Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 4

The hits keep coming and not in a good way folks, but that’s okay, the Fallout is here to set you straight going into Week 4…

 

Titans – 7 @ Jaguars – 20

 

• Adam Humphries had his best game this season on Thursday night, but it’s important to mention that 47 of his 93 yards came on the final drive. It’s going to be difficult to determine which Titan, other than Delanie Walker, is going to hit in any given game. A.J. Brown(1 rec, 4 yards) is a prime example.

 

• Even in a game where the Titans were trailing and having to speed things up, Dion Lewis was ineffective. If you can’t rely on him in this kind of scenario, when can you?

 

• There are no training wheels for Gardner Minshew(204 yards, 2 TD). He fires it up right out of the gate, and it’s keeping the Jaguars in games. I, however, do not condone his usage against the Broncos in Denver this week. 

 

• D.J. Chark is the Jags’ no.1 WR( 4rec, 76 yards, 1 TD), and he needs to be owned like it. I would actually consider starting him against Denver this week. He’s topped 55 yards and scored in every game this season. 

 

Lions – 27 @ Eagles – 24

 

• Ugh Matthew Stafford sure knows how to let you down. I suppose the game script dictated that the Lions play keep away from the Eagles and run it with a lead, but it’s the second stright middling game for him. I’d throw him in the trash, or out of it in my case, but he’s got K.C. this week, and there’s nothing that will set a QB straight like a matchup with them. If he can’t deliver in Week 4, he’s dead to me. 

 

• Folks thought Ty Johnson(4 car, 5 yards) would be the beneficiary of C.J. Anderson‘s release, but the rich just got richer and Kerryon Johnson feasted. Johnson is still an intriguing add in deeper leagues, but he’s purely a bench hold for now. 

 

• Kenny Golladay(2 rec, 17 yards) had the worst game of this early season on Sunday, but it was mainly due to missed connections. He had 8 targets on the day.

 

• T.J. Hockenson(1 rec, 1 yard) is droppable. This largely uninspiring Lions offense doesn’t seem to know what to do with him on a regular basis. 

 

• Miles Sanders looks like the biggest benficiary of losing Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, as he led the Eagles in receiving with 73 yards. Philly got creative with their talented back in ways they hadn’t utilized him previously. Hopefully they stick to that plan even when their WRs return. 

 

• J.J. Arcega-Whiteside(1 rec, 10 yards) was much ado about nothing Sunday. He’s not ready. Put him back in the oven. 

 

Jets – 14 @ Patriots – 30

 

• The Jets only mustered 105 yards on Sunday, of which more than half Le’Veon Bell is responsible. Fortunately for them, and us, they have a bye this week. Sam Darnold should return in Week 5, so now might be a good time to trade for the likes of Robby Anderson and/or Jameson Crowder if you’re sitting pretty but looking for depth.

 

• Rex Burkhead(69 yards, 1 TD) delivered yet again, this time with the help of an absent James White, who left to be home with his very pregnant wife. Burkhead benefits from games that get out of hand, which the Patriots are likely to be in often from the looks of things. They do face the 3-0 Bills this week, but who have they really beaten? I’m banking on Rex being at least a flex. 

 

• Phillip Dorsett(6 rec, 53 yards, 1 TD) needs to be owned. He’s scored in every game that Antonio Brown hasn’t played for the Pats, and we know that Brown is no longer an issue. Yes, he’s only the 3rd or 4th option in New England, but that’s good enough to get him WR3 consideration. 

 

Raiders – 14 @ Vikings – 34

 

• Josh Jacobs was playing ill(10 car, 44 yards), and it showed. I don’t think it will linger for another week, as it was reportedly just a head cold, but his situation is one to monitor. 

 

• With Ryan Grant a healthy scratch, J.J. Nelson(4 rec, 36 yards, 1 TD) moved into three WR sets and actually came in second in targets(5) behind Darren Waller(13). I don’t see him moving ahead of Ty Williams or Hunter Renfrow, but he’ll have his good days just like when he was a Cardinal – They’ll just be hard to predict. 

 

• Alexander Mattison(12 car, 58 yards, 1 TD) benefitted from a comfortable Vikings lead on Sunday, racking up carries with the game in hand. It’s been established that the Vikings are a run-first offense at this point, so it’s safe to assume he’ll have days like this on occasion, but he’s still a handcuff to Dalvin Cook. He must be owned, but I wouldn’t flex him unless I had very few options otherwise. 

 

• Can you drop Kyle Rudolph for Irv Smith? Probably does make much difference either way. The Vikings aren’t throwing enough to start either one right now. 

 

• It might be too late to get value for Stefon Diggs(3 rec, 15 yards) in trade, but it’s worth trying. He’s getting squat for targets in this offense, and I’m not sure it’s going to change. 

 

Ravens – 28 @ Chiefs – 33

 

• Gus Edwards(9 tou, 68 yards) is playing ahead of Justice Hill on one of the most run heavy teams in the league. Mark Ingram can do everything Hill does, and Gus is the bruiser, so Hill is redundant right now. Edwards should be owned in most leagues. 

 

• Both Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews are fine. They just couldn’t do much the nine and seven targets they received. There was concern about Andrews’ previously injured foot, but he seems to have come out of the game unscathed. 

 

• Darrel Williams(14 tou, 109 yards), not Darwin Thompson, was the Damien Williams to LeSean McCoy on Sunday. In fact, Darrel took the lead when McCoy reaggravated his ankle at one point. I would be hard pressed to find a higher waiver priority this week – maybe Wayne Gallman. I wouldn’t drop Thompson just yet though, if McCoy can’t return this week, Thompson would take his place as a compliment to Williams. 

 

• Mecole Hardman and DeMarcus Robinson both scored on Sunday, but now might be a good time to sell high. Tyreek Hill is reportedly mending very quickly and could be back in the lineup as early as this week. They’ll both retain some value when he returns, but their consistency is likely to vasillate wildly. 

 

Falcons – 24 @ Colts – 27

 

• Devonta Freeman(18 tou, 95 yards) got all the run in this one after splitting carries with Ito Smith the last two weeks. Smith got one single solitary carry on the whole afternoon before leaving with a possible concussion. It looks like the window to acquire Freeman in trade is closing soon. He didn’t score though, so maybe you can still snipe him. 

 

• Calvin Ridley(1 rec, 6 yards) disappeared on Sunday, so it looks like the wild mood swings his fantasy production took last season are back. Mohamed Sanu on the other hand has had at least 6 targets every game this season. He’s shaping up to be a reasonable high floor flex in PPR formats.

 

• Austin Hooper is quietly the no.6 TE in fantasy right now. He’s still available in 12% of leagues.

 

• Jacoby Brissett(310 yards, 2 TD) is defnitely no Andrew Luck, but he’s no slouch either. He’s well worth streaming against the Raiders this week.

 

• T.Y. Hilton aggravated his quad injury right before halftime against the Falcons and never returned. Zach Pascal came away with 53 yards and a TD on 2 catches, but no fewer than seven Colts saw at least 3 targets, so it’s impossible to say he’s the obivious add is Hilton can’t go this week. Parris Campbell is, in my opinion, the most talented WR behind Hilton, so he would be the guy I’m most interested in. 

 

Broncos – 16 @ Packers – 27

 

• Royce Freeman(19 tou, 73 yards) scared his owners when he left the game due to a shoulder injury, only to return after Philip Lindsay had already swindled 2 TDs. Just the fact that Freeman returned is good news for this week, though he still resigned to being in a timeshare with Lindsay, limiting his upside greatly. 

 

• Jamaal Williams(14 tou, 86 yards) out touched and out gained Aaron Jones on Sunday, turning the Packers backfield into a true time share once again. Williams needs to be added in deeper leagues as a low upside flex. 

 

• Marquez Valdes-Scantling led all Packers with 10 tar, 6 rec, 99 yards and a TD on Sunday. It’s likely that Rodgers found something that worked against the Denver defense and stuck with it. 

 

• Davante Adams has had a slow start this season, but he’s gone up against the Bears, Vikings and Broncos back to back. Target him in trades while you can. He’s bound to return to WR1 form. 

 

Dolphins – 6 @ Cowboys – 31

 

• Preston Williams(4 rec, 68 yards) did it again. He’s the only Dolphins player who seems to produce on a consistent basis and the only one I’m bothering to own in my leagues. 

 

• Kenyan Drake had something resembling a productive fantasy day with 72 yards on 15 touches. He’ll be a middling flex when the Dolphins play the Chargers this week.

 

• Josh Rosen wasn’t good in his first start(200 yards passing, 13 yards rushing), but he wasn’t as bad as Ryan Fitzpatrick has been, so he gets to stay. He’s got somewhat of a connection with Preston Williams over their time on the second team, so it’s not all bad. If nothing else, the Dolphins are not worse than they were a week ago on offense. 

 

• Tony Pollard‘s 16 tou, 128 yard, 1 TD game was absurd, but most of it came in garbage time. Chances are he’ll be used sparingly against the Saints this week.

 

• Devin Smith(2 rec, 39 yards) had a lackluster game on Sunday, but he was second in targets in Dallas with 5. Don’t drop him yet.

 

Bengals – 17 @ Bills – 21

 

• Auden Tate, who is basically a tight end, was the 3rd receiver much of the day for the Bengals, amassing 6 catches for 88 yards on 10 targets and a TD. Tre’Davious White was all over John Ross, so it makes sense. I don’t expect much from Tate moving forward.

 

• Frank Gore(14 tou, 89 yards, 1 TD) split carries with T.J. Yeldon(10 tou, 49 yards) and Josh Allen who had 9 carries for 48 yards. This could go down as one of Gore’s best games this season, as Devin Singletary may return this week. Either way, the Bills play New England this week, so Gore’s outlook isn’t too optimistic if the Pats get out to an early lead. 

 

• TE Dawson Knox(3 rec, 67 yards, 1 TD) will be a hot commodity on waivers this week. He did most of his damage on one play, so i’m not champing at the bit for him, but there is room for him to ascend the lame Bills depth chart at TE. 

 

Giants – 32 @ Buccaneers – 31

 

• Baker Mayfield must be hating that crow he’s munching on, cause Daniel Jones(336 yards passing, 28 yards rushing, 4 TD) just put him in his place. It’s just one game, but Jones looked poised under pressure and made good decisions when he needed to. You have to pick him up in case this isn’t a fluke.

 

• Ouch. Saquon Barkley is out 4 – 8 weeks, making Wayne Gallman your starter in New York. The Giants will probably add someone in the backfield, but you need to add Gallman where possible.

 

• Rookie Darius Slayton(3 rec, 82 yards) showed off his wheels on Sunday in his first start. I’m trying not to get too excited about him though because Golden Tate is going to steal some of his thunder when he returns from suspension. Even so, Slayton could be the deep threat that Jones is hoping for. 

 

• And that’s it. Mike Evans owners are no longer accepting trade offers. 

 

• Ronald Jones finally got the action we were looking for as he out gained Peyton Barber 121 yards to 51 yards on an equal amount of touches. Barber is still very much in the picture, but you need to get Jones in hopes that he keeps up the good work. 

 

• O.J. Howard finally got some fantasy production, grabbing 3 receptions for 66 yards. It’s not a monster, but it’s a night and day difference from the past two weeks. 

 

Panthers – 38 @ Cardinals – 20

 

• I know it’s Cam’s team, but Kyle Allen(261 yards, 4 TD) is making it easy for him to rest his foot for however long he needs to. Allen is in line for another start against a Houston defense that is leaking passing yards. He’s worth streaming.

 

• Greg Olsen(6rec, 75 yards, 2 TD) has found the fountain of youth. Frank Gore was his guide. 

 

• Of course, right when I talk up Damiere Byrd(2 rec, 9 yards) he tanks. It was a bad day in general for Kyler Murray who completed only one pass over 20 yards. Murrays day was saved by the 69 yards he had on the ground. But his running prowess is why you own him in the first place. 

 

Steelers – 20 @ 49ers – 24

 

• The lack of Big Ben under center is taking its toll on the Steelers offense and not just in the passing game. JuJu would’ve had 5 yards on the day if not for the 76 yard TD he broke open late in the game. Diontae Johnson had a similar play that saved his day. Hopefully Mason Rudolph‘s play was not an indictment on him so much as it was for an emerging 49ers defense. He gets Cincy this week, so we’ll find out.  

 

• Raheem Mostert(79) and Matt Breida(88) got all the yards, but Jeff Wilson got the 2 TDs. All of them need to be owned. 

 

Saints – 33 @ Seahawks – 27

 

• Teddy Bridgewater(177 yards, 2 TD) is more of a game manager, but he doesn’t make many mistakes. I wouldn’t advise playing him against the Cowboys this week though. In fact I wouldn’t start any Saints not named Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas. There just isn’t that much offense to go around. 

 

• OK, I may have been wrong about Will Dissly(6 rec, 62 yards, 1 TD) being a flash in the pan. Russell Wilson seems to be looking for him in the red-zone on the regular. Pick him up if he’s still available. 

 

• Chris Carson can’t seem to help himself. Even with Rashaad Penny sitting, he could take control of the backfield, losing another fumble and 45 snaps to C.J. Prosise. If Penny can’t go this week, Prosise will make for an interesting play in DFS.

 

Texans – 27 @ Chargers – 20

 

• So much for the Texans running game. It was all passing in the one, out of necessity. And it looks like it might be a similar story against Carolina this week, Fire up your Texans pass-catchers. You can probably find a few of them on waivers, i.e., Jordan Akins and and maybe even Kenny Stills. 

 

• It was a disappointing day for most Chargers not named Keenan Allen who supplied a team’s worth of offense(183 yards, 2 TD). Philip Rivers went back to old faithful time and again as he tried to stay in the game. You can have faith that the Chargers will be all systems go against the Dolphins this week, so play your studs. 

 

Rams – 20 @ Browns – 13

 

• Robert Woods had another down game on Sunday, but he’s going to bounce back. Put out some trade offers for him. 

 

• I’d put out some offers for Todd Gurley(14 car, 43 yards) too. The Rams won’t always throw the ball 38 times. 

 

• Aye. Gerald Everett( 2 rec, 15 yards) can go back to the wire. Away with him. 

 

• Baker Mayfield(195 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) looks like a rookie. He’s regressed this season, as many 2nd year QBs do once teams have tape on them. It doesn’t help that he faces the Ravens this week. I’m downgrading all Browns pass-catchers for that one, though you can’t sit OBJ. 

 

• David Njoku is on IR, and no one they brought to replace showed us anything on Sunday night.