The “Swindlers List” – Week 3 Buy Low Targets

Week 3 Buy Low Targets

This fantasy season seems to have started on another wavelength than prior seasons. It’s beginning to feel like an episode of the old Superman animated cartoon show that used to come on when he had to deal with Bizarro Superman, and everything was backward when dealing with him. That’s how the season has been going. Players highly drafted like Lamar Jackson and Ja’Marr Chase underperformed to start the season,  while undrafted or late-round players like Puka Nacua and Nico Collins have outperformed many of the top fantasy prospects heading into the season. Even Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson has got in on the action, as he’s the RB3 heading into Week 3.

With all of these unassuming players rising to the occasion and the highly-rated players not doing so well out of the gate, there are plenty of targets to choose from this week. While I can’t add every single one as you probably wouldn’t read the entire thing, I have a few buy-low targets that fantasy managers may want to jump on before this weekend’s slate of games.

Target Acquired

Alexander Mattison, RB – Minnesota Vikings

Alexander Mattison is a player many had higher hopes for during the offseason after Dalvin Cook was released from the team. With the slow start over the first two weeks for Mattison and then the recent trade for Rams running back Cam Akers, many are starting to jump ship from the Vikings running back. This might be the perfect opportunity to get Alexander Mattison on your roster. Not only does he have a good matchup in Week 3 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers but he shouldn’t cost you much to get him via trade. If you need a running back or are looking to add depth to your roster, Mattison should be a high priority for you this week.

AJ Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Brown hasn’t been as impressive out the gate as he was last season. Brown was particularly upset at his lack of attention against the Vikings in Week 2 and could be seen visibly frustrated by Jalen Hurts and the lack of targets. AJ Brown currently ranks as the WR44 heading into Week 3 averaging just 10.9 fantasy points per game over the first two weeks of the season. If you can pry Brown from a frustrated fantasy manager’s hands, this is the time to do it. The Eagles will look to get Brown more targets against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers so you’ll want to put that trade offer in before the weekend if your league is still installing wait periods on deals. And if that’s the case, tell your commissioner to get with the times.

Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

I honestly didn’t think I would have to add Joe “Sheisty” to this list but here we are. Burrow has been horrible over the first two weeks of the season as he’s thrown for just 304 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) with a 2:1 TD-to-INT ratio. That’s very un-sheisty-like. To make matters worse for Burrow, he tweaked his calf injury during Week 2’s loss against the Baltimore Ravens and his Week 3 status is up in the air. Currently ranked as the QB31 (Holy cow!), this may be the perfect (and only) chance to get Burrow as his fantasy value is in the dumpster.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson is another quarterback that many thought would be able to bounce back but he’s looked like anything but a bounce-back candidate so far this season. Watson may not be as bad as Burrow (QB15 – 16.1 FPPG) but his recent performances certainly aren’t what fantasy managers were expecting when they drafted him. Like Alexander Mattison mentioned earlier, Watson has a perfect bounce-back matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 so if you can get ahead of this weekend and make a deal, you could be sitting pretty.

Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Najee Harris is another player who’s started off slow to start the season off. Harris is currently the RB47 after two games averaging just 5.3 FPPG. Harris also has to contend with fellow running back Jaylen Warren emerging and taking work off of his plate too. Harris is still getting the bigger share of the snaps but his slow start in an offense that is known for running the ball is a bit concerning. While Harris is on the list, something to consider if you’re going to take him on as a potential target is that the Steelers offense isn’t a point-making juggernaut. The Steelers average just 16.5 points per game on offense. That’s the seventh-fewest scoring offense in the league.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Ridley started great in Week 1 where he made his debut with the Jaguars, catching eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. But he fell back to earth in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs as he caught just two passes for 32 yards (on eight targets). Ridley might be the toughest player to get on the list as he’s had one good game and one down game. With the kind of target share Ridley is getting with the Jags, it’s worth the attempt to try and work out a deal to get him.

Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

Thomas is returning to full health for the first time in a long time. But Thomas is just averaging 11.8 FPPG so far in 2023. Thomas has shown that he’s paired well with new quarterback Derek Carr as he’s been targeted 17 times over the last two games. While Chris Olave is seeing the bigger play targets, it’s only a matter of time before the Saints start putting up points and scoring fantasy points, health remaining. Thomas is a lower end wide receiver with solid upside based on the targets he’s getting. I’d take the shot of adding him to my fantasy team.