Welcome to the Week 3 edition of Mick’s Pick Six! This column features some of my favorite Week 3 streamers for fantasy football. A streamer is identified as a player being started in less than half of all leagues. Streamers often make or break a fantasy lineup. Not every roster is rich with obvious starting options each and every week. Oftentimes it is a streaming option that is the difference between victory and defeat. These players have a better matchup and a higher ceiling than their current status would indicate. Unless you are rife with an elite performer at each position, I would start each one of these low-percentage entities this week. Here are my favorite Week 3 streamers at each position.
Check out our Week 3 Sleepers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Week 3 Streamers
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. Pittsburgh Steelers
FitzMagic is alive and well in Tampa Bay. Ryan Fitzpatrick has carved up New Orleans and Philadelphia to the tune of 819 passing yards and eight touchdowns through the air. Following Week 2, Fitzpatrick’s ownership percentage has more than doubled and his increased dramatically. However, he is still being started in just 47 percent of Fantrax leagues. Perhaps there are those afraid of chasing last week’s points, but the veteran has a chance for another big game in a matchup on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have name brand value and a reputation as a solid defense, but that is simply not the case in 2018. The loss of Ryan Shazier late last season has left a gap that nobody on the roster has been able to fill. The Steelers have allowed 29 points per page in seven games since his injury. Their secondary and coverage units have been lit up so far this season. Pittsburgh has already allowed three different wide receivers and a tight end to eclipse 90 yards receiving in a game. The Steelers were victimized for six touchdown passes by Patrick Mahomes last week and ceded a top-six weekly finish to Tyrod Taylor in Week 1. This is not a matchup to fear. Unless you have an elite QB1 option, fire up Ryan Fitzpatrick in all formats this week.
Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles v. Indianapolis Colts
Carson Wentz returns to action after nine months away following a torn ACL suffered late last year. The return of Wentz will likely grab the headlines in Philadelphia, but it is running back Corey Clement who stands to benefit most from a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The second-year back out of Wisconsin has a chance to lead both the Eagles and fantasy owners alike to victory this week. With Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles yet to practice, Clement finds himself in the catbird seat in Philadelphia’s backfield. The Colts have historically struggled against the run, though they were stout last week against Washington. They have still allowed the most receptions to opposing backs (22) thus far in 2018. Clement has caught at least four passes in three of his last five games dating back to last year’s playoffs.
With the injuries to Alshon Jeffrey and Mike Wallace weakening Wentz’ receiving options, I expect Clement’s number to be called quite a bit out of the backfield in this game. Wentz will also likely not be asked to do too much as he may have a little bit of rust to shake off. I expect Clement to get 15 touches in this game, which is plenty enough for him to take advantage of this matchup. Clement is currently active in just 36 percent of leagues but should be inserted into lineups as an RB2 with a fair amount of upside. He is one of the safest Week 3 streamers available at running back provided Ajayi and Sproles are inactive.
Marquise Goodwin, San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs
Marquise Goodwin suffered a quad injury early in Week 1 and sat out last week’s victory against the Lions. Goodwin got in a limited practice on Thursday, suggesting he may return to action on Sunday. He could not ask for a better Week 3 matchup. Kansas City has allowed 860 passing yards through two weeks. The quartet of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Antonio Brown, and Juju Smith-Schuster has combined for 35 catches, 377 receiving yards, and two scores against the Chiefs already this season.
Goodwin is rostered in 91 percent of leagues but active in just 19 percent. Many owners are shying away from Goodwin because they are worried about reinjury or a limited role. Those are valid concerns, but if Goodwin does indeed suit up, he should be started in all formats. The matchup is just too good to ignore. Kansas City figures to be involved in weekly shootouts due to their prolific offense and porous defense. These are exactly the kinds of games we want a part of in Fantasy. Goodwin has week-winning upside as a WR3 for the potential to do major damage attached to an underdog in what will likely be this week’s highest-scoring game.
Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks v. Dallas Cowboys
For those streaming tight ends, Will Dissly is a solid option this week. Dissly has posted consecutive top-six Fantasy finishes to begin his NFL career. The rookie will look to keep his hot start going when Seattle hosts Dallas in Week 3. I do not necessarily buy into Dissly as a season-long starter, but he should be able to fit the bill for a third consecutive week in a home game against Dallas.
Quarterbacks have targeted tight ends on 13 attempts against the Cowboys so far. All 13 have been completed. I think Seattle will continue that success targeting the seams against Dallas in this game. With no semblance of a running game to speak of and with Doug Baldwin still sidelined, I expect Dissly to be an important part of Seattle’s game plan. I believe he finishes the week as a top-12 fantasy tight end.
Dan Bailey, Minnesota Vikings v. Buffalo Bills
The second-most accurate kicker in NFL history found himself unemployed when the season began. Most figured it was just a matter of time before Dan Bailey found another gig, and that came to fruition last week. Following Daniel Carlson’s brutal 0-3 showing on field goals, the Vikings gave the fifth-round rookie his walking papers and signed Bailey.
Minnesota is an ideal landing spot for the veteran. He gets to kick in a dome and is attached to a team with a solid offense. Bailey should have plenty of scoring opportunities when the Vikings host the lowly Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Minnesota is projected to score nearly 30 points in this game, and Bailey will likely be busy putting the ball through the net. Bailey is only being started in 48 percent of leagues. He is an obvious start in my opinion with top-five upside this week.
Miami Dolphins v. Oakland Raiders
Miami has gotten off to a 2-0 start primarily on the strength of their defense. In each game, they have forced three turnovers and allowed just one touchdown. They return home to face the Oakland Raiders in Week 3. Oakland ranks just 28th among 32 NFL teams in points scored through two weeks, averaging just 16 points per game.
Despite these impressive numbers, Miami is being started in just 26 percent of leagues. The Dolphins have young cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Minkah Fitzpatrick to contend with Amari Cooper and company, and I expect them to be able to hold Oakland in check this week.
Mick Ciallela has been writing for FantraxHQ since July 2017. He has also written for Bleacher Report. He is a lifelong sports fan and has been an avid fantasy sports player for many years. Mick was the Overall Champion of both the 2016 Football Challenge – Roto and 2017 Play 3 Football contests hosted by CDM Sports. MIck was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York and currently resides in New London, Connecticut.
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