NFL at Sheridan Hoops: Draft Street Million, Week 3

Running Backs for Week 3

Adrian Peterson/$15311/MIN didn’t score a touchdown last week and that was the main difference between his Week 1 monster game and his pedestrian DraftStreet point total last week. This week I expect something in between. The Browns offense was handed a big blow when their top RB Trent Richardson/IND was traded to the Colts. Already one of the poorest offenses in the NFL, the Browns will struggle to move the ball without both Richardson and QB Brandon Weeden (thumb injury). Shorter possessions for the Browns means more opportunities for Peterson to run. On the other hand, the Browns defense has been very good defending the run. To sum up, Adrian Peterson/MIN is not quite worth his salary this week, but is as safe a bet as there is to contribute something.

Costing about the same, but with better match-up parameters this week, is Marshawn Lynch/$15184/SEA. Lynch is going to be the centerpiece of the Seahawks’ offense as they grind out a comfortable victory over the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars. It ‘s a good idea to pair Lynch with back-up Robert Turbin/$4299/SEA (a tactic known as hand-cuffing in fantasy football) in case the game gets out of hand early.

C.J. Spiller/$11849/BUF is an interesting medium-risk play. The price is right, and Spiller is one of the better candidates to break out for a long run or two. On the other side of the ledger is the Jets stout defense, which has already shut down the Tampa Bay and New England running attacks this season. Alfred Morris/$11332/WAS is another premium back whose price has slipped into good value territory.

Among cheaper options, Jacquizz Rodgers/$5685/ATL takes over the lead back role while Steven Jackson/ATL is out. Normally, that would make a sub-6k RB a super bargain, but this is the pass-happy Falcons we are talking about. Inching closer to taking over the top RB slot in St. Louis is ultra low-priced Isaiah Pead/$3660/STL – if Daryl Richardson/STL is limited by his foot issue, Pead becomes a super sleeper.

Wide Receivers for Week 3

There are scores of expensive receivers set up for mediocre performances. Larry Fitzgerald/$12360/ARZ and Andre Johnson/$12871/HOU will play but health concerns must temper our expectations of them. Packers Jordy Nelson/$12959/GBP and Randall Cobb/$14754/GBP are a touch overpriced against the tough Bengals defense. Ike Taylor/PIT shut down A.J. Green/$15738/CIN on Monday and looks to dish out the same treatment to Brandon Marshall/$14652/CHI.

So who do I like among the elite wide receivers? Calvin Johnson/$16167/DET faces the Redskins and we could see a monster game from him if things break his way. Wes Welker/$12779/DEN and Demaryius Thomas/$14446/DEN are my top candidates for multiple TD receptions, as Peyton Manning/DEN returns home to work his red-zone magic. I expect the Ravens to rely on the passing game and that makes Torrey Smith/$10321/BAL severely undervalued. Expect Anquan Boldin/$11519/SFN to bounce back at home against the Colts.

Among mid-priced options, Eric Decker/$9240/DEN will find space in the nooks of the Raiders defense and get his share of targets. The improving Marlon Brown/$8378/BAL could usurp Smith/BAL as the Ravens top receiver as early as this week. Mike Wallace/$9728/MIA is a value play with huge upside potential against the somewhat brittle Falcons defense. Harry Douglas/$6489/ATL is a low-risk play as long as Roddy White/$6850/ATL is hobbled. The Steelers will rely on the passing game and Antonio Brown/$8224/PIT figures to get the most targets among wide outs. Greg Jennings/$6027/MIN might be the top value for money receiver of all.

Who knows how often the Seahawks will throw the ball, but if the Jaguars commit to stopping the run, Sidney Rice/$4862/SEA could surprise. As with Seattle, Minnesota needs to develop other options to stop teams from loading the box and keying on their star running back. Cordarelle Patterson/$2000/MIN could be one of those weapons and is my top sleeper at the wide receiver position this week.