Fantasy Football: Week 3 Studs and Duds

Like last week, this week and every week going forward, my studs and duds article will focus on players that you should target for trades or even on the waiver wire (the Studs).  The Duds will focus on the opposite, players that you might want to think about moving or just dropping entirely.  The article will be focusing more on players that are obtainable in leagues, so the absolute stars that would never be on the waiver wire, wont make it to the list (Todd Gurley, Stefon Diggs, etc.). This week there will be one player from each skill position on each list, but that could change based on how the week went.  Without further ado lets get right to it!

Studs

Deshaun Watson, QB Houston Texans: Watson’s stat line didn’t look amazing due to the extra pick he threw on a hail-mary at the end of the game,  but his play was another story.  Watching him reminds me of a young Mike Vick.  Now I know that comparison is going to get some people annoyed, but that’s just what I see when he plays.  With the ability to make plays with his legs as well as his arm strength, I think Watson ends the year in the top 10 for QBs this year and he is definitely worth an add in your league.

Chris Thompson, RB Washington Redskins: Thompson made the studs list last week and his performance in week 3 warranted him being here again.  The ability to make plays with the ball in his hands is what makes this guy so great.   Redskin’s coach Jay Gruden did say Rob Kelly is back as the starter when he’s healthy, but there is no way the Redskins stop getting the ball to this stud.  Thompson is worth a pickup and a start in all PPR leagues.

Sammy Watkins, WR Los Angeles Rams: Watkins had a phenomenal week against the 49ers on Thursday night.  This was probably due to the poor play of the 49ers defense and the fact that this game was an absolute shootout, but I think after what Watkins did he deserves the spot on my Studs list.  If he’s available in your league, which he shouldn’t be, pick him up.  Even with the injury he suffered at the end of the game.

Charles Clay, TE Buffalo Bills: While Clay wasn’t the top scorer for TE’s this week, I think he’s the best TE worth adding to your team.  Don’t get me wrong, Mercedes Lewis had a jaw dropping performance with 3 TDs, but I think that’s a fluke.  Clay is quietly having a good season for the TE position with 2 TDs and 115 yards on 13 catches, and I think he deserves an add in all leagues.

Duds

Cam Newton, QB Carolina Panthers: Newton had another abysmal week and he was even benched for backup QB Derek Anderson.  With how crybaby Cam has been playing this year, and the fact that he lost Greg Olsen and maybe Kelvin Benjamin, I think it’s time for fantasy owners to move on.

C.J. Anderson, RB Denver Broncos: Anderson made my studs list last week for his breakout performance, so he was definitely worth a start this week, or so I thought.  Due to the bad performance in week 3 and the fact that Jamaal Charles was stealing touches from him, his fantasy relevance is diminishing.  Also worth noting Devontae Booker is coming back soon and might steal even more touches from Anderson.  With all these factors I think it might be smart to try and move Anderson while he’s still worth something.

Terrelle Pryor SR, WR Washington Redskins:  Pryor had all this hype surrounding him going into this season, but here he is on my Duds list in week 3.  After 3 weeks of sub-par performances, Pryor’s getting ready for the fantasy bench.  I don’t suggest dropping him just yet, but his play is definitely worth monitoring, while he’s on the bench.

Tyler Eifert, TE Cincinnati Bengals: Eifert did not play in week 3, but due to the Bengals lack of, well, anything positive lately, and the fact that he’s injured… again… I’m dropping him in all of my leagues.

Check back next Tuesday for Week 4’s Studs and Duds!

Written by: Jon Tetreault ( @jtetreault13 )