It’s been three weeks into the fantasy season and things have been pretty unpredictable. Some fantasy players have exceeded expectations while others have had a slow start. It’s still early, but some players are giving us a glimpse of what their season might be like. Let’s dive into some metrics that highlighted fantasy’s Week 3.
Metrics That Matter: Fantasy Football Week 3
Justin Jefferson Proves He Can Shine Regardless of Who Is The Quarterback
When Sam Darnold was announced as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings before the season, many underestimated the fantasy potential of wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Darnold has not shown consistent quality as a starting quarterback throughout his career, so concerns about Jefferson’s value were justified. Despite being one of the best fantasy football players in previous seasons, Jefferson’s average draft position (ADP) for 2024 was the lowest since his rookie year.
However, in the first three weeks of the season, Jefferson has demonstrated that he can still be a star receiver regardless of who is throwing him the ball. An interesting statistic is the significant portion of Darnold’s total passing yards that have gone to Jefferson. Darnold has thrown for 606 passing yards, with 273 of those yards going to Jefferson. Though Jefferson has typically been a focal point for his quarterbacks, it was unexpected for him to maintain this level of success with Darnold as his quarterback.
The Vikings, who are currently 3-0, are looking to extend their winning streak against the Green Bay Packers, a team that has experienced Jefferson’s dominance in the past. It is likely that as Darnold and the Vikings continue to perform well, Jefferson will also thrive.
Malik Nabers Is Making History
As he entered the NFL, New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers was considered one of the top wide receivers in the draft. After three weeks in the NFL, he has proven that he might become the best. He possesses impressive athletic ability and speed in the open field. What makes Nabers’ dominance even more intriguing is his high number of receiving targets. Nabers currently leads the NFL in targets with 31, which puts him at third all-time through three career games. Only Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua and the late Terry Glenn have had more targets than Nabers in a three-game span.
Nabers has the advantage of not having much star-power around him in New York, making him the clear focal point of the offense. The difference in talent between him and his teammates is the largest in the league. Nabers should continue to attract a lot of attention, and it’s not just about the targets. He has already racked up 271 receiving yards and three touchdowns, showing that he’s making the most of his opportunities. Nabers is making a strong case for potentially becoming a WR1 in fantasy football.
Travis Kelce Is No Longer a Fantasy Superstar
The tight-end position in fantasy football has always been difficult to evaluate. For a long time, Travis Kelce stood in a tier of his own, with everyone else below. For nearly a decade, Kelce was one of the most consistent players in fantasy football, providing reliability to the Kansas City Chiefs and fantasy teams alike. He was a must-start in all fantasy football formats, involved in every game and showing toughness every week. However, in 2023, his production started to decline, and by 2024, it’s well-known that Kelce is not the value he used to be.
In the first three games of 2024, Kelce has only managed 14.2 fantasy points combined, ranking him 20th among tight ends. While Kelce’s snap percentage has been at its highest since 2019, yet he has not been producing much. After three weeks, Kelce’s name alone doesn’t hold much power on fantasy teams. Moving forward, he might only be a starter on a matchup-by-matchup basis.
The Dallas Cowboys Run Defense Makes Any Opposing Running Back A Must-Start
The Dallas Cowboys are having a disastrous season. Without quarterback Dak Prescott’s strong arm and leadership, the team would be one of the worst and most overrated in the NFL. The offense lacks a reliable running game, putting pressure on Prescott to throw a lot. The offensive line issues and defensive mistakes add to the challenges. The biggest problem, however, is the poor defense. Despite the defensive coordinator’s focus on stopping the run, the defense is struggling. As a result, some running backs are having great fantasy outings against the Cowboys.
According to ESPN research, the Cowboys have allowed 557 rushing yards in the first three games, the most since 1963. The average of 5.4 yards per carry allowed is the highest since 1979. The Cowboys’ defense has also given up the most rushing touchdowns in franchise history. The Cowboys’ defense is so bad that opposing running backs are likely to have their best games of the season against them. Even though their next two opponents on paper will not pose a threat in the run game, the Cowboys defense is bad enough to make any running back look great.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys are no longer a top-tier defense, and things could get worse as the season progresses. Running backs like Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Bijan Robinson, and Saquon Barkley will have an opportunity to exploit the Cowboys’ defense later in the year.
Universal Responsible Gambling Disclaimer: Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Main Photo: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
