Sometimes we have weeks that concentrate production into only a few players. It is a week that we hope you have one of those guys, otherwise you ride into next week.
Week 3: Top Performers
- Jameis Loves Evans Again – It took 3 weeks, but WR Mike Evans of TB went off the way we had hoped in this Bruce Arians offense. 8 Catches on 15 targets for 190 yards and 3 TDs!! Wow.
- Alvin Centric Offense – With Drew Brees out, the Saints turned to RB Alvin Kamara for 25 touches translating into 161 yards and 2 TDs. Hope that continues.
- Rivers Had Eyes on Allen – WR Keenan Allen got one of those games with 17 targets registering 13 catches for 183 yards and 2 TDs in a losing effort.
- Ingram Went Nuclear – The Ravens trailed most of Sunday, but they didn’t give up the run, as RB Mark Ingram got 20 touches for 135 yards and 3 TDs.
- Gabriel Singing – You probably didn’t start him, but WR Taylor Gabriel turned 7 targets into 6 catches for 75 yards and 3 TDs…
- Hanging with Mr. Hooper – Even TE Austin Hooper had himself a day with 6 catches on 7 targets for 66 yards and 2 TDs.
- AZ Can’t Cover the TE – TE Greg Olsen did what everyone else has with 6 catches on 7 targets for 75 yards and 2 TDs.
Yeah, it was one of those days. On to Week 4.
The Jets and 49ers are on bye.
Week 4 – 4×4 – Waivers, Trades, Sneak Starts and Unlikely Sits
Waiver Claims (60% Ownership or Less) – Yes, this is a bit late in the week, but you can still make claims
- Kyle Allen, QB, CAR (19% Owned) – Most people are running to pick up Daniel Jones (74% Owned) of the Giants, but I’d opt for Allen. Allen in 2 NFL starts has thrown for 6 TDs, 527 yards and 0 INTs! He obviously has a feel for the offense, and OC Norv Turner trusts him. CAR takes on HOU which is a favorable match up.
- Rex Burkhead, RB, NE (59% Owned) – A week too late here, but Rex came through in spot duty with James White out. Sony Michel has not been able to stay on the field, so Burkhead is a good bench RB who can get you a start in bye weeks if things line up for him.
- Darrell Williams, RB, KC (37% Owned) – Wayne Gallman in the priority pick up with Saquon Barkley down (already at 72%). Williams has stepped into the other Williams on KC for good touches. The bottom line is someone will get touches in this backfield and Shady McCoy will not stay healthy all year. A good speculative add.
- Preston Williams, WR, MIA (8% Owned) – Look he is a deep league guy, but with Josh Rosen at the helm, Williams got 12 targets. He is tall and athletic on a team that will trail all year. Good WR3 guy.
Last week’s guys: Mason Rudolph was average with 174 yards passing, 2 TDs and 1 INT, Darwin Thompson continues to not get touches – he lost touches to Williams above; Demarcus Robinson came through with a nice day 3 catches for 43 yards and a TD; and Terry McLaurin did his thing with 6 catches for 70 yards and a TD.
Trade Targets – Buy Low Guys
- Jared Goff, QB, LAR – As a Goff owner, I hope I’m right. Goff has been awful so far. His lack of pre-season really showed, but maybe just maybe he will start to heat up.
- David Montgomery, RB, CHI – Here are Montgomery’s touches 7, 19 and 16 – he is the lead back. The big game is coming, not against the Vikings. So, you could hold off a week, but with the Raiders coming up. I’d scoop him up now.
- Odell Beckham, WR, CLE – After a big game on MNF, Beckham was blanketed. Now is the time to make an offer, as the schedule will get much easier – especially for the Fantasy Playoffs. – CIN, AZ and BAL (not so great, but the Champ Week).
- Stefon Diggs, WR, MIN – Yeah, I know, I own him, too, but he is too talented to average 5 standard points a game. The Vikes will need to throw to beat the Bears and other tough defenses. I’d make an offer to pick him up on the cheap.
Last Week’s Targets: Jacoby Brissett came through again with 310 yards passing and 2 TDs- ; Rashaad Penny will get more run as Chris Carson fumbled yet again; Amari Cooper went off – 6 catches for 88 yards and 2 TDs; and George Kittle led SF with 6 catches for 57 yards.
Sneaky Starts (Daily Plays)
- Case Keenum, QB, WAS (FD $7200) – Now, check the news to see if Haskins gets the start and he will be a whale play, but the Giants have been getting eviscerated through the air. Keenum will put up some points at a relatively cheap price.
- Kerryon Johnson, RB, DET (FD $6500) – A clear starter, but I expect the Lions to run a lot on the Chiefs. Plus, Johnson can catch the ball, if the game goes up tempo. The Chiefs are terrible against the run, so, get him in there.
- Curtis Samuel, WR, CAR ($5800) – Here are his game logs: Targets 4, 13, 7 – Catches 3, 5, 5 – Yards 32, 91, 53 – and Game 3 his first TD. I like Allen at QB a lot (see above), and Samuel will benefit starting this week at HOU.
- Will Dissly, TE, SEA ($5400) – The Cardinals have been killed by every TE they have faced so far. Dissly is the next in line.
Last Week’s Starts: Darwin Thompson 4 carries for 8 yards – ouch! James Washington, 2 for 14 yards – Ouch! John Brown – 4 for 51 yards – meh; Greg Olsen – See above – AZ stinks against the TE.
Unlikely Sits – Guys You Should Start with Caution
- DeShaun Watson, QB, HOU – Yes, he will start with you, but the Panthers defense is actually playing quite well. Plus, the Texans still are not protecting him well. The Panthers will make it tough on Watson and the crew.
- Nick Chubb, RB, CLE – You may not have better options, but the Ravens are going to stuff the run. KC got over 100 yards, but that really came from 2 long runs, I expect Chubb to struggle.
- Phillip Lindsey, RB, DEN – Maybe not a big stretch here, but he had his best game in Week 3 – don’t take the cheese – Jacksonville is going to completely shut down the Denver run game.
- Mike Evans, WR, TB – You got your big Evans game, but now he will match up with Aqib Talib. No thanks. I’ll play Evans with limited expectations.
Last Week: Matt Ryan – turned in a good day with 304 yards passing, 3 TDs and 1 INT – I was wrong; Josh Jacobs – 10 carries for 44 yards – not good; Emmanuel Sanders – 2 catches for 10 yards – yep; Travis Kelce – 7 for 89 yards – a good day.
Good luck this week.
Wegs