How are we feeling about our QBs and RBs? Let me ask it this way – If I told you that Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr would be your QB1 and QB2 after Week 2, would you believe me? If I asked you who the top RBs would be at this point, would you have guessed Jordan Mason, J.K. Dobbins, or Alvin Kamara? STOP LYING. NO, YOU WOULDN’T HAVE. Friends, this has been a CRAZY start to the 2024 season, and I’m here for it. Buckle up! Here are my guys and my fades for Week 3.
But first…
Last Week: 12-8 (.600)
– QB: 4-6 (40%)
– RB: 8-2 (80%)
2024 NFL Season: 27-13 (.675)
– QB: 13-7 (65%)
– RB: 14-6 (70%)
A quick note: Start your studs. Don’t Get cute.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Fresh off a decent week against the Chiefs (QB10), Burrow is back in this column with a Sunday date against the worst pass defense in the NFL – the Washington Commanders. Week 1, it was Baker and the boys shredding this unit, and last week, Daniel Jones was decent, and Malik Nabers had himself a ball game. Chasing the matchup here, and there is a possibility Tee suits up for this one. Burrow is set to roll on Monday night.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Lazy? Yes. So sue me. All aboard, CHOO CHOO! This offense is cooking, and they have the Eagles up next, who haven’t really clicked on defense yet. I don’t think this is their week either, and Carr has just been too damn good to sit at this point. I expect this to be a much closer game than their previous two, which means Derek (fantastic name, btw) will be slinging all four quarters. With the likelihood of a shootout (Vegas currently has this as the second-highest-scoring game of the week), I like the entire Saints offense, to be honest. Carr is clicking and making me eat my words in the process. Get him in there and thank both Derek’s on Monday.
Honorable mention: Kirk Cousins, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Pretty tough matchup this week, as the Bills have done a great job thus far in limiting opposing quarterbacks (Kyler in Week 1, and Tua last week). The Jacksonville offense seems to be in a bit of a funk also, with Lawrence checking at QB23 and QB19 for the previous two weeks. Engram is most likely out (questionable at the moment with hamstring issues), Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis have yet to deliver, and Lawrence doesn’t run enough to make up for the lack of production in the passing game. I think at some point this season, he finds it, but it won’t be against the Bills – make this three straight weeks outside the top 15 at the position.
Justin Herbert, San Diego Chargers
As of this writing, Herbert carries the questionable designation, but the indications are he’ll be able to suit up Sunday against the Steelers. And so what – we’re not starting him anyway. This is clearly a running football team now (thanks, Harbaugh), he’s really devoid of all WR talent (no, I’m not impressed with QJ’s performance last week), and this is also the Pittsburgh defense (second-fewest points allowed to the position). Herbert has been horrible in his own right (QB24, QB23), and I just don’t trust him. He won’t crack the top 20 this week, and I’m very concerned about his ROS outlook.
Honorable mention: Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett, Will Levis
Same thing here – Start your studs. You didn’t draft them to overthink it each week.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
A couple of factors are driving my interest in Etienne Jr. this week. First, for as good as Buffalo has been against QBs and WR, they’ve given up the second most points to the running back position on the season. I get this isn’t apples to apples – Etienne Jr. really isn’t James Connor or De’Von Achane (who’s honestly looking like a league winner at this point) – but there is opportunity based on the matchup. Workload share concerns were slightly alleviated by a 28-touch Week 2, so TEJ is trending in the right direction. See “Trevor Lawrence” above and connect the dots – the Jags will most likely lean run-heavy if the game script allows it, and Etienne Jr. will be top 20 this week.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
CMC who? Through two weeks, Mason looks like a lottery ticket for those fortunate enough to scoop. He’s RB7 on the season, and the good times will keep rolling this week against the Rams, who are giving up over 30 points a week to the position. Aaron Donald is gone, and you can run like hell on this defense without him. Now, the RBs Los Angeles has faced have been really good, but Mason also looks to fit that bill. We’re going to keep attacking the matchups, and this one is ripe. Mason doesn’t catch passes, but he’s the only RB on the roster getting carries (Ahhhhh, our old friend volume). 20 carries, 100+, and multiple tuddys are within reach this week.
Honorable mention: De’Von Achane, Javonte Williams, Saquon Barkley
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Yes, friends, I realize Alvin and the Saintmunks (fetch, right?) just ran WILD on this Cowboys defense, but I’m willing to chalk that up to a tough week where they got punched in the face right out of the gate and never recovered. They’ll see Derrick Henry coming, and I think this will be a tough week for the King. Henry has a pretty decent floor, but this Dallas defense isn’t too far removed from being one of the top run-stopping units in the league. And Mike Zimmer, who – despite last week – is a pretty savvy DC. I do expect Lamar to break 100 in this game, and this is a game the Ravens needto win. So there is a risk here in sitting him, but my hunch says Dem Boys will hold him in check.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants
So far in 2024, there’s decent volume for Singletary in this offense (15 or so touches a game), and for that, I’d say he’s got a somewhat reliable floor each week. I’m also of the opinion that Singletary’s ceiling is super low based on the lack of historical production and the futility of this offense. Friends, that’s a bad combo. The matchup isn’t super scary (Cleveland is middle of the pack this season and last), but the Browns do have playmakers at each level. Vegas expects this to be a low-scoring affair, and so do I. I’d be astonished if Singletary is top 25 this week.
Honorable mention: Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, J.K. Dobbins
