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.)
TY Kerry, love your work! OK PPR, Cooper is my WR and I am FED FREAKING UP! What under the radar RB or WR would you take straight up in a trade for Amari Cooper? has to be an unsuspecting trade that reaps rewards ROS
@IrishMike: Kenny golladay
@IrishMike: Same frustrations here. Please send help.
@IrishMike:
Very little trade value for him I would suggest packaging him with someone else. I think the guy is almost droppable I personally wouldn’t give you Godwin for him right now no way someone gives up Galloday . Good luck
@IrishMike: yea a bundle might be your best bet…Cooper hasn’t won himself any fans over the past two years.
If you’re hellbent on 1 to 1 you’ll have to find someone less valuable than him…who you think might sneakily gain some upside this season. Maybe Tarik Cohen? Maybe Kerryon Johnson?
It’s going to be a tough self no matter what because everyone else in your league is probably over Cooper as well.
Nice work KK!
ROS: Ridley (Atl) or Williams (LAC); full PPR
Thanks!
@Nehocstu: I’d go with Ridley my dude.
I gambled on Andrew Luck in the draft, but no luck so far.
My league is 10-team, three-keeper, standard (Yahoo) scoring, and here is my team:
QB- Luck
RB- Hunt, Jordan Howard, Adrian Peterson, Ajayi, Crowell, Clement
WR- Julio, AJ Green, DeSean Jackson, TY Hilton, Sammy Watkins, John Brown
TE- OJ Howard, Trey Burton
QBs on WW- Dalton, Tanehill, Flacco. Josh Allen is available, obviously. As is Mayfield.
Should I just go with one of those guys, or do I have the depth to trade? What QB do you think I could/should target with Crowell? AP?
Thanks in advance!
@Oliver: Luck made me nervous going into this season — I was shocked to see how high he was going in some leagues.
Honestly, out of your options I’d stick with him though. I know that’s the boring answer — but its also the safe one.
If you’re desperate I would see who needs some RB/flex help and see if they’d be interested in AP.
@Kerry Klug: HAHA, I was one of those suckers. Reached for Luck in the 8th Round.
What if someone gave me Goff for Crowell? I just received that offer.
I’m in need of a RB for ROS, I currently have too many WRs.
WR to potentially drop, Cobb or Cole, plus an IR spot.
RBs on wire: Chris Carson, Burkhead, Ivory, Duke Johnson, Ronald Jones II.
Thinking of dropping Cobb and using the open spot to try and get Carson and Jones, then Burkhead if I lose out on the first two FAAB’s. How much out of $150 would you place on those two?
Thanks!
@miles proudfoot: I would go too crazy with your budget — but if you’re desperate for RB in place of WR I’d drop Cobb for Carson. I’d go as high as 30-40 depending on how bad your RB situation is.
Hey Kerry, Booker got volume because Lindsay got ejected from the game early, right? I don’t trust Booker at all, man.
I think Chris Ivory warrants more attention as a pickup than Booker, no?
@Mike_Vee: Yeah – it’s easy for Booker to be a pass catching back when Lindsay is the other option and in the showers….
I’m worried about coaches being pissed at Lindsay a little bit… but I think that benefits Freeman, not Booker.
I need a QB for the rest of the year (2 QB PPR league). Who would you take?
Rosen or Beathard?
Both better than Gabbert, right?
@Jackie: Why do people think Gabbert is a thing. Gabbert will never be a thing.
This is a tough choice… Rosen has the better WR (Fitz) and RB (DJ), so I think you have to go with the talent around the rookie. Beat Hard is basically 2017 Jay Cutler. A speedster WR, a decent TE, and a running game that will need to be used often to control the clock. Rosen is going to be out there in a similar situation, but the talent around him is quite good.
I think SF’s entire offense took a hit. Kittle, Breida, and Goodwin went from fringe starters to fringe backups.
@cmutimmah: I’m taking a wait and see approach on kittle. He was definitely more than a fringe starter before and I think he is a fringe starter now given the TE landscape.
@Jackie: Both better than Gabbert yes, but I was actually considering throwing Beathard on this article.
Yes, Rosen has Fitz and DJ — but don’t sleep on Goodwin/Garcon. I really like a healthy Goodwin going forward. And don’t forget bout Kittle who has two solid 5 reception with good yardage games. As someone frustrated with Trey Burton — I like Kittle more and more each Tuesday.
Quick question??? Just got offered Bell for Hyde and S. Watkins… They’ve both been on my bench… Should I??
@clokwerc: yes
@clokwerc: If this is keeper (I can’t imagine it is) then yea, you make that trade in a hurry.
If it is redraft — how deep/healthy are your RB/WR positions? Think you’re in a good position to win?
The uncertainty around Bell make me very nervous and Hyde/Watkins can be solid fill in options during bye weeks or unfortunate injuries.
I lost Jimmy G. 12 teamer with best QB options Stafford, Keenum, Dalton, Mayfield. I want Staff. How much out of $100 would you bid for him?
@Cram It: $30 for stafford, $25 for Mayfield.
Take a look around your league. Does any other team absolutely HAVE to have a QB? Would Stafford be a clear upgrade for more than 2 other teams in your league?
Sight unseen with team needs, and assuming it’s a blind free agent auction, I’d probably bid $35 for Stafford, since getting him is likely saving your season.
Who the hell straight dropped Stafford?
@cmutimmah: Sorry, I thought you said $150. That was the other guy…
$20 Stafford, $18 Mayfield
I’d bid $25 on Stafford to lock him in.
@CMUTIMMAH: Thanks Timmah. You’re right, I was thinking about getting too cute and spending a little bit of money and if I don’t get him, play roulette week to week. But Staff could save my season so I should shell out whatever it takes to get him. It is blind bidding.
@Cram It: Man its an unfortunate situation but you gotta make a play for Stafford and Mayfield at the same time in case someone somehow snipes you.
My man cmutimmah is on the money (HA!) with his suggestions. This isn’t a back-up potential running back situation that you kinda maybe possibly want — this is a season saving move.
1/2 PPR, ROS rank Barber, Buck Allen, Wilkins and Mack.
Same question for Godwin, Cole, Ridley and Boyd.
@steve stevenson:
Allen, Mack, Barber, Wilkins
Ridley, Boyd, Godwin, Cole
I’m in a 2QB Half PPR league and I have three issues to take care of
First is I have to drop a player to make room for Fournette, my bench currently is Hogan, Barber, Trubisky, Cole, Kittle, and Ekeler. I’m basically between dropping Barber and Ekeler at this point, leaning towards Barber.
My second issue is, once I drop either Barber or Ekeler, I feel the need to drop Trubisky for one of the Quarterbacks on the wire. My currently QB depth is Luck, Fitzmagic, and the aforementioned Trubisky. The current options (that I’m interested in) are Mayfield, Flacco, and Allen. I feel that’s a good order to rank them in, no? It’s also a FAAB league with a $200 budget, and I have $154 left, is $30 too high or low for those QBs?
Finally, should I drop Cole for Boyd, Williams, or Godwin? I’m leaning yes for Boyd.
@Jay: This looks familiar….
@Jay: I’d rank the QB’s Flacco, Mayfield, Allen. Flacco has been spreading the ball around pretty good this year so far. He’s 11 in passing yards and a 6:2 TD/INT split. Seems like a solid #2 and a great #3 QB to me.
@bigbear: Flacco has also played bad defenses… that comes into play. I think Flacco is a fine QB2 so far this year… but he’s as big of a question mark as Baker, with less upside. Give me Baker all day.
@Jay: There’s more variability with Baker since he is an unknown in the NFL, but that’s a risk I think you should take. I’d go 25 for Baker. What would you rather have? The quiet consistency of 13-18 fantasy points from Flacco? Or the potential big points from Baker?
Drop Barber.
Yea I’d drop Cole for Boyd.
Do you drop Doug Martin he is my number five back and stash Ronald Jones off the waiver wire?
@Purivida: Yes
@Purivida: In a heart beat.
Gimme the hungry potential of the rookie over the lazy decline of the veteran.
Would you start Callaway over Michael Crabtree this week and moving forward?
@Blake: Not this week — but it’s something to watch going forward.
10-team Keeper league, 1/2 PPR. Can keep one from each position in the round drafted. Please advise who you would prioritize between Golladay and Ridley, and which you would prefer for this year and separately for the next two years. Both would be keepable in the 15th round next year. Thanks as always!
@Mike: I’m leaning Golladay. Very close though — let’s see how Ridley does this week against a better secondary.
I have andrew luck as my qb currently. I’m thinking of trading tevon coleman for patrick mahones. My other RBs are drake, fournette, ekeler, and bernard. Good trade? Thanks!
@qqplox: Patrick Mahomes is the best fantasy QB in the league right now — unfortunately you’re going to have to give up more than Coleman to get him. Coleman should be returning to a backup role in a few weeks.
You’d have to give up at least fournette for mahomes .
Any owners in your league lacking at RB yet have a good QB on their bench?
12 team PPR q/2r/3w
I have
Luck
DavidJ/Lynch/McCoy/Burkhead
Wire has following options
Dalton/Manning/mayfield
Freeman/KJohn/Carson
I’m thinking to drop Burk for Mayfield as I’m worried about Luck having no upside.
Would you do that or go a different route (like pick up Carson to reinforce RB and live with Luck for now)?
Thanks
@Steinbeck: I’d live with Luck for now — I’m on record for not being a big McCoy guy this year – Burkhead is having some injury issues every second and there are a lot of mouths to feed in NE — Cardinals haven’t realized that David Johnson should be the focus of their whole offense.
I’m excited about Baker too — but you’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Need a qb with Cam out and Mariota hurting..
Who would you go with? How would you rank them?
Flacco
Tannehill
Mayfield
@Wide Right:
Mayfield
Tannehill
Flacco.
Baker is either going to make me look like a genius — or a total idiot.
.5 PPR – am I holding Ebron or dropping him for Eifert, McDonald, Hooper or Cook
Also, drop Peyton Barber for Allison or Tyler Boyd?
@mets3145: None of them are really that separate from each other so I’d say stick with Ebron for now.
As much as I love me some GERONIMOOOOOOOOO — I’d go with Boyd here.
Should i cut min defense or is it too early? They cost me a victory last week vs buffalo and their matchup this week isn’t good either. They also have Philly coming up where wentz will have the rust off. Saints too. Thanks
@Scott: I’m feeling the same way about the Ravens defense unfortunately man.
The Vikes do have a rough schedule coming up. Week 6 and 7 should be easy but then its
8: Brees and Kamara
9: Stafford
10: BYE
11: Bears should be fine
12: Rodgers
13: Brady
I’d drop them if you think you can get them back for their playoff weeks 14, 15 and 16:
14: Seahawks could be easy
15: Dolphins
16: Stafford again — but it’ll be interesting to see how much they’re still in the hunt.
Howdy man!
.5 ppr league here’s my team
QB Stafford
RB’s: DJ , Melvin Gordon, Royce Freeman, Kerryon Johnson, Jamaal Williams, brieda, ekeler
My WRs: Hilton, Keenan Allen, amari Cooper, kupp, Geronimo Allison, Tyler Boyd, Sterling Shepard, Doug Baldwin.
My TE I’ve been streaming & week 1 I had gates 2 pts, week 2 had seals jones maybe 4 points, week 3 Ebron 5.5 points so I haven’t had luck there
Based on my team would you look to do any of these teams or stand pat:
1.) deal Hilton to receive kelce?
2.) deal Hilton + Kerryon Johnson + amari Cooper to receive JuJu Smith-Schuster + Mark Ingram + kelce?
3.) what about a 1 for 1 swapping underachieving WRs: trade my amari Cooper for his Demaryius Thomas?
4.) or thoughts on my amari Cooper to receive Michael Crabtree?
Lastly if I’m unable to do a trade for kelce would you hold or drop Ebron? Available TEs are Ben Watson, seals Jones, Dallas Goedert, Vance McDonald.
** FYI : the team from #1 #2 above is lacking depth:
Here’s his RBs: James White, buck Allen, Burkhead, Theo Riddick, Mark Ingram.
His WRs are juju, Hogan, Corey Davis, John brown, Edelman, Snead, Dede Westbrook.
– he has 3 friggin TEs: kelce, Kittle & Jesse James
– he also has both Rodgers & brees
Thanks man! Good stuff KK
2QB league. Have Garopallo as an 12th round keeper next year. 7 bench spots. Keep or drop?
Pick 2 in standard league scoring: Marvin Jones Vs. Dallas, Watkins Vs. Denver, Ger. Allison Vs. Buffalo or Callaway Vs. Oakland? Thanks
Marlon Mack was just dropped in my league. Would you drop Peyton Barber or Ronald Jones for him ?
Or should I just keep both of those guys and see how Tampa shakes out and leave Mack on the wire?
Would you drop sexy ready for Ronald jones?
@G-man: sexy rexy. Autocorrect got me messed up
@G-man: my bad, wrong article
No yet. You’ve got a couple weeks til you’d have to in my opinion. That auto correct will get ya every time!