Fantasy Football: Sleepers to Claim for Week Three: Niles Paul
By John Viril
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Hawkins has put up 3 solid weeks, including a nice game on Sunday for Cleveland with 7 catches for 87 yards and 10 targets. Right now, he looks to have claimed the top receiver role for the Browns as Brian Hoyer‘s favorite target. This guy looks like a keeper.
Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson are in a battle in Jacksonville to be the no. 1 receiver. Robinson had a nice game, with 7 catches for 79 yards, while Hurns provided the big play with 1 catch for 63 yards and a TD. Right now, it looks like Jacksonville quarterbacks have shifted their targets to Robinson—but note also that Blake Bortles played on Sunday rather than Chad Henne, and that Hurns has 3 touchdowns.
Travis Kelce looks like he will be the no. 1 downfield receiving target in Kansas City. On Sunday, Kelce put up his first NFL touchdown, but only had 3 catches for 36 yards. Still, he’s a mismatch with both size and speed. I expect him to be a good pickup by year’s end.
Jake Locker struggled for the 2nd straight week. He looks like a one game wonder and I’d drop him immediately.
From week 2, Bernard Pierce missed Sunday’s game with a thigh injury, and watched his two stable mates both put up solid numbers in his absence. While many think he will still be the no.1 back on his return, he’s in the middle of a dogfight for carries in Baltimore.
QB Kirk Cousins was a steal, lighting up the Eagles for 427 yards, and 3 TDs with 1 INT on Sunday. He can definitely help you if you’re weak at QB, and is a find in 2 QB leagues.
Knile Davis was a beast for Kansas City in place of Jamaal Charles, rushing for 132 yards and 1 TD vs. the Dolphins. However, Davis lost a fumble and Charles practiced last week and is expected to return against the Patriots—so Davis might have a shorter shelf life as a useful pickup than I had hoped.
Mohamed Sanu continued to get targets in Cincy after A.J. Green returned to action Sunday. Sanu caught 5 balls for 44 yards, but might only have value in a very deep league.
On to my week 3 recommendations: