What to do with Darius Slayton, Golden Tate in Week 3 fantasy football

The New York Giants face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, and it marks the team’s first full game without running back Saquon Barkley in the lineup. The Giants signed Devonta Freeman to join Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman, but Daniel Jones will likely lean on his passing options a bit more while the ground game gets on track with the new depth chart.

Wide receiver Golden Tate returned to action last week and will be counted on even more with Sterling Shepard sidelined for the near future. Darius Slayton leads the team in receiving production and tight end Evan Engram is tied with him in targets.

Fantasy Football analysis: Giants WRs Darius Slayton, Golden Tate

This is going to be the best time for the Giants offense to face the 49ers defense. Defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas are both out for the season with torn ACLs, cornerback Richard Sherman remains on IR for a couple more weeks at least, and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is questionable after injuring his hamstring on Friday. The 49ers have depth, but this is a decimated unit.

Slayton led the Giants in Week 1 with six receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns, but only had three receptions for 33 yards in Week 2. Evan Engram led the team in receiving, while Tate was the leading wide receiver, catching five passes for 47 yards. Slayton would seem to have more upside, but Tate could prove to have the more secure floor. Tate only has one game under his belt, but he closed 2019 with some solid production.

Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation

Both Slayton and Tate are worth starting as flex options in most formats this week.