We are now entering the dreaded bye weeks, which is the most crucial part of the fantasy football season. With fantasy owners forced to sit their studs for one week at a time, the roster moves and starting decisions you make during this period will make the difference between a playoff run or losing record.
Only two teams are on bye this week (New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans), but fantasy owners will be missing Julian Edelman and Kendall Wright. Let's take a look at waiver wire receivers owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders (49 percent)
After racking up 111 yards in Week 2, Crabtree was held in check against the Cleveland Browns, getting just four catches for 36 yards on nine targets. The good news is that he's the clear No. 2 receiver behind Amari Cooper, so the volume should keep coming. Crabtree will be a frustrating boom-or-bust WR3, but a date with the Chicago Bears' atrocious secondary could be one of his "boom" weeks. Feel free to stack him with Derek Carr in DFS.
Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins (32 percent)
Maybe it's time to take Matthews seriously after two straight weeks of 110 yards or more. He was one of the few players who showed up in Miami's blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, grabbing six catches for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns. With Greg Jennings disappointing and DeVante Parker still rounding into full health, Matthews probably won't be going away soon. The Dolphins get the New York Jets this week, and with Darrelle Revis likely to shadow Jarvis Landry, Matthews should have chances to get open. His lack of previous consistency (just 12 catches last year) makes it hard to trust Matthews as more than a high-ceiling, low-floor WR4.
Marvin Jones, Cincinnati Bengals (20 percent)
After a quiet two weeks, Jones exploded in Week 3 with 94 yards and a touchdown on five catches against the Baltimore Ravens. He's finally healthy after foot injuries ruined his 2014 season, and is entrenched as the No. 2 receiver behind A.J. Green. Jones should continue establishing himself as a solid WR3 when the Bengals face the Kansas City Chiefs this week. He should be owned in all 12-team leagues.
Leonard Hankerson, Atlanta Falcons (12 percent)
There's a changing of the guard going on in Atlanta. Longtime stalwart Roddy White seems to have been completely phased out of the game plan, drawing zero targets against the Dallas Cowboys despite playing 65 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, Hankerson played 48 snaps and saw six targets, turning them into three catches for 45 yards.
It was a quiet day for Hankerson, but don't forget his Week 2 performance (six catches, 77 yards, one touchdown). It looks like he's here to stay, and with Julio Jones demanding attention Hankerson should find plenty of space in the intermediate field. He has some flex appeal against the Houston Texans this week.
Phillip Dorsett, Indianapolis Colts (seven percent)
The first-round rookie is still a bit player in Indy's offense, playing just 14 snaps and seeing three targets. He made the most of his opportunities, though, turning those three targets into two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Dorsett is just a bench stash for now, but he could see a bigger role down the road if Andre Johnson continues to struggle. If you're dumpster-diving for DFS dart throws, you could do worse than Dorsett against the Jacksonville Jaguars' injury-riddled secondary.
* * *
SB Nation presents: NFL power rankings based on Week 3