September 23, 2024 • 1hr 23min
Week 3 Studs & Duds + What Happened?! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/23
Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Key Takeaways
- Week 3 was a bizarre, upside-down week in fantasy football with many top players underperforming and unexpected players having big games
- The quarterback position is very volatile this year outside of the top mobile QBs like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts
- Many top wide receivers like Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, and CeeDee Lamb are underperforming expectations so far
- The tight end position is a disaster, with even elite options like Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews struggling
- Emerging RB studs include Kyren Williams, Bijan Robinson, and Saquon Barkley
- Potential waiver wire targets include Juan Jennings, Trey Tucker, and Cole Kmet
- Players to be concerned about include Rashad White, D'Andre Swift, and Javonte Williams
Introduction
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy, Mike, and Jason recap all the action from Week 3 of the NFL season. They discuss the biggest fantasy football studs and duds, analyze concerning trends, highlight waiver wire targets, and provide advice on how to handle underperforming players. The hosts emphasize how bizarre and unpredictable Week 3 was, with many top players struggling while unexpected players had huge games.
Topics Discussed
Week 3 Overview (0:00)
The hosts open by discussing how Week 3 was one of the strangest, most unpredictable weeks of fantasy football in recent memory. They note that it seemed like almost everyone had a bad week, with many top players underperforming while unexpected players had huge games. Some key points:
- Andy Dalton and Sam Darnold led their teams to the highest scoring games of the week
- Many elite QBs like Patrick Mahomes struggled while backups like Malik Willis excelled
- The hosts emphasize how difficult it was to predict outcomes this week
"This week was insane and stupid and upside down. And I'm glad that you're back and you're listening after getting out of your own fantasy burn unit, because this week was crazy." - Mike Wright
Quarterback Performances (22:45)
The hosts analyze the quarterback performances from Week 3, highlighting both studs and duds:
- Studs: Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, Andy Dalton, Sam Darnold
- Duds: Jalen Hurts, Anthony Richardson, CJ Stroud, Patrick Mahomes
- They discuss how volatile the QB position has been outside of the top mobile QBs
- Debate whether QBs like Mahomes and Stroud should be viewed as matchup-based plays rather than every-week starters
"I think it's important that we view him as, and I know this is not going to be a popular thing to say or hear, but I really think right now we need to be viewing him as a streaming quarterback, as a matchup play." - Jason Moore on CJ Stroud
Running Back Performances (32:30)
The hosts break down the top RB performances and disappointments from Week 3:
- Studs: Saquon Barkley, Kyren Williams, Bijan Robinson, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs
- Duds: Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, D'Andre Swift, Javonte Williams
- They highlight Saquon Barkley's dominant usage and production
- Discuss the emergence of Kyren Williams as a potential RB1
- Express major concerns about D'Andre Swift and Javonte Williams
"Saquon has been great. I mean, I saw the question asked online of, like, you know, who's the 101? If we were to redo it right now, you know, if you were drafting today, who would you draft first? And Saquon is in the conversation." - Jason Moore
Wide Receiver Performances (39:25)
The hosts analyze the top WR performances and disappointments from Week 3:
- Studs: Juan Jennings, Amari Cooper, Rashee Rice, Deonte Johnson
- Duds: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, Calvin Ridley
- They highlight Juan Jennings' massive 11/175/3 game and potential going forward
- Discuss concerns about top WRs like Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase underperforming
- Debate what to do with Dolphins WRs with Tua out
"Juan Jennings is a very good start. Yeah, and you've got there. I think it's Christian Gonzalez who's looked pretty good. They're rookie corner. So, you know, if that's on Brandon Aiyuk, then Juan Jennings can find Brock Purdy." - Mike Wright
Tight End Performances (47:50)
The hosts discuss the continued struggles at the tight end position in Week 3:
- Studs: Dallas Goedert, Cole Kmet
- Duds: Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Kyle Pitts
- They express major concerns about the lack of production from top TEs
- Debate whether fantasy leagues should consider eliminating the TE position
- Highlight Cole Kmet as a potential waiver wire target
"If this keeps going, that's the answer. I can't. I can't have this pain anymore, guys. I can't. You look it. A flex. You want to play the superstar tight end, and that's how you want to build your roster. You are free to do it because it's a flex." - Jason Moore on potentially eliminating the TE position
Waiver Wire Targets (1:04:13)
The hosts discuss potential waiver wire targets heading into Week 4:
- Juan Jennings (WR - SF): Had a massive 11/175/3 game and could see continued volume with Deebo Samuel out
- Trey Tucker (WR - LV): Saw 9 targets and had 7/96/1 line, could be emerging as #2 option
- Cole Kmet (TE - CHI): Had 10 catches for 97 yards and a TD, saw 11 targets
- Tyler Badie (RB - DEN): Outperformed Javonte Williams, could see increased role
- Chuba Hubbard (RB - CAR): Had 21 carries for 114 yards and 5 catches for 55 yards
"Juan Jennings next week with how Brandon Aiyuk looking should be in play if Deebo and Kittle are out. He is. He is a very good start." - Andy Holloway
Players to Be Concerned About (49:50)
The hosts highlight players they are worried about after Week 3 performances:
- Rashad White (RB - TB): Struggling on the ground, losing work to Rachaad White
- D'Andre Swift (RB - CHI): Averaging just 1.5 YPC, losing work to Roschon Johnson
- Javonte Williams (RB - DEN): Averaging under 3 YPC, being outperformed by Tyler Badie
- CeeDee Lamb (WR - DAL): Struggling despite high target volume from Dak Prescott
- Calvin Ridley (WR - JAX): Inconsistent production, competing with Christian Kirk for targets
- Mark Andrews (TE - BAL): Only ran 4 routes in Week 3, major usage concerns
"D'Andre Swift is. I'm going to say this because I don't want to be hyperbolic, but is he the worst player in the NFL history?" - Andy Holloway
Injury Updates (15:50)
The hosts provide updates on key injuries from Week 3:
- Justin Herbert aggravated an ankle injury, status uncertain for Week 4
- Sam LaPorta left with an ankle sprain but returned to the game
- Trey McBride and DeVonta Smith entered concussion protocol
- Skylar Thompson left with a rib injury
- Jalen Warren will have an MRI on his knee
- Adam Thielen left with a hamstring injury
"With the Eagles, with the week five bye, it's gonna be very tempting to make sure that he does not clear this week. So I don't know, I worry about both these players availability next week." - Mike Wright on DeVonta Smith's concussion
Conclusion
The hosts wrap up by emphasizing how unpredictable and bizarre Week 3 was for fantasy football. They encourage listeners not to overreact to one bad week, but to pay attention to concerning trends. Key advice includes being patient with struggling stars, targeting emerging players on waivers, and potentially viewing some QBs as matchup-based plays rather than every-week starters. The hosts also express major concerns about the tight end position and debate potential changes to address the lack of production. Overall, they emphasize the need for fantasy managers to stay active on waivers and be willing to adapt their strategies in this volatile season.
The episode concludes with a reminder that waiver wire and streaming recommendations will be covered in Tuesday's episode, trade targets on Wednesday, and matchup analysis on Thursday and Friday. Listeners are encouraged to join the community at jointhefoot.com for more fantasy football content and discussion.