As we head into the Sunday games for Week 3 of the 2012 fantasy football season, you’re naturally going to have a grip of knee-jerk reactions emerge affecting all kinds of once-believed-in player values.
Probably the three biggest names that fit the above scenario have to be Julio Jones, A.J. Green and Cam Newton… I’ll even throw in Darren McFadden.
There are probably a handful of other players one could toss out, so feel free to comment below, where our ultra-helpful moderators JRMRRT, Mile_High_Man, Whos_Ur_Doggie and bddavidson will do their best to address all of your comments/questions.
Julio Jones (WR, ATL)
Ok, so you’re not going to steal Julio Jones away from anyone, and some leagues don’t even allow for trading after a Thursday game (not a recommended rule this season with all of the pre-Sunday games scheduled throughout the year)… that said, Jones was virtually untouchable in all formats after his Week 1 performance, where he pulled in 6 balls for 108 yards and 2TDs. Again, no one is going to go looking to deal Jones, but it’s not crazy to think that a Jones owner out there won’t listen after his 4 catch, 14-yard performance in Week 2. Jones is my No. 1 fantasy receiver looking forward (in all formats), so that should tell you where I value the guy. Of course, try to trade for him as a top 3-5 wide receiver, as the value is trying to land him at value that is under that No. 1 overall receiver rating. Need ideas? Post a comment below!
Week 3 Projections: 6-110rec/2TDs (@SD)
A.J. Green (WR, CIN)
Andy Dalton was awful in Week 1, but he turned things around in Week 2, and this is great news for A.J. Green. Green still sits at my No. 2 overall receiver ranking moving forward. Yeah, call me crazy, ask me how I can have Calvin Johnson ranked below him, all that is nothing new. Green is an immense talent and even if it takes him until Week 4 or 5 (and I don’t expect it to take that long) to hit that evolving Randy Moss-like stride, he will have plenty of time to slip right into the top 5-10 fantasy wide receivers come fantasy playoff time… and with a strong finish, I think he lands easily inside the top 1-4 range overall at Week 16′s end. Trade for him now if possible… it’s crazy, but I’m seeing DraftCalc Forum Discussions being created where fantasy owners are asking if they should trade Green for a low-end WR2, or even high-end WR3s (in some cases). Crazy. This is a sign that now is time to strike!
Week 3 Projections: 6-110rec/2TDs (@WAS)
Cam Newton (QB, CAR)
Ok, here is the “stealing candy from a baby” part of the write-up… After a short three weeks, and coming off a poor Week 3 performance this past Thursday, I’m getting insane questions thrown at me left and right, where fantasy owners are wanting to know if they should trade Cam Newton for quarterbacks that I have ranked inside the 7-10 range moving forward. This guy is a top 1-4 fantasy passer, and he can still finish as the number one overall fantasy football scorer on the year. We’re three weeks in, and he still has 4 total scores and one 300-yard game. Things could be worse. Don’t give up on Cam if you own him, and attack him via trade in all formats/leagues where you do not own him. Start offering low, as clearly people are freaking out and considering unloading him for passers that typically rank in the 5-10 range.
Week 3 Projections: Game already played
Darren McFadden (RB, OAK)
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, Darren McFadden also fell into the “buy him now” category, as so many are doubting his ability to be a top 5RB this year. He remains in my top 5 overall moving forward, and that includes all positions. Could that change? Sure, anything is possible, but it’s going to take more than 2-3 weeks for me to give up on a player I have ranked as a high first-round grab if drafting today. Note: He could struggle against PIT this week, so heading into Week 4 could be an even more ideal time to buy, but you run the risk of him having a good day against a tough defense, which would again make him hard to acquire via trade.
Week 3 Projections: 80ru/4-55rec/1TD (vs. PIT)
Week 3 Start Bench Advice & Weekly Rankings
View our Week 3 Start Bench Advice here.
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I have Green as WR1 and I won’t trade him..the only time I will trade him is if I get one of the top 3 RBs.
totally agree RAJ , and that would be good value for AJG. Hang in there with Green and you will be reward latter on..
I have Roethlisberger as my starter and 3 bench RBs (‘Quizz, Ingram and K Smith) to go along with my 3 starters (Martin, DMC, Mathews). Thinking of packaging big Ben with Ingram / Ben with Smith for Cam. Might that be enough to make the other owner think?
welcome kevin another excellent question for the forum guys. that can be a ok opening bid for cam but dont think it will get it done unless the owner is sick of Cam..i would really need his roster to give good advice and starting req..dynasty/redraft ?
Do I give up on david wilson? Droughn available on waivers.
if this is redraft feel free to drop him for another back or wr that has some upside.. but remember all it will take is an injury to brown for him to get in that lineup..
Love the bold advice Smitty, but did you look at A.J. Green’s playoff schedule
Weeks 13-16
@SD
DAL
@PHI
@PIT
…gross
if this was Calvin would it worry you? probably not and that is the level we put AJG on…
Non ppr…
Start 2 wrs
Dont get mad, Smitty…
But I’m assuming you would give away SJax and PHarvin to get Julio, correct?!
I have enough RB depth, and I would pair him with AJ Green and still have Britt and Jordy on my bench
Thanks!
GoPack
if you have the depth to not hurt your starting rbs then yes this a deal i would make for JJ..we have him finish with or above calvin and green.
I’m not so sure about your Cam buy low. He looked really bad last week and has a tough schedule ahead. He seems to be a little lost and is having trouble with the mental portion of the game.