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This was supposed to be the year of the wide receiver.

The general consensus this summer was to draft wide receivers early and take your running backs later, because the value would be there late. I was against this line of thinking, but that’s neither here nor there.

In most drafts you saw three wide receivers go in the top-3 picks — Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr. — and then guys like DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, Allen Robinson and Dez Bryant were all late first-round to early-second round selections. However, many of these sure-fire hits have struggled this season, and because of it their fantasy owners are now in trouble. Guys like Beckham, Hopkins, Robinson, Alshon Jeffery, Brandin Cooks, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have all struggled while potential top-10 wideouts Sammy Watkins, Keenan Allen and Eric Decker are currently on injured reserve.

For those of you who are panicking, in the words of Aaron Rodgers: Relax. It’s still early in the season, make trades, look to the waiver wire. Just don’t give up yet. And don’t give up on your studs, either. In fact, try to trade for Dez, Beckham, Cooks, Maclin and Robinson. Buy low. Their owners might be panicking, which will give you a window of opportunity.

Not to mention, there’s good chance that valuable commodities like Allen Hurns, Jamison Crowder, Tavon Austin, Sammie Coates or Cameron Meredith are sitting on your waiver wire right now. Players like that all have upside and could fill your flex in a pinch if need be.

Quarterback

Must have: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

This screams blowout. The Miami Dolphins’ defense is underperforming in a big way, and with Le’Veon Bell back in the fold, the Steelers passing game is clicking in a big way.

Big Ben is in for a big week.

Could do without: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

I’m sorry Matty Ice, but the Seattle Seahawks defense is still legit. Ryan is coming off of a 14-point performance, in ESPN standard scoring leagues, against the Denver Broncos, but the Seahawks are still better than Orange Crush 2.0.

I promise you’ll be back in my good graces next week, Matty Ice.

Worth a shot: Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills

I’ve been patiently waiting to use Taylor — or T-Mobile or T2 or T-Squared as he’s known in my circles — in my Flavor of the Week column, and a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers is the perfect opportunity.

While Taylor has seen a dip in his production this season, he’s still a home run threat every time he touches the football, and considering he’s a quarterback, that’s a very good trait to possess. While San Francisco has above-average passing defense, its rushing defense is one of the worst in the league, and Taylor’s rushing ability is one of his greatest attributes.

Running back

Must have: LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills

Let me stop you right there. This is not a homer pick.

McCoy has been one of the best running backs in the league this year — behind just David Johnson, Ezekiel Elliot and Le’Veon Bell — and is facing the second-worst rushing defense, in the 49ers, this week. It’s a great matchup and an opportunity for Shady McCoy to have a career day.

Could do without: Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs

With Jamaal Charles back in the fold, Ware has become a risky play. It doesn’t help that he’s seen his production dwindle since he scored 25 points in Week 1.

Worth a shot: Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

I’ll admit, Stewart is a risk this week, but a risk worth taking.

The Carolina Panthers running back hasn’t played in three weeks due to a hamstring injury, but after practicing in full for the second straight day on Friday, it looks like Stewart will be good to go. A matchup against the New Orleans Saints is too juicy to pass up.

Wide receiver

Must have: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Who would have thought that a matchup against the New York Jets would be so favorable that a wide receiver would be one of my must haves. Well, once you ranked third-to-last in passing yards and last in yards per attempt, you become an eager defense to face.

Fitzgerald is coming off of a 20-point performance last week against the 49ers and is set up for similar success this week.

Could do without: DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins

Jackson owners, embrace for some more tough sledding this week. The Philadelphia Eagles own the league’s second-best passing defense and with Jackson’s boom-or-bust potential, it feels much more like a bust week than a boom.

Worth a shot: Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints

Look, I know Cooks has had a rough season, but the Carolina Panthers secondary has struggled this season. Also, Drew Bress plays at another level when the Saints are at home and his No. 1 target will benefit this weekend.

Tight end

Must have: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

Ertz was one of Carson Wentz’s favorite targets before his injury Week 1. In his second game back expect Ertz to get back into top-10 tight end form Sunday against the Redskins.

Could do without: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

At this point, I think it’s fair to question whether or not Witten is still a relevant fantasy option.

With Tony Romo under center things might be different, but Dak Prescott is the quarterback right now. Witten hasn’t done much this season and don’t expect things to change any time soon.

Worth a shot: Zach Miller, Chicago Bears

Miller has been a top-5 tight end this season. If he’s healthy enough to play — he’s questionable with a ribs injury, but expected to play — expect another nice day.

Eberle
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By DJ Eberle

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Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle.