Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em: 3 Struggling WRs You Should Gamble on

There are few things on earth more frustrating than wide receivers who won't produce fantasy points. By some extension, isn't that their job?

I think so. And like many of you, I suspect, I've had issues with my wide receivers in the early goings this season. But because nobody is willing to trade Calvin Johnson for spare parts, the only thing a man can really do is remain patient.

Concerning a select few wide receivers, this is a strategy that could pay off sooner rather than later. There are many struggling wide receivers around the league, but I think there are three in particular who have a good chance to produce in Week 3.

Here be those three. 

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

After missing the entire preseason, Crabtree managed to make one catch in Week 1 before aggravating his foot injury. He didn't play at all in Week 2.

Courtesy of the San Jose Mercury News, we know that Crabtree is expected to be back for Sunday's game at the Cincinnati Bengals. Fellow wide receiver Braylon Edwards, on the other hand, will be out for a while after having knee surgery.

With Edwards out, Alex Smith is going to have to throw to somebody other than Vernon Davis. If he can stay out on the field, that somebody will be Crabtree. 

Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa's Mike Williams (as opposed to Seattle's Mike Williams) had a decent opener against the Detroit Lions, but caught just one pass for minus-4 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. Clearly, he could use a boost.

That shouldn't be asking too much against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. The Falcons have struggled against the pass early on, and I think it's worth noting that Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman seemed to find his groove against the Vikings.

If Freeman can stay in that groove, Williams will be the primary beneficiary. 

Chad Ochocinco, New England Patriots

The Patriots traded for Chad Ochocinco so Tom Brady would have yet another go-to guy (he has a lot of them), but you would never know it by looking at Ochocinco's numbers from the first two games of the season. He's caught just three passes for 59 yards.

At some point, you have to think Ochocinco is going to bust out and have a great game. If you ask me, I think there's a very good chance of that game coming this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills have decent numbers against the pass, but Jason Campbell didn't have much trouble picking them apart in Week 2. If he can do it, so can Brady.

For Ochocinco to produce, it's a simple matter of him being in the right place at the right time. Which, once again, has to happen at some point.