Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 4

The season is rushing by with little regard for our fantasy feelings, but we’ve got to keep our heads down as we prepare for the arduous battle ahead. Here’s the fallout going into Week 4 …

 

Steelers – 17 @ Browns – 29

• George Pickens(3/39) finally got a decent target share(7), but it didn’t amount to much. He made a fantastic laid out catch that would make Odell Beckham pee his pants, but that doesn’t count in fantasy(though it would be rad to figure out a league in which it would). Mitch Trubisky is who we thought he was and isn’t willing to take the downfield shots that will make Pickens a star. Hopefully Kenny Pickett is one game closer to taking the torch.

 

• Jaylen Warren(4/30) took a step forward, picking up 6+ yards on all 4 of his carries, but then he fumbled the ball in the 2nd quarter. He’s shaping up to be one of the higher upside handcuffs in football.

 

• David Njoku(9/89/1) set a career high in catches on Sunday in a winning effort. After the game, coach Kevin Stefanski said that Njoku’s usage would be dictated by coverage scheme on a weekly basis. Good luck sussing that out for fantasy.

 

Raiders – 22 @ Titans – 24

• Mack Hollins(8/158/1) had a career game on Sunday, but that was in large part due to Hunter Renfrow sitting with a concussion. Still, Hollins has played 87% of the Raiders offensive snaps this season, so he’s on the field. He’s ripe for the DFS picking.

 

• Robert Woods(4/85) finally showed up for fantasy, but you probably had him on your bench if you even still own him. The Colts play a prevent defense, so maybe he racks up shorter targets this week.

 

Bills – 19 @ Dolphins – 21

• Isaiah McKenzie(7/76/1) has scored in 2 of 3 games so far this season. It makes sense to invest in one of the league’s top offenses, so snagging McKenzie is a shrewd move. Jamison Crowder(1/9) can be dropped universally.

 

• James Cook(5/40) is having trouble getting enough action with both Devin Singletary and Zack Moss playing ahead of him. He’s droppable outside of dynasty leagues.

 

• The Dolphins were able to come away with a win, despite doing very little on offense. Raheem Mostert led the backfield in touches(8/11), but Chase Edmonds got all the end-zone action(2 TDs). It’s a 50/50 split in Miami, with Edmonds holding most of the fantasy value.

 

Texans – 20 @ Bears – 23

• Dameon Pierce(22/101/2) finally got the touches we were hoping for, though he fumbled twice. The usage is encouraging moving into Week 4, though the Texans may need to move away from the run more against the Chargers. Rex Burkhead could offer some slight flex appeal in this one.

 

• David Montgomery left the game early in the first quarter after rolling his ankle. He’s day-to-day though, so that’s a good sign. Khalil Herbert(22/169/2) went gangbusters in his stead and would be a must start against the Giants if Montgomery can’t go this week. Trestan Ebner(7/23) would be the COP back in that case.

 

Bengals – 27 @ Jets – 12

• Joe Mixon(15/38) hobbled off the field in the 4th quarter, leaving Samaje Perine(11/61/1) to lead the backfield. As of early Monday afternoon, we’ve had no word about Mixon’s status, but it’s a situation to monitor.

 

• Tyler Boyd(4/105/1) popped this week, but his fantasy production has been predicated mostly on TDs. He’s a decent flex option, but be warned that his floor will be abysmally low.

 

• I’ll keep singing the praises of Tyler Conklin(8/84) until he’s owned in all formats. He’s had at least 7 targets in every game this season. I suppose that could change when Zach Wilson returns, but it’s a low risk investment right now.

 

Saints – 14 @ Panthers – 22

• Is Chris Olave(9/147) the new no.1 in New Orleans? Based on 2 of the last 3 games, he is. With the Saints in negative game scripts, Jameis Winston is targeting the talented rookie like mad. Both Jarvis Landry and Michael Thomas succumbed to injuries, so Olave could be in for another big week it seems, regardless. Tre’Quan Smith(4/105) gets some juice too, if they sit.

 

• Baker Mayfield has been poison for the Panthers WR corps through 3 games. It seems that one player gets a big play or two per game, but there’s no consistency. Laviska Shenault(2/90/1) was the guy on Sunday. It’ll probably be someone else this week. DJ Moore‘s( 1/2 ) owners have to be disappointed in how things are transpiring.

 

Baltimore – 37 @ Patriots – 26

• JK Dobbins(9/40) only got 7 carries in his debut, but he came away none the worse for it, which is a good thing. He faces the Bills this week, so it may be tough sledding, even if he gets more touches. If you have better options, it might be a good idea to sit him out one more week.

 

• Justice Hill(6/60) was explosive as the no.2 behind Dobbins. He’s a deep league stash who could offer some flex value until Gus Edwards returns.

 

• DeVante Parker(5/156) got 10 targets on the day, as the Pats played from behind. His usage got a boost with Jakobi Meyers sitting, but this performance should get him more looks moving forward.

 

• Mac Jones(22/321/3 INT) suffered a high ankle sprain that narrowly avoided surgery. Brian Hoyer will step up in his absence. I don’t see Hoyer as a big step down from Jones, but expect the Pats to lean on the run for at least the next few weeks.

 

Lions – 24 @ Vikings – 28

• D’Andre Swift suffered a shoulder injury that could keep him out through the team’s Week 6 bye. Only 61% owned, Jamaal Williams(22/107/2) should be the top waiver add this week. Craig Reynolds(7/18) could be added in deeper leagues as well.

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• Josh Reynolds(6/96) led the Lions with 10 targets on Sunday, as Amon-Ra St. Brown injured his ankle in the 2nd quarter. St. Brown played through it, but Reynolds obviously benefitted. Reynolds could be worth a flex against Seattle this week, especially if St. Brown is limited through practices all week.

 

• With the Lions angling to stop Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen(6/61/1) and Kj Osborn(5/73/1) were able to produce on Sunday. Most of Osborn’s production came on the final drive, but Thielen has gotten more involved every game. Expect Jefferson to get a bounce back game this week. Thielen should be fine for PPR formats though.

 

Chiefs – 17 @ Colts – 20

• Both Jerrick McKinnon(7/20) and Isiah Pacheco(3/9( had more rushing yards than Clyde Edwards-Helaire(7/0) this week, though that’s not saying much. CEH was able to salvage his day with a TD and a 5/39 receiving line, but he’s a sell high.

 

• Jelani Woods(2/13/2) scored the only 2 TDs for the Colts on Sunday, but he did nothing outside of the scoring plays. With Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson both involved, Woods offers little fantasy use right now.

 

• Alec Pierce(3/61) had the 3rd most targets on the team(5) since returning from a Week 1 concussion. With this offense stumbling through games, he’s not yet a valid redraft option.

 

Eagles – 24 @ Commanders – 8

• DeVonta Smith(8/169/1) had his 2nd straight productive week, leading the Eagles in receiving. Teams are focusing on AJ Brown, and Smith is reaping the benefits. Initially, I was worried that Smith would get lost in the offense between Brown and the run, but he’s getting enough action to thrive with Jalen Hurts making a step forward in his development.

 

• It didn’t show in the stat line, aside from Terry McLaurin‘s(6/102) output, but all 3 starting WRs for the Commanders had 8+ targets. Keep running them out there versus the Cowboys this week.

 

Jaguars – 38 @ Chargers – 10

• Trevor Lawrence(28/262/3) has gotten better every week this season. His first real test will be against Philly’s top 5 fantasy secondary this week. I’m probably not playing him in this case, but Lawrence is worth streaming in plus matchups.

 

• Travis Etienne(16/75) got a ton of touches in Week 3, but the Jaguars were in blowout mode for much of the day – A third of Etienne’s touches came on the Jags’ last drive. He could continue to see decent usage this week though, as the Eagles are proving to be tough to pass on.

 

• Zay Jones(10/85/1) led the Jags on Sunday and leads the Jags in receptions(19) through 3 weeks. We’ve seen that this offense has improved since last season, and Jones is a viable fantasy option right now. He should be owned in most formats.

 

• There was little to take away from the Chargers on Sunday, other than that Justin Herbert seems to have weathered his rib injury. Sony Michel looks like the no.2 back for what it’s worth. Josh Palmer(6/99)had another good game, but Keenan Allen is likely to return this week.

 

Packers – 14 @ Buccaneers – 12

• I guess no one told Romeo Doubs(8/73/1) that Allen Lazard was supposed to be the no.1 WR for Green Bay. The healthiest GB WR with the most upside, Doubs needs to be owned in all formats.

 

• Robert Tonyan(6/37) had 7 targets on the day, good for second on the team. He’s a viable streamer versus New England this week.

 

• Russell Gage(12/87/1) paced the Bucs in receiving on a day that 3 of their regular starters sat. He could be in for another major day versus KC this week, if none of the usual suspects can return.

 

Rams- 20 @ Cardinals – 12

• Cam Akers(12/61/1) was used as the lead back in this one, though he wasn’t really used until the 2nd half of the game. It seems like he’s beginning to win the backfield battle with Darrell Henderson(4/17).

 

• Ben Skowronek(4/66) is playing 90% of offensive snaps, though he’s being used mostly as a blocker. That being said, he offers some deep league flex value while Van Jefferson is on IR.

 

• Greg Dortch(9/80) should be owned in most formats. Rondale Moore still isn’t practicing, and we have 3 more weeks before DeAndre Hopkins returns.

 

Falcons – 27 @ Seahawks – 23

• Tyler Allgeier(7/30) looks like the no.2 in Atlanta, but he’s still playing far behind Cordarrelle Patterson(18/153/1). He’s only a hold in dynasty.

 

• Kenneth Walker(6/23) is being stymied by DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer, though Homer did suffer an injury on Sunday, so maybe that frees up some room. Walker is a hold, but he can’t be used in fantasy right now.

 

49ers – 10 @ Broncos – 11

• Jeff Wilson(15/106) handled the ball almost exclusively for the 49ers. Jordan Mason(1/7) was the only other back to get a carry. I’m leaving the 49ers backfield alone behind Wilson.

 

• If there’s a silver lining to Jimmy Garoppolo being the 49ers QB, it’s that Brandon Aiyuk(3/39/1) is more involved, as he had 8 targets.

 

• Russell Wilson is struggling this season, putting up fantasy point totals over 3 games that used to post in just one. Maybe he’s just not the same after his injury last season. He’s got a get right matchup against the Raiders this week, but I wouldn’t blame you if you bench this week.