Fantasy Football: Joseph Randle, DeMarco Murray In Week 3 Starts, Sits

It’s not time to jump ship just yet. But a few fantasy football A-listers already find themselves in troubled waters.

Chief among those players is running back DeMarco Murray, who has rushed for a grand total of 11 (yes, 11) yards through two games this season in a massively underperforming Philadelphia Eagles offense.

That’s not to say Murray and the Eagles won’t get their act together at some point down the line. But if you’re serious about winning your fantasy matchup this week, it’s time to start accepting the reality that Murray might not be your best option.

So who is? Glad you asked. Here are five players we’d start and five players we’d sit in Week 3.

STARTS
Carson Palmer, Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals: Only Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady have put up more fantasy points than Palmer so far. Now he gets a home matchup against a San Francisco 49ers defense that got torched by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. He’s a top-10 QB in Week 3.

Joseph Randle, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys: With Tony Romo and Dez Bryant on the shelf, the running game becomes the focal point of this offense. That means plenty of touches for Randle at home against the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in standard-scoring leagues so far.

Devonta Freeman, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons’ rushing attack is nothing special, but if you’re in a deeper league, Freeman is worth a spot start with rookie Tevin Coleman expected to miss some time. He should see plenty of action in the passing game as well, making him a viable PPR option.

Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver, New York Jets: Marshall has come out of the gate hot with 13 catches for 163 yards and a score through his first two games. With Eric Decker likely sidelined Sunday, he should see even more targets against a suspect Eagles secondary.

Crockett Gillmore, Tight End, Baltimore Ravens: Gillmore actually still is unowned in many standard leagues, but he appears to be emerging as one of Joe Flacco’s favorite targets. Don’t expect him to repeat his monster Week 2 numbers, but if you’re looking for a tight end in a pinch, Gillmore is a solid plug-and-play.

SITS
Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers: Don’t get too worked up about Kaepernick’s big Week 2. The Niners were forced to throw a ton while playing catch-up, and he’ll have a much tougher time in a road matchup against a solid Arizona Cardinals defense.

DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles: There’s nothing worse than sitting your first-round draft pick. But he’s just not getting it done right now, and a matchup against the New York Jets’ stout front seven won’t be a cure for what ails this struggling run game.

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami Dolphins: Miller had his chance to shine against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday — and ran for 14 yards on 10 carries. Now he gets a Week 3 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed a total of 73 rushing yards through two games. No thanks.

Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears: Jeffery already is bothered by a hamstring injury that could make him a game-time decision Sunday, and now his starting quarterback is Jimmy Clausen. Don’t take the gamble on Jeffery being healthy and go with another wideout instead.

Golden Tate, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions: Tate put up decent numbers last Sunday, but it’s clear his production will take a hit as long as Calvin Johnson is on the field. A matchup against the Denver Broncos, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to receivers in standard leagues this season, doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Have a fantasy football question for Darren? Send it to him via Twitter at @darren_hartwell

Thumbnail photo via Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports Images