Week 3 Fantasy mailbag - Giants, CJ2K, Cutler

The social compact is rather simple: You guys and gals ask questions on Twitter and Facebook, via email (ben@fftoolbox.com) and our message boards, we do our best to answer them. The final decision remains yours, but we're glad to help. Frankly, after the topsy-turvy first two weeks of the fantasy season, I think we could all use another guiding voice rather the one in our head which insists on mocking us for drafting Chris Johnson. However, I digress; its mailbag time...

* @RollTide_Dan - Do I drop David Wilson for Andre Brown?
* @Motorcity81 - Andre Brown or Lafell tonight in PPR league as a flex play?

So, I lumped two Andre Brown questions together because there are two sides to this running back situation: Week 3 and beyond. The responsible move is to say that with Ahamd Bradshaw out, Brown continues his work from last week as the Giants primary back. In that role, he's a low-end RB2 or flex option in both standard and PPR. However, I'll be the contrarian as someone not as in love with Brown's potential the way others are - in this case I say go LaFell against the Giants 22nd ranked pass defense.

Part of my reasoning stems from liking LaFell's matchup - and still believing in the Giants' other running back. Wilson, the Giants' first round pick, is the better talent though we understand talent alone is not enough to justify playing time; avoiding fumbling the ball helps. Not that he should start in fantasy, but don't be shocked if Tom Coughlin takes Wilson out of the doghouse and extends the rookie's leash a bit more this week. So, would I drop Wilson for Brown? If I'm a needy week 3 owner, yes. For beyond this week, nope. Either Bradshaw comes back or eventually the Giants promote the rookie speedster.

* @durdan - Should I Start Martellus Bennett or Dennis Pitta at TE this week?

Just a week ago, Bennett was an intriguing option that owners likely had sitting on the bench, while Pitta picked up some marginal love after a strong Week 1 performance. Now, both are top 10 options heading into Week 3; Bennett's stock rises with Hakeem Nicks out, while Pitta leads all fantasy tight ends with 15 targets. Pre-Nicks injury I would have gone with the Raven, but now Bennett is poised for a Giant game against the Panthers.

* John D. Koch (Facebook) - Big Ben or Eli Manning in Week 3?

Many questions with either this exact or comparable options opposite Manning, who will play without Nicks, Bradshaw and Domenik Hixon. However, I'd still lean his way even though Roethlisberger has a plus matchup against the Raiders. Manning still has weapons in Victor Cruz, Bennett and two upside wide receiver plays off the bench in rookie Rueben Randle and red-zone threat Ramses Barden. The Steelers might be in run out the clock mode during the fourth quarter, while the Giants likely will need to keep throwing either to fend off the Panthers or catch up for the second straight week.

* @Lakerville22 - Would u give CJ2K another shot this week as a flex? Could play Malcom Floyd and Lafell instead.

Oh Chris Johnson, look what you have done to us. Whereas it's easier to find hope in say Darren McFadden's poor start - he's running hard, just no room to roam - every angle of Johnson's dilemma has been brutal. The offensive line is brutal, the second-year quarterback wobbly and the runner looks more like a dancer. Johnson's matchup against the Lions has promise and there is no way he could do worse (right? right????). Ideally, I'd sit Johnson for the week and accept that I might miss out on good game because I can't accept another terrible one.

* @willxng - If Jamaal Charles is active, is he a must start?

Must is all relative to what else you have, but essentially, you betcha against a Saints run defense that is allowing a league-high 186 rushing yards per game. Sure, last week's disappearing act likely contributed too many a fantasy loss, but Charles looked solid racking up 87 yards on 16 carries in the opener. We already knew Peyton Hillis would get some touches, but the Chiefs will need to run early and often as they attempt to keep Drew Brees and company off the field.

* @Bradmoutz - Jay Cutler, Josh Freeman or Andy Dalton this week?

This three-option question really comes to Cutler and Dalton. Seeing as Cutler is the superior talent playing on a better team, he's the rankings favorite. Seeing as the Bears are coming off a brutal performance which led to the quarterback reverting to his potentially locker room dividing sourpuss ways, I can imagine many owner saying that kind of 'tude isn't for me. Meanwhile Dalton faces a Redskins defense that is ranked 30th against the pass and has allowed at least 30 points in two straight games. If you can stomach him, go Cutler, but Dalton - revealed as my sleeper of the week on Tuesday's podcast - is a worthy sub.

Check back on FFToolbox.com all week for news updates and ranking tweaks. Also, Ben will answer your Sunday morning questions at 11 AM in the FFToolbox chat room.