In fantasy football, NFL players can be broken down into a few different categories, the must starts, pos 1 & 2 (ex. RB1 WR2), flex options, and the DO NOT STARTs. Luckily this week, there’s not a lot of players that are bad options for your fantasy team. Let’s go over all of the skills players for both teams so that you don’t have to be the one that gets an inappropriate tattoo chosen by your fellow league-mates.
Must-Starts
Patrick Mahomes Lamar Jackson Travis Kelce Mark Andrews Tyreek Hill
These are the guys that can break out at any moment. Do I care about the tough matchup between Mahomes and the Ravens defense? Absolutely not and neither should you. The talent of these players makes them must-starts with big-play ability every week.
With that being said, there are some things that should be noted when starting these players. Facing a formidable Ravens defense should cause a decrease in fantasy points expected for Mahomes and Hill.
A lackluster week 2 performance from the Chiefs defense (especially at LB) should cause Lamar and Andrews to see an increase in fantasy production. Finally, Travis Kelce has a favorable matchup with the Ravens LBs and Safeties who have unperformed this season.
RB1s and 2s WR1s and 2s
Clyde Edwards-Helaire- Low end RB1/RB2 Mark Ingram II- RB2 Marquise Brown- WR2
While Clyde has a favorable matchup against Ravens LB Patrick Queen, the rest of their defense is stout. His talent gives you RB1 upside, but this rookie still has to prove he can go against the elite of the elite and not get caught in the spotlight.
Mark Ingram II, however, is presented with a much better matchup. His lack of touches (19 over the past 2 weeks) is concerning, but this week Baltimore’s game plan will most definitely include attacking possibly the worse LB core in the league.
Brown’s matchup is an interesting one. Chiefs rookie L’Jarius Sneed has been playing extremely well and could pose a threat to his overall production, but the Chiefs CB room has dealt with a plethora of injuries/suspensions this season. Look for Brown to be a low-end WR2/Flex option this week.
Flex options
Mecole Hardman J. K. Dobbins Darwin Thompson
With Sammy Watkins presumably out Mecole Hardman’s role will definitely increase, however, his subpar play makes it hard to gauge how big of an increase we’ll see. J.K. Dobbins’ role has been extremely limited as well, working in only when Ingram II is tired or they have secured a significant lead.
The matchup is there for Dobbins to have a sensational game, but his lack of carries over the past 2 weeks is enough to make me look for better streaming options. Darwin Thompson saw an increased role last week as Darrel Williams suffered an ankle injury that will probably sideline him for the near future. With an increase in snaps Thompson played well, but with CEH taking the majority of the snaps it will be hard for him to see significant action in week 3.
DO NOT START
Demarcus Robinson Willie Snead IV Chiefs D/ST Ravens D/ST
Demarcus Robinson has been a reliable asset to the Chiefs over the years, but an increase in drops takes him out of consideration as a viable option for me. Willie Snead IV presents an interesting matchup against a depleted Chiefs secondary, but with the LBs being as bad as they are the game plan will most likely steer clear of him.
Both defenses are facing magnificent offenses this week, facing two of the top five QBs in the league, and are presented with unfavorable matchups all over the field. Neither defense should be starting on your fantasy team when there are definitely better streaming options available.
