Andrews & Likely Look Like Bust Candidates Again in Dallas

(All fantasy-related statistics are derived from FantasyPros.com and are based on standard format unless otherwise specified.)

Cowboys-Ravens Fantasy Outlook

Well, despite the Baltimore Ravens offense lacking any clear identity in Sunday’s 26-23 loss to Las Vegas, many of its fantasy playmakers held sturdy in both PPR and standard formats (minus both tight ends, neither of which reached 10 points in any format).

Dallas succumbed to an even worse loss against New Orleans (44-19), resulting in respectable fantasy performances from only CeeDee Lamb, kicker Brandon Aubrey and third-year wideout Jalen Tolbert, a much more random and minimal selection.

Baltimore’s players likely have a lesser chance of underperforming in fantasy this week, although both offenses face what have historically been considered a couple of the best defenses in the league.

Start

Jake Ferguson/Luke Schoonmaker (TE)

Tight end scarcity has become a huge issue in today’s game of fantasy football. It doesn’t help, either, when the highest drafted tight ends like Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce have busted two weeks in a row, suggesting right now to be wasted draft picks.

There’s hope this week for the starting Dallas tight end, whether it be Jake Ferguson or Luke Schoonmaker, for a double-digit fantasy finish against Baltimore. Last week against Las Vegas, Baltimore’s secondary allowed tight end Brock Bowers to tie Davante Adams with receptions (9), leaving Bowers to finish with 9.8 points in standard format and 18.8 points in PPR. A similar result could occur this week if CeeDee Lamb attracts too much attention from Baltimore’s defensive backs.

Although he was out dealing with an MCL sprain and bone bruise in Week 2, Ferguson is trending in the direction of playing in Week 3. If he’s absent again, Schoonmaker could serve as a suitable last resort in PPR after notching six receptions for 43 yards against the Saints for a 10.3-point finish.

Zay Flowers (WR)

Across Baltimore’s first two games, Flowers has established himself as Lamar Jackson‘s most-favored receiver, leading with 21 targets, above Isaiah Likely (15) and Justice Hill (10). Right now, he appears to be Baltimore’s most reliable fantasy asset, with inconsistent outputs thus far from fellow pass-catchers Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Flowers has more upside in PPR formats and currently carries a projection of 15.3, a number that is fairly obtainable for the 24-year-old while other Ravens wide receivers fly under the radar. Whether you’re in an eight-person league or 20-person league, he’s worth the start.

Derrick Henry (RB)

While Henry’s usage may not meet the current expectations of many hopeful Baltimoreans, his 31 rushing attempts set him apart as Baltimore’s go-to rusher above Jackson (21 attempts) and Hill (five attempts). Across all formats, Henry has had double-digit finishes in fantasy in both of his two games as a Raven.

Dallas’ run defense completely folded against Alvin Kamara in Week 2. Kamara averaged 5.8 yards per carry for 115 yards and ran in three touchdowns, totaling above 40 fantasy points. Yes, Kamara is currently fantasy’s top running back, but Henry’s caliber and potential to succeed isn’t far short. He’s a must start at RB2 in deeper leagues and certainly worthy of a flex spot in eight-man leagues.

Others to start: Lamar Jackson (QB), CeeDee Lamb (WR), Brandon Aubrey (K), Justin Tucker (K)

Be sure to check out Pin Up Casino

Sit

Rashod Bateman (WR)

Rashod Bateman will continue to marinate on my sit list, as he’s garnered plenty of hype heading into this season only to disappoint thus far in fantasy with seven-point PPR finishes across two weeks. The fourth-year WR2 has the fourth-most targets on the team (7) and the fifth-most receptions (5), but his glimmer of hope is having third-most yards with 93. Baltimore is clearly still feeling out its offensive scheme (because the offseason wasn’t long enough, apparently), so wait for Bateman’s receptions and yardage to earn him a double-digit finish in fantasy before even considering him to fill your flex spot.

Ezekiel Elliot and Rico Dowdle (RB)

The Dallas Cowboys running back room has proven to be a disaster for fantasy football managers, with Ezekiel Elliot and Rico Dowdle appearing to alternate drives in the entirety of Dallas’ loss to the Saints. It’s evident that there isn’t a go-to back for the Cowboys just yet, with Elliot’s 16 rush attempts just barely ahead of Dowdle’s 15. It’s hard to say which running back has more upside, as the two are fairly close in all other stats, too. Dowdle’s 3.7 rushing yards per attempt just barely surpass Elliot’s 3.5, and the only rushing touchdown scored between the two belongs to Zeke (in Week 1 against Cleveland.)

Baltimore’s run defense has shown to be far more reliable than its secondary, suggesting that Dallas may resort to a pass-heavy performance on Sunday.

Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely? (TE)

After leading off my start ‘em candidates in Week 2, Likely and Andrews now trend in the direction of busting again this week against the Cowboys, with Likely having more positive potential than Andrews. Both tight ends’ usages have been head scratchers this season. Likely saw 12 targets in Week 1 that left him with 26 PPR points, but only getting three looks and two receptions in Week 2, he finished with only 4.6 points. As for Andrews, he’s just been too under-utilized in the pass game, earning a season-high four receptions in Baltimore’s loss to the Raiders.

The tight end position has proven to be unpredictable this year with Andrews drifting towards being as big of a disappointment as Kelce and LaPorta. Tight ends against Dallas have only combined for seven fantasy points across two games, suggesting that neither Likely or Andrews will boom this week.

Others to sit: Dak Prescott (QB), Hill (RB), Brandin Cooks (WR), Jalen Tolbert (WR), Ravens D/ST, Cowboys D/ST

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Frontrunners Around the League

Start

Jordan Mason (RB)

Mason has solidified himself as a top-10 running back in the first two weeks of Christian McCaffrey’s absence. He’s now surpassed 100 rushing yards in each of his two games and also found the end zone in each. McCaffrey’s earliest return isn’t expected until Week 7, and with Elijah Mitchell ruled out for the year, Mason has the situation to serve as one of 2024’s top waiver wire additions. Against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, Mason carries plenty of boom potential against a defense that currently allows the third-most rushing yards per game to offenses (197).

Javonte Williams (RB)

Despite splitting carries fairly evenly with fellow back Jaleel McLaughlin in Week 1, Williams was the clear go-to in Week 2 against Pittsburgh. His 11 rush attempts overshadowed McLaughlin’s mere three, despite Williams struggling on the ground with only 17 rushing yards. Williams earned the majority of his 11.5 PPR points from the pass game, however, tacking on 48 yards through five receptions.

Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, Williams finds himself against a lackluster run defense that has allowed running backs to average 22 fantasy points thus far in the season.

Sit

Aaron Jones (RB)

Jones hasn’t quite disappointed in PPR as much as he has in standard format, but regardless of which scoring system your league uses, he enters his toughest game yet against the Houston Texans in Week 3. The Texans have the seventh-best run defense in the league, only allowing 87.5 yards per game to opposing offenses. Not a single back has surpassed 100 yards against the Texans this season and no back has scored more than two rushing touchdowns in a single game. There isn’t much upside for Jones this week.

Christian Kirk (WR)

Christian Kirk is a top candidate for being the biggest fantasy bust in the opening weeks of the NFL season, considering his ADP floated between rounds three and four of most drafts. Despite tight end Evan Engram’s absence in the Jaguars’ 18-13 loss to Browns on Sunday, Kirk was still out-targeted by receivers Gabe Davis, Brenton Strange and Brian Thomas.

He carries one reception in each of his two appearances, and the two catches only combine for 29 yards. Against Buffalo this week, there is little to show that Kirk is expected to trend upward.

Feel free to leave me your questions in the comments, or tweet me @BrennanStewart_ .

Also, be sure to check out Tanner George’s top free agent picks for Week 3.

Good luck!