Week 2 has wrapped up, and on we go to Week 3! Staff members Jesse Moeller and Joe O’Leary continue their weekly series Fact or Fiction tackling some of the biggest fantasy football topics in the NFL.
It’s time for Fact or Fiction.
Cordarelle Patterson will be a flex worthy option this week
Joe: Fact
Buying into Cordarelle Patterson feels like a bit of fool’s gold, but you have to like how the Falcons are using him. While only seeing a 33% snap share over two games, Patterson is averaging 11.5 touches for the Falcons. Patterson has provided a spark for the Falcons offense that was desperately needing a boost. Third down back J.D. Mckissic just produced a strong fantasy football outing last week against the Giants. I’ll tentatively buy into Patterson being a mid to low-end RB3 this week against the Giants. If your zero running back team is in dire straights because of the likes of Ronald Jones, take a look at Cordarelle Patterson.
Jesse: Fact
The matchup against the Giants will be one of the highest-scoring games on the docket of Week 3. Patterson has earned a significant role alongside Mike Davis in the past two weeks. It has taken almost a decade for teams to figure out how to use Patterson correctly in the NFL. How Smith has integrated Patterson shows that he sees the talent that made Patterson a 1st round pick long ago. Patterson has been one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL through two weeks. I expect that to continue, as Patterson will be heavily involved in the passing game in this matchup. So have no fear in starting him this week.
Daniel Jones will be a QB1 (Top-12) again versus the Falcons
Joe: Fiction
Daniel Jones came out of nowhere last week with an explosion game versus the Washington Football Team. Jones accounted for two touchdowns and added 95 yards on the ground. To much surprise, he’s been a steady option so far for fantasy football. I like the matchup this week versus the Falcons at home. Jones should land a steady finish once again, but I think he will fall a little short of top-12 numbers given how solid the position is at the top.
Jesse: Fact
As much as it pains me, I believe in Jones this week. Atlanta’s defense is suspect and was torched by Hurts and Brady in back-to-back weeks. I expect this to continue, and Jones will be a viable QB1 this week. The rushing floor for Jones starts him off on a higher ground than the immobile NFL quarterbacks. As long as Jones limits the turnovers, the points and yards will be plenty for Jones and the Giants this week. Start Jones with confidence.
D’andre Swift will be a RB1 (Top-12) this season
Joe: Fact
D’andre Swift has all the making to be one of the next superstar running backs in fantasy football. While we would like to see more early-down rushing usage (19 rushing attempts in two games), there’s no denying his upside in PPR formats. Swift has 12 receptions on the year so far for 106 yards and a touchdown. He’s currently ranked 5th overall in PPR and 12th in Standard formats. D’andre Swift will indeed be a top twelve running back at his position this year.
Jesse: Fact
Many in the fantasy football community seem to have forgotten that Swift was the consensus RB1 before the 2020 NFL Draft. The landing spot, not the talent, caused many to drop Swift post-draft. Swift is an incredible talent at the running back position, who has produced on limited numbers in Detroit. He is the next running back in the Alvin Kamara, CMC mold to come along. While everyone is fading him due to the team around him, it does not impact Swift the way it would non pass-catching backs. This offense limits Swift’s touchdown ceiling, but outside of that he is a viable RB1; even as Swift is splitting time with Jamaal Williams. Add in a lack of talent outside of T.J. Hockenson on the offensive side, and I am confident Swift will end up as an RB1 this season.
Tyler Lockett ouscores DJ Moore in PPR this week
Joe: Fact
Tyler Lockett isn’t known to be the most consistent week-to-week fantasy contributor. Maybe that’s about to change this year. Lockett is red hot to start 2021, hauling in twelve receptions for 278 yards and three scores. Both he and DJ Moore stand at WR12 and WR13 according to Fantasy Pros in Week 3. While I like both this week in plus matchups, I’m gonna ride the hot hand in Lockett. The Vikings have been suspect to the big play so far this year. That’s music to Tyler Lockett’s ears. The matchup between the Vikings and Seahawks has one of the highest over/under’s of the week. Look for Lockett to pace ahead of DJ Moore in week three.
Jesse: Fact
I do not believe there is a wrong answer this week as both players are operating in excellent matchups. The Vikings’ secondary will be no match for Lockett, and we all know how bad the Texans’ secondary is going up against Moore this week. Moore has earned more targets through two weeks, yet Lockett has been a more efficient player. One wide receiver catches passes from Russell Wilson, and the other catches passes from Sam Darnold. Whenever I cannot make up my mind on receivers, I use the quarterback as a tiebreaker. I will forever be in the Russ over Darnold camp. I expect Lockett’s efficiency to continue and Lockett to be a WR1 again this week against Minnesota.
