Week 3 is upon us, and with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams getting set to square off on Thursday Night Football, it’s time to start getting your fantasy football lineups set. TNF is generally not the best of football, and this 49ers-Rams matchup probably won’t be much different. That doesn’t mean you bench your usual must-start guys, but you have to factor in the short week when setting expectations.
Must start
RB Carlos Hyde and RB Todd Gurley are guys you slot into your lineup without thinking. Yes, they have some question marks around them, but you drafted them to be starters. Hyde had a slow start in Week 1, finishing with 45 yards and 32 receiving yards. He followed up in Week 2 with 124 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards.
Gurley is off to a strong start after an abysmal 2016 season. Gurley had 96 total yards and a touchdown in Week 1, and followed that up with 136 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. The Rams are going to feed him, and you might as well take advantage.
Of the kickers, Greg Zuerlein is the better start than Robbie Gould, but I do think the 49ers win this game. If it’s like their first two games, Gould’s leg will be key.
Both defenses are very intriguing starts in this game. Both offensive lines have enough holes that you are likely to get at least a couple sacks. I don’t think we see a shootout, so you’re not going to lose many points in the scoring realm. Add in a turnover, and you’re looking at a very solid performance.
Maybe start
WR Pierre Garçon is not a fantastic start, but he retains decent value in PPR leagues. He finished with three receptions for 26 yards last week, after six receptions and 81 yards in Week 1. In standard leagues, he is no more than a bye week fill-in for the time being. In PPR leagues, he’s a decent flex option.
WR Sammy Watkins is off to a slow start, but remains the most likely weapon for Jared Goff to feed. He’s a decent PPR fill-in at times, and this could be a decent matchup if injuries are a problem, or you’re in a particularly deep leg.
Sit
That’s about it. I think TE George Kittle has some intriguing potential down the road, but for the time being, you need to take a wait-and-see attitude outside of the deepest dynasty leagues. WR Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor, and RB Matt Breida all have some intriguing potential, but none is worth a start. Breida is a good handcuff if you have Carlos Hyde. He showed some good things against the Seahawks, but not enough to give him a flex spot. And of course, QB Brian Hoyer does not offer nearly enough to even be a bye-week fill-in yet.
On the Rams side, QB Jared Goff has shown some life, but not enough to justify him as a short term fantasy option. He’s a dynasty and maaaaybe keeper league bench option, but not much more. WR Cooper Kupp seems like a very much boom or bust fantasy option. The 49ers defense is off to a solid enough start that I just don’t see enough opportunities for Kupp to be a safe play. TE Gerald Everett is coming off a three-reception, 95 yard performance against Washington. The 49ers have given up the fourth fewest points to tight ends through two weeks. Other than that, there’s nothing of real note.