Fantasy Football News

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos is a reliable fantasy choice for Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. Santos has quietly emerged as one of the NFL's top kickers, finishing last season tied for the second-most fantasy points at his position, behind only Brandon Aubrey. He kicked three field goals and an extra point in Week 1, followed by two 50-yard field goals and another extra point in Week 2. With a solid start to the season, totaling 24 fantasy points over his first two games, Santos is worth starting this week. The Colt's defense has allowed 20 field-goal conversions since last season, ranking second for the most points given up to visiting kickers. He should be rostered and started in all fantasy leagues.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is in Los Angeles to face the Rams in the team's first divisional matchup of 2024 on Sunday. Predictably, Aiyuk has yet to offer much to fantasy managers in the early going after choosing to sit out virtually the entire preseason. In Week 2 in Minnesota, the former first-rounder caught four of five targets for 43 yards, which was an improvement from Week 1's two-for-five, 28-yard performance versus the Jets. He has yet to score a touchdown. San Francisco is going to need him in LA though, as Deebo Samuel (calf) has been ruled out and George Kittle (hamstring) is doubtful. This game is as good as any for Aiyuk to get it going, with the Rams being shredded by rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. last week for 29 half-PPR points. The stars seem to have aligned for Aiyuk to make his first splash this season, with the matchup and likely heavy target share intersecting with another week of rust being shaken off. Start him this week as a low/mid WR1.

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is sharing snaps with Gerald Everett, who outperformed him in both playing time and route running during Week 2. Over the first two weeks of the season, Kmet has recorded five receptions on six targets for a mere 31 yards. After finishing last season with 719 receiving yards and six touchdowns, he hoped for a stronger start. However, as quarterback Caleb Williams adjusts and the Bears seek to improve as a team, Kmet will likely see more offense involvement moving forward. The main obstacle for Williams and the Bears is the pressure the defenses are applying to the young quarterback. To combat this and kickstart their offense, it would be beneficial to utilize the middle of the field more and incorporate Kmet into the game plan. Tight ends often act as a security blanket for inexperienced quarterbacks. As the Bears work to speed up Williams' processing time and ensure quick ball releases, using Kmet as a reliable target will be crucial. Meanwhile, veteran backup Gerald Everett garnered three targets last game and continues to impact Kmet's fantasy potential as the team prepares to face the Colts on Sunday. Kmet is a risky play in deeper leagues only.

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze aims to turn around his quiet start to the season this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. His role has been particularly frustrating for fans, as offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has yet to utilize his elite skill set fully. Odunze managed only two receptions against the Texans, with a missed opportunity in the end zone overshadowing his performance. However, his struggles aren't solely on him; finding a rhythm is challenging when he's not consistently targeted. Odunze will look to rebound against a vulnerable Colts passing defense. The Colts secondary has the second-worst expected points added per dropback against outside wide receivers, allowing a 75% catch rate and tons of receiving yards to wideouts. With fellow wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) not playing, Odunze could see an uptick in targets. However, with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams averaging just 134 yards and no touchdowns through the air, there may not be enough volume to support even one wide receiver, let alone three. Unless fantasy managers are desperate and Allen is ruled out, Odunze should remain on fantasy benches this week.

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore remains a reliable WR2 option for this week's promising matchup. Moore aims to bounce back from a slow start as the Bears' offense continues to seek its rhythm. Over the first two games, he has been targeted 18 times, recording a team-high 11 catches for 89 receiving yards. This game against the Colts offers his best chance at a breakout, especially after facing more formidable defenses like the Titans and Texans. The Colts rank sixth in the league for most fantasy points allowed to receivers, and their secondary has struggled. The Colts secondary has the second-worst expected points added per dropback against outside wide receivers, allowing a 75% catch rate and tons of receiving yards to wideouts. With fellow receiver Keenan Allen (heel) out again with an injury, Moore will likely see an uptick in targets. Despite the team's struggles, Moore's consistent target share and evident talent keep him positioned as a low-end WR2 for fantasy managers. As rookie quarterback Caleb Williams develops and the Bears' offense improves, Moore's production should increase. Moore will look to make the necessary adjustments and find the end zone as they travel to Indianapolis in Week 3.

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is a viable Flex/RB3 option for Sunday's matchup against the struggling Indianapolis Colts, who have had a tough time defending against running backs this season. The Colts currently allow a league-worst average of 237 rushing yards per game. While the Packers' offense had limited success in the air against the Colts, they dominated on the ground, with Josh Jacobs rushing for 151 yards on 32 carries. Additionally, the Colts recently placed star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) on injured reserve, sidelining him for the next four weeks. Swift has averaged under three yards per carry this season, accumulating just 48 rushing yards across two games. If the Bears capitalize on Indianapolis's weak run defense, it could provide the spark needed to rejuvenate their offense. The silver lining for Swift is his significant early-season usage, with 67% of the snaps, 62% of the carries, 59% route participation, and an 11% target share. However, the Bears' offense has struggled overall, as Swift averages only 2.0 yards per carry on 24 rushes. He needs to elevate his performance to help the Bears gain momentum. Chicago must emphasize the run game through Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, or Velus Jones Jr. If the offensive line fails to create holes against the league's worst run-stopping defense, it could indicate more severe issues up front than previously thought.

This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams presents a high-risk, high-reward option as he faces the high-scoring Indianapolis Colts. Williams aims to rebound from a challenging start to his rookie season, during which he has largely been ineffective in fantasy. The Bears have struggled to establish their offense, but the Colts' defense has shown weaknesses early in the season. Chicago's offensive line must improve its protection, especially after Williams was sacked seven times last week against the Texans. Adding to the Colts' vulnerabilities, they placed star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) on injured reserve, sidelining him for the next four weeks. While the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick still has time to turn things around, fantasy managers cannot wait, leading to a decline in rankings for both Williams and the entire Bears offense. So far, Williams has averaged just 134 passing yards per game without a touchdown, and the team has struggled overall, averaging only 3.0 yards per play, ranking last in the NFL by half a yard. It's advisable to look for another option in one-QB leagues, while Williams might offer some upside in two-QB or Superflex formats against a vulnerable Colts defense.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason has momentum coming into a Week 3 matchup versus the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. The 49ers appear to have developed a gem in the undrafted 25-year-old who spent his last two years at Georgia Tech overshadowed by Jamyr Gibbs. Through two games Mason -- who goes by J.P. around the 49ers facility -- is the overall RB7 in half-PPR scoring. The Rams have struggled to stop the run in the young season, allowing the third-most half-PPR points to running backs. Last week, they let Arizona's James Connor go for 122 yards and a touchdown. Before that, in Detroit, David Montgomery and Gibbs combined for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Mason began the season in relative obscurity as Christian McCaffrey's backup but in the absence of CMC (Achilles), he has skyrocketed to high-end RB1 and must-start status in Week 3.

In Week 3, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy takes the team's 1-1 record into their first divisional game of 2024 in Los Angeles against the Rams in their home opener. Purdy didn't light up the fantasy scoreboard last Sunday in Minnesota by any stretch, throwing for only one touchdown, tossing an interception, and losing a fumble. However, he did throw for 319 yards. It was probably even more frustrating and painful for Purdy himself though, being sacked a career-high six times. Purdy is stuck on one touchdown through two weeks, but on the bright side, he is surprisingly leading the NFL in passing yards per game. The Rams are coming off a 41-10 road drubbing at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals, a game in which Kyler Murray threw for 226 yards and three passing touchdowns. Before that though, they kept Lions QB Jared Goff to 217 yards, one touchdown, and a pick in Detroit. Purdy will be without Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) and probably George Kittle (hamstring) in this one, not to mention Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) who isn't expected to return for several more weeks. Even if Los Angeles' pass defense is as vulnerable as they looked last week, these injuries throw cold water on the matchup advantage. Put Purdy on the QB1/2 border with a slight boost if Kittle plays.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (elbow, calf) didn't practice on Friday. That's three straight absences for the wideout, who is now considered questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 24-year-old was in line to be the top wideout in Los Angeles entering the 2024-25 campaign. However, he's caught just four of his six targets for 34 yards in the Bolts' first two contests. With that in mind, Palmer isn't an ideal fantasy option in any fantasy format for Week 3 if he's active. That's not expected to change anytime soon, especially with Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey playing as well as anyone could hope.

New York Giants kicker Greg Joseph enters Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns with an opportunity to deliver fantasy value after being picked up off the Detroit Lions practice squad. At this time, Joseph might not even be the kicker that dresses against the Browns as he is competing with Jude McAtamney, who is also on the practice roster. The veteran has played 67 regular-season games for three teams with an 82.6 field goal percentage and a long of 61 yards. Keep an eye on who will be dressed for Sunday's matchup.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he logged a full session on Friday and was removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite playing more snaps than Will Dissly through the first two games of the 2024-25 campaign, the latter has been more productive. Still, neither play will find a home in fantasy lineups for Week 3 due to their lack of statistical output. That will be even more true if Justin Herbert (ankle), who is questionable, isn't active.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton enters Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns fresh off a quiet Week 2 performance where he posted just three receptions for 33 yards. Slayton's deep-threat ability can be explosive, and he'll face a Browns defense that has allowed 12.1 yards per reception to receivers through two weeks. Slayton's target share has been modest (10.5% of the team's passing attempts), but there's some sneaky upside here. Expect Slayton to be a high-risk option that is best left on waivers unless managers are desperate for a flex play.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (calf) was limited during Friday's practice session and is questionable for Monday's game versus Washington. The 28-year-old had a touchdown called back in the Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots. However, he made amends by catching seven of his nine targets for 91 yards in the narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. With many tight ends around the National Football League struggling, Gesicki has gained streaming appeal in 12-team formats. Yet, his status for Week 3 may not be revealed until Monday night, well after nearly every contest on the slate has been played. As a result, fantasy managers may want to consider an alternative for Week 3. If anything, Drew Sample and Erick All Jr. are likely available on the waiver wire. Still, both men aren't expected to do much versus the Washington Commanders, especially if Tee Higgins (hamstring) is back in the lineup after missing the Bengals' previous two contests.

New York Giants rookie tight end Theo Johnson enters Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns after a performance he would like to forget in Week 2, where he posted zero receptions on zero targets against the Washington Commanders. Cleveland has allowed an average of only 8.65 fantasy points per game to tight ends through the first two weeks. At this point, Johnson should not be considered for anyone's roster, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on him, as he is still the team's starting TE, and the Giants have committed to him there.

Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich (knee, ankle) no longer carries an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was limited during Wednesday's practice. However, the 24-year-old logged full sessions on Thursday and Friday. Dulcich began the 2024-25 campaign by amassing two catches for 12 yards in the Week 1 matchup with the Seahawks. While he was targeted eight times in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he ended the day with only three receptions for 16 yards. With that in mind, Dulcich doesn't warrant consideration in any fantasy format, especially with Bo Nix under center, with the rookie signal-caller throwing four picks and completing only 59.7% of his tosses in the Broncos' first two contests.

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has been incredibly reliable thus far this season but will face his toughest test yet in the team's home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers defense has been stout through two weeks, surrendering the fewest points and second-fewest offensive yards in the NFL. Because this is expected to be a sluggish, low-scoring affair, it is difficult to project Boswell for a ton of involvement. Fantasy managers would be wise to look elsewhere for a starting option this week.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) plans to play against the Washington Commanders on Monday night. The wideout has battled a hamstring injury, keeping him off the field for the Bengals' previous two contests. Fortunately, he's feeling better. "I feel great," said Higgins after practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. "Obviously, unfortunate with the injury, sat out the first two weeks but finally ready to get my feet wet this season and ready to go." Under normal circumstances, Higgins is a starting fantasy receiver in any format. However, there's a chance he could see fewer snaps than usual. As a result, Andrei Iosivas, coming off a two-touchdown outing versus the Kansas City Chiefs, could remain involved. Still, Iosivas' fantasy outlook would have been more promising had Higgins been in line to miss Monday's contest. On the other hand, Higgins' anticipated return is good news for Joe Burrow all around.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is already a must-start in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns. Coming off a strong Week 2, where he posted 23.7 half-PPR points on 10 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown (his first career TD) versus Washington, Nabers is emerging as a go-to target for Daniel Jones (he had a whopping 18 targets sent his way). The Browns' secondary, while solid, has allowed 12.1 yards per reception to receivers through two weeks. Nabers is a big-play threat with a 32.9% target share, making him a high-upside start this Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been quiet to start his fourth professional campaign and will hope to turn things around against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Although the Chargers have surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends through two weeks of the season, this contest isn't expected to offer much in the way of offensive firepower. That said, Freiermuth is tied for the team lead in receptions and has the second-most targets in Pittsburgh thus far this season, so his role in the offense should remain consistent. Given the landscape of the tight end position in fantasy right now, there are very few options that offer both a high ceiling and a safe floor. Freiermuth seems to have the latter, making him a fine yet uninspiring low-end TE1 or high-end TE2 on Sunday.