Bold Fantasy Football Predictions For Week 3

The Yahoo Fantasy Football crew is ready to get bold for Week 3. Which one of these predictions will come true?

AD Mitchell sneaks into the top-20 wide receivers 

We have a solid total of 47.5 brewing in the upcoming Jets-Lions matchup this weekend. Of course, Detroit is doing the heavy lifting on that one, but don't discount the Jets' ability to at least engage in a shootout in this matchup. The Jets offense is 10th in dropback EPA and top 10 in time of possession per drive so far this season. They've been able to hang onto the ball and mount drives successfully with Geno Smith under center. I firmly believe this offense is not going to be a joke this season.

Adonai Mitchell is a beneficiary. He's a full-time player for this team, as he's run a route on 83% of the dropbacks. He's also currently leading the team in targets by one, with 15 to 14 for Garrett Wilson. Mitchell has also been efficient with his looks, leading the team in first downs per route run. There will always be some volatility with Mitchell as a player, but you can chase the ceiling this week in a high-scoring script against a Lions defense that can't cover anyone on the backend. — Matt Harmon

Tetairoa McMillan gives us his first WR1 finish

Doubting Bryce Young's fantasy relevance made sense before this season, but two games into this version of him, that skepticism doesn't hold up. When under duress, his numbers haven't looked better. But with EPA per dropback and success rate numbers inside the top 12, Young looks like he's taken the step forward we've wanted for him.

Tetairoa McMillan is the direct beneficiary — he's soaking up more than 40% of Young's targets on pressured snaps, and his target rate and air-yard share both sit comfortably inside true WR1 range. Facing Cleveland is what turns the opportunity into a top-12 finish. Their defense ranks 22nd in yards allowed to outside receivers, 19th in EPA allowed per play, and 22nd in success rate allowed. Jacksonville already exploited that perimeter in their season opener with Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr., and Tampa Bay tried the same blueprint the following week.

McMillan isn't just comparable to that archetype — he's the better route runner. And with that type of environment, this is the week his name finally shows up near the top of the box score. — Chris Allen

Terrance Ferguson finishes as a top-five fantasy TE in Week 3

With Sean McVay admitting Puka Nacua isn't making great progress in his recovery from a hip/groin injury, the Rams are going to need their other playmakers to step up once again. Last week, Davante Adams took a time machine back five years and turned in a vintage performance, catching all 10 of his targets for 195 yards and two touchdowns. That overshadowed an impressive outing from Ferguson, who finished with six receptions, 54 yards and a score. Ferguson's nine targets were seven more than the next closest player in the Rams offense.

This shouldn't surprise anyone either. The team spoke all offseason about increasing the young tight end's role and their lack of a proven No. 3 wideout positioned him to be a real threat in the passing game. Nacua's injury only increased that involvement. Ferguson scored three touchdowns as a rookie and all three occurred when either Puka or Adams were sidelined. Until Nacua returns, Ferguson will be what fantasy managers thought they were getting in Colston Loveland — and he's still available on the waiver wire in 77% of Yahoo leagues. — Justin Boone

Josh Downs goes for 100 yards and a touchdown against Houston

Downs' role was already trending in the right direction, and with Alec Pierce on IR, Indianapolis is going to have to lean on Downs even more in both two- and three-wide receiver sets. Through two games, Houston has allowed 369 receiving yards to wide receivers on 39 targets, with opposing WR rooms averaging 43 PPR points per game. This secondary has given fantasy managers plenty to attack, and now Downs gets an expanded role in exactly the type of matchup I want to target.

I have him ranked significantly higher than consensus this week because I think the opportunity is about to take another step forward. He's no longer just a slot receiver we hope gets enough targets. The Colts need him on the field and involved. My bold prediction: Downs clears 100 receiving yards, scores a touchdown and finishes Week 3 as a top-12 fantasy wide receiver. — Ray Garvin

Dontayvion Wicks Scores 20+ on MNF

The Eagles chose Wicks in free agency and it's paid off so far. Although he's only had 10 targets, you don't need much volume in this passing offense to produce. Chicago's secondary is banged up and vulnerable, only ranking above average versus fantasy receivers so far because of the downpour in Week 2. With Chicago playing a healthy amount of man coverage, it sets both Jalen Hurts and Wicks up for big-play opportunities down the field. If DeVonta Smith or Saquon Barkley are sidelined, the chances only improve. — Joel Smyth

Dalton Schultz goes off again 

It didn't help the Texans much — they scored just six points against Cincinnati — but Dalton Schultz was super in the Week 2 loss (12-140-0, 14 targets) while none of the Houston receivers could get traction. It could be argued that the Bengals were partners in the Schultz spike game, focusing on downfield targets and willing to concede the shorter stuff over the middle.

Looking ahead to Week 3, not much has changed for Houston; Nico Collins is likely out again, the receivers look like speculation plays at best and Indy's seam coverage has been weak for two weeks. Put Schultz down for 80 or more yards again. — Scott Pianowski

Quinshon Judkins finishes as a top-10 RB

Judkins enters Week 3 with the lowest success rate of any RB in the NFL. He only managed 21 yards on 12 carries last time out. So why am I optimistic about Week 3? Simple: the Panthers run defense is not the Bucs or Jaguars. Carolina currently allows the highest yards per carry in the NFL (6.3 per attempt) and will be without Devin Lloyd, meaning the Panthers will be starting two linebackers who were not on the roster a month ago. Todd Monken will not want to put the ball in Deshaun Watson’s hands for this game. An early turnover could quickly turn the crowd against his quarterback. Instead, look for the Browns to lean into Judkins and for the second-year back to show the same flash as he did as a rookie — with the Panthers already missing 24 tackles as a defensive unit in two games. — Josh Norris