Fantasy Football 2020: The week 3 winning lineup
By Bob Heyrman
WR | Calvin Ridley | vs. Bears | $8,000
The Atlanta Falcons seem to of taken a step in the wrong direction to start the 2020 season staring the year with two straight losses.
One player that hasn’t taken a step backward is star receiver, Calvin Ridley. When you think of the Falcons offense, the first player that comes to mind is Julio Jones, but Ridley isn’t just an emerging star; he’s already arrived.
Ridley is off to a scorching start to the year, having compiled 239 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the first two weeks of 2020. After nearly back-to-back 30 fantasy football point weeks, he’s a must-play receiver even at the high price of $8,000.
Quarterback Matt Ryan has targeted his number two pass-catcher a total of 22 times over the first two weeks. Expect double-digit targets again in week three against the Bears.
WR | DK Metcalf | vs. Cowboys | $6,500
The second-year, do-it-all pass-catcher DK Metcalf is emerging as one of the better receivers early on in 2020. Although he’s yet to eclipse the 100-yard mark in a single game, he’s been knocking on the door in each of the teams’ first two games.
Metcalf has made four receptions in each of Seattle’s first two games and totaled 95 yards and 92 respectably. He’s caught a touchdown in each game.
It’s safe to fire up Russell Wilson’s new number one receiver this week against the Dallas Cowboys, who rank 25th defending the pass.
WR | DeAndre Hopkins | vs. Lions | $8,500
This one is a no-brainer even at this steep price. Hopkins is averaging nearly 20 fantasy football points per week, and I’m not convinced the Detroit Lions will have an answer in week three when it comes to defending perhaps the leagues’ top pass-catcher.
Hopkins made 14 receptions totaling 151 yards in week one against the San Francisco 49ers. The talented Cardinal followed that performance by making eight catches on nine targets totaling 68 yards and a score in week two against Washington.
The Lions will likely shadow Hopkins with veteran corner Desmond Trufant if he’s healthy enough to play. Trufant is battling a hamstring injury that kept him out last week in Green Bay. Even if Trufant starts, he will be less than 100-percent healthy, which has the makings of a long day for Detroit, but a productive one for Hopkins.