Fantasy Football Week 3: Big-Play Performers Sure To Be Point Machines
As fantasy football's Week 3 draws closer, it's time to look at an oft-overlooked value in the football world: yards gained.
People in fantasy circles swear up and down by the touchdown. It gets you more points more quickly than anything else.
But yards are a statistic of equal, if not greater importance. After all, a receiver who catches a 2-yard touchdown pass nets you 6 points. A receiver who gets you 50 yards and a touchdown gets you 11 points.
These are the 20 guys who will maximize your yardage output in Week 3.
20. Mark Clayton, WR, St. Louis Rams
1 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Clayton is the most reliable receiver St. Louis has right now, with the injuries to Danny Avery and Laurent Robinson. He's put up a pair of solid performances already this season, but he's not the team's goal line option of choice (that would be running back Steven Jackson).
Who's the Matchup? The Washington Redskins, whose secondary made headlines with their ineptitude in Week 2, conceding 497 passing yards to the Houston Texans.
The Final Verdict: While Clayton won't get a ton of looks inside the 10-yard line, with Washington's defense covering him, he's got big play potential written all over him.
Don't be surprised to see him break 100 yards receiving again this week. 10 catches, 100 yards.
19. LeSean McCoy, RB Philadelphia Eagles
2 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: McCoy proved last week that when the Eagles actually give him the ball, he can do some serious damage.
Who's the Matchup? The JAcksonville Jaguars can't seem to stop anything on defense, so McCoy should have ample room to run.
The Final Verdict: If they give him the ball 15 times in this game, McCoy will deliver the goods. 17 carries, 100 yards.
18. Tim Hightower, RB, Arizona Cardinals
3 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Hightower has spent 2010 doing more with fewer carries. Last week, against the Atlanta Falcons, Hightower was the team's lone bright spot, racking up 115 yards on just 11 carries. He's fast, and has the potential to break any run for a huge gain. With Beanie Wells appearing to still be sidelined this week, expect Hightower to see the majority of the team's carries again.
Who's the Matchup? Hightower and the Cardinals get the Oakland Raiders' defense, currently ranked 28th in points allowed to running backs in the NFL.
The Final Verdict: Passing the ball hasn't been this unreliable in Arizona since before Kurt Warner arrived in the desert. With quarterback Derek Anderson struggling, expect to see the Cardinals give the ball to Hightower and let him do his thing. He'll reward them with a 20 carry, 100 yard performance.
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17. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
4 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Moreno isn't an overpowering runner, like a Frank Gore or Brandon Jacobs, but he's got big play potential written all over him. He's elusive, particularly at the line of scrimmage, and has good speed.
Who's the Matchup? The Indianapolis Colts and their 30th ranked run defense don't have the size needed to contain Moreno.
The Final Verdict: While Indy's defense is faster than your average squad, Moreno has enough power to make them pay, with the speed to separate once he gets through the front seven. 20 carries, 100 yards.
16. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
5 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Colston is a big, rangy target and is the most balanced, talented receiver in New Orleans. He's got enough speed to separate from corners, but the size and strength to make him tough to tackle once he has the ball.
Who's the Matchup? Atlanta's defense is ranked seventh in points allowed to wideouts, but they haven't faced a team with an attack like the Saints' passing game.
The Final Verdict: Expect Brees to find Colston at least two or three times on deep routes in this game. He'll give the Falcons' secondary fits all game long. 7 catches, 100 yards.
15. Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints
6 of 20
Why He's a Point Machine: Thomas has been the best back in New Orleans since before the start of last season. He's fast but not overwhelmingly so, strong but not Brandon Jacobs, and is a decent receiver. His numbers have never been great, due in large part to the crowded nature of the Saints backfield. With Reggie Bush's injury, though, Thomas' path to a big day has never been clearer.
Who's the Matchup? Atlanta and their 25th ranked rush defense come to the Superdome this week. They gave up 115 yards rushing to Tim Hightower last week. I think that tells you all you need to know about them.
The Final Verdict: 20 carries, 100 yards. Big day from Thomas this week.
14. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
7 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Wayne has been Mr. Consistent for the Colts in 2010, putting up back to back 90 yard receiving performances. He's got good hands, and is one of the leagues best route runners, which makes up for the step lost, allegedly.
Who's the Matchup? Denver allows the 19th fewest points to wideouts, but their secondary is incredibly thin.
The Final Verdict: Expect Wayne to break off a couple big catches when Champ Bailey leaves him alone. 6 catches, 110 yards.
13. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
8 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: For all intents and purposes, it looks like McFadden is finally living up to his high draft position. He's gouged two different teams for big days, and with the Raiders lacking a consistent passing game, expect Darren to get plenty of work.
Who's the Matchup? The Cardinals defense is just as bad against the run as they are against the pass.
The Final Verdict: McFadden seems to have overcome the injury bug, and is running the way he did in college. With Arizona's crappy defense, he's in line for a big day. 25 carries, 100 yards.
12. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
9 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Jennings is the go-to wideout in a pass heavy Green Bay offense. While he hasn't gotten the touchdowns yet, he's a reliable contributor of yards and catches week in and week out.
Who's the Matchup? The Bears rank squarely in the middle of the pack in terms of points allowed to wide receivers.
The Final Verdict: Rodgers will find Jennings on a couple big plays and he'll get his yards even if he doesn't get a touchdown. 7 catches, 110 yards.
11. Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis Colts
10 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Clark is essentially Peyton Manning's second wide receiver in Indianapolis. He's got size, speed and hands. But teams still forget about him in the flat, and Manning and Clark make them pay.
Who's the Matchup? Denver's defense is fifth-worst in terms of points allowed to tight ends.
The Final Verdict: The Broncos don't have enough secondary players to cover all of Indy's wideouts, let alone Clark as well. 10 catches, 110 yards.
10. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
11 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Johnson is one of the most talented wideouts in football, and he's the best offensive option the Lions have right now. Big, fast and sure-handed, there are numerous GM's in the NFL who would take Johnson in a nanosecond.
Who's the Matchup? Johnson and the Lions take on the overmatched corners of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Final Verdict: Just because everyone knows where the ball is going doesn't mean they can stop it from getting there. 110 yards.
9. Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots
12 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Even at age 33, Moss is one of the NFL's best wide receivers. He managed to put up decent numbers despite going up against two of the best secondaries in the NFL in the first two weeks of the year.
Who's the Matchup? Buffalo is 13th against opposing wideouts, but compared to the Jets and Bengals, they're a welcome reprieve.
The Final Verdict: With more space to throw the ball into for Moss, expect Tom Brady to go to him all game long. 8 catches, 110 yards.
8. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
13 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Austin has had at least 140 yards receiving in both games this season, and he's proven to be Tony Romo's favorite target. He's got a good first step, and is a great route runner.
Who's the Matchup? Houston. The Texans are second to last against opposing wide receivers.
The Final Verdict: The Texans don't have anyone in their secondary capable of staying with Miles Austin. Romo will enjoy throwing to him all day. 12 catches, 120 yards.
7. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
14 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Forte is unique on this list in that he's not a ground churning runner, nor is he a receiver. Forte is both. He can run the ball, and he can catch it.
Who's the Matchup? Green Bay can stop runners. Green Bay can contain receivers. But can the Pack stop both in one package?
The Final Verdict: Forte probably won't break 70 yards rushing, but he'll get at least 60 yards through the air, making him incredibly valuable.
6. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
15 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Mendenhall's a good, old-fashioned running back. He wears defenses down, until they're nice and tender. Then, he strikes, blasting off a massive run, like he did against Atlanta in Week 1.
Who's the Matchup? Tampa's pretty solid against the run, but so was Atlanta.
The Final Verdict: 100 yards rushing plus 10 yards receiving equals all kinds of good things in Steel City.
5. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
16 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Jackson is an excellent deep threat wideout. He's got serious afterburners, and his hands have improved dramatically. If you need to eat up yards in a hurry, Jackson's the man to do it.
The Matchup: Jacksonville's defense is vulnerable underneath and over the top, the two places Jackson excels at hurting teams.
The Final Verdict: He had a huge game against the Lions in Week 2, and Jacksonville's secondary isn't much better. 120 yards.
4. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
17 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Andre Johnson is the best wide receiver in the NFL. His combination of size, speed, route running and hands make him Matt Schaub's favorite target and a candidate for a "Holy Crap!" game every single week.
The Matchup: Dallas ranks 11th against opposing wideouts, but they have yet to face an offense like the Texans', or a wideout with Johnson's skills.
The Final Verdict: Expect Matt Schaub to go to Johnson early and often. 12 catches, 120 yards.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
18 of 20
Why He's A Yard Machine: Jones-Drew is one of the most fun running backs to watch in the NFL. He's like a bowling ball, bouncing off opposing tacklers. He's fast, strong, and his team's primary weapon.
The Matchup: The Eagles are the second worst defense in terms of points allowed to opposing running backs, and Jones-Drew is a better back than Jahvid Best, Ryan Grant or Brandon Jackson.
The Final Verdict: If Jahvid Best could do that to Philly, imagine what MJD will do. 25 carries, 130 yards.
2. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
19 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Johnson is arguably the NFL's most explosive running back. He's a threat to go off every week, and seldom turns the ball over. With the Titan's passing game in shambles right now, Chris Johnson is the team's primary offensive weapon.
Who's The Matchup? Johnson gets the New York Giants' 21st ranked run defense in Week 3.
The Final Verdict: Look for Chris to go wild against the Giants' shoddy defense. 25 carries, 140 yards.
1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
20 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Peterson is the NFL's most reliable running back. He's almost guaranteed between 70 and 100 yards every week, despite Brett Favre's habit of stealing carries by changing plays.
Who's the Matchup? Detroit has the worst run defense in the NFL.
The Final Verdict: Peterson will go off against the Lions, and with Brett Favre's recent struggles, he might see 30 carries this week. 27 carries, 150 yards.
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