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Albert Lea fantasy football Est. 2007
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
Blake Grupe Sep 21 6:10am ET
Blake Grupe

New Orleans kicker Blake Grupe has a lot working in his favor in his first NFL season. The undrafted rookie has the benefit of playing in a dome, for starters. And with Klint Kubiak now running the offense, the team is suddenly a powerhouse in the making meaning Grupe is flush with opportunities to put points on the board. His pro debut was stellar, nailing five extra points and four field goals - two from more than 50 yards out. Last week, he banged home another field goal and hit five of his six extra point tries. The Saints get the Eagles in Week 3 in what is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the week. Grupe makes for a great streaming option if he isn't on your roster already.

From RotoBaller

Saquon Barkley Sep 21 6:10am ET
Saquon Barkley

The New Orleans Saints' D/ST picked up where they left off last season. In 2023, the team was among the league leaders in takeaways with 29 and so far in 2024, the team is tied for second with five (four interceptions and one fumble recovered). Likewise, the defense has given up just two touchdowns so far, a season after it allowed the sixth-fewest points to opposing offenses. While their Week 1 massacre of the Carolina Panthers was to be expected, it was somewhat surprising to see the Saints limit the Cowboys to 19 points last Sunday. New Orleans will face another test in Week 3 when the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. Wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) has been ruled out but Saquon Barkley has been out of his mind to start the season. The Saints will be challenged by one of the better offensive lines in the league, limiting their ability to add on to the seven sacks that have contributed to their early fantasy success. Fantasy managers could do a lot worse than New Orleans in Week 3 but streamers should look for a more advantageous matchup.

From RotoBaller

Rashid Shaheed Sep 21 6:00am ET
Rashid Shaheed

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is off to the start that everyone was expecting for teammate Chris Olave. Through the first two games of the season, Shaheed has seven catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns and is leading the league in both yards per route run and fantasy points per route run. In Week 3, the Saints face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in what is expected to be a shootout. The Eagles allowed a touchdown to two different wide receivers in both of their games to start the season and last week teammates Drake London and Darnell Mooney both scored more than 17 fantasy points. Even though Olave is at the top of New Orleans' depth chart, Shaheed will still eat against a vulnerable secondary. He has thrived against zone coverage so far, which the Eagles use a majority of the time. Plug Shaheed in as a WR3/flex option on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Sep 21 6:00am ET
Juwan Johnson

The New Orleans Saints tight end group is missing out on all the fun. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has turned the team's offense into a hyper-efficient machine, though scoring at will seems to be reducing opportunities for the bit players. As such, fantasy managers shouldn't expect much from Juwan Johnson on Sunday, despite Taysom Hill (chest) being listed as questionable for the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Likewise for Foster Moreau, who is seeing a greater snap share than Johnson, albeit to serve mainly as a blocker. Johnson did score a touchdown in Week 1 but didn't see a target at all in the Saints' Week 2 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys. Even though the matchup is expected to be a high-scoring affair, Johnson's utilization is too uncertain to make him startable in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Sep 21 5:50am ET
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is still waiting for his first big game of the year. He opened the season with a dud and then followed it with a modest four-catch, 81-yard effort in Week 2 that would have looked much better had he not been stopped just short of the end zone. To be fair to Olave, game scripts have not been conducive to a voluminous passing attack as each of the Saints' first two games have been blowout victories. Things can change as soon as this week when the Philadelphia Eagles head to New Orleans. The matchup has one of the highest expected point totals on Sunday's slate and if the game does devolve into a shootout, then Olave should see more, and more lucrative, opportunities. The Eagles, who are giving up 16.7 yards per catch to opposing wide receivers, will have to work hard to contain Olave, who has the third-best average separation score in the league. Lock Olave into starting lineups in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Jamaal Williams Sep 21 5:40am ET
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams was tasked with mop-up duty in the team's blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. In his limited action, he picked up 39 yards on eight carries. Stuck behind Alvin Kamara on the depth chart, Williams has yet to truly cash in the way his teammates have with Klint Kubiak now running the Saints' offense. In Week 3, New Orleans hosts the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2024. It is worth noting that the Eagles have allowed 50 rushing yards per game to their previous opponents' second-string backs through the first two weeks of the season. Williams may not have much flex appeal but could make for a decent dart throw in DFS that could pay off if he finds the end zone as he did in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Sep 21 5:30am ET
Anthony Richardson

The Chicago Bears' defense and special teams are set to build on their impressive showing in Week 2 as they take on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. Their dominant performance has been the key reason the Bears are still strong after two weeks, playing a crucial role in the victory over the Titans and benefiting from solid special teams contributions. The Colts, led by quarterback Anthony Richardson, face a challenging matchup. Richardson is currently one of the most boom-or-bust quarterbacks in the league, tied for the most interceptions in the NFL with four. The Bears feature one of the top secondaries in the NFL, complemented by solid linebacker play, which poses a significant challenge for the young signal-caller. Although Richardson had a standout performance in Week 1 against the Texans, his last game saw him throw three interceptions, indicating a need for improvement, particularly with more consistent receiving options. Despite the absence of Josh Downs, the Colts' offense has remained functional, with Alec Pierce stepping up as a reliable No. 2 receiver alongside Michael Pittman Jr., and Jonathan Taylor is always a threat to dominate games with his rushing ability. The Bears' defense has excelled in the second half, allowing just three points per game in the final two quarters against the Titans and Texans, but they must improve their first-half performance. Nevertheless, they limit opponents to 18.0 points per game, ranking sixth in the league. If the Bears can maintain their game plan and keep everything in front of them, they could make it a long day for Richardson and the Colts. Start the Bears with confidence as a solid defensive option in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Sep 21 5:30am ET
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara went off in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, scoring four touchdowns and gaining 180 scrimmage yards. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has breathed new life into the Saints' stale offense, transforming them into one of the most efficient attacks in the NFL. Two weeks is a small sample but the Saints' lead running back is looking like his old self again, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and is tied for the league's most rushes of 10 or more yards. In Week 3, Kamara faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed a league-worst 6.4 yards per carry and gave up 122 total yards to Bijan Robinson last week. Kamara is undoubtedly a must-start on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Sep 21 5:20am ET
Derek Carr

In Week 2, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr needed only 11 completions to rack up 243 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. He enters Week 3 ranked first or tied for first in yards per passing attempt, touchdown passes, completions of 40 or more yards, passer rating, and quarterback rating. Carr cracked 20 fantasy points in Weeks 1 and 2 and it is feasible he does the same again on Sunday. In Week 3, the Saints host the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank 27th in passing yards allowed and might miss starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (foot). So far in 2024, the Eagles have allowed at least 241 and two passing touchdowns in each of their first two games. Carr is a smash in superflex leagues and deserves a start in single-QB formats as he should put up QB1 numbers in what is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the week.

From RotoBaller

Zack Moss Sep 21 4:00am ET
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss began the 2024-25 campaign by running for 44 yards and a touchdown off nine carries in Week 1 versus the Pats. However, he had only 34 yards off 12 touches in the narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. While it's clear Moss is the preferred runner over Chase Brown, he's still hard to trust from a fantasy standpoint. With that in mind, the 26-year-old remains a flex option for the favorable matchup versus the Washington Commanders on Monday night, considering he has the clear edge over Brown for work out of the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Andrei Iosivas Sep 21 3:50am ET
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas began the season by catching three passes for 26 yards in the Week 1 matchup with the Patriots. Tee Higgins (hamstring) wasn't available for that one, although Iosivas couldn't take advantage. With Higgins still sidelined in Week 2 versus the Kansas City Chiefs, the wideout had a stellar outing. He had only two catches. Yet, both resulted in a touchdown. While Higgins plans to play on Monday night versus the Commanders, his workload could be less than usual. As a result, Iosivas remains a flex option. However, his ceiling would be higher if Higgins isn't available.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Sep 21 3:40am ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase wasn't a lock to suit up against the Pats in Week 1. Although he managed to get on the field, he fell below expectations, amassing six grabs for 62 yards. The former LSU Tiger didn't play much better in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, catching four of his five targets for 35 yards. Chase had a slow start to the 2023-24 campaign, so fantasy managers aren't surprised by his lack of output this season. But the Bengals offense appears to be returning to form after narrowly picking up the win over the defending champs. With that in mind, Chase has a favorable matchup on tap with the Commanders on Monday night, with Washington allowing more fantasy points to opposing wideouts than any team in the National Football League. Keep Chase starting in all formats, considering all of the ingredients are there for a big night, regardless if Tee Higgins (hamstring) is back in the mix.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Sep 21 3:30am ET
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow struggled in the Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots, throwing for 164 yards. But he turned things around in the narrow loss to the Chiefs, passing for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Cincinnati will host the Washington Commanders on Monday night, with the Bengals looking for their first victory of the 2024-25 campaign. After a serviceable fantasy outing in Week 2, Burrow deserves a spot in all fantasy lineups. His outlook will improve if Tee Higgins (hamstring) returns from his two-game absence. Fortunately, the wideout said he plans to suit up.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Sep 21 2:40am ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings will step into a starting role in Los Angeles as the team faces the Rams in Week 3. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound former seventh-rounder has spent his entire five-year career as a backup while toiling in fantasy football obscurity. With Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) ruled out, first-round pick Ricky Pearsall still recovering from a gunshot wound, and George Kittle (hamstring) doubtful, Jennings has one of the best opportunities of his career to make some noise. In Week 10 of 2023, with Samuel Sr. out but Kittle active, Jennings drew a career- and team-high nine targets but only turned them into five receptions for 54 yards. Although Brandon Aiyuk is the heavy favorite for volume, there could be more to go around against a reeling Rams pass defense that just allowed 266 yards receiving and three touchdowns to the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco may also take the opportunity to mix in other backup receivers, as general manager John Lynch commented on a Friday morning radio show that they wanted to get rookie Jacob Cowing some opportunities. Jennings is on the fantasy radar but don't go crazy, he's a WR4 on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk Sep 21 2:10am ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is in Los Angeles to face the Rams in the team's first divisional matchup of 2024 on Sunday. Predictably, Aiyuk has yet to offer much to fantasy managers in the early going after choosing to sit out virtually the entire preseason. In Week 2 in Minnesota, the former first-rounder caught four of five targets for 43 yards, which was an improvement from Week 1's two-for-five, 28-yard performance versus the Jets. He has yet to score a touchdown. San Francisco is going to need him in LA though, as Deebo Samuel (calf) has been ruled out and George Kittle (hamstring) is doubtful. This game is as good as any for Aiyuk to get it going, with the Rams being shredded by rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. last week for 29 half-PPR points. The stars seem to have aligned for Aiyuk to make his first splash this season, with the matchup and likely heavy target share intersecting with another week of rust being shaken off. Start him this week as a low/mid WR1.

From RotoBaller

Cairo Santos Sep 21 2:10am ET
Cairo Santos

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos is a reliable fantasy choice for Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. Santos has quietly emerged as one of the NFL's top kickers, finishing last season tied for the second-most fantasy points at his position, behind only Brandon Aubrey. He kicked three field goals and an extra point in Week 1, followed by two 50-yard field goals and another extra point in Week 2. With a solid start to the season, totaling 24 fantasy points over his first two games, Santos is worth starting this week. The Colt's defense has allowed 20 field-goal conversions since last season, ranking second for the most points given up to visiting kickers. He should be rostered and started in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Sep 21 2:00am ET
D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is a viable Flex/RB3 option for Sunday's matchup against the struggling Indianapolis Colts, who have had a tough time defending against running backs this season. The Colts currently allow a league-worst average of 237 rushing yards per game. While the Packers' offense had limited success in the air against the Colts, they dominated on the ground, with Josh Jacobs rushing for 151 yards on 32 carries. Additionally, the Colts recently placed star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) on injured reserve, sidelining him for the next four weeks. Swift has averaged under three yards per carry this season, accumulating just 48 rushing yards across two games. If the Bears capitalize on Indianapolis's weak run defense, it could provide the spark needed to rejuvenate their offense. The silver lining for Swift is his significant early-season usage, with 67% of the snaps, 62% of the carries, 59% route participation, and an 11% target share. However, the Bears' offense has struggled overall, as Swift averages only 2.0 yards per carry on 24 rushes. He needs to elevate his performance to help the Bears gain momentum. Chicago must emphasize the run game through Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, or Velus Jones Jr. If the offensive line fails to create holes against the league's worst run-stopping defense, it could indicate more severe issues up front than previously thought.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Sep 21 2:00am ET
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore remains a reliable WR2 option for this week's promising matchup. Moore aims to bounce back from a slow start as the Bears' offense continues to seek its rhythm. Over the first two games, he has been targeted 18 times, recording a team-high 11 catches for 89 receiving yards. This game against the Colts offers his best chance at a breakout, especially after facing more formidable defenses like the Titans and Texans. The Colts rank sixth in the league for most fantasy points allowed to receivers, and their secondary has struggled. The Colts secondary has the second-worst expected points added per dropback against outside wide receivers, allowing a 75% catch rate and tons of receiving yards to wideouts. With fellow receiver Keenan Allen (heel) out again with an injury, Moore will likely see an uptick in targets. Despite the team's struggles, Moore's consistent target share and evident talent keep him positioned as a low-end WR2 for fantasy managers. As rookie quarterback Caleb Williams develops and the Bears' offense improves, Moore's production should increase. Moore will look to make the necessary adjustments and find the end zone as they travel to Indianapolis in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Sep 21 2:00am ET
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze aims to turn around his quiet start to the season this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. His role has been particularly frustrating for fans, as offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has yet to utilize his elite skill set fully. Odunze managed only two receptions against the Texans, with a missed opportunity in the end zone overshadowing his performance. However, his struggles aren't solely on him; finding a rhythm is challenging when he's not consistently targeted. Odunze will look to rebound against a vulnerable Colts passing defense. The Colts secondary has the second-worst expected points added per dropback against outside wide receivers, allowing a 75% catch rate and tons of receiving yards to wideouts. With fellow wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) not playing, Odunze could see an uptick in targets. However, with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams averaging just 134 yards and no touchdowns through the air, there may not be enough volume to support even one wide receiver, let alone three. Unless fantasy managers are desperate and Allen is ruled out, Odunze should remain on fantasy benches this week.

From RotoBaller

Cole Kmet Sep 21 2:00am ET
Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is sharing snaps with Gerald Everett, who outperformed him in both playing time and route running during Week 2. Over the first two weeks of the season, Kmet has recorded five receptions on six targets for a mere 31 yards. After finishing last season with 719 receiving yards and six touchdowns, he hoped for a stronger start. However, as quarterback Caleb Williams adjusts and the Bears seek to improve as a team, Kmet will likely see more offense involvement moving forward. The main obstacle for Williams and the Bears is the pressure the defenses are applying to the young quarterback. To combat this and kickstart their offense, it would be beneficial to utilize the middle of the field more and incorporate Kmet into the game plan. Tight ends often act as a security blanket for inexperienced quarterbacks. As the Bears work to speed up Williams' processing time and ensure quick ball releases, using Kmet as a reliable target will be crucial. Meanwhile, veteran backup Gerald Everett garnered three targets last game and continues to impact Kmet's fantasy potential as the team prepares to face the Colts on Sunday. Kmet is a risky play in deeper leagues only.

From RotoBaller