This Week in Fantasy Football: Week three

The third week has begun,and a veritable plethora of questions remain unanswered. Can Eli Manning recover from two weeks of embarrassment? Can Eddie Royal remain the dominant force he's become so quickly? These, and other conundrums, will eventually be answered, but for now, it's a case of being a steady Eddie as the temptation to jettison players into the abyss this week may come back to haunt you a month or so down the line. Stay patient my friends. However, with Cleveland shipping Trent Richardson to the Colts, some team owners might be crying into their breakfast cereal while others celebrate. Either way, I don't see a major swing to Richardson's value right away. But, Richardson is a loose cannon in the fantasy-league battlefield, so caveat emptor my friends.

Quarterbacks

It's the same story this week: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rogers are all in the top flight. But'¦

Damn, I dissed San Diego two weeks ago, but now I'm a convert. Quarterback Phillip Rivers has amassed strong numbers for his first two outings, and I don't see that changing '” so mea culpa, okay? The same can't be said for Eli Manning, I'm afraid. Fantasy owners overlooked his first two outings of misery, but not anymore. Manning threw four interceptions with just one touchdown during the Manning Bowl.

A lot of Sam Bradford's production has arrived when the Rams have been down big, but the offense is going to remain pass happy, whether they are leading or trailing. Bradford is looking like a low QB1, but he'll cement that status as the season progresses.

Chicago's offensive line is much improved and Jay Cutler is clearly a good fit for what new head coach Marc Trestman's offense is asking of him. Cutler is going to remain a low QB1, but is looking like a safe play week-to-week.

Buffalo's EJ  Manuel hasn't been unleashed as a runner yet and will only get better as the year goes on. He's a high-ceiling QB2 going toward Thanksgiving.

Wide receivers

Again, I'm re-assessing the Chargers, thanks to the prodigious talents of Eddie Royal. Through the first two weeks, the ex-Bronco has grabbed five touchdowns and looks hungry enough to make the end zone his new abode. With teammate Malcolm Floyd out with a neck injury for the foreseeable future, expect Royal's value to increase significantly. However, the naysayers doubt Royal's sparkling debut to continue. I politely disagree.

Mike Wallace, of the Dolphins, is a definite fantasy star on the rise. Last week, he romped to a credible tally after catching nine passes for more than 100 yards and a score. He's a credible fantasy league go-to guy and should come close to last week's nine passes for 115 yards.

The Texans will ensure DeAndre Hopkins' output remains the same after last week's output, catching seven passes for 117 yards serving notice to the Texan's coaching staff that a solid number two has been unleashed.

Tight ends

Martellus Bennett, of the Chicago Bears, appears to have established a successful conversation with his quarterback '” the notoriously moody Jay Cutler. With a trio of touchdowns under his belt so far and 10 catches for 150 yards, Bennett should be a sure-fire star for any team owner.

The Colts' Coby Fleener caught four passes and a touchdown as he continues to reacquaint himself with his former teammate, quarterback Andrew Luck. Despite being behind Dwayne Allen on the depth chart, Fleener's obvious talents can certainly be relied on should Allen's hip problems remain a concern.

With the Dolphins' Dustin Keller out for the season, Charles Clay should be in your sights if your fantasy team is looking sluggish.

Running backs

James Starks, of Green Bay, is a fantasy league wunderkind waiting to happen this week. With Eddie Lacy out with a concussion, the Packer's head coach, Mike McCarthy, will make good use of Stark's skills. In week two, Starks' numbers '“ 132 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries '“ proved he's a player who could turn your season around.

Bernard Pierce, of the Ravens, is rock solid and should be owned by now. Ray Rice's injury looked a lot worse than first thought, but Pierce could still get a start, or at least more work this week against the Texans.

Andre Ellington, of the Arizona Cardinals, is one of those rookies who sneak up on every fantasy league owner every season. The Cards' starter, Rashard Mendenhall, has proved a damp squib so far this season, so Ellington may be playing some sweet tunes in the ear of Cardinals coach Bruce Arians.