Fantasy Football 2011: Musts, Trusts and Busts (Week 3)

As far as Musts, Trusts and Busts Version 3.0 is concerned, I must make a formal apology.

Cam Newton, I'm sorry.

I don’t know whether to label Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Newton a “must” or a “trust" for sure, but as far as fantasy football is concerned he certainly isn’t a “bust.” Through two regular season NFL games Newton has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and three touchdowns, and he has also accounted for 71 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

For all intents and purposes, Cam Newton is the Carolina Panthers and, barring injury, is someone you can rely upon on a weekly basis. 

Injury Update

Michael Vick: concussion (will play)

Jamaal Charles: torn acl (out for season)

Arian Foster: re-aggravated hamstring injury

Tony Romo: collapsed lung

Miles Austin: re-aggravated hamstring injury

Dez Bryant: thigh

Jeremy Maclin: concussion

Quarterback

Musts:

1. Tom Brady

2. Philip Rivers

3. Aaron Rodgers

4. Matthew Stafford 

5. Drew Brees 

Trusts: Matt Schaub, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick

Busts: Kerry Collins, Jay Cutler, Chad Henne

Value Depth: Matt Ryan

Value Pickups: Matt Hasselbeck, Mike Kafka (Handcuff)

Analysis

I’ve officially labeled Cam Newton a “trust” with a dash of “must.” Depending on your quarterback situation on your particular team, you may need to insert the first-year quarterback into your starting rotation.

Matt Ryan is a little banged up from the beating he took in last week's game, but, like Michael Vick, he should play in Week 3.

Speaking of Vick, it looks as Mike Kafka/Vince Young is an essential handcuff. We’ll find in the coming weeks exactly who is the true No. 2 in Philadelphia.

Don’t sleep on Matt Hasselbeck.

Jay Cutler will need help off the field at some point in Chicago’s Week 3 contest against the Green Bay Packers.

Running Back

Musts:

1. Adrian Peterson

2. LeSean McCoy

3. Ray Rice

4. Rashard Mendenhall

5. Chris Johnson

Trusts: Peyton Hillis, Maurice Jones-Drew, Frank Gore, Ben Tate, Michael Turner, Darren McFadden, Ryan Mathews.

Busts: Matt Forte

Value Depth: Jahvid Best, Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower

Value Pickups: Dexter McCluster (RB/WR)

Analysis

This could be a big week for running backs, but no running back has a better matchup than Rashard Mendenhall against a porous Colts rush defense.

The Detroit Lions run defense has done a fantastic job shutting down opposing running backs through two weeks, but Adrian Peterson is Adrian Peterson and he typically plays well against Detroit.

Look for Chris Johnson to finally re-assert himself as an elite back in Week 3; if he is incapable of reaching the end zone it’s time for CJ2K owners to hit the panic button.

Ben Tate is the back in Houston right now and will continue to get touches even if Arian Foster is able to make a healthy return this season.

It won't be long that Ryan Mathews takes his rightful place as the No. 1 back in San Diego and Mike Tolbert is relegated to spot duty.

Wide Receiver

Musts:

1. Calvin Johnson

2. Andre Johnson

3. Vincent Jackson

4. Larry Fitzgerald

5. Greg Jennings

Trusts: Kenny Britt, Mike Wallace, Hakeem Nicks, Roddy White

Busts: Brandon Marshall

Value Depth: Steve Smith (Carolina), Brandon Lloyd

Value Pickups: Eric Decker, Denarius Moore

Analysis

You can’t go wrong with Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson—no one quarterback relies more heavily on his No. 1 receiver than Matthew Stafford and Matt Schaub.

Vincent Jackson showed up in Week 2, and depending on the matchup, Mike Wallace is at the very least a “trust.”

Hakeem Nicks will score in Week 3, and Kenny Britt looks to be unstoppable.

Denver’s Eric Decker looks to be an Ed McCaffrey/Wes Welker hybrid. The healthy return of Brandon Lloyd could either significantly hurt or help Decker’s stock in the coming weeks.

MTB Version 3.0 

MTB Version 2.0 

MTB Version 1.0