Fantasy football: The most disappointing fantasy players (through week three) and whether to keep or trade them
By Brian Towne
The most disappointing performers in Fantasy Football so far and whether you should keep or trade them.
Three weeks into the fantasy football season some players are meeting expectations (Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Falcons WR Julio Jones) and some are exceeding expectations (Chargers RB Austin Ekeler, Raiders TE Darren Waller).
This list is about the other end of the spectrum, players who aren’t meeting their expectations and whether you should keep them or explore trade opportunities.
Players who missed any games (Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, 49ers RB Tevin Coleman) do not qualify.
Position Fantasy Football Ranking According to Pro-Football-Reference.com
The All-Under-Achievement Team
Browns QB Baker Mayfield 25th among QBs
Mayfield has more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (3) while running for his life behind a poor offensive line. The hope is the O-line will gel and Mayfield will make smarter decisions with the ball. The Browns face 5 straight bottom 10 pass defenses to close out the fantasy season (weeks 11-15).
KEEP
Steelers RB James Conner 35th among RBs
Conners’ knee injury in week two and fumble in week 3 certainly hasn’t helped his production. However, without Big Ben for the rest of the season, the Steelers will give Conner every chance to rebound and be the centerpiece of the offense going forward.
KEEP
Patriots RB Sony Michel 36th among RBs
Michel is struggling, less than 2.5 yards a carry. What’s more concerning is that when James White missed week 3, Michel’s workload and performance didn’t improve at all. His struggles might open the door for rookie Damien Harris to take some of his snaps.
TRADE
Falcons RB Devonta Freeman 42nd among RBs
Freeman missed most of last season and he’s off to a slow start in 2019. He did get 88 yards in week 3, but that was misleading as Ito Smith was in concussion protocol early in the game and never returned. Smith is averaging 5.7 yards a carry to Freeman’s 3.7. If that keeps up, Freeman will lose more snaps.
TRADE
Rams WR Robert Woods 52nd among WRs
Woods put up impressive numbers the past two seasons. With Cooper Kupp healthy again and Brandin Cooks more comfortable in the offense, Woods seems to have been leapfrogged, at least for now, but all 3 Rams WRs will take turns pleasing and disappointing their fantasy owners throughout the season.
KEEP
Browns WR Jarvis Landry 55th among WRs
After having a couple 100-catch seasons in Miami, Landry had the fewest catches of his career last year. Through 3 games in 2019, he has 10, barely on pace for just over 50. The good news is that he’s averaging 16.1 per catch, and there are several poor pass defenses on the Browns upcoming schedule.
KEEP
Vikings WR Stefon Diggs 63rd among WRs
Blame Kirk Cousins (only 12 targets in 3 games) and the Vikings dedication to Dalvin Cook and the running game. A Cook penalty also cost Diggs a touchdown. Diggs will have a few nice games, but the strong emphasis on the running game will be season long and hurt Diggs week-to-week dependability.
TRADE
Next. NFL DFS game by game breakdown: Week 4. dark
Buccaneers TE OJ Howard 28th among TEs
Howard was the 4th TE drafted in most leagues. He has struggled in Coach Bruce Arians offense, which has never been idea for pass catching tight ends. Another factor is that most of Howard’s past success came with Ryan Fitzpatrick, not Jameis Winston, who seems to prefer Cameron Brate.
TRADE