Sit/Start Week 3: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 27th at 1:00 PM ET

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Betting Odds: SF -4, 41 total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

San Francisco 49ers

Quarterbacks

Jimmy Garopollo (Sit, even if active), Nick Mullens (Start, QB2 if Garopllo is inactive and you’re desperate)

Turf – 4, ‘9ers – 0. San Francisco was fortunate to come out of last Sunday’s injury-riddled game against the Jets with the win, but it came at a cost. Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, Raheem Mostert, and Tevin Coleman exited with injuries. The same can be said for Jimmy Garopollo, who suffered a high-ankle sprain early on in the game. On Monday head coach Kyle Shanahan said he has a chance to play on Sunday, but even if he does, I think it’s safe to avoid him this week in the event of re-injury.  Nick Mullens is an interesting option this week, assuming Garopollo sits. If you are desperate, Mullens may be in line as a streaming option for you, as he faces a Giants defense that has given up multiple touchdowns to the QB the past two games.

Running Backs

Jerick McKinnon (Start, RB2), Jeff Wilson Jr. (Sit), JaMycal Hasty (Sit)

As I mentioned earlier, Mostert (MCL) & Coleman (knee) both suffered injuries against the Jets and are expected to miss some time. Enter Jerick McKinnon – ironically given his injury history – as the lead back for the 49ers. If you were lucky to have stashed him already, or land him off waivers this week, he’s simply a must-start in a backfield that is down bodies. His backup, Jeff Wilson Jr., will see action, but I wouldn’t feel all that comfortable starting him. JaMycal Hasty – currently on the practice squad but could be elevated – is a name to keep an eye on if he is active. The Giants did a decent job against the Bears Week 2 but got shredded by the Steelers run game to open the season.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Kendrick Bourne (Start, FLEX in deep leagues), Brandon Aiyuk (Sit), Mohamed Sanu (Sit), George Kittle (Start if active, TE2), Jordan Reed (Start if Kittle is inactive, TE2)

Man, San Fran is injured all over. Still, without Deebo Samuel, the likes of Kendrick Bourne, rookie Bradon Aiyuk, and newly signed Mohamed Sanu are notable receivers for the 9ers. That said, this week I’m willing to give only Bourne the start if you are in a deeper league. Aiyuk needs to be acclimated and have his role expanded before I trust inserting him; the same for Sanu. It’s also worth noting that despite the 0-2 start, the Giants defense hasn’t allowed 70+ yards to any receiver they have faced to date; JuJu Smith-Schuster finished with 69 and two scores Week 1.

As suspected, George Kittle wasn’t needed to beat the Jets and ended up sitting the game. There is a belief he is back this week. Shanahan has gone public regarding the condition of the MetLife turf and put the blame to it for the injuries suffered against the Jets, and so it wouldn’t shock me if Kittle is limited because of it. However, if he is active, you start him, but perhaps don’t anticipate for a TE1 finish this week. Jordan Reed was able to find the end zone twice against New York and is a viable option if Kittle were to miss this game as well.

New York Giants

Quarterback

Daniel Jones (Sit)

In the matter of a week, this has truly become Daniel Jones’s offense to lead. With Saquon Barkley out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, the Giants are going to need to rely on their second-year QB to right the ship. He’s coming off a poor performance against the Bears, where he completed 25 of 40 attempts for 241, no touchdowns, and an interception. Despite facing a 49ers defense that is decimated with key injuries themselves, I wouldn’t recommend starting Jones this week. Even after the loss of Bosa and Thomas occurred, the Jets couldn’t get anything going. I suspect the same fate for the turnover-prone Jones.

Running Backs

Dion Lewis (Sit), Wayne Gallman Jr. (Sit), Devonta Freeman (Sit)

I may have indirectly jinxed Barkley in last week’s Sit/Star coverage for the Giants. Not intentional considering I had him in one of my leagues. That said, now Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman Jr. are thrust into starting roles. If I’m rostering and starting any Giant RB, I prefer Lewis for his pass-catching ability, but Gallman Jr. will certainly be involved. If you were a Barkley owner, it’s best to go and add either if you can, but perhaps also wise to sit them and see how the usage shapes out.

Devonta Freeman signed a 1 year $3 million deal with the team on Wednesday. He too is a decent pickup, but adding him to the fold ultimately makes for a brutal fantasy backfield.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Darius Slayton (Start, WR3), Golden Tate (Start, FLEX), Evan Engram (Start, TE2)

After coming off a strong Week 1, Darius Slayton was a Week 2 dud; the entire Giants offense was for what it’s worth. The target share was still there for him, and should even increase with the run game taking a hit without Barkley. He remains in the WR3 range against a San Francisco defense that has given up the 11th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Sterling Shepard is dealing with an injury as well, this time his toe; and he was placed on the IR on Wednesday for it. Golden Tate is a beneficiary of the Shepard injury, as he’ll slide right into the slot where he is used to playing. I would say he’s a FLEX option because the Giants will likely become a pass-heavy offense from here on out; targets have to go somewhere.

Is this the moment in time where Evan Engram finally breaks out? He saw a team-high eight targets against the Bears last week, has six receptions for 65 yards. Surely he’ll be targeted as often and then some with injuries around him. Deploy him with confidence this week and expect a positive TE2 performance.