Peyton Barber is in the midst of another pathetic game as I’m writing this. He’s at 8 rushing attempts for 33 yards and I don’t see that number growing more than that. If the Buccaneers are serious about winning they’ll release their rookie RB Ronald Jones on the league for week 4. Either way — he’ll make his debut soon and have no one in his way from quickly gaining RB1 status. He’s currently unowned in about 80% of leagues, but smart owners (that’s you!) will start sitting on him now to reap the benefits later.
Quarterbacks
Case Keenum (vs KC): Keenum can drop big points when facing weak defenses — i.e. 329 yards, 3 TDs in week 1 against the Seahawks. Week 4 the Broncos face off against the Chiefs who can give as well as they can take. They’ve allowed the most passing yards on the year. I have a feeling the Broncos will be playing from behind for most of this game which will lead to a big time passing game by Keenum. He might throw for 3 TDs, but he also might throw for 3 INTs.
Eli Manning (vs NO): Has Eli found his manhood? Only slightly. Only slightly. 19 fantasy points on the road against Houston is nice and now Eli is welcome the Saints to town who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Granted 41 of those points came against Ryan Fitzpatrick, but Eli still has some solid receiving weapons. If this is the turning point of the Giants season you can say that you were there to see it happen first!
Baker Mayfield (@ OAK): It’s time! Do we know exactly who Baker Mayfield is yet as an NFL QB? No. But 201 passing yards with 0 INTs isn’t bad for an injury replacement debut. He’ll be heading to Oakland to face the Raiders who just allowed Ryan Tannehill to hang 25 fantasy points on them. If you’re hurting at QB you might as well take a stab at Mayfield who is unowned in 93% of leagues as of Tuesday night (this will be change very rapidly.)
Running Backs
Devontae Booker (vs KC): Another guy I was moderately high on going into the season was Booker. He has squandered away the RB1 role to not only Royce Freeman, but now also to Phillip Lindsay. However, this past week Booker has inserted himself into the receiving RB conversation. Broncos head coach Vance Joseph has been saying that the running back situation will be fluid by game and situation. Such was the case in week 3 when Booker hauled in 5 of his 7 targets for 34 yards. Not much, but it’s nice to see him getting some snaps. Booker was actually in for 33% of the Broncos snaps — more than Freeman’s 28% and not too far off from Lindsay’s 39%.Don’t believe me? Check it here: https://football.razzball.com/nfldepthcharts/denver-broncos  Booker is a deep flex option in PPR leagues for week 4 because he’s facing the Chiefs who have allowed the most receiving yards to opposing RBs. If he’s shown anything to the Broncos coaches he could be a threat this weekend.
Marlon Mack (vs HOU): I can officially include Mack in this article as his ownership has dipped below 50%! Look, I know he’s been struggling with injuries all season, but the other two Colts RBs (who shall remain nameless) haven’t done anything all season so it’s not like he’ll have to fight for snaps.
Wendell Smallwood (@ TEN): Across from Mack’s Colts this weekend were Wendell Smallwood’s Eagles! Yes they’re his now! With Jay Ajayi and Ving Rhames Jr (Darren Sproles) both out it was up to anyone else to run the ball this week and Smallwood was their most productive back. Sure he didn’t set the world on fire, but he had the same amount of rushing yards as the guy everyone thought was going to be the RB1 this week, Corey Clement, and he did it on 6 less attempts and scored the only rushing TD. He also contributed in the passing game catching 3 of his 5 targets for 35 yards. Ajayi and Sproles are both expected back for week 4, but Smallwood has at least given Eagles head coach Doug Pederson something to think about. Smallwood was my breakout prediction for 2017, but I don’t know if that should say more about me or Smallwood.
Wide Receivers
Geronimo Allison (vs BUF): Another week, another recommendation from me, another double-digit game for Geronimo Allison.
Tyler Boyd (@ ATL): Back to back 20+ point games should have Boyd at the top of your waiver queue. His WR partner AJ Green is nursing a groin injury right now and is officially questionable for week 4. His week 4 opponent is the Atlanta Falcons who have allowed back to back 3 passing TD games so if Boyd is the primary Bengal receiver — expect another 20+ fantasy point game easily.
Antonio Callaway (@ OAK): I can’t recommend Baker Mayfield without recommending someone for him to throw it to. Callaway only caught 4 of his 10 targets, but most of that was from Tyrod Taylor. Now, Callaway gets Mayfield throwing him the ball with a chip on his shoulder to prove his doubters wrong. Did I also mention the Raiders have allowed the third most fantasy points to WRs this year including 4 TDs to the Dolphins WRs in week 3? Smash that like and subscribe button on Callaway.
Mike Williams (vs SF): Keenan Allen gets all the love and attention in the Chargers passing game for good reason, but in week 3 Mike Williams actually matched him in targets and surpassed him in receiving yards and TDs. Williams, like Geronimo has scored double-digit fantasy points in all three games this season. He is clearly a WR on the rise and if you don’t grab him now it might be too late.
Tight Ends
Rhett Ellison (vs NO): Ellison’s 0.0% ownership is indicative of the expectations for him heading into 2018. He was purely injury protection for Evan Engram and guess what? Evan Engram could be missing the next 4-6 weeks. Does that immediately make Rhett as valuable as Engram? Absolutely not, why would you ask such a thing, you make me sick. However, he’s going to be getting those TE1 snaps and we all know how much Eli loves him some TEs.
Dallas Goedert (@ TEN): A few days after Eagles offensive coordinator Mike Groh was quoted as saying he wanted to get Goedert involved in the passing game more — Goedert had the best game of his career snatching 7 catches for 73 yards and a TD. No, Zach Ertz isnt going anywhere anytime soon, but why can’t there be room for another TE in Philadelphia? Outside of Nelson Algholor the Eagles wide receivers have been quite disappointing. If Goedert can continue this production he could fill that void in their offense.
Defense/Special Teams
Seattle Seahawks (@ ARI): The legion of whom? The Seahawks have snagged 2 INTs in all 3 of their games this season and have held their last two opponents to under 20 points. Their week 2 opponent was the team with the 7th fewest total yards this season and their week 3 opponent is the team with the third fewest yards this season. Week 4? They’re getting the team with the fewest yards on the season AND a rookie QB. I’m expecting at least 2 more INTs and under 15 points allowed.
Kickers
Aldrick Rosas (vs NO): Lost in all the Odell Beckham, Saquon Barkley excitement has been the quiet consistency of Aldrick Rosas. He hasn’t missed a field goal or extra point yet this season. If the offense starts to gain some consistency and Rosas keeps up his end of the bargain, there could be more double-digit scoring performances coming his way (he has two already.)
