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All percentages via Yahoo Sports at 9:00 AM PST, Monday, September 16.
Week 3 Fantasy Pickups
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Bernard Pierce RB - Baltimore (45% owned)
Until we know Ray Rice’s status, Pierce is a must-own in every league. Everyone knew going into the season that Pierce was a stud – the east coast version of Ben Tate if you will. The Ravens have the Texans next. If Rice is out, Pierce is a solid start.
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Charles Clay TE - Miami (2% owned)
Clay is a tight end who doubled at fullback Sunday. He had over 100 yards receiving and a TD as one of Ryan Tannehill’s go-to guys. Impressive? Yes. But don’t go nuts. He might be this year’s Dennis Pitta; until now he’s just a fill-in at the TE position – a TE2 in deep leagues, at best. Watch him closely.
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Eddie Royal WR - San Diego (20% owned)
Eddie Royal went off on Sunday, scoring three times and collecting 90 yards in the air. He now has five TDs on only 14 targets, so he can’t sustain that kind of production. However, I’m a believer. Remember when he had breakout performances in Denver? With a very average quarterback? At a much younger age? Danario Alexander and Michael Floyd are both out. Antonio Gates is old. Philip Rivers has to throw it to someone. Royal is going to be a solid WR3 this season.
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James Starks RB - Green Bay (10% owned)
Starks supposedly had the best training camp of any Green Bay running back – he made a lot of fans believers after rushing for 132 yards and a TD Sunday after Eddie Lacy was taken out due to a concussion; but the effort was against a terrible Washington defense. If Lacy is out for another week Starks could be a good flex play. However, Lacy is still the superior back.
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Knowshon Moreno RB - Denver (53% owned)
Could this be the Moreno the Broncos thought they were getting five years ago? What Knowshon did against the Giants Sunday is unprecedented for his career; 93 yards, two TDs on 13 carries. Don’t completely jump on the bandwagon after just one performance; after all, there’s still going to be a running back platoon in Denver. However, Moreno is clearly the best back on the team right now and going into a week 3 matchup against the Raiders. He’s going to be a solid flex for at least the next few weeks – it all depends on how good rookie Monte Ball really is.
