🏈 A fantasy football legend

Before I begin, I would be horribly remiss if I did not share my deepest condolences for the Tagliere family. Mike Tagliere, the Lead NFL Writer, fantasy analyst, and podcast host for FantasyPros.com, passed away due to COVID-19.

Tags, as he was known, was an inspiration to myself and many others. RIP, Tags. You will be deeply missed. If you would like to make a donation to the Tagliere family, you can do so here.

This thread exemplifies the type of person Tags was - always looking out for others, regardless of what he was going through:

Now, I will honor Tags in the best way I know how, which is to do the thing that he inspired me to do — share fantasy advice.

Time flies

Shockingly, we’re preparing for our third Sunday of NFL football. THIRD! WEEK 3!! I have no idea how that’s possible, but it is. Maybe time is going faster this year because of last year’s COVID issues, or maybe it’s because I’m getting old. Probably both. 

In case the dry sarcasm wasn’t enough to clue you in that it’s Jon, it’s Jon. Hi, good to see ya this fine Sunday morning. 

As you pour over your fantasy rosters, whether you’re 2-0, 0-2, or 1-1, let’s highlight some storylines set to make a difference on this weekend of fantasy football. 

Relatable Tweet of the Day

Jacoby Brissett SZN in Miami??

In last week’s matchup against the Bills, Tua Tagovailoa was injured, fracturing multiple ribs. It will take at least a few weeks for Tagovailoa to recover, and the Dolphins opted to place him on IR, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move will sideline Tua for at least three weeks and vault Brissett into the starting role.

Jacoby Brissett was mediocre in his last stint as a starting quarterback with the Colts. The Dolphins are currently 1-1 and have the Raiders, Colts, and Buccaneers in their next three games. It could be a long season in South Beach. And no, Brissett is not a fantasy-viable starter. Yes, not even in 2QB leagues.

The San Francisco running back carousel stops on Trey Sermon

Due to a slew of injuries, the Niners are now poised to give rookie Trey Sermon the bulk of the carries on Sunday. Theoretically. Elijah Mitchell is “doubtful” with a shoulder injury, JaMycal Hasty was placed on IR with an ankle injury, and Raheem Mostert was lost for the season with a knee injury in Week 1.

While it didn’t look like that Sermon would play, he has officially cleared concussion protocol and should see the bulk of the carries. Jacques Patrick could mix-in as well, but Sermon becomes a must-start.

Favorite Plays:

Looking for last-minute roster help? Feel free to drop Jon a specific question on Twitter here. 

QB: Daniel Jones vs Atlanta Falcons

Daniel Jones has looked surprisingly competent so far this season and faces a Falcons defense allowing 29.1 fantasy points per game, 2nd-worst in the NFL. Jones is currently the QB5, averaging a healthy 25.42 points per game, aided by his success in the run game. Jones, as weird as it is to say, is one game away from being trusted. If you lost someone to injury and he’s available as a streaming option, he makes a painful (but valuable) fill-in.

WR: Deebo Samuel vs Green Bay Packers:

I know, I know — this one isn’t a stretch. Currently the WR3, Deebo is a revelation, proving that he is undeniably at the top of the pecking order in San Francisco. This week, Deebo lines up on Kevin King’s side of the field a majority of the time. If you don’t know Kevin King, he’s the corner that got obliterated in the NFC Championship Game last year, surrendering two wide-open receiving touchdowns while also committing defensive pass interferences late in the fourth quarter. Deebo has top-5 WR upside this week.

RB: Javonte Williams vs New York Jets

Javonte Williams, whom I love, has been splitting backfield opportunities almost perfectly 50/50 with veteran Melvin Gordon, who only averaged 2.4 YPC last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams, on the other hand, averaged 4.9 YPC (Williams is better than Melvin, Broncos coaches). The Jets have allowed 22.2 fantasy points per game to the running back position, ninth-most in the league through two weeks. Javonte is at worst a solid RB2 play in a split backfield, but if the coaches start giving him a heavier workload, he’s got a 20-point ceiling.

TE: Kyle Pitts vs New York Giants

The tight end position is a devoid wasteland outside the top of the position. I’m not going to waste my time recommending Hockenson, Kittle, Kelce, Waller, or even Gronkowski. A dynasty darling, Kyle Pitts has earned respect in redraft formats as well and is currently the TE8 (despite far from his ceiling). Last week, Pitts saw six targets, catching five of them for 73 yards. He’s a big play weapon going against a vulnerable defense, and has the opportunity to continue to build his case as a top-tier tight end, even as a rookie.

Lastly:

- Jon

That’s all for today. Again, please consider donating to the Tagliere family, and let’s honor Tags this week in fantasy football. Good luck!

Hug your loved one today. Be grateful for every moment you have together.

Also: quick shoutout to Varun (a Morning Huddle reader) for pointing out the Titans Charmin-Ultra-Soft schedule the next three weeks:

Great News for Derrick Henry (and their D/ST).

Thanks for joining us this morning, good luck!

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