Tank Dell or Quentin Johnston: Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em Sit 'Em projections

It's a pretty tricky time to have Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell on your fantasy roster. When the Texans brought Stefon Diggs to town, the franchise issued a very clear message that they would do whatever it takes to make sure C.J. Stroud has a platform to showcase his talents in Year 2.

After two weeks of football, it's clear that Diggs and Collins are the top dogs in that receiving corps. Dell has been on the field but his target share has dropped. More interestingly, he has nearly as many rushing yards (35) as receiving (37) through two weeks of football. The Texans will go up against a Vikings defense that has been a sticky matchup for most offenses. Could Tank Dell deliver a breakout week this Sunday?

NFL: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts - Source: Imagn

Tank Dell fantasy projection for Week 3

Dell's fantasy output has been downright disappointing after two weeks of football. There's no other way to put it. In Sunday's primetime win over the Chicago Bears, Dell had one reception for negative three yards.

The only positive here is that his underlying numbers insist he's much better than his production entering Week 3. Dell and Stroud also don't appear to be reading from the same hymn sheet so far but both are too good at what they do to not figure it out. Bet on that happening sooner rather than later.

Dell was also *this* close to registering a 67-yard touchdown against the Bears.

The fact that Stroud and Dell are a little out of sync this early in the year could probably be down to the fact that Dell's offseason was disrupted by the gunshot wound and a leg injury. Expect Dell to work it out over the next few weeks. Whether that happens against a Brian Flores defense that has been giving opposing offenses a tough time remains to be seen, but considering we're seeing Stroud improve at attacking defenses, we're keeping faith in Dell in Week 3.

Tank Dell vs Quentin Johnston: Week 3 Start 'Em Sit 'Em fantasy projection

Quentin Johnston fantasy projection for Week 3

A two-touchdown performance from the Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver has fans believing in Johnston again but expectations might need to be tempered a little. For starters, his two-TD showing came against the Panthers who are clearly putting out multiple fires at the organization.

Per FantasyPros data, Johnston had a 23.9% target share, a 39.3% air-yard share, and a 38.5% first-read share as Herbert turned to him more often than any of his receivers against Carolina.

Johnston had a rough time with dropped catches in his rookie season and didn't impress too many analysts in 2023. But he appears to have worked on that this offseason and we saw Herbert trust him multiple times against the Panthers.

That said, the Chargers are still a run-first offense under Greg Roman's charge. Herbert is an elite thrower but the volume just isn't there right now.

Herbert has thrown for just 274 yards. The fact that he still hasn't breached the 200-yard barrier in a game so far despite favorable matchups against the Raiders and the Panthers speaks volumes about the state of this Chargers offense.

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Tank Dell or Quentin Johnston: Final verdict

Week 3 is not a good matchup for either Dell or Johnston but Dell is the easy pick here.

The Texans offense is much more settled and Dell is too good to be posting the numbers he is right now.

Tank Dell vs Quentin Johnston Week 3 Start 'Em Sit 'Em fantasy projections

The Chargers will also go up against a mean Steelers defense so there's not much to like for Johnston's Week 3 matchup.