Fantasy Football Redraft

Week 3 Free Agent Focus

By Matt Schauf 10:15am EDT 9/20/22

Print

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Tua was masterful against the Ravens, completing 36 of 50 passes for 469 yards and 6 TDs (2 INTs). The boosted volume came from Miami falling behind 28-7 in the first half. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle did most of the damage, with the duo accounting for 65% of the targets, 77% of the receiving yards and 4 scores.

Tua’s lack of arm strength continued to show up at times. But it’s clear that this new-look offense will provide some high-upside games this season.

We’re not counting on him as a QB1 for next Sunday’s showdown with Buffalo. But after that comes a pair of better matchups: at Bengals and at Jets.

Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-25%

After getting out-carried by Chase Edmonds in the opener, Mostert held the upper hand – 11 to 5 – at Baltimore. The former 49er averaged 4.7 yards per carry and surprisingly matched Edmonds with 3 targets. Mostert played 55% of snaps in the game, edging Edmonds’ 51%. He also out-gained Edmonds 79-41 in total yards.

Given that we’ve seen each player lead for a game so far, it’s too early to get a read on how this backfield will operate regularly. The sheer fact that either could lead for a given game, though – without the other being hurt – means both should be rostered in pretty much all leagues of 10+ teams.

Darrel Williams and Eno Benjamin, RBs, Cardinals

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-20%

James Conner left in the 3rd quarter of Sunday’s OT win over the Raiders with an ankle injury. That left Williams and Benjamin splitting work pretty evenly. Williams out-carried Benjamin 8 to 5 after Conner exited; Benjamin edged Williams 4 to 3 in targets.

The team reportedly does not consider Conner’s injury to be serious. We’ll see whether he’s even able to make it back for Week 3. If Conner misses further time, though, it looks like we should expect an even work split between Williams and Benjamin. That makes them both worth rostering in most leagues of 12+ teams.

Although Williams was the more productive of the 2 on Sunday, he has also been 3rd in line so far this season.

Jordan Mason, RB, 49ers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Even with Elijah Mitchell out, Mason got no offensive snaps in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks. That should change in Week 3, now that fellow rookie Tyrion Davis-Price has suffered a high-ankle sprain.

Jeff Wilson Jr. figures to work as the top back after carrying 18 times and drawing the team’s only 2 RB targets vs. Seattle. He should be rostered everywhere at this point. But the 49ers also gave 14 carries to Davis-Price, after he had been a Week 1 healthy scratch. We’ll see how touches get divvied this Sunday at Denver.

We’d bet on San Francisco also elevating RB Marlon Mack from the practice squad for this game, and he might be worth a low-dollar add in deep leagues.

Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets

Blind-bid recommendation: 20-25%

He's already owned in 70% of ESPN leagues, but we've heard from readers who find Wilson available this week. The rookie was New York’s clear top pass catcher in Sunday’s comeback win over the Browns, leading the team with 8 catches, 102 yards and 2 TDs.

His 14 targets — yes, 14 — represented a 31.8% team share. Teammate Elijah Moore, meanwhile, mustered only 3 catches on 5 targets. Wilson’s effortless ability to create separation was on display all day, particularly on a 3rd-and goal pass where he was isolated out wide. Later, the rookie found a hole in the middle of Cleveland’s zone and snagged the game-winning score.

Through 2 games, Wilson's posted 22-12-154-2 vs. 12-8-90-0 for Elijah Moore. We’ll see how this unit is shaken up by the eventual return of Zach Wilson — perhaps as soon as Week 4 vs Pittsburgh. For now, though, Joe Flacco is playing above expectation. In fact, believe it or not, Flacco is Pro Football Focus’ 4th highest graded passer through 2 weeks.

Josh Palmer, WR, Chargers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

It was a frustrating outing from Palmer for much of Thursday night’s game vs. the Chiefs. He and Justin Herbert seemed to be on different pages for several targets, leading to incompletions. Palmer, though, salvaged his week with a 7-yard TD late in the 4th quarter.

More importantly — for sustained success — he ran a route on 96% of pass plays and saw a decent 17% target share.

Now, we’ll have to keep an eye on Herbert’s rib injury (fractured cartilage, per multiple sources). But Palmer will remain in the WR3 mix as long as Herbert is active and Keenan Allen is out (hamstring).

Gerald Everett, TE, Chargers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-15%

Everett followed a 3-54-1 line in the opener with 6 catches for 71 yards in Thursday night’s loss to the Chiefs. His 10 targets tied for the team lead and were 21% of the Chargers’ total. He certainly benefited from the team missing Keenan Allen and Donald Parham. But Everett looks set to play a significant role in this high-end passing game. We'll just have to keep an eye on the status of Justin Herbert (ribs).

Everett, for now, remains available in about 70% of ESPN leagues.

Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Engram led all Jaguars in targets (8) and receptions (7) in Sunday’s lopsided win over the Colts. WR Christian Kirk followed with 6, and Marvin Jones followed with 5. Those 3 led the team in routes, according to Pro Football Focus, with Engram running 21 more than WR Zay Jones. Target shares might fluctuate among that top 4 week to week, but Engram should remain steadily involved in a pass offense that we’d bet will commonly see more volume than the 31 attempts of Sunday’s game.

We’re also seeing nice improvement from 2nd-year QB Trevor Lawrence. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Lawrence led all Week 2 passers in Expected Completion Percentage (74.7%). He ranked 2nd in true completion rate (83.3%).

Jacksonville’s next 2 matchups (at Chargers, at Eagles) also figure to turn up favorable game scripts.