Fantasy Football: Week 3 Staff Must Start, Must Sit and Sleeper Picks
Sep 15, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) smiles before the game against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Dillon:
Must Start Player: Jordan Cameron (TE) Cleveland Browns
This kid became Brandon Weeden’s favorite taret before he got taken out of the game. He has tallied 203 yards on 14 receptions and a TD in the first two games this year. With Jason Campbell likely getting the start this week against Minnesota, Cameron could do even better. People are quick to forget that last time Campbell started (Oakland) he did pretty well before getting injured. Minnesota has been laughable at trying to stop tight ends, so he’s worth a start as he will likely be Campbell’s security blanket. Vertical weapon Josh Gordon returns to the lineup for Cleveland this week too, which will open up some coverage for Cameron.
Must Sit Player: Ben Roethlisberger (QB) Pittsburgh Steelers
If you need any more persuasion after watching Big Ben flounder against the Bengals this past Monday, know he’s playing the 2-0 Bears. The offensive line was terrible agaisnt the Bengals’ front-seven and I expect a similar result on Sunday night. Ben will be under pressure the entire game and will make ill-advised throws to a defense that loves to score. If Ben is your starter, go pick up Alex Smith. I promise he’s available.
Sleeper Pick: Eli Manning (QB) New York Giants
I’ve never been an Eli fan, particularly after two Super Bowls that ended the wrong way for the Patriots, but he’s been putting up big yardage this season because of the lack of rushing ability on the Giants. He’s ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and has 5 TDs so far. The major downside of Eli is his ugly 7 interceptions he has already. The reason he may be worth a start this week is his opponent, the Panthers. Last season he demolished their secondary on Thursday Night Football, going 27/35 for 288 and a TD with no picks. He’ll be determined to pull the Giants out of misery and with the lack of rushing talent, expect him to throw often. I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes away with a win on the road in Carolina.
Cyrus Geller:
Must Start Player: Victor Cruz (WR) New York Giants
The Giants are going up against one of the weaker secondary’s in the NFL in the Carolina Panthers, and despite quarterback Eli Manning’s terrible turnover rate here at the beginning of the season, he does sling the ball a lot and that equals yards and touchdowns for Mr. Cruz. I expect Eli to air it out once again, and Cruz should be a recipient of a lot of those throws.
Must Sit: Ray Rice (If he plays) (RB) Baltimore Ravens
Rice injured his hip last week against the Browns, and he isn’t going to get any help this week as the Ravens take on the Texans. Houston has a great defensive front, and they cause problems for every running back to come their way.
Sleeper Pick: Andy Dalton (QB) Cincinnati Bengals
Dalton isn’t a fantasy machine, but he goes up against the Green Bay Packers this week, and that means two things. The first is that he will have to try and keep up with Aaron Rodgers, and the second is, Green Bay’s secondary is not so hot. I think that this will be a shootout, and Dalton will air it out a lot to try and keep up with the great Aaron Rodgers.