FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKUP WATCH (WEEK 3)
Ourlads’ Football Network host Greg DePalma and RotoExperts.com managing director Scott Engel get together each week to discuss who’s hot, who’s not and who’s hurt in fantasy football, as Scott offers his top targets for pickup.
Listen to Wednesday’s OFN Today for their full exchange. Scott’s full analysis can be found at RotoExperts.com.
QUARTERBACK
Blake Bortles, Jaguars: Scoff if you want, but the fifth-year pro just carved up the Patriots for 377 yards and four TDs. Bortles spread the ball out to nine different receivers, and his 111.1 QB rating was his sixth of 90 or better in his past 10 outings including playoffs.
Scott says: “Bortles still has to deliver more consistently to earn the trust of fantasy owners, but after his Week 2 outing, you should at least roster him in case this is the beginning of a new chapter in a career that has been full of erratic play so far.”
RUNNING BACK
Giovani Bernard, Bengals: With Joe Mixon lost for at least two weeks after getting his knee scoped, Bernard gets the call for a bigger workload. Though some expect rookie Mark Walton to also get more reps, Bernard’s versatility may keep that to a minimum.
Scott says: “Bernard will be the most popular pickup of the week. He has starting experience and versatility and can easily be plugged in if you lost Mixon. He is especially appealing in Points Per Reception formats.”
WIDE RECEIVER
John Brown, Ravens: Brown has been on the receiving end of Joe Flacco TDs in each of the first two weeks, add 92 receiving yards in last week’s loss to the Bengals. With Flacco airing it out 89 times in just two weeks, there should be plenty heading Brown’s direction.
Scott says: “Brown is looking healthy and Joe Flacco has suddenly rediscovered his downfield touch, so the new Ravens WR is worth a waiver add.”
TIGHT END
Austin Hooper, Falcons: Eight catches in the first two weeks, including a TD in Sunday’s win over Carolina, offer hope that the Stanford product is growing in the position. Those eight catches have come in just nine targets, too.
Scott says: “Many tight ends take some time to get into the full flow of the pro game. … He knows how to find soft spots in defenses and shield himself from defenders when making the important catch.”
DEFENSE
Dolphins: Don’t look now, but Miami’s five interceptions are tied for the league lead, with a pick-six among them. The Dolphins also have forced a fumble and racked up three sacks, and 32 points allowed trails only the Rams, Cowboys and Redskins. It’s a good matchup this week vs. Oakland, too.