin: Conklin’s involved in this offense and this game for Minnesota should be a shootout. At the TE position, you’re simply looking for an opportunity to find the end zone. If you’re absolutely desperate, Conklin can be picked up and played and he’s only 4% rostered.

5 Receiver/Cornerback Matchups to Watch

CeeDee Lamb/Darius Slay: Lamb’s going to have his toughest matchup of the season this week against Slay.

Stefon Diggs/Benjamin St-Juste: St-Juste is playing well through his first two NFL games, but he’s going to have his hands full with Diggs.

Darnell Mooney/Greg Newsome: Mooney should be in line for a big target share this week and Newsome’s been playing well through his first two games. This should be a fun one to watch.

Tyler Lockett/Mackensie Alexander: The Vikings secondary has struggled so far and Alexander’s allowing a 90% catch rate through the first two weeks. Lockett’s in line for another big week.

Christian Kirk/Tyson Campbell: Kirk’s expected to draw coverage from rookie Tyson Campbell this week. Campbell’s allowing a 75% catch rate and 2.12 Yards Per Route Covered. Kirk’s in consideration as a high-end FLEX play this week.

5 Bold Predictions For Week 16

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Kyle Yates is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Kyle, check out his archive and follow him @KyleYNFL.

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