4 Elite Players to Avoid - Week 3
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Here are four elite players you should fade in Week 3 daily fantasy contests:
QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. Lions)
When did Rodgers last pull off an elite performance? Through two weeks, he has just 412 passing yards with three TDs to one interception. In other words, he's been fine. You're not rostering him to be fine. He's supposed to be one of the best, if not the absolute best there is.
Rodgers finished 2015 with three consecutive games throwing only a single touchdown matched by a single interception. He hasn't eclipsed 300 yards in a game since Week 10 against these very Lions. He began last season with 11 TD passes and zero INTs through four games, but it has been diminishing returns with slight flourishes ever since.
With his DFS price tag being what it is, he can't be expected to reach his ceiling. The Lions have been susceptible to the pass, though, and could be the recipe to Rodgers' woes, but it's an expensive commitment for a player who hasn't lived up to his reputation for quite some time.
RB LeSean McCoy, Bills (vs. Cardinals)
A Week 1 touchdown against the Ravens has elevated McCoy's fantasy production, but he gets a much more difficult assignment in Week 3 against Arizona. New England Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount managed 70 yards on 22 carries in Week 1 against the Cardinals, but no one managed consistency in the run game in Week 2.
The Cardinals had one of the most highly touted defenses heading into this season; barring injury, this unit could get even better. McCoy should, eventually, see a larger workload, but that requires the Bills to keep things close, something they were unable to do until late in Week 2 against the Jets.
There are better options at all price points on the Week 3 slate. For McCoy, it might be best to look ahead to Week 5 through 7 when the Bills match up against the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins.
WR A.J. Green, Bengals (vs. Broncos)
Green was stifled in Week 2 against the Steelers, settling for two catches on eight targets for 38 yards. This doesn't mean Pittsburgh's pass defense was particularly good, just that the Steelers put all their efforts into stopping Green. The Broncos have a much better defense, and could keep Green quiet for a second straight week.
As one of the most expensive options at wide receiver even after his invisible performance, Green can't be trusted right away. Green is still an elite receiver. This is not indicative of a general dip in quality, since he torched the Jets for 180 yards on 12 receptions in Week 1. Fading him in Week 3 is not a symptom of recency bias, it's just a horrible matchup following a poor showing.
Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins will be a different story, but the Broncos should be able to isolate him consistently. No team allowed fewer passing yards in 2015 than Denver and nothing has changed in the team's secondary. The one issue may be the absence of LB DeMarcus Ware, but it's unlikely that impacts Green's coverage. Avoid Green for now.
TE Greg Olsen, Panthers (vs. Vikings)
One of the best tight ends week to week, Olsen has been easily returned the most value in the season's first two games. He is QB Cam Newton's insurance policy, and has consistently been a weapon of choice. Even with WR Kelvin Benjamin's return and resurgence, Olsen hasn't yet slowed.
There is always a possibility that he will pull through regardless of matchup - he's elite for a reason - but searching for a cheaper option like Dolphins TE Jordan Cameron against the bumbling Browns would allow allotting funds for better talent at other positions. It comes down to philosophy. Unless Rob Gronkowski is active, it's difficult to justify spending up for a tight end.
And while Benjamin's presence hasn't eaten into Olsen's yards, it could still hurt is scoring potential. If Olsen's salary dips in subsequent weeks, he'll be worth picking again, but he's too risky for cash games against a stellar Minnesota Vikings defense and too pricey to invest in him in a GPP.