Running Backs
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Chris Johnson, ARI- In my opinion Johnson will be the lead back in Arizona after carrying the ball 11 times for 44 yards in Week 2 against the Colts. Johnson knows the system and has experience as a lead back in the NFL. Johnson’s time as the Cardinals starter came to an end a few years back due to injury and the emergence of David Johnson but he still averaged over four yards per carry back in 2015, totaling 814 yards over 11 games. The Cardinals probably won’t give Johnson 20+ carries a game but somewhere in the 15-20 certainly seems like a possibility with Kerwynn Williams spelling him and Andre Ellington acting as the third down back.
Chris Carson, SEA- After both Eddie Lacy and Thomas Rawls failed to impress over the first two weeks of the season it appears as though Carson will be the Seahawks lead back heading into Week 3 against the Titans. Carson lead Seattle's rushing attack in Week 2, totaling 93 yards on 20 carries.
Javorius Allen, BAL- Allen saw a bump in usage after Danny Woodhead went down in Week 1 and in Week 2 Terrance West suffered a soft tissue injury that has him questionable for Week 2. Those two injuries along with Allen’s solid play should see him moved into the lead back role for Week 3. Allen has proven to be a capable runner this season, totaling 137 yards on 35 carries while showing off his pass catching ability in Week 2 which saw him haul in five catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Wide Receivers
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Danny Amendola, NE- I touted Amendola heading into Week 1 of the season as the biggest benefactor of Julian Edelman’s injury and that was proven correct as Amendola caught six passes for 100 yards. Unfortunately he also suffered a concussion and minor knee injury during that Week 1 contest and was forced to miss the Patriots Week 2 game against the Saints. Amendola returned to practice this week and it is looking as if he will suit up in Week 3 against the Texans. While Bradin Cooks is listed as the No.1 receiver on the Patriots depth chart he has far from looked like the No.1 receiver having totaled just five catches for 125 yards over the first two weeks of the season. I think, if healthy, Danny Amendola will top the Patriots receiver depth chart after this upcoming week.
J.J. Nelson, ARI- Nelson had a solid Week 1 which saw him catch 5-of-6 targets for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. Heading into Week 2 Nelson was looking at an increased role in the offense with John Brown ruled out due to injury and boy did Nelson perform as he caught 5-of-7 targets for 120 yards and a touchdown. Nelson could have had another touchdown but he was unable to get a second foot inbounds on a catch in the back of the end zone. Larry Fitzgerald is the No.1 receiver in Arizona but team’s focus on shutting him out which leaves Nelson open for some big plays. Given John Brown’s injury history it seems reasonable that Nelson has jumped him on the depth chart entering Week 3.
Rashard Higgins, CLE- With Corey Coleman going on IR due to a broken hand one would figure that Kenny Britt and Sammie Coates would see a boost to their fantasy value but if Week 2 was any indication that is not the case as Rashard Higgins lead the receiving group with seven catches on 11 targets for 96 yards. Currently both Britt and Coates are listed ahead of Higgins on the official depth chart but Higgins is the man to watch for this week as the other two receivers looked disinterested during Week 2’s loss.
Sterling Shepard, NYG- Shepard had a solid rookie season in 2016, catching 65 passes for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. The Giants signed Brandon Marshall in the offseason which had many figuring Shepard would move into the No.3 receiver role and have diminished value but over the first two weeks of the season Marshall has caught just two passes while Shepard has caught 9-of-12 targets for 67 yards. The Giants passing attack has been abysmal under Eli Manning through two weeks but Shepard has at the very least leaped Marshall on the depth chart for the time being.
Tight Ends
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Austin Seferian-Jenkins, NYJ- The Jets will have Seferian-Jenkins back in the fold in Week 3 as he returns from his suspension. The Jets passing attack is lackluster at best with Jermaine Kearse as the team’s leading receiver but the addition of ASJ does give the offense another capable playmaker. Of course ASJ has had his trouble staying on the field during the course of his career but if he can stay out of trouble and stay healthy there is some fantasy value here given his size and the matchup problems he can cause.
David Njoku, CLE- I talked about Njoku last week as a guy to watch and in Week 2 he scored his first career touchdown. The injury to Corey Coleman will have the Browns searching for playmaker in the passing attack and their first round tight end can certainly be that player as he gets more reps at the NFL level.