With The Fantasy Season Beginning To Take Full Shape, There Are Plenty Of Surprise Names In The Mix That Didn’t Even Appear To Be Factors Going Into The Season.
The Pug’s list this week is littered with names that were non-factors heading into the season. If you had waiver wire success and nabbed these players, let the Pug answer your questions on if you should start them or not. Have questions about players not on the list? Feel free to ask!
Must Start
Carson Wentz- QB- Philadelphia Eagles- Wentz got a bye week to take in a fantastic start to his rookie campaign. He goes against a soft Lions defense this week that is decimated by injuries to their secondary. This match up has big game written all over it. There is zero reason not to ride with Wentz if you don’t have a top 5 QB on your squad.
Jordan Howard- RB- Chicago Bears- Last week Jordan Howard became the first Bears running back to break 100 yards in a game since Matt Forte did it in week 1 last season. The Bears have a date with the Indianapolis Colts who rank 29th in the league in fantasy points given up to opposing running backs. Great match up to build upon a successful week.
Travis Benjamin- WR- San Diego Chargers- After being held to four catches for 48 yards last week, Benjamin should have a bounce back week, and plenty of opportunities to do so. this game has shoot out written all over it. With the Raiders giving up more points to opposing wide receivers than every other team in the league besides the Bucs, Benjamin may not only have a make up game from last week, he may lead all receivers in points this week .
High Risk, High Reward
Matt Ryan- QB- Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan has been off to a really hot start, and even been mentioned in early MVP talks. Rightfully so, especially after his 503 yards and four touchdowns last week against a Carolina defense that is decent. This week Ryan is a risky play since he faces a Denver defense that has done a great job this season shutting down opposing play callers. Hard to bench a guy who just had a eye popping performance though and leads all quarterbacks in touchdowns, yardage, and of course, fantasy points.
Matt Jones- RB- Washington Redskins- Last week Matt Jones rewarded his owners with a solid performance. He scored and averaged 5.3 yards per carry on 22 touches. That was against the Browns, however, and the Redskins face a Ravens defense that has been the third most stingy defense when it comes to giving up points against opposing running backs. Jones showed promise when the Redskins proved they are willing to let him be the bell-cow last week, but this week the match up isn’t in his favor. If the Redskins allow him to carry the ball over 20 times this week like they did last week, he may be able to salvage a decent performance.
Cameron Brate- TE- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- He may be doing it quietly, but Brate is a top ten fantasy tight end. His numbers aren’t all that eye popping, but he has been producing. This week the Bucs take on the Carolina Panthers, and with both teams desperately needing a win, Brate may be a big part the Bucs game plan. The Panthers are giving up the 4th most points to opposing tight ends this season, so the match up is intriguing. What is the risk, The Pug is always weary of good teams playing for their life’s early on, so the Panthers may do everything they can to shut out the Bucs and their offense.
Players To Avoid
DeAndre Hopkins- WR- Houston Texans- The Texans superstar wide receiver has had a rough start to 2016 and things will not get any easier for him this week. He has been outperformed by rookie receiver Will Fuller so far this season, and the upcoming match up where he should be shadowed by Xavier Rhodes may not end well for Hopkins. Rhodes shut down Odell Beckham last week, and will be up to the challenge of doing the same against Hopkins.
Marvin Jones- WR- Detroit Lions- The Lions wide receiver has been on fire to start the season. In fact he has more points than everyone not named Julio Jones or Antonio Brown. After the Lions passing game struggled last week, this is the week to find an alternate for Jones, as the Eagles defense has allowed the 5th fewest points to opposing wide receivers. The Eagles are coming off a bye and should be fresh, so if you have depth, use it.
Ryan Matthews- RB- Philadelphia Eagles- As bad as the Lions defense has appeared, they don’t allow many points to opposing running backs. They allow the 5th fewest points to opposing running backs, and with a secondary that is decimated by injuries, Carson Wentz should carve up the secondary. Matthews is also coming off an injury, and although he had the bye week to rest, the Eagles may look to ease him back into the rotation.
Waiver Wire Gem Of The Week
Kenneth Dixion- RB- Baltimore Ravens- This a a stash player that has a strong possibility of producing later on in the fantasy season. With the Ravens releasing Justin Forsett, there will be more carries to go around in Baltimore, and as Dixion becomes healthy, the Ravens want to see what their rookie running back is made of. Again, this move may not pay dividends right away, but if you can store him on the bench, he will provide much needed depth for your team later in the season.
