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FFL: Week 3 | NFL: Week 3

Dolphins stress communication with absent QB Tua Tagovailoa

Tue May 21 3:04pm ET
Field Level Media

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel can deal with an occasional absence from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, even during negotiations toward a long-term contract extension.

Tagovailoa was excused from Tuesday's team workout after attending Monday. He played in former Alabama head coach Nick Saban's annual charity golf tournament, a date previously cleared by the Dolphins.

"I think what's important in the player-coach relationship is communication," McDaniel said after noting Tagovailoa doesn't have perfect attendance and has "been here and not been here," during OTAs.

"I think however things play out, as long as we're communicating and we're on our P's and Q's in what we need to get accomplished, then we have a fighting chance. It's been a good exercise in our relationship this offseason."

This is the final season on the rookie deal Tagovailoa signed, a fifth-year team option worth $23.1 million. But the going rate for plus starters in the NFL is more than double that rate annually.

McDaniel said Tuesday he wouldn't speak for Tagovailoa regarding specific reasons or rationale behind other absences.

The Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020 and he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023. He also tallied 29 touchdown passes and largely stayed healthy. For the first time in his pro career, he played all 17 games in the regular season after concussions impacted his 2022 season.

Last summer, Tagovailoa dedicated himself to martial arts in an effort to promote safer landings -- thus avoiding head injuries from helmet-to-turf contact. This offseason is all about getting cut, improving agility and being more of a threat outside of the pocket.

McDaniel said Tagovailoa, 26, is down "10 to 15 pounds."

"The results speak for themselves," McDaniel said. "He's svelte."

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 3

Player Notes
CeeDee Lamb Sep 21 1:00am ET
CeeDee Lamb

The Baltimore Ravens defense/special teams have shown the ability to create turnovers and grab a couple of sacks, but they haven't been able to limit yards and points scored like last season. This defense has given up an average of 26.5 points and 306.5 total yards. They've been able to eat up opposing ground games, but they're the eighth easiest matchup for opposing receivers as they've given up 32.8 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats. The Dallas Cowboys have the potential to explode through the air since they boast one of the top receivers in the game in CeeDee Lamb. With how weak the Cowboys' ground game has been, it looks like they'll need to air out early and often. The Ravens' defense doesn't quite give fantasy managers the peace of mind they once did, but they are a startable fantasy asset in Week 3 despite being on the riskier side.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Sep 21 1:00am ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson heads into Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns with a bump in the road, coming off a poor Week 2 performance where he caught only two of his four targets for 18 yards. Robinson's role as a short-area target gives him a decent floor in PPR formats (as a flex in deeper leagues), but the matchup is tough. The Browns have allowed just 199 passing yards per game in 2024, and Malik Nabers seems to be hogging all of the targets (18 in Week 2). Still, Robinson's quickness could exploit Cleveland's vulnerability to slot receivers, and with the Giants likely playing from behind, he may see an uptick in volume. Consider him a fringe WR3/flex option with potential in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Greg Joseph Sep 21 1:00am ET
Greg Joseph

New York Giants kicker Greg Joseph enters Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns with an opportunity to deliver fantasy value after being picked up off the Detroit Lions practice squad. At this time, Joseph might not even be the kicker that dresses against the Browns as he is competing with Jude McAtamney, who is also on the practice roster. The veteran has played 67 regular-season games for three teams with an 82.6 field goal percentage and a long of 61 yards. Keep an eye on who will be dressed for Sunday's matchup.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Sep 21 1:00am ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (elbow, calf) didn't practice on Friday. That's three straight absences for the wideout, who is now considered questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 24-year-old was in line to be the top wideout in Los Angeles entering the 2024-25 campaign. However, he's caught just four of his six targets for 34 yards in the Bolts' first two contests. With that in mind, Palmer isn't an ideal fantasy option in any fantasy format for Week 3 if he's active. That's not expected to change anytime soon, especially with Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey playing as well as anyone could hope.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Sep 21 12:50am ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton enters Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns fresh off a quiet Week 2 performance where he posted just three receptions for 33 yards. Slayton's deep-threat ability can be explosive, and he'll face a Browns defense that has allowed 12.1 yards per reception to receivers through two weeks. Slayton's target share has been modest (10.5% of the team's passing attempts), but there's some sneaky upside here. Expect Slayton to be a high-risk option that is best left on waivers unless managers are desperate for a flex play.

From RotoBaller

Hayden Hurst Sep 21 12:50am ET
Hayden Hurst

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he logged a full session on Friday and was removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite playing more snaps than Will Dissly through the first two games of the 2024-25 campaign, the latter has been more productive. Still, neither play will find a home in fantasy lineups for Week 3 due to their lack of statistical output. That will be even more true if Justin Herbert (ankle), who is questionable, isn't active.

From RotoBaller

Theo Johnson Sep 21 12:40am ET
Theo Johnson

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson enters Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns after a performance he would like to forget in Week 2, where he posted 0 receptions on 0 targets against the Washington Commanders. Cleveland has allowed an average of only 8.65 fantasy points per game to tight ends through the first two weeks. At this point, Johnson should not be considered for anyone's roster, but managers should keep an eye on him as he is still the team's starting TE, and the Giants have committed to him there.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Sep 21 12:40am ET
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (calf) was limited during Friday's practice session and is questionable for Monday's game versus Washington. The 28-year-old had a touchdown called back in the Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots. However, he made amends by catching seven of his nine targets for 91 yards in the narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. With many tight ends around the National Football League struggling, Gesicki has gained streaming appeal in 12-team formats. Yet, his status for Week 3 may not be revealed until Monday night, well after nearly every contest on the slate has been played. As a result, fantasy managers may want to consider an alternative for Week 3. If anything, Drew Sample and Erick All Jr. are likely available on the waiver wire. Still, both men aren't expected to do much versus the Washington Commanders, especially if Tee Higgins (hamstring) is back in the lineup after missing the Bengals' previous two contests.

From RotoBaller

Greg Dulcich Sep 21 12:30am ET
Greg Dulcich

Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich (knee, ankle) no longer carries an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was limited during Wednesday's practice. However, the 24-year-old logged full sessions on Thursday and Friday. Dulcich began the 2024-25 campaign by amassing two catches for 12 yards in the Week 1 matchup with the Seahawks. While he was targeted eight times in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he ended the day with only three receptions for 16 yards. With that in mind, Dulcich doesn't warrant consideration in any fantasy format, especially with Bo Nix under center, with the rookie signal-caller throwing four picks and completing only 59.7% of his tosses in the Broncos' first two contests.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Sep 21 12:20am ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) plans to play against the Washington Commanders on Monday night. The wideout has battled a hamstring injury, keeping him off the field for the Bengals' previous two contests. Fortunately, he's feeling better. "I feel great," said Higgins after practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. "Obviously, unfortunate with the injury, sat out the first two weeks but finally ready to get my feet wet this season and ready to go." Under normal circumstances, Higgins is a starting fantasy receiver in any format. However, there's a chance he could see fewer snaps than usual. As a result, Andrei Iosivas, coming off a two-touchdown outing versus the Kansas City Chiefs, could remain involved. Still, Iosivas' fantasy outlook would have been more promising had Higgins been in line to miss Monday's contest. On the other hand, Higgins' anticipated return is good news for Joe Burrow all around.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Sep 21 12:20am ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has been incredibly reliable thus far this season but will face his toughest test yet in the team's home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers defense has been stout through two weeks, surrendering the fewest points and second-fewest offensive yards in the NFL. Because this is expected to be a sluggish, low-scoring affair, it is difficult to project Boswell for a ton of involvement. Fantasy managers would be wise to look elsewhere for a starting option this week.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Sep 21 12:10am ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been quiet to start his fourth professional campaign and will hope to turn things around against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Although the Chargers have surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends through two weeks of the season, this contest isn't expected to offer much in the way of offensive firepower. That said, Freiermuth is tied for the team lead in receptions and has the second-most targets in Pittsburgh thus far this season, so his role in the offense should remain consistent. Given the landscape of the tight end position in fantasy right now, there are very few options that offer both a high ceiling and a safe floor. Freiermuth seems to have the latter, making him a fine yet uninspiring low-end TE1 or high-end TE2 on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Sep 21 12:10am ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is already a must-start in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns. Coming off a strong Week 2, where he posted 23.7 half-PPR points on 10 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown (his first career TD) versus Washington, Nabers is emerging as a go-to target for Daniel Jones (he had a whopping 18 targets sent his way). The Browns' secondary, while solid, has allowed 12.1 yards per reception to receivers through two weeks. Nabers is a big-play threat with a 32.9% target share, making him a high-upside start this Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Sep 21 12:00am ET
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary enters a Week 3 matchup against the Cleveland Browns with momentum after a solid Week 2 performance against the Washington Commanders, where he posted 16.2 half-PPR points on 95 rushing yards and a touchdown. Singletary's efficiency on the ground (5.9 YPC) will be tested against a Browns defense, allowing just 5 YPC through two games, ranking them in the top eight against the run. However, Cleveland has surrendered 229 rushing yards to the opposition in two weeks, showing they can be vulnerable. Expect Singletary to remain a viable flex option in deeper leagues, with his potential for red zone work giving him an edge if the Giants' offense can sustain drives.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Sep 20 11:50pm ET
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was given 11 total opportunities in Week 2 and should continue to see his role expand in the team's home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. This contest is expected to be slow-paced and low-scoring with both teams leaning heavily on the run. Warren isn't likely to receive more carries than backfield mate Najee Harris, but the former has been the more efficient and explosive runner with more consistent usage as a pass-catcher. On paper, this is a difficult matchup for Warren as the Chargers rank bottom-five in the league this season in rushing yards allowed. However, Los Angeles gave up plenty of production to fantasy running backs in 2023, especially those involved in the passing game. The 25-year-old Warren isn't the most exciting fantasy option this week but he should see enough work to warrant flex consideration.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Sep 20 11:50pm ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones enters Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns looking to build on his Week 2 performance, where he bounced back with 22.1 fantasy points against the Washington Commanders. Jones' dual-threat ability is always enticing, and last week, he rushed for 32 yards and threw two touchdowns, showcasing his fantasy upside. However, the Browns' defense has been stout, allowing just 6.4 yards per pass attempt per game in 2024. That said, Jones' rushing ability will be critical as Cleveland has struggled against the rush, giving up 5.1 yards per carry for a total of 229 rushing yards through two weeks. Expect Jones to finish as a low-end QB2 in Week 3, with his rushing upside elevating his fantasy floor.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Sep 20 11:30pm ET
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has looked every bit the part of a WR1 in 2024 but is yet to score as a top-24 fantasy option in half-PPR formats. He'll hope to change that at home against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. This is projected to be a low-scoring, run-heavy affair, but if both defenses continue to defend the run as well as they have through two weeks, shots will need to be taken downfield. Pickens is not only the clear favorite target of quarterback Justin Fields but also the premier vertical threat in Pittsburgh. Although the third-year pro could disappoint if the Steelers struggle to move the ball, he offers plenty of upside as a WR2 or flex option in most fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Justin Tucker Sep 20 11:20pm ET
Justin Tucker

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, yet he's been the only kicker to miss more than one field after the first two games of the season. Both misses were 50+ yards, but that's where he's normally the most automatic. While he missed another one in Week 2, his volume saved his fantasy week as he went 3-for-4 in field goals and 2-for-2 in extra points. His Week 3 matchup, the Dallas Cowboys, is ranked 21st in fantasy points allowed to opposing kickers as they've given up an average of 7.5 points so far. The Ravens' confidence in Tucker still hasn't wavered, so he should see plenty of opportunities to kick field goals from deep, but his "Automatuck" nickname may be on the way out the door.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Likely Sep 20 11:10pm ET
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely came crashing down in Week 2 after a huge effort in Week 1 made him one of the hottest waiver wire additions in all of fantasy football. The Coastal Carolina product went from 12 targets and nine receptions against the Kansas City Chiefs to three targets and two receptions against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. After posting a TE1 finish in half-PPR formats, he fell right down to TE21. Likely's success comes down to matchups, game script, and whether or not Mark Andrews is getting heavily game-planned against. The Dallas Cowboys present a tougher matchup for the passing game, but they showed some holes and weaknesses against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Likely only saw an 8.9% target share in Week 2 which is something fantasy managers can't rely on, and that moves him down the list and onto the bench.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Sep 20 11:10pm ET
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has seen plenty of work through two weeks and will hope to score his first touchdown of the campaign against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Both teams rank top-three in the NFL in rush play percentage and bottom-three in points allowed, which explains why this contest is projected to be the lowest-scoring of the week. That said, Pittsburgh should lean on Harris and the running game, even against a Chargers defense that has surrendered the fifth-fewest yards on the ground thus far this season. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren will likely see an expanded role, but fantasy managers should not shy away from starting Harris as a low-end RB2 or flex option on Sunday.

From RotoBaller