Replacing Jamaal Charles and What to Do with Antonio Gates and 9 Other Players

We're entering Week 3 of the fantasy football season. While two games isn't a large sample size, it's certainly better than one game.

Some players have performed far below their draft expectations so far. These are the players who you should be trying to trade for. At their reduced value, of course. That's why they call it "buying-low".

Antonio Gates

2011 Stats: 8 receptions for 74 yards

Gates was held without a catch in Week 2 vs. the Patriots. But don't worry. The Patriots entire gameplan was to take Gates away at all costs. They did that successfully, and that's why Vincent Jackson racked up almost 200 yards.

Gates might sit out an extended period of time. If your fantasy team is off to a hot start, that's more the reason to consider trading for Gates. An extended absence could give him time to heal, allowing him to post big fantasy stats when he returns.

LeGarrette Blount

2011 Stats: 18 carries for 86 yards, 2 rushing TDs

You might have already missed your window of opportunity here. After Blount's horrible Week 1, some owners were in full-fledged panic mode. It's still possible that some Blount owners are nervous and might be looking to sell.

Don't go chasing Blount in PPR leagues, but he should still be an excellent RB2 in standard leagues.

Percy Harvin

2011 Stats: 6 carries for 33 yards, 9 receptions for 83 yards, 1 kick return TD, 1 fumble

The Vikings still haven't quite figured out how to use Harvin. That's good news for you. He's still playing far below his potential, and most fantasy owners want to avoid all Vikings NOT named Adrian Peterson.

Harvin is definitely a guy to trade to trade for in PPR leagues, especially if they award points for return yardage. Harvin still has WR2 upside in PPR leagues, but he's probably just a flex option in standard leagues.

Matt Schaub

2011 Stats: 450 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 2 INTs, 2 rushing yards

If Matt Schaub's current owner remembers his slow start from last season, you really might be able to steal Schaub.

Why are his numbers so low? Because the Texans haven't needed Schaub to throw the ball in a close game. The Texans are getting out to a lead and then controlling the clock with their running game. That won't last forever. Buy Schaub now before he puts up big numbers vs. the Saints in Week 3.

Miles Austin

2011 Stats: 1 carry for -2 yards, 14 receptions for 233 yards, 4 receiving TDs, 1 fumble

This is a trade for the owner who is 2-0 with plenty of depth to spare.

There are plenty of teams out there who owned both Jamaal Charles and Austin. With Austin looking like he's out until Week 6, you might have a window here to prey on a desperate Austin owner. If you can afford to made this kind of deal, you should absolutely try to.

Rashard Mendenhall

2011 Stats: 31 carries for 111 yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 receptions for 12 yards, 1 fumble

The Steelers looked horrible in Week 1 before righting the ship in Week 2. They possess one of the easier schedules of the teams that made the playoffs last year. And Mendenhall doesn't look like he's suffered at all from his heavy workload last season.

After his owner watched Issac Redman score last week, there might be an opportunity here. It never hurts to at least make an offer. Mendenhall could easily finish as a top-5 RB in standard leagues.

Steven Jackson

2011 Stats: 2 carries for 56 yards, 1 rushing TD

Jackson came closer to playing in Week 2 than anybody would've thought and could very well play in Week 3. Sure, S-Jax has been injury-prone throughout his career, but he's almost always played through injuries and played well while doing so.

If Jackson's owner in your league is 0-2, or just lost Jamaal Charles, it's time to see how much he wants for Jackson.

Chris Johnson

2011 Stats: 33 carries for 77 yards, 9 receptions for 37 yards

I'm in a league where Chris Johnson was just traded away for Greg Jennings, if that helps to give you perspective.

Johnson hasn't looked good for the first two games. That's really to be expected. When you add the lockout to his recent holdout, Johnson is way behind. There are definitely Johnson owners out there in full-fledged panic mode. Don't expect 2,000 yards again, but there's no reason to think that Johnson won't finish as a top-10 RB, especially in PPR leagues.

Mark Ingram

2011 Stats: 27 carries for 91 yards, 1 fumble

This is not quite what Ingram owners had expected. But it probably should have been.

The Saints had a brutal schedule for RBs facing the Packers and Bears. It gets easier from here on out. You're not going to want to target Ingram in PPR leagues, but you absolutely should try to acquire him in standard leagues. Ingram will lead the Saints in carries and be the primary RB at the goal line. That's a RB you want to own.

Arian Foster

2011 Stats: 10 carries for 33 yards, 2 receptions for 7 yards

This is not a trade for those owners without some intestinal fortitude. Ben Tate has looked excellent and could very well have turned the Texans backfield into a running-back-by-committee situation.

Or Foster could return in a week or two and resume his domination. Foster was so good last season, I can't see him losing too many carries if he's healthy. He was just traded for LeGarrette Blount in one of my leagues.