Last week was a rough one for me. Last time I ask Zandar for fantasy football advice! I got some feedback in the comments last week that I need to add some deeper league players so I tried to sprinkle some really low ownership guys in this week’s article…
Quarterbacks:
Alex Smith, KC, 43.5% owned: The emergence of Kareem Hunt is doing wonders Smith’s numbers this year. With defenses needing to try (and fail) to contain the highest scoring fantasy player by 23.2 points, Smith is open to dink and dunk to Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. In Week 4 the Chiefs are at home for a Monday night showdown against the Redskins. The Skins have allowed the 5th fewest yards to RBs this season meaning they might try to lock Hunt down a little bit which could lead to more passing opportunities for the highest scoring fantasy QB: Alex Smith!
Deshaun Watson, HOU, 11.9%: After making his debut in the second-half of the Texans week 1 match-up Watson has scored 17.7 and 20.1 fantasy points in his past two games. The 301 passing yards might end up being his highest total of the year against a Patriots defense that has allowed the most passing yards on the season, but his 108 rushing yards over his 2 starts might just be the beginning. His week 4 opponent, the Titans allowed the 4th most passing yards in 2016 and have allowed the 5th most passing yards so far this season. We might be witnessing the start of someone great.
Running Backs:
Chris Carson, SEA, 42.7%: Tell me why Eddie Lacy (92%) is more owned than Chris Carson at this point? For the third week in a row, Carson has led the Seahawks in rushing attempts every week and is still the 4th most owned Seattle running back. If your leaguemates have been sleeping on Carson so far, drop Lacy and grab Carson. He’ll get a surprisingly stingy-against-the-run Colts in week 4, but long term he’s the RB to own in Seattle.
Jamaal Charles/Devontae Booker, DEN: It’s too early to Mile High panic, but Charles did end up with more rushing attempts than CJ Anderson in week 3. Keep in perspective that despite his 30.4 point out break in week 2, Anderson has only averaged a little over 8 fantasy points in his other 2 matchups. Like I said, don’t panic yet, but Booker is coming back from injury and Charles did end up scoring a TD in week 3. The Raiders haven’t allowed a rushing TD yet this season, but did give up 150 receiving yards and a receiving TD to Chris Thompson last week.
Alvin Kamara, NO, 11.3%: I told you to sit Saints RBs in week 3 and here’s the proof: Kamara was their leading fantasy scorer with 13.2 points. He also has the most targets from Drew Brees with 13. Mark Ingram is still the #1 back to own in N’Awlins, but Kamara is someone to watch for production down the line in case of an injury to Ingram or Peterson getting traded.
Wendell Smallwood, PHI, 2.4%: Smallwood was my fantasy sleeper of the year pick because I think he’s talented and was stuck behind two running backs he has more potential than. After Darren Sproles went down, Smallwood seemed to take over with 12 rushes for 71 yards. Corey Clement and LaGarrette Blount were also there to take some touches away — but expect that to change in week 4 against the Chargers. Good news for Smallwood: The Chargers have allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL so far.
Branden Oliver, LAC, 0.3%: Consider this a deep speculative grab due to Melvin Gordon’s bone bruise in his knee. It doesn’t look like Gordon is going to miss any time yet, but Oliver is the only other Charger RB with positive yardage rushing attempts. Oliver only rushed for 16 yards in 8 attempts (yikes) and caught 4 passes for 18 yards (double yikes.) But if he’s going to be the next man up, he could get some positive yards in good matchups.
Wide Receivers:
Devin Funchess, CAR, 11.2%: With Kelvin Benjamin nursing a knee injury, Devin Funchess stepped in and grabbed 4 out of his 10 targets for 58 yards. All reports out of Carolina are that Benjamin didn’t suffer any structural damage and it is all just imaginary, phantom growing pains in his brain. Funchess is obviously going to be the guy you want in Carolina with Greg Olsen out and now Benjamin probably going to miss week 4. Best news about Funchess? New England Patriots in week 4 babyyyyy! Patriots have allowed 572 yards and 3 TDs to opposing WRs so far.
Robert Woods, LAR, 4.8%: The Rams are desperate to find a second wide receiver for Jared Goff to compliment Sammy Watkins. After a 76 yard, 1 TD game in week 1, it looked like Cooper Kupp might fit the bill, but he’s only hauled in 5 passes for 50 yards total since. Week 3 saw Robert Woods going catch for catch with Watkins grabbing 6 Goff balls himself for 108 yards. Honestly, it could be back and forth between Woods and Kupp all year, but for now I’d speculate on Woods. Do not expect great things in their week 4 showdown with the Cowboys though — they’ve allowed the 4th fewest receiving yards to wide receivers.
Paul Richardson, SEA, 2.9%: Another team looking for a solid WR2 is the Seattle Seahawks. I thought they might’ve found it in Tyler Lockett after a 6 catch, 64 yard, 12.4 fantasy point game in week 2, but he only saw 2 passes in week for 30 yards. This made me take a longer look at who else is catching balls in Seattle. Richardson is second to Doug Baldwin with 12 targets from Russell Wilson and is their only WR to catch a TD. Richardson also had 9.9 fantasy points in week 1 and 2 and 11 in week 3. If you’re speculating for sleeper WR who are available — grab Richardson.
Tight Ends:
Charles Clay, BUF, 8.2%: Alright, I see you Charles Clay! Clay caught a TD pass in week 1 and week 3 who hasn’t amassed many yards so far this season, but you know he’s one of Tyrod Taylor’s favorite targets. And with a lack of reliable WR options in Buffalo that means a lot more of “Taylor to Clay” calls. His week 4 opponent, the Falcons, did allow the 9th most receiving yards to TEs in 2016.
Seth DeValve, CLE, 0.4%: Kenny Britt finally caught more than one pass in a game this year, but the Browns other wide receiver, Rashard Higgins only grabbed 2 catches for 10 yards. Due to this inconsistency, DeValve is actually 3rd among Browns receivers with 9 targets, but first with 103 receiving yards. Bengals allowed the 4th most receiving yards to TEs in 2016, but have only allowed 7 total receptions to TEs in 2017. This might have more to say about the tight ends the Bengals have faced so far though: 1 reception by Nick Boyle of Baltimore in week 1, 0 receptions by Texans TEs in week 2 and only 5 TE receptions between Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks in Green Bay in week 3. Someone has to gain some consistency in this Browns passing games and it could be DeValve if you’re lucky.
Defense/Special Teams:
Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens, 58.4%: The Steelers pass rush has been very impressive so far. They have allowed the second fewest passing yards in 2017. And if you saw what happened to Joe Flacco in wee Britain last week, you know the Ravens could be in trouble. Unfortunately for Flacco that performance wasn’t for British eyes only — everyone stateside saw him wilt in the fog as well. The Steelers aren’t as good against the run, but if they can limit Flacco just like the Jags did–the Steelers could get you some fantasy points.
Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings, 16.5%: Despite allowing 30 points to the Falcons last week, the Lions added to their first place fantasy point total due to another 3 interception game and their third straight game with a defensive TD. They’ll be facing off against the Minnesota Vikings who have logged the second highest yards per game, but the Lions still scored 10 fantasy points against an equally strong offense in the Falcons. As long as ball-hawks Glover Quin and Darius Slay are prowling in the secondary, the Lions can score some fantasy points.
Kickers:
Ryan Succop, TEN, 9.3%: LAST CALL! Last time Succop will be in this article. He’s your highest fantasy scoring kicker after finishing 3rd in scoring each week. He’s been consistent and fairly accurate and as long as the Titans defense is clicking enough to give him solid field goal position and extra points — he should easily net you 10+ fantasy points.
Jason Myers, JAX, 1.2%: Jacksonville’s 44 point explosion in week 3 led to a 15 fantasy point game from Myers. Weird stat of the day: the Jets have only allowed 1 FG all season, but due to their sub-par defense they’ve allowed 9 extra points. If Bortles and the Jags hot performance follows them back from across the pond against the Jets it could lead to another high-scoring game from Myers.
Who to start? Ty Montgomery, Diggs, or DeAndre Hopkins? Pick 2.
@Dennis: Diggs and Hopkins. Diggs won’t always put up 2 TDs, but he’s getting solid target market share from Bradford and Keenum and is quickly emerging as a WR1. Hopkins is going to go off soon, and you’ll want to be there when he does…Watson looked good vs. NE last week, and with his ability to keep plays alive and look down field, that should open up some opportunities for Hopkins on broken plays, a la Rodgers/Nelson in GB.
Thank you!
I’ve been reading that some people think it’s time to deal gurly, which I’m not entirely sold on. He’s back and crushing it.
But, do you think if I were to shop gurly, do you think a package for fornette and aj green or Julio jones is too much to ask for?
@Mike: I’m high on Gurley still — had him as my bounceback of the year. That is way too much to ask for. Stick with Gurley.
Hey there. Drop Cam or Semien for Watson? I also have Luck and waiting for his return since i got great value for him in my draft. Hate carrying three QBs though. Would yoi also drop a second QB out the mix for another bench player?
@G:
Dalton vs Beowns is also available of waiver wire too.
@G: I’d say give Cam one more week — he’s facing off against the worst pass defense this year. If he sucks this week — bye bye.
Hey man would you drop any of these guys to add Smallwood.
Quiz Rodgers
Crowell
Ingram
T. Coleman
Thanks..
@JP Morgan: FWIW Quiz is the only one I’d consider dropping with Martin coming back soon…the other three have established roles. If you’re in PPR, Smallwood carries more value since he’ll probably be picking up some of Sproles targets, but I don’t think he’ll immediately take Blount’s carries.
@JP Morgan: I cosign what AA Ron says. Quiz had a shot to make Doug Martin’s return interesting but he hasn’t done enough to give Bucs coaches much
to question.
In the Denver backfield, is there anything to the fact that Anderson has consistently played more snaps than Charles…and Charles has gotten about 10 carries per game this season, so it looks like they might be limiting his workload, no? That being said, as an Anderson owner, I’m looking to sell high – thoughts on who to target? I have my eye on Hopkins…
And just a thought regarding Woods and Kupp…after that Week 1 game by Kupp, defenses have started to take away the underneath, forcing Goff to push the ball downfield, which he did well in Week 3 with Watkins and Woods. As D’s start to respect the deep part of the field for Goff, my guess is Kupp will work underneath and get consistent looks.
@A.A. Ron Rodgers:
The Broncos have playoff aspirations and if they can split time between two reliable RBs to keep them both fresher for the winter games — they’ll do it. It sucks for fantasy owners — but brilliant on their part. Hopkins might be aiming a little too high in my opinion unless that owner is struggling at RB. I’d go team by team in your league and see who suffered a big injury or has guys underperforming and take advantage of that.
I think you’re right on Woods/Kupp — I like them both in deep leagues. It’ll be up and down for Woods and Kupp but if Watkins keeps grabbing the CB1 of the opposing D their will be opps for them.
Would you grab Watson to drop Bradford as a number 3 in a 2 QB start league? My other 2 QB’s are Cousins and Winston. I’m also debating on dropping Burkhead for either Smallwood or Alex Collins. Thoughts?
@JWRAY: Yea I’d drop Bradford for Watson at this point. Even if Bradford comes back — how long until he’s hurt again 2? 3 quarters?
I’ll go smallwood over burkhead
Rbs: Gurley, Cook, D. Martin, J. Allen, Carson, D. Johnson
Drop D. Johnson for Kamara or J. Charles?
Thanks
@Steve: I still like the Duke a bit more.
Time to move on past Crowell? Kizer had first and goal and elected to throw to his TE. Looks like Crowell is being phased out in the Kizer led offense.
@Chucky: Nah, hang on to Crowell — he’s going to be better especially as Kizer has his ups and downs throughout his rookie season.
Two questions:
1) Start Watson over Tyrod?
2) Start Lions D/ST over Rams D/ST?
Thanks
@fredtbn1gs:
1.) Watson
2.) Both have rough matchups but I’d go with the Lions who might let up points, but have more takeaway potential.
Morning man! I just lost & fell to 1-2 on the season the sky is falling
Here’s my team stand pat or look to pull off a trade or two to fine tune my squad?
QB Winston
RBs: Gordon, hunt , mcaffery, Abdullah, Carson , chris Johnson, chark west
WRs we start 3 could be 4. W/ flex: Keenan Allen, Alshon, D Parker, martavis Bryant, hogan, Golladay, snead, Jaron brown
TE I’ve been streaming I streamed Vernon Davis this past week
D: Ravens , thanks for the negative 1 point
Raiders kicker
Based on my team would you do these deals if you were me?
1.) trade martavis Bryant to acquire Baldwin? Are you worried about Baldwin’s groin injury? If I do this then woukd you recommend adding Lockett or Paul Richardson?
2.) trade my Parker to acquire Diggs ? However Parker gets the saints this week & will get the jets again
3.) thoughts on brandin cooks, woukd you trade for him? I was thinking mcaffery straight up for Cooks or will that hurt my RB depth? What about Abdullah + hogan for Cooks?
4.) now on to tyreek hill: trade my Abdullah + hogan ? Or Carson straight up?
5.) who should I target if I package Alshon + Parker or alshon + m Bryant? If in get Baldwin take Bryant out of the equation. Would you try alshon -+ Parker for Cooper , what about Michael Thomas? Heck I’d even package Alshon + Parker + mcaffery if I can get Green or Jordy (& if he wants to throw in gore or d-jax)
6.) would you deal Abdullah to acquire doug Martin? He has zero RB & 0-3, his RBs are Bell, forte, Perkins, woodhead, Lacy, Bernard. He has Fitzgerald as his WR3. would you try Parker + Abdullah for Martin + Fitzgerald? Or maybe just Abdullah straight up for Martin?
Although he is 0-3, has zero RBs besides bell would you try mcaffery for nuk Hopkins, or demaryius ?
In addition to potential trades I’ll be planning on riding the waiver:
Now I’m not 1st on the waiver order im 3rd (out of 10), Smallwood will be my pick but have a feeling one of the two before me will add him , would you instead shoot for jags or Bengals D as top priority?
Lol sorry it’s a lot trying to get my team on track
@Ghost buster: I think you’re team is fine. It’s still early and you appear to be over thinking things a bit. Just play the match-ups you have on your current roster and you’ll be fine…… Just my opinion….. Most of these scenarios the other own should/would not accept these trades.
@JWRAY:
The Baldwin trade I already have it in place he asked me if I would part with Bryant or hogan
@Ghost buster:
1.) Hang on to Bryant.
2.) I like Diggs more and I’m not sure your opponent would give him up for Parker. Stick with what ya got.
3.) I wouldn’t give up your RBs — thats the one area where your depth runs out after McCaff.
4.) Nah, I like your WR core.
5.) Don’t trade the farm for 1 guy — you never know who might get injured.
6.) No. Stick with what you have.
I’m sure all these no’s isn’t what you wanted to hear but I like your squad. I think you have 4/5 good WR, but only 3 reliable RB.
I understand you’re stressing about your record — but I think you will still make the playoffs with your roster without trading. I’d really just keep an eye on Winston in tough matchups. that’s unfortunately where your weakness lies right now.
@Kerry Klug:
Thank you Kerry, it was reassuring just so I don’t do a deal I’ll regret lol!
I’m second on the wire order the guy who’s 1st is going after D prob cincy or jags. If you were me drop chris Johnson to claim Smallwood? Since I know Smalls will be there too
Thanks for the insight . I feel better just gotta breath lol
12 team PPR dynasty. Got the 6th priority so may not get any of them anyway. But are Smallwood, Charles, Bernard, or Ellington worth going to the back of the line for? Also drop Cupp for Hogan or Marquise Lee? Waiver deadline is like 3am tomorrow morning so gotta get em in tonight.
@Allan: Grab Hogan fast1
I’m higher on Smallwood than most I feel like and he’d be the only one I’d reach for.
@Kerry Klug: Thanks. A little context though. My WR are Julio Amari Baldwin Marshall Cupp and my RB are Cook Cohen Ingram Perkins. Still Hogan? Have David Johnson on IR but he’s probably not useful til next year.
@Allan: I see what you mean — your WR are stronger than your RB, but I’m higher on Hogan. Brady <3's speedy little white WR more than he loves Giselle.
Who is the back to own behind Ajayi? Williams or Drake?
Is Darkwa worth holding onto or would you rather have Smallwood and Oliver? or one of the Ajayi back ups?
thanks
TFD
@The Fantasy Dick: I think Williams.
I rank ’em: Smallwood, Darkwa, Oliver (depending on Melvin health), Dolphins.
Who would you rather have ROS Fitzgerald or D-jax?
@G-man: Fitz. I hate Jackson. One day he’ll score 400 fantasy points — then 0 for 5 weeks.
what do you think of trading DJ for Maclin/Kamara? Its a 10-team standard & unfortunately went from champion last season with DJ to last place 0-3 start this season…
@Nick: Man, I don’t know…DJ is a LOT to give up in what I’m assuming is a 1 keeper league…Dude is only 25, should come back healthy in week 12-13ish and could help you win next year (and next year and next year etc..) What are your other RB/WR options on your team and on waivers? You’re already down 0-3 and rattling off a bunch of successive victories isn’t a given. I’m feeling like you should stick with DJ.
@Kerry Klug: not a keeper league, absolutely not!
@Nick: Ah okay — saw you had DJ last year and won and then had him against this year. If you want a chance to make the playoffs this year, then yea you try to trade him if the rest of your roster is solid.
would you trade tarik cohen for deandre hopkins?
@Lions: Without knowing your roster composition I’d say you should try to get Hopkins — but unless your trade partner needs RB help then he might not accept.
Any guesses on what Cam Newton or Andrew Luck are good for the rest of the way? Good buy low guys or waste of a roster spot?
@Astro: I’m not confident in Andrew Luck this season. This week is audition day for Cam…. he’s facing the defense that has allowed the most passing yards. If he struggles against them it’s time to go. Cam would be the only one I’d consider buying low on.
10t standard
Was offered Ajayi & McCaffrey for AB.. Would you take it?
My team Inc:
RB: D Cook, Mixon, Abdullah, D Henry
WR: AB, Baldwin, TY, D Parker
Thx
@fudgemybudge: In standard I’d do it. Who are this dude’s WR?