Through two weeks of the NFL season, we’ve gotten a pretty good lay of the land in fantasy football, and while some teams are sitting pretty with a 2-0 record, just as many are left scrambling at the bottom, trying to what they can to avoid falling into a 0-3 hole out of the gates.
Going into Week 3, the NFL landscape has started to take shape as well. While there are still a number of players yet to break out, and just as many injuries that are still yet to happen, we still know for the most part where the fantasy-friendly offenses play, and who you should target with those waiver wire pickups or trades. When you think of the Washington Redskins, ‘fantasy production’ may not jump to the front of your mind, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few player who you should take a look at rostering, at the very least. Let’s have a look at the latest rankings for Week 3, and figure out where the value is.
(Rankings via ESPN Fantasy; Points-Per-Reception League)
Quarterback | Case Keenum — No. 26
Keenum is extremely underrated in the fantasy landscape, ranking as a non-starter in almost any leagues, despite being the fifth-highest scoring passer so far this season with an average of 22 points per game. Part of the low ranking is undoubtedly due to the Redskins matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday night, and their stout defense that has given opposing offenses fits so far this season. While you may not want to trot him out there this week, you could do worse than Keenum in deeper leagues this season, though the stigma around him is sure to get you some flack in your league.
Running Back | Chris Thompson — No. 30
Thompson is a picturesque benefactor of PPR scoring, so before you get up in arms about him being ranked above Adrian Peterson, remember that he gets a point for everytime he catches a pass, which greatly boosts his value. In non-PPR leagues, Thompson is not rosterable. However, if you play PPR, Thompson could be of some value to you. So far this season he’s averaged 12 ppg with 12 total receptions. He’s yet to get into the endzone and he has a low OTD (opportunity for touchdowns) but that’s not what you’re looking for from him. On a week-to-week basis, Thompson is good for 8-15 points, mainly picked up by short routes run out of the backfield. If you need to stick him in your flex spot, you could do a lot worse.
Running Back | Adrian Peterson — No. 37
Peterson got his first run of the season against the Dallas Cowboys last week, and it was a largely disappointing performance, despite his historic early touchdown. AP put up only 11.2 points — not enough to cause you to lose, but definitely nothing impressive. The truth is that Washington’s ground-game has been deplorable thus far, and until we see some positive momentum there, I don’t suggest starting any player in the Redskins backfield.
Wide Receiver | Terry McLaurin — No. 37
McLaurin has been the breakout player for the Redskins so far, and his ascention up the rankings has been impressive thus far. Through the first two games of his career, the rookie has led Washington in receiving twice, averaging 20.4 ppg, which ranks 12th in the NFL. Though his production has been high, a matchup against the Bears is responsible for his tampered expectations this week. Still, if there were a single Redskins player that should be rostered in your league, it’s McLaurin; his big-play upside will give you a chance to win your matchup that week, and he’s also displayed an ability to act as a possession receiver over the middle, giving him value even if he doesn’t see the endzone. You may not start him this week, but grab him and stash him — McLaurin is at the beginning of what will be an impressive rookie season.
Tight End | Jordan Reed — No. 17
Yes, I know that Reed has not yet played this year. And yes, I know that if he were to suit up against the Bears, it’s very possible that he could quickly leave again with an injury. However, IF Reed is to be cleared for Monday night’s game, and IF he is able to play at the level that we saw in training camp, Reed has the potential to be a top-10 TE. Washington is largely void of pass-catchers, and Reed offers one of the most skilled tight ends in the league when healthy. While McLaurin attracts attention on the outside, Reed can capitalize on soft coverage over the middle. It’s a big risk to slot Reed as your starter thus far, and there’s a chance that he won’t even be cleared to play, but if he suits up, he’s liable to put up some impressive numbers in this 2019 debut.
Tight End | Vernon Davis — No. 26
Davis has been the benneficiary of Reed’s absence, and his performance thus far is party reason for the optimism surrounding Reed. Davis was responsible for the Redskins first touchdown of the season — a 48-yard, hurdling highlight down the right sideline. Though a touchdown boosted his score to 15.9 points in Week 1, Davis returned with a 5-point performance in Week 2, showing that, while he may not find the endzone, he still holds a bit of the target share in Washington. If Reed is ruled out again, Davis remains an option, though you could likely do better.
Defense | Washington Redskins — No. 20
Stop what you’re doing — don’t even think about it. While the Redskins defense was projected to be among the best in the NFL ahead of this season, they have been a profound disappointment, allowing on average 31.5 ppg in their first two weeks. While they played two of the best offenses in the league, and they’ve been dealing with several injuries across the defensive front, it is still WAY too risky of a play to even have the Redskins rostered at this point. Maybe when they get back to full strength we can go back to considering them, but for now, stay away.
Kicker | Dustin Hopkins — No. 25
At the kicker position, if you’re rostering someone outside of the top-15, you’re doing too much. There is little value to be had at the position, and the No. 3 player is likely to score little more than the No. 13 player. Through two games, Hopkins is unrosterable, averaging 7 ppg. Not much to say here — move along.
