6 Players You Shouldn't Start in Week 3

Montee Ball, Denver Broncos

I've thrown Montee Ball under the bus already once this season, in our Regression Candidates article from Week 1. Ball has been highly dependent on volume of touches to sustain his value, because when he gets the ball, he's not doing much with it. His 0.03 per attempt Rushing NEP ranks a mere 19th among running backs with 10 or more carries this season, and his 2.13 Reception NEP is only 17th. Ball seems like today's version of Joseph Addai: a mediocre running back who happens to play in a Peyton Manning-led offense.

The great hope for Ball owners is volume and goal-line touches, and those will not likely come in droves against a ridiculously effective Seattle Seahawks run defense, currently ranked 13th in the NFL in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP. The last time these two teams faced in a meaningful game, Denver got blown out in Super Bowl XLVIII, 43-8. I don't expect the scoreline to be that bad this time around, but the Seahawks are still a very effective defensive team, which will likely lead to the Broncos needing to rely on their passing unit. Ball has improved as a receiver, but don't count on him to carry your fantasy squad this week.

Instead, look at Joique Bell against a leaky Green Bay rush defense, currently allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs in the league. The NEP numbers back this up, too, as Green Bay is currently worst in the league in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP.