Fantasy: 5 last-minute additions poised for big games in Week 3
Each week, we take a look at five last-minute additions for your fantasy team heading into NFL Sunday.
Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles
vs. Colts
The Eagles brought Matthews back into the mix this week with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery still considered unlikely to play as of Friday.
In Matthews, the Eagles reacquired the 42nd overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. He and quarterback Carson Wentz, who's set to return and start this week, connected on 73 of 117 targets for 804 yards and three touchdowns in the quarterback's rookie campaign.
With Wentz back and Jeffery still sidelined, receiver Nelson Agholor and tight end Zach Ertz should see the biggest boosts in fantasy production, but Matthews is expected to regain his former role as the primary slot receiver. Meanwhile, the odds favor the Eagles putting up 27 points on the Colts, according to Covers.com.
James Washington, WR, Steelers
at Buccaneers
Washington made an impact for the first time in Week 2 when he scored a 14-yard touchdown against the Chiefs. He saw five targets that game after playing just 11 offensive snaps in his NFL debut, according to FootballOutsiders.com.
The Buccaneers have been able to build sizable early leads in each of their first two games, while the Steelers fell behind by 21 points in the first quarter of Week 2.
Similar conditions would mean the Steelers deploy more three-receiver sets and take deep shots to Washington in hopes of a quick score. Only six teams have allowed more passing plays of at least 20 yards than Tampa Bay's nine through two games.
Ito Smith, RB, Falcons
vs. Saints
The Falcons stood by their running back rotation without starter Devonta Freeman in Week 2. Smith, a fourth-round rookie, played 19 snaps to Tevin Coleman's 40 and carried the ball nine times for 46 yards with a single 8-yard reception.
The Falcons and Saints boast an over/under line of 53.5 points this week, with Atlanta listed as a 3-point home favorite. A high-scoring affair would allow both teams to run plenty of plays, giving FLEX appeal to Smith as the No. 2 back.
Zay Jones, WR, Bills
at Vikings
The Bills are listed as a massive 17-point road underdog against the Vikings, which should pave the way for rookie quarterback Josh Allen's passing attack to create some fantasy points in garbage time.
Jones caught two of three passes from Allen in Week 2 for 63 yards. And he showed some of the potential that made him a second-round pick in 2017 with a 57-yard haul that was easily a career long.
The Vikings' defense has not been immune to giving up big plays with seven passes of at least 20 yards allowed. Jones can exploit this and should benefit most from Allen's likely late-game desperation.
Mark Walton, RB, Bengals
at Panthers
Walton, the 112th overall pick of the 2018 draft, will get his first taste of regular-season action after being inactive throughout the first two weeks.
Joe Mixon's injury sets up pass-catching back Giovani Bernard for a greatly expanded role on the ground, but Walton should still see work in a complementary role.
Walton and Bernard check in around the same height and weight, but Bernard has just one red-zone carry so far this season after having 10 such totes in 16 games last year, according to NFLSavant.com. Walton could reward brave fantasy managers if he spells Bernard inside the opponent's 20-yard line during Mixon's absence.