Fantasy Football Outlook: Nico Collins, Sam LaPorta, Patriots D/ST (Week 3)

I hope the title of this article doesn’t confuse you guys! Smash starts is always a risky way to talk about anyone from a fantasy perspective, especially when we’re recommending fringe players. You need to understand that these aren’t the best players in fantasy. These are guys who should be started because of existential circumstances.

It’s easy to say to play Christian McCaffrey and Justin Jefferson every week, but nobody needs to know that. Fantasy managers need to know who to start at their flex spots, and that’s why I write this piece.

The premise behind this article is simple. Identify fantasy football smash plays on the fringe of your starting lineup. We rarely recommend a top-20 player at any position, but we want to help you fill those critical flex spots.

Fantasy Football Smash Starts for Week 3

Nico Collins (HOU) at JAC

Where is the respect for this guy? Collins was still sitting on waiver wires coming into the week, and it’s hard to understand why. He was certainly claimed after Week 2, collecting 13 catches for 226 yards through the first two weeks. That makes him one of the top receivers in the NFL so far, and he should continue to get work since Houston will be playing catch-up all season long. That could be the case here, but we’re not worried about a 25th-ranked Jacksonville secondary.

Sam LaPorta (DET) vs. ATL

The tight end position is a wasteland, but this rookie is looking like a sneaky find! Only five tight ends have at least five receptions in each of the first two weeks, and this rookie is one of them! He’s filled the TJ Hockenson role beautifully and looks like one of Jared Goff‘s top options in this dynamic offense. That looks even better in this matchup, with Atlanta allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. There are a ton of fantasy managers looking for a consistent tight end to start week after week, and LaPorta is one of the best options right now.

New England Patriots D/ST (at NYJ)

I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a 37-point total in Week 2. That’s a good indicator of where both of these teams are at right now because these are two of the worst offenses in the NFL. The Jets look like a joke without Aaron Rodgers, surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing D/STs. That’s horrifying against a well-coached New England team because this is supposed to be one of the best defenses in the NFL. Entering this game as a 2.5-point road favorite in a game with a 37-point total is all you need to know because that means the Jets are only projected to score 17 points.