Each week the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week (Scoring thresholds – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points [10 for shockers], WR: 11 fantasy points: TE: 10 fantasy points; .5 PPR).
Deebo Samuel, Commanders
| Start pct. | 59% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Raiders |
| BetMGM line | Was -3.5 |
| BetMGM total | 44.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | 12.5 fpts |
Who else want some? Who else want some of Deebo?
As the memorable “Friday” antagonist once asked on the silver screen, few willingly dared to cross his path.
In the open field, tacklers who encounter Washington’s version are often presented with the same question. Some successfully step up to the challenge. Others, meanwhile, are knocked the (expletive) out.
Considered to be on his last leg after a rapid deterioration in San Francisco, Samuel has displayed renewed vim and vigor through two games with the Commanders. He’s WR27 in total fantasy scoring, hauling in seven receptions for 44 yards. He’s also tacked on 19 rush yards and a rush TD. That may seem unexciting, but the multidimensional wideout has passed the eye test with flying colors.
His advanced profile only supports that argument. Sprinting out of the slot on 79.2% of his snaps, he’s generated the second-best separation rate in the league. Most trademark, he’s accumulated the third-most yards after the catch and the highest juke rate of any qualifying wide receiver. A menace with the rock in his claws, it takes a zombie horde to drag him down. That, my friends, is vintage Deebo.
At print time, it’s unknown whether Jayden Daniels -- he’s battling a knee injury -- will start under center. Whether the incumbent or backup Marcus Mariota is at the controls, Samuel will be a point of vertical emphasis — especially in the short-field with Austin Ekeler cooked for the season.
The Raiders secondary is a unit to pick on. Widely believed to be a basement-dwelling collective entering September, they’ve largely lived down to expectation, currently ranking No. 24 in dropback EPA D. Against Patriots and Chargers WRs, they surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to the position. Attractive.
Firing off eggplant emojis, Deebo is slated to lock horns with generous slot corner Darnay Holmes. Through two games, the CB is No. 99 in pass coverage grade on Pro Football Focus, allowing an 83.3 catch percentage and 117.4 passer rating to his assignments. Exploitable.
Regardless of who's quarterbacking in D.C., Deebo plants an uppercut or three.
Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 50 receiving yards, 2 rushes 12 rush yards, 1 touchdown, 14.7 fantasy points
Rashod Bateman, Ravens
| Start pct. | 2% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Lions |
| BetMGM line | Bal -5 |
| BetMGM total | 52.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | 5.2 fpts |
Wearing the bejeweled crown of a consistency king isn't easy on a season-by-season basis -- unless your name is Mike Evans.
Bateman balled out last year. Grabbed in the eleventh hour of many fantasy drafts in 2024, he nearly touched 1,000 receiving yards and hauled in nine touchdowns, His resulting 152.1 points per game in half-point PPR formats finished a very profitable WR34 on the season.
Barely making a peep through two games, Baltimore's long-bomb threat has only nibbled yards in small bites. Against the Bills and Browns he totaled a useless four catches for 25 yards. He's also a miserable WR79 in yards per target and an uncharacteristic WR52 in total air yards. Unsurprisingly kicked to the curb by impatient managers in droves leading up to Week 3, his ownership stake sits only at 35% in Yahoo leagues. Cue Janet Jackson classic "What have you done for me lately?"
Tolerant managers who haven't given him the quick hook could be duly rewarded in Week 3.
Detroit is a suboptimal No. 20 in dropback EPA defense in the early going. In total, the Lions have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to WRs. Most promising, Bateman is scheduled to face CB Terrion Arnold often. Two weeks in, no DB has surrendered more yards to assignments (175) than the Lions defender -- not one. Tasty.
The on-paper matchup is downright delectable. Not only is Arnold a pushover, the projected total in Lions/Ravens is the highest of any Week 3 game. Bombs could be dropped in Baltimore. Bateman is one accurate Lamar Jackson wrist flick away from a sick Monday night. Weigh his services in leagues with multiple FLEX requirements.
On Monday night, last year's unheralded TD-scoring sovereign could temporarily regain the throne.
Fearless Forecast: 3 receptions, 66 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.1 fantasy points
Keep it tight: Harold Fanning Jr., Browns (8% started in Yahoo) -- Quickly becoming a favorite of former Byzantine ruler Joe Flacco -- he's ancient folks -- the rookie hybrid has quickly developed into a trustworthy safety valve. Earning a healthy 7.0 targets per game through two weeks, the Bowling Green product has boomed in the PPR box score, tallying at least five catches for 45 yards in consecutive games. Top 10 in YAC (49), yards per route run (1.79), explosive rating (116.3) and expected fantasy points per game (12.5) among TEs, Fannin should remain a TE1 fixture in 12-team leagues. This week, Cleveland clashes with unforgiving Green Bay. The Packers defense is legit. With Micah Parsons rushing off the edge, it's arguably one of the league's stingiest. To ensure Joe Flacco doesn't exit Huntington Bank Field in a full body cast, look for Browns HC Kevin Stefanski to feature his sure-handed TE on quick high-percentage throws. On the young year, the Wisconsinites have allowed the fifth-most yards and fantasy points to the position. Be elite, Joe. (FF: 6-52-1, 14.2 fpts)