Category: Fantasy football roster management tips

Fantasy football free-agent forecast: Week 6

A reshuffled schedule could have gamers more focused on working the waiver wire.

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team leagues, unless specifically stated otherwise. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Bye weeks: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

Priority Free Agent

Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas lost quarterback Dak Prescott to a gruesome ankle injury, illustrating exactly why Dalton was signed in the offseason as a veteran presence. Prescott’s absence will make a huge ripple effect in fantasy, and gamers can hope Dalton will play his best ball to help offset some of the natural regression we’ll see from losing Dak. In a pinch, with the heart of the bye weeks upon us, Dalton is a favorable target for gamers looking to replace Prescott in any way possible, or those who have more or less lost backups, like Jimmy Garoppolo, Philip Rivers, etc., to futile play. Dalton will make his share of mistakes, and he’s more of a game manager than a gunslinger, but he deserves to be rostered as long as Dallas has so many weapons and such a porous defense.

Availability: 56%
FAAB: $1-2

1-week plug & play

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

On the year, Fitzpatrick is the sixth-best fantasy quarterback in conventional scoring formats — and that’s with an 11-point dud in the opener. He shouldn’t be on this many waiver wires, but gamers haven’t had many planned bye weeks with which to contend. Miami appears nowhere near turning the keys over to rookie Tua Tagovailoa. The Jets have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game thus far, and most of the work has come from two quarterbacks. New York gave up 35.3 points to Josh Allen in Week 1 and 32.1 to Kyler Murray this past weekend. The three quarterbacks in the middle belong on the scrap heap: Jimmy Garoppolo, Philip Rivers and Brett Rypien. Fitz still has his legs, and this is a prime matchup if you’re without Russell Wilson or Drew Brees.

Availability: 41%
FAAB: $0-1

Watch List

Alex Smith, Washington Football Team

Head coach Ron Rivera says Kyle Allen (arm) will be the starter when he’s healthy enough. It’s an interesting situation, since Allen was cleared to return Sunday and Rivera stuck with Smith, who clearly looked like he hadn’t played in a few years. While there may be merit to the idea that Allen actually gives them a better chance of winning right this minute, the faster they get Smith to shake off the rust, the sooner this team will be consistently competitive. Granted, there are plenty of holes to fill that a veteran quarterback alone can’t mask, but their $21 million salary cap investment in Smith is going to waste with every pass thrown by Allen.

Availability: 56%

Running backs

1-week plug & play/grab & stash

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team at New York Giants

With eight targets in each of the past two games, cycling through three different quarterbacks, McKissic is on the upswing. He has double-digit PPR performances in each of those games, and the checkdown has at least eight utilizations in each game this year. Washington desperately needs someone to step up behind Terry McLaurin, and the pint-sized running back is seizing the opportunity in the passing game. Should Alex Smith start this week, he’s the king of checking down, and regardless of the quarterback, this system inherently involves running backs in the passing game. New York has permitted the position five catches for 46.2 yards, on average, and one in 12.5 receptions has scored in the hands of a running back. McKissic has staying power, as well.

Availability: 67%
FAAB: $1-2

Mike Boone, Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons

No word yet on the severity of Dalvin Cook’s groin injury, and Alexander Mattison is universally owned, so gamers in a tough situation can turn to Boone. He has played well almost every chance he has earned, and the matchup is quite tasty. The Falcons have given up 139 offensive yards per game to RBs in five appearances, and the position has scored six total times (four receiving). Boone isn’t a great receiver, and he will play a spell role, but there’s potential for a short-term rental. He was explosive in two games late last year, filling in off of the bench, and we saw him go for 19 yards on his two carries coming in cold in Week 5. The Falcons also underwent a coaching change after their 0-5 start, which could take time to make a difference.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $1-2

[lawrence-newsletter]

Wide receivers

Priority Free Agent

Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers

Claypool scored four times (one rushing) in Week 5. The fourth was on totally busted coverage, for what it is worth. One element that cannot be ignored: Wide receiver Diontae Johnson injured his back on a punt return in the first quarter and did not play afterward. Claypool wasn’t utilized prior to the injury. Where it gets interesting is now that the Steelers have seen the myriad ways the dynamic rookie can be effectively utilized, how much does it cut into Johnson’s role upon a healthy return to the field. Players lose their jobs to injuries on the regular, and coaches get enamored with the allure of “what could be” after a performance like this … sure, Philly stinks, and, yes, a confluence of events opened the door for Claypool, but he has flashed prior to Sunday. Johnson has fought injuries in multiple games this year, and while he was productive in others, it’s fair to believe he’ll lose action to Claypool. Add him but realize you’ll be paying a premium for a one-in-a-lifetime performance.

Availability: 49%
FAAB: $4-5

1-Week Plug & Play

Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers

The production really hasn’t been there to date, aside from a Week 2 touchdown, but the speedy rookie has effectively overtaken Anthony Miller as the No. 2. Miller still plays primarily from the slot, but it has been Mooney with more targets since Nick Foles took over. Both receivers have been equally ineffective in those two games, largely due to tough matchups. Carolina ranks low for receptions against, but four receivers in five games have scored, and the Panthers have been fortunate to play Las Vegas, the Bucs without Chris Godwin (Mike Evans still owned), the Chargers (Keenan Allen killed it), and Atlanta without Julio Jones (Calvin Ridley was a stud) … Mooney is an intriguing one-week gamble for owners facing injuries or the loss of Michael Thomas, Allen, D.K. Metcalf and/or Tyler Lockett because of byes.

Availability: 74%
FAAB: $0-1

grab & stash

Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati lost WR A.J. Green (hamstring) in Week 5, and it’s the second time in less than two months he has battled such an injury. Then there’s the whole factor of his overall lack of durability. At time of writing this segment, his Week 6 status is unknown. Should he be out of commission a few weeks, Tate makes for a worthy waiver add. Cincy has three games before its bye — barring another reshuffling by the league. This week’s matchup isn’t particularly friendly, facing the Indianapolis Colts, but Tate’s 6-foot-5 frame could be the difference in a jump-ball situation in the end zone. He is not explicitly being promoted as a one-week play, although starting him isn’t totally unwarranted with so many receivers hurt or on their bye. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are poised to see the majority of targets, so rolling with Tate must require acknowledgement of his boom-or-bust nature.

Availability: 81%
FAAB: $0-1

Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles

No Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Dallas Goedert and Jalen Reagor has led to Travis Fulgham seeing 16 targets in the last two games. He has 12 receptions for 209 yards and a pair of scores vs. two quality defenses (SF, PIT) on the road in that time. He has bounced around from Detroit and Green Bay to Philly in his short career, but there’s a chance with the Eagles to latch on for a few weeks. At 6-foot-2, 214 pounds, he brings size and is also an elite blocker, which will keep him in the coaching staff’s good graces. The long speed is better than at any other range of his mobility band, and he reminds a little of Chris Hogan in this regard. Fulgham excels in contested-catch situations, and despite a brutal matchup vs. the Baltimore Ravens this week, he has a puncher’s chance at relevance once again. Play him only if you must, but he’s still worth rostering one more week in reserve to see if there’s anything beyond Week 6 here.

Availability: 94%
FAAB: $0-1

Tight ends

Watch list

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Rams

The veteran caught all four of his targets in Week 5, posting 90 yards along the way — or 18 more than his counterpart, Tyler Higbee, has mustered in his past three games combined. In Week 6, gamers should watch how this dynamic plays out once more before investing much into Everett. He could be worth a speculative buck or first-come, first-served addition in deeper setups. Higbee, aside from a three-TD outburst vs. Philly, has been unplayable after his monster run to close out the 2019 season. Higbee ran only 16 percent of the routes in Week 5, and the matchup couldn’t have been much more favorable for his position, so keep tabs on how this works out vs. the New York Giants next Sunday. New York has been strong at limiting receivers, which means the target distribution is more important than the actual results.

Availability: 65%

Kickers

Priority Free agent

Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins

After kicking four field goal tries in the first three weeks, Sanders has booted all 10 of his attempts through the pipes in the past two outings. He added four PATs vs. the Niners and Jacksonville, showing he can be a useful option even if the field goals aren’t there. In Week 6, the play the Jets, a team that has yielded an average of nine fantasy points per contest to the position, or eighth most. In total, 12 field goal attempts (tied for 9th) and 18 point-afters (tied for most) have come against Gang Green.

Availability: 86%
FAAB: $0-1

1-Week Plug & Play

Joey Slye, Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears

The way Carolina most effectively moves the ball has been by extending the running game into the short-area passing attack. Chicago is on the tougher half of the league in receptions and yardage given up to RBs, and none of the catches have scored. Overall, the Bears are strong enough on defense to keep Carolina in scenarios where settling for three is acceptable. No team has given up more field goal attempts than Chicago so far, and only three of the 18 kicks have missed. Slye, for his part, has been seen at least three FGAs in three of his five games and two or more in four contests.

Availability: 66%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/specials teams

1-week plug & play

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

In the past three games, Miami has 11 sacks and four interceptions. On the year, this unit has a takeaway and at least one sack in every game. The Dolphins invested tremendous capital in improving the defense, and we’re starting to see signs of it paying off. Versus the Jets in Week 6, it could be a fireworks show for Miami. The confidence of blowing out the San Francisco 49ers on the road, coupled with an offense that has given up at least a trio of sacks in three of the games this year, we’re talking about a matchup that is 84.9 percent better than the league average for fantasy points generated.

Availability: 93%
FAAB: $0-1

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 5

One month into the NFL and fantasy football season, some players are moving up the charts quickly while others are near rock bottom.

We are in a transition season in the NFL. Whether it was COVID-19 that kept teams from building up to the regular season or simply the tipping point of games being predominantly high-scoring, what has happened through four weeks in the 2020 NFL is startling and unprecedented.

Teams are routinely scoring 30 points or more – at a record-setting pace.

To put it in perspective, in the previous five seasons – four of those consisting of 63 games because of the start of bye season and one with 64 – there was a consistency to how many teams would have a high-scoring game of 30+ points. From 2015-19, through four weeks of the season, the numbers of teams who scored 30 or more in a game was a near-flat line (30-32-28-33-28). That’s crazy consistent.

Heading into Monday’s Atlanta-Green Bay game, there had been 62 games played. In those games, 51 teams scored 30 or more points in a game. Green Bay became the 52nd when they dropped 30 points on Atlanta.

In the previous five years, it tended to be only one team that scored 30+. Of the 151 teams that scored 30 or more, they won 85 percent of the games (128-23).

Last year, if you scored 30 in Weeks 1-4, you had a winning percentage of more than 89 percent (25-3). This year? Teams scoring 30 or more points won 39 games, but 12 who also scored 30 have lost. That’s an average of three games a week in which both teams hit that lofty number and they combined to have a winning percentage of 76.5 percent.

Is it a sign of the times? Is it a sign of no training camp or preseason that has given offenses the clear edge to move the ball? All fantasy players know is that points are up and they like it that way…unless the bomb drops on them.

Here is the Week 5 Fantasy Market Report:

Fantasy Football Risers

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

There’s a strange simpatico fantasy owners have with Dallas quarterbacks. Guys didn’t love Tony Romo, but drafted him every year because they wished for Dallas to fall behind by double digits early and it was game-on for garbage points trying to come back.

Over the last three weeks, Prescott has thrown for an ungodly 1,424 yards with eight touchdown passes and three TD runs. His pass-yardage total has been 450, 472 and 502. Who cares if his team sucks. He’s taking fantasy owners to the pay window all by himself.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns

Sometimes Dame Fortune smiles on a guy. In 2017, I was in three leagues. The only player I had in all of them was Hunt. He was incredible. His career took a major backward step, but, as the clear No. 2 guy in Cleveland – he hasn’t had more than 17 touches in a game – he has managed to rush for 275 yards and has scored five touchdowns in his last three games.

With Nick Chubb down for a month or more, Hunt has every chance to relive his eye-popping rookie season.

Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The word, as it has been every time Brady has struggled in the first couple of games, was that he was washed up. He’s hit the wall. In his first two games with the Bucs, he didn’t hit 240 yards, had as many interceptions (3) as touchdowns and had a passer rating under 80.0.

In the last two games? 666 passing yards (make what you want out of that) with eight touchdowns, one pick and a passer rating over 116.0. Seems like the Brady we remember…again.

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

If consistency is what you’re looking for, look no further. In four games, he has caught four passes in each. That would be reason for benching in a lot of leagues. But, he has yardage totals of 95, 92, 110 and 106. He has averaged 23 yards a catch or better in every game (25.2 overall) and has scored a touchdown in three of four games.

Metcalf is going to be a superstar and won’t be had as reasonably as he has been his first two season on fantasy draft day. Russ is going to get him paid – whether with Seattle or somewhere else.

Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Football Team

This is a sneaky play designed for being an option when bye weeks hit. He hasn’t rushed for more than 55 yards in any game, but his carry-share has been going up significantly. He has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the last three games and his competition in the Washington backfield is quickly disappearing, while his is stock is going up.

Nobody with other viable options will start Gibson, but he could be nice to have on your roster as a throw-in on a trade to stash in case COVID times get desperate.

Fantasy Football Fallers

Josh Jacobs, RB, Oakland Raiders

Jacobs was selected on fantasy rosters to be that owner’s No. 1 running back. When he rushed for three touchdowns in Week 1, he was locked into lineups regardless of what followed. Since then, his rushing attempts have dropped (27-16-15), his yardage has dropped (88-71-48), he is little more than a check-down receiver and he hasn’t scored a touchdown. You can’t bench him because of his role in the Vegas offense. You may want to. You just can’t.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Jackson is a polarizing player. By any measure, he should have Julian Edelman-style reception numbers, yet he has never been able to be anything more than a one-trick pony. And, in his second run in Philadelphia, he’s been cashing checks and showing nothing. A quarter of the way through the season, he has 10 catches for 121 yards, no touchdowns and is nursing an injury. If you have him on your roster, cut him or trade him immediately. He’s taking up space that could be better utilized by someone else.

Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants

In leagues in which tight ends are mandatory, there have been a lot of big days posted along the way. Not by Engram. He is the Giants leading receiver in terms of targets (30) and catches (17), but he’s Marcedes Lewis 2.0.

For all his athleticism and talent, he averaged 7.7 yards a catch with only one of more than 12 yards and has no touchdowns. Those in TE-required leagues likely aren’t benching him, but they’re getting beat in their weekly position battles by their opponents because Engram is giving them scraps.

David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears

Montgomery was one of those guys in draft rankings that was expected to become an elite fantasy back. You shook the Magic 8-Ball. “All Signs Point to Yes.”

The Bears have been playing light’s out defense, which typically gets a running back a lot of play. But, through four games, Montgomery has just 53 carries for 218 yards and no touchdowns – and 24-72-0 rushing numbers over the last two – and his only touchdown was on a check-down pass that broke wide open. He was drafted to be an NFL RB1, but hasn’t showed it.

Irv Smith, TE, Minnesota Vikings

When Minnesota drafted Smith last year, the thought was that he would take over the role Kyle Rudolph has as one of the most potent Red Zone tight ends in the league. Instead, through four games, Smith has been healthy, but targeted just six times, catching two passes for 14 yards and no touchdowns. He’s rendered himself unplayable and, at this point, most people who took a flyer on him have bailed.

Fantasy football free-agent forecast: Week 5

Covering all of the top fantasy football waiver wire picks for Week 5.

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team leagues, unless specifically stated otherwise. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Bye weeks: Green Bay, Detroit

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

Priority Free Agent

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

At this point, it probably doesn’t matter what kind of declaration head coach Anthony Lynn made about Tyrod Taylor (chest) getting his job back when healthy. He’s not a dynamic quarterback and lacks the moxie Herbert brings through his play. Players lose their jobs to injury often, and coaches say things that aren’t reality just as frequently. Los Angeles is simply a better, more explosive team with Herbert leading the charge. In the coming weeks, LA faces a battered New Orleans secondary, followed by the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders leading into the Week 10 bye. Three of those games are likely wins, and Herbert’s play would give Lynn an out for his comments about Taylor. That said, don’t invest too much in the young passer, but he has all of the tools to succeed. Furthermore, the Bolts are likely to pass more without RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) in the lineup.

Availability: 56%
FAAB: $1-2

1-week plug & play

Nick Foles, Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Maybe this segment header should be “1-week plug your nose” due to this recommendation. The Bears host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh off Foles looking like he and his receivers couldn’t possibly be farther apart in chemistry and the Bucs getting looted by a rookie quarterback. LA’s Justin Herbert threw for 290 yards and three scores on 20-for-25 passing vs. a defense that looked like it was turning the corner vs. the position. In Week 4, on a short week’s rest, that favors the offense. The Bears have plenty of receiving options for Foles, provided he can connect, so there is definitely a risk-reward decision to be made here. Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford are on bye weeks, and a couple of other presumed starters after the fantasy draft season are now suspect plays, which makes Foles a viable option in a pinch. At least you can land him on the cheap, and he did carve up Atlanta just two weeks ago. There’s hope here.

Availability: 44%
FAAB: $0-1

Running Backs

Priority Free Agent

Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers

Jackson came in cold off of the bench after Austin Ekeler (hamstring) was lost for the day — and what will be significantly longer. The 6-foot, 199-pound Jackson missed the past two games but now has a chance to share serious touches with Joshua Kelley after losing out the No. 2 gig to the rookie. Versus Tampa Bay, Jackson barely moved the ball, rushing for only nine yards on his six carries, adding 12 yards on a pair of grabs. The matchup was awful, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt. New Orleans gave up two scores to running backs in Week 4 vs. Detroit, bringing the season total to five offensive TDs in four outings. Ahead for Jackson includes the Saints, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders. He should have modest flex utility if for no reason other than so many backs have been injured already.

Availability: 55%
FAAB: $4-6

D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to miss about six weeks (five games with the bye), and the Kevin Stefanski offense will look to involve two backs regularly. Kareem Hunt entered Week 4 with a late-week chest injury, so it’s likely that played a role in his 11 total carries to Johnson’s 13. The latter ran for 95 yards and will draw some attention on the wire. He’s worth a look for desperate owners after the way we’ve lost running backs in 2020, but his strong play really could have been a confluence of events that disappear. Hunt’s injury and Dallas’ impressively awful defense likely contributed a great deal to Johnson’s output. Ahead: Indy, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, bye week, and Houston … not particularly the best of schedules.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $3-4

1-week plug & play/grab & stash

Reggie Bonnafon, Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

Note: The Falcons have not played in Week 4 at the time of this writing.

Bonnafon lost his job in the offseason as the top backup to Christian McCaffrey, but he was added to the active roster and delivered on his 12 touches in Week 4. The Panthers exposed Arizona’s defense for the second week in a row after Detroit did, albeit in different ways. Bonnafon, playing sidekick to Mike Davis, ran 10 times for 53 yards and chipped in an aerial score to cap off a two-catch, 18-yard bonus through the sky. He draws a favorable matchup again, and while Davis will see the bulk of the action, Bonnafon having a role worthy of a flex play is about all gamers can hope for after yet another week of losing top running backs to injury. And if he performs well once again, gamers may have an option for another few weeks while McCaffrey remains out.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $1-2

[lawrence-newsletter]

Wide receivers

Priority Free Agent

Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos

No one entered the year excited for the Brett Rypien-to-Tim Patrick connection, yet here we are. While it is anyone’s guess whether Rypien remains the starter beyond a week or more, as Drew Lock (shoulder) is nearing his return, Patrick has some staying power. The Broncos lost their No. 1 receiver in Courtland Sutton, and the 6-foot-4 Patrick brings some necessary height to this passing attack. He has shown flashes in his three pro seasons of being several types of receiver, including anything from a jump-ball option to a deep threat. After scores in consecutive games with different quarterbacks manning the offense, Patrick catching 10 of 11 looks shouldn’t go unnoticed. He has at least five targets in his two other contests this season. So many injuries to RBs and WRs have forced gamers to get creative and play mashups few people could have seen coming. With injuries to Noah Fant (ankle) and slot receiver K.J. Hamler (hamstring), Patrick is a WR3 or flex in PPR possibly the rest of the way.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $2-3

Scotty Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

No Chris Godwin (hamstring) last week opened the door for Miller to see more work. He overcame injuries of his own and was among the favored options for Tom Brady in a comeback win, posting a line of 5-83-1 on seven looks. The Bucs also lost TE O.J. Howard (Achilles) for what should be the remainder of the year, pending further tests, and running back LeSean McCoy (ankle) joined Leonard Fournette (ankle) on the mend. Miller is a pure slot receiver, and we’ve all seen how much TB12 loves going there with the ball. Ahead, Tampa draws the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants over the next month. While it’s unclear how long Godwin will miss, no Howard opens up more action for sure. Chicago gave up lines of 5-81-0 and 5-47-0 to slot receivers in the opening two games, but Russell Gage was knocked out of the Week 3 game for Atlanta after three targets, and the Colts have no credible slot receivers. Miller is a reasonable flex play due to bye weeks.

Availability: 54%
FAAB: $2-3

Watch list

Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears

Keep tabs on him for now. Mooney has potential for a roster spot after seeing nine targets (5-52-0) in Week 4 in a matchup in which the tight end position had a tough go of it and a week after losing RB Tarik Cohen (knee). In Week 2, vs. the New York Giants, Mooney found the end zone on his 3-36-1 day. There was a forgettable two-for-19 outing on five looks sandwiched between. In the right setting, with the ideal matchup for receivers, Mooney could be money. Watch his role vs. the Buccaneers this week.

Availability: 77%

Tight Ends

grab & stash

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This one really could be a watch list for many gamers, depending upon the league settings. Brate has been a reliable veteran option and even found the end zone in Week 4 on his lone target. It’s painfully obvious the Rob Gronkowski-Tom Brady reunion tour isn’t selling out fantasy venues anymore, and it was O.J. Howard as the more productive of the two tight ends. Howard is expected to be lost for the year after the team fears he tore his Achilles tendon, and Brate could make for a viable starting option if this Gronk-free zone continues as it has for three of the first four weeks. Brate presents a logical gamble for a touchdown when the matchup looks particularly strong on the outside. That said, don’t be shocked to see the loss of Howard and current injury situation with Chris Godwin (hamstring) force Tampa into getting Gronkowski more involved.

Availability: 82%
FAAB: $0-1

Kickers

Priority Free agent

Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts

We covered him in an earlier release as a recommended acquisition, so this is merely a reminder. He is available in under half of leagues polled, and the rookie has attempted at least three field goals in each of his four outings this year, converting at a rate of 85.7 percent. The Colts are still a work-in-progress offense, and Philip Rivers is in obvious decline. Drives stall out, and that’s where “Hot Rod” comes into play as a key factor.

Availability: 54%
FAAB: $0-1

1-Week Plug & Play

Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears

Yep, dipping the old bucket into this well once more … hopefully it will come up with something better than murky swamp water. Despite a great matchup in Week 4, Succop was barely playable in fantasy. The Chargers forced Tampa to score TDs and not settle for three — which, admittedly, is hardy the Bruce Arians style anyhow. This week, though, with so many injuries on the offensive side of the ball, it may be a necessity to accept three on the road vs. a defense that has been good but not great. Kickers have attempted at least three field goals in each game vs. the Bears in 2020. Suck it up and roll with Ryan one more week. (Okay, that was lame. But you should start him.)

Availability: 77%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/Specials Teams

1-week plug & play/grab & stash

Los Angeles Rams at Washington Football Team

A week after recommending the Rams vs. the New York Giants, here we are once more to take advantage of another favorable opponent. In fact, LA could be retained for several weeks following this game. The Washington offense remains more or less futile, even after cutting down its turnovers last week. Sure, it played Baltimore, but 17 points on the board is threatening a season-high for this team. In the last three games, Washington has served up seven fumbles lost and three interceptions thrown, which pairs nicely with a fresh helping of sacks allowed (3.25, on average).

Availability: 42%
FAAB: $0-1

1-Week Plug & Play

Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets

No team has given up more fantasy points through the first four weeks than this offense, and the action has come in many forms. What isn’t necessarily encouraging, however, is there has been one huge (19-point) fantasy showing by Indy mixed in with 5, 1 and 6 points scored by enemy fantasy defenses. Another issue: Arizona has been awfully sad on defense in the last two games. That’s why we look forward and not backward in fantasy. The team will be motivated after consecutive losses in winnable games, and the Jets have struggled to protect Sam Darnold, allowing three per game, on average. Pressure tends to create mistakes, and that is one thing Arizona did well in the first three games (11 QB takedowns).

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $0-1

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 4

In the Fantasy Football Market Report, we look at the top players gaining momentum and a number of blue-chippers quickly losing it.

As if 2020 hasn’t been bizarre enough, three weeks into the season, we’re witnessing things the NFL has never seen in terms of passing yardage. Blame the pandemic for the lack of training camp and a preseason, but offenses are routinely shredding defenses in the early stages of the season and it doesn’t matter if they’re winning or losing.

There was a time when 4,000 passing yards was viewed as the gold standard. You needed to play all 16 games and average 250 yards a game or more. It wasn’t impossible, but not that many quarterbacks met that lofty standard. That has changed the last couple of years. In 2017, just eight made it to that benchmark. In 2018, there were 12. Last season, there were 11.

Heading into Monday night’s game, there are 18 quarterbacks (not including Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson) that are on pace to throw for 4,000 yards and, barring injury, you can expect one of both of them to approach those numbers, which could push to number to 20.

Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees and Tom Brady are no strangers to the 4,000-yard club, but, in 2020, they rank 16, 17 and 18.

If things stay at their current pace, Derek Carr, Gardner Minshew, Ryan Tannehill, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater will be in “the Club.”

But, in what may be the strangest twist of all, Dak Prescott and Josh Allen find themselves in truly rarified air. Through three weeks, Prescott is on pace to throw 763 passes for 6,336 yards. More impressive is Allen, who is on pace to throw for 5,536 yards and 53 touchdowns.

A strong start doesn’t mean a strong finish to the season, but we’re seeing passing numbers the likes of which the NFL has never seen before and it shows no signs of slowing.

Here is the Week 4 Fantasy Market Report:

Fantasy Football Risers

James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Only owners who were in desperate need for RBs on their roster snapped up Robinson when the Jaguars cut Leonard Fournette. But, he’s making it more difficult all the time not to start him. Few running backs have cornered the market on carries like Robinson. He has 43 carries for 210 yards and three touchdowns through three games.

The Jags No. 2 rusher is QB Gardner Minshew (12 carries, 60 yards) and No. 3 is versatile wide receiver Laviska Shenault (eight carries, 48 yards). The only other running back with any carries is Chris Thompson (four carries, 10 yards). Robinson isn’t a sexy pick, but few backs can claim a carry-share like him.

Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings

Much like his predecessor Stefon Diggs, Jefferson needed time to work his way into the Minnesota offense. In Week 1, he was on the field for 69 percent of snaps. In Week 2, that number dropped to 54 percent. In those two weeks, he was targeted just six times, catching five for 70 yards. He got his first opportunity to be a primary weapon in Week 3.

He was in on 78 percent of snaps and caught seven passes for 175 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown. One game does not make a season, but Jefferson has put himself on the map in a big way, especially for a team that appears to need to score 35 points to win.

James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Those who saw Conner on the sideline in Week 1 looking on as Benny Snell rolled up 113 yards (while Conner had just six carries for nine yards), it looked as if there may be a changing of the guard in Pittsburgh. No so fast, my friend.

Over the last two weeks, Conner has re-established his dominance. While Snell has taken his place in the back seat (10 carries, 16 yards), Conner has posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, carrying 34 times for 215 yards (a 6.3 yard average) and two touchdowns. He was drafted to be a high RB2 in most leagues and is back to posting RB1 numbers like 2018.

Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers

Everyone has waited for someone other than Davante Adams to step up and be the No. 2 guy since Randall Cobb was shown the door. Have they found their guy in Lazard? Through three games, he has averaged 19.5 yards per reception (13-254), has at least one catch of 25 or more yards in each game, has scored two touchdowns from the 5-yard line in (the Super Red Zone) and, in the one game Adams has missed, he caught six passes for 146 yards and a TD in a road win against the Saints.

He’s making a strong case that Aaron Rodgers has a No. 2 guy to go to when Adams returns.

Myles Gaskin, RB, Miami Dolphins

He hasn’t been “crazy productive” for the Dolphins, but when you look at potential, you look at competition. The Dolphins signed bruising Jordan Howard as a free agent and traded for Matt Breida.

Howard has three belly-flop touchdowns, which hurts Gaskin’s value a little, but he has just 12 yards on 16 carries. Breida has 15 carries for 63 yards.

Gaskin not only leads the team with 38 carries for 152 yards, but he is also Miami’s leading receiver with 15 receptions. He hasn’t set the world on fire yet, but that sort of a touch concentration – featured back and leading receptor – is a rarity and, with bye weeks coming, his value only increases as a potential spot starter.

Fantasy Football Fallers

Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Mixon is one of the few players consistently drafted as a RB1 that would get benched during the season. He’s streaky. Few running backs were as hot as Mixon the second half of last season, but it took a lot of patience (and bad weeks) for owners to see any production. He didn’t score a rushing touchdown until the 10th week of the season and many owners had long since given up in frustration.

Here we are in 2020. He was in the RB1 discussion in most leagues again and, through three games, has 52 carries for just 164 yards, has caught seven passes for 58 yards and has no TDs. He’s the only rushing show in town (Giovani Bernard has two carries), but the production just isn’t there to keep starting him every week unless you have to.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Part of what made Gronk great in New England was that he was Tom Brady’s best passing option near the goal line. A year away from the game, many expected to see that magic rekindled in Tampa Bay for both. Not only has Gronk given fantasy owners almost nothing – eight catches, 59 yards, no touchdowns and a long reception of 10 yards – in that same span, Mike Evans has three touchdowns from the 2-yard line in (one of two yards and two from the 1-yard line).

Those who snapped up Gronk on draft day remember the Gronk of old. This may just be the old Gronk.

D’Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

Remember when all the buzz in Detroit was that their long running back drought post-Barry Sanders was going to end with the arrival of Swift?

Veteran Adrian Peterson leads the team with 43 carries for 209 yards.

Kerryon Johnson is second with 18 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Through three games, Swift has just eight carries for 20 yards and a TD – fewer rushing yards than glacial QB Matthew Stafford (7-24). We’re still early in the season, but Swift hasn’t ascended to No. 2 on the depth chart, much less No. 1. Is he being punished for dropping a game-winning TD in Week 1? It sure looks like it.

Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Typically, if you see Washington and Cincinnati on your schedule in two of the first three games of the season, you expect huge numbers. Wentz hasn’t produced that. He has twice as many interceptions (6) as touchdown passes (3) and his passing yardage totals have dropped each week (270, 242, 225).

Wentz was a player taken in fantasy leagues to be a starter more weeks than not. Now he’s a liability if you have to start him and don’t have another viable option (which you should at this point).

Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots

If you have Michel, you should know better than to depend on a Patriots running back. Sure, he had a touchdown in Week 1 and 117 rushing yards on Sunday, but he has yet to have more than 10 carries a game and doesn’t bring much as a receiver – much less when James White returns to the team.

You’re getting what you get with Michel. You roll the dice when you have to and hope for production, but don’t go into any game confident you will see it.

Fantasy Football Targets, Touches & TDs: Week 4

Breaking down the key targets and how those are turning into production for fantasy football teams through the first three weeks of the NFL season.

We are three weeks into NFL 2020, and the fantasy football picture is starting to gain some clarity as to the players we can trust in our fantasy football lineups and those we can’t on a weekly basis.

It’s certainly been an odd but interesting season for fantasy wide receivers so far with a number of key wideouts missing time due to injuries. That list includes the likes of Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, Kenny Golladay, Davante Adams, Courtland Sutton, Chris Godwin, A.J. Brown, D.J. Chark, John Brown, Jamison Crowder, Breshard Perriman, Deebo Samuel, Sterling Shepard and Diontae Johnson.

Usually, that kind of health uncertainty is normally more reserved for running backs, but if 2020 has taught us anything so far, it’s anything but a normal year.

In the meantime, a number of wide receivers – Calvin Ridley, D.K. Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Allen Lazard, among others – have stepped up in their place to grab an early high spot on the fantasy wideout leaderboard.

That established, it’s time to take a positional snapshot by breaking down the basic fantasy wide receiver stats and pegging what’s sustainable and what’s not. As usual, all stats are through play Sunday in Week 3.

Total targets leaders (top 15)

Keenan Allen 37, DeAndre Hopkins 37, Amari Cooper 35, Ridley 35, Allen Robinson 31, Tyler Lockett 29, Stefon Diggs 28, A.J. Green 28, Tyler Boyd 26, D.J. Moore 26, McLaurin 25, D. Johnson 25, Robby Anderson 24, Julian Edelman 24, Russell Gage Jr. 24, Jerry Jeudy 24

Surprise inclusion: Anderson, Panthers. The speedy wideout, more renowned as a deep threat, has been targeted at least six times in every contest and is on pace for a career-high 128.

In his four previous seasons with the Jets, Anderson only reached 100 targets once and that was with on a 5-11 team where his chief competition for targets were with the likes of Jermaine Kearse, Jeremy Kerley, tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins and aging running back Matt Forte.

Surprise omission: Adam Thielen, Vikings. He does fall just outside the above list, tied for 21st with 21 targets, but much more was expected out of Thielen with Diggs, his long-time wide receiver 1A cohort, traded to the Buffalo Bills this season.

Thielen is on pace for 112 targets, which would fall well below his last two previous full-season totals of 142 and 153.

Surprise omission II: T.Y. Hilton, Colts. He’s only attracted 17 targets so far (tied for 39th overall), and is on pace for a measly 57. His previous low in a season in which he’s played at least 14 games is 90 in his rookie campaign of 2012.

Hilton’s new QB, of course, is check-down master Philip Rivers, but perhaps the receiver’s low target total is more a game-flow situation with Hilton only getting eight targets the last two weeks in games in which they’ve been comfortably ahead throughout. In Week 1’s 27-20 loss to the Jaguars, Hilton had nine targets.

Projected end-of-season top five: Hopkins, Allen, Robinson, Ridley, Adams

Receptions leaders (top 15)

Hopkins 32, Cooper 25, Allen 24, Lockett 24, Ridley 21, Boyd 21, Diggs 20, Anderson 20, Cooper Kupp 18, Robinson 18, Adams 17, Gage 17, Smith-Schuster 17, CeeDee Lamb 16, McLaurin 16

Surprise inclusion: Gage, Falcons. Atlanta has been one of the NFL’s pass-heaviest teams so far with 129 attempts and 90 completions in four games, but the Falcons’ second-leading pass-catcher after three games figured to be Jones, new tight end Hayden Hurst or even RB Todd Gurley. Gage, however has six more receptions than any other Atlanta player aside from Ridley’s 21, and that’s with the wide receiver departing in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Bears with a concussion.

Gage quietly finished his second season a year ago with 49 catches for 449 yards and one TD so perhaps we all should’ve been paying more attention.

Surprise omission: Green is tied for seventh in targets (28) but is way down at 26th in receptions with 13, making for a less-than-optimal 46.4 catch percentage. Those 13 catches also have only gone for 116 yards (8.9 per reception) as the 32-year-old Green has showed rust from his missed season of 2019 and hasn’t been on the same page with rookie QB Joe Burrow so far.

Projected end-of-season top five: Hopkins, Adams, Lockett, Allen, Thomas

Receiving yards leaders (top 15)

Hopkins 356, Ridley 349, Metcalf 297, Diggs 288, Anderson 278, McLaurin 269, Cooper 267, Allen 265, Edelman 259, Lockett 259, Lazard 254, Michael Gallup 246, Justin Jefferson 245, D.J. Moore 239, Boyd 230, Lamb 230, Robinson 230

Surprise inclusion: Edelman, Patriots. It’s no surprise that Edelman is leading the Pats in targets (24) and receptions (15) so far – even with new QB Cam Newton – but his average of 17.3 yards per reception is eye-popping after he entered the season with a career average of 10.9.

However, it largely has been the product of one game – Edelman’s career-best 179 yards on eight catches in a Week 2 shootout in Seattle – so expect his yard-per-reception average regress closer to the mean as the season progresses.

Surprise omission: Mike Evans, Buccaneers. Evans, who has also had health issues this season, ranks ninth with 34.8 fantasy points (standard scoring), thanks largely to four touchdowns, but those four scoring grabs have covered a total of 27 yards as he’s had a 2-yard and two 1-yard TD receptions.

Overall, Evans ranks 61st among wideouts with 108 yards on 10 catches. For reference, Evans entered the season with a career average of 15.7 yards per reception. Perhaps, though, this is simply a function of the new Tom Brady-led offense with shorter passes and fewer receiving yards but more efficiency.

Projected end-of-season top five: Ridley, Hopkins, Diggs, Metcalf, McLaurin

Receiving touchdowns leaders (top 15)

Evans 4, Lockett 4, Ridley 4, Metcalf 3, Smith-Schuster 3, Thielen 3, Adams 2, Braxton Berrios 2, Brown 2, Keelan Cole 2, Diggs 2, Tee Higgins 2, Tyreek Hill 2, Dontrelle Inman 2, Andy Isabella 2, Lazard 2, Anthony Miller 2, Emmanuel Sanders 2, Darius Slayton 2, Cedrick Wilson 2

Surprise inclusion: Wilson, Cowboys. The second-year player out of Boise State reeled in 5-of-7 targets for 107 yards and two scores in Sunday’s (most recent) shootout in Seattle for his first career TDs.

That gives Wilson double the combined TDs of the Cowboys’ top three wideouts (Cooper, Gallup and Lamb) on the season despite 68 fewer targets.

Surprise omission: Cooper, Cowboys. He entered the season with 14 scoring grabs in 25 games with Dallas since coming over in a trade midway through the 2018 season, but he’s only garnered one of the team’s 11 red-zone targets so far and came out of Sunday with the highest target total (35) in the league without a scoring catch.

And that’s also playing on a team which the most passing attempts (145) and completions (96) in the league so far.

Projected end-of-season top five: Lockett, Adams, Ridley, Thielen, Metcalf

Fantasy Football Extra Points

  • With a pair of TDs in each of his three contests so far, Saints RB Alvin Kamara already has matched his touchdown total (six) from his injury-addled 2019 season – and he’s done so on 194 fewer touches. Kamara combined for 31 total TDs in his first two seasons (2017-18) and a career-high 20-TD season appears well within reach at this point, barring another health issue.
  • Kamara only has four fewer receptions (27) than rushing attempts (31) so far, and he trails only Hopkins (32) in total catches. He has eight more targets and 11 more receptions than any other league running back and his 284 yards after the catch are a whopping 110 more than any other pass-catcher in the league. Kamara is the early front-runner to be the Christian McCaffrey of 2020.
  • Speaking of McCaffrey, his injury absence has opened the door for backup Mike Davis who has totaled 16 receptions (trailing only Kamara among RBs for the season) on 17 targets while also carrying the ball 14 times since taking over late in Week 2. Davis scored a pair of TDs on 21 touches Sunday in 21-16 road upset of the Chargers.
  • Over the last two weeks, Darrell Henderson appears to have taken hold of the Rams’ starting running back gig, rushing for 195 yards and a pair of TDs on 32 carries and bringing in three of six targets for 46 yards for a total of 39.1 fantasy points (point-per-reception scoring). Battling injuries, fellow L.A. backs Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers have combined for 79 total yards on 21 touches over the two games for 7.9 PPR points.
  • There are some scary stats for those mining for a fantasy running back option in the Giants’ backfield post-Saquon Barkley. Through three weeks, the Giants not only have totaled the fewest rushing attempts (53) and lowest rushing-play percentage (30.3) in the league but they also own the fewest rushing yards (170) and lowest yard-per-attempt (3.21) average as well. In Sunday’s first game without Barkley, New York rushed for 66 yards on 15 attempts in a 36-9 thumping by the 49ers, but 49 of those yards came on five scrambles by quarterback Daniel Jones, leaving a combined 17 yards on 10 rushes for Devonta Freeman (5-10), Wayne Gallman (4-7) and Dion Lewis (1-0).
  • According to ProFootballReference.com’s advanced receiving stats, Metcalf leads all qualifying players with an average of 19.7 air yards per reception, followed by Gallup (18.2), Miller (17.2), Isabella (16.3) and the Panthers’ D.J. Moore (15.8).
  • Even with fellow Jack Doyle back and playing 53 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps, Mo Alie-Cox played 60 percent of the snaps and was the only Indy tight end to catch a pass Sunday, bringing in all three of his targets for 50 yards and a TD. Certainly a player in a tight end-friendly offense to keep in mind.

Fantasy football free-agent forecast: Week 4

Despite fewer injuries in Week 3, several fantasy waiver wire options present themselves as we approach the fourth weekend of football.

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Bye weeks: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

1-week plug & play

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Seattle Seahawks

No team has permitted more yards through three weeks than the Seahawks, and injuries to defensive backs Quinton Dunbar, Neiko Thorpe and now star Jamal Adams makes this a matchup in which Fitz can work his magic. The journeyman has been his typically erratic self in 2020, but his weaponry is finally coming around. Preston Williams is only getting healthier after tearing his ACL last year, DeVante Parker (hamstring) is nearing 100 percent, and wideout Isaiah Ford has stepped up of late. TE Mike Gesicki is finding his groove in a new offense, too. If nothing else, while it may include some interceptions, Fitzpatrick could be forced to play keep-up with Russell Wilson and amass serious yardage to go with a few TDs.

Availability: 56%
FAAB: $1-2

WATCH LIST

Nick Foles, Chicago Bears

At the time of this writing, Matt Nagy has not officially named Foles the starter for Week 4, but it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion with the dichotomous difference in play between Foles and Mitchell Trubisky. Chicago has enough weapons to keep Foles relevant, should he stay healthy, but the upcoming matchup will be the weather vane. Indianapolis has a quality defense with a strong, proven system. Foles has floundered more than enough as a starter to believe last week’s relief appearance is just who he is as a player — great in a pinch, rarely reliable as the entrenched signal caller. After Indy, Tampa Bay comes to town and is another tough opponent — watch how he performs from a afar for at least Week 4 prior to investing.

Availability: 67%

Running Backs

Priority Free Agent

Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks

Starter Chris Carson suffered what is being described as an ankle sprain in Week 3 and will be week-to-week, making Hyde a must-own in fantasy. He’s currently rostered in nearly two-thirds of leagues polled, but he has a pair of favorable matchups prior to a Week 6 bye. It should be presumed we’ll see Carson in Week 7 at Arizona. Week 4 is a trip to Miami, and the Minnesota Vikings come to town in Week 5. Neither defense has found its way just yet against RBs.

Availability: 38%
FAAB: $4-6

1-week plug & play/grab & stash

Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers

It wasn’t pretty, but Wilson found the end zone twice in Week 3 after the 49ers lost Raheem Mostert (knee) and Tevin Coleman (knee) in the second game of 2020. The duo of Wilson and Jerick McKinnon will share the chores for now, and both backs get utilized interchangeably in this system. Wilson ran for only 15 yards on 12 carries and found the end zone, but his 3-54-1 line in the passing game gives hope. His value is directly tied to Mostert and Coleman’s health. The latter is on IR and will be eligible to return in three weeks. Mostert’s injury was described as minor. Wilson should be added for the short term and is a fringe play vs. Philly in Week 4 and much more appealing in Week 5, should the Niners need him still at that point.

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $3-4

1-week plug & play

Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs

J.J. Taylor saw 11 carries in Week 3, and Sony Michel ran wild on his nine totes, but it was Burkhead who was the most productive back, find the end zone thrice. Now, the major caveat here is what happens with James White, whose status is unclear as he tends to personal matters after a car accident killed his father and left his mother seriously injured. Burkhead’s 10 targets in Week 3 cannot be ignored in the event White is absent once again, because KC’s offense is poised to force the Pats into a pass-heavy script.

Availability: 62%
FAAB: $2-3

Wide Receivers

Priority Free Agent

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

The first-round rookie hauled in a 71-yard catch-and-run TD after blown coverage on a play-action pass from Kirk Cousins. Working predominantly from the slot, Jefferson finished with seven grabs for 175 yards and said score. He was highly productive in a pro-style offense at LSU last year, so there’s huge potential playing for a team with such a porous defense. Explosive play is just what Minnesota needs, even if it comes from poor coverage, but removing that score leaves Jefferson with a noteworthy line of 6-104-0. He should be given an add in all formats, but gamers must be patient in understanding his production could be be all over the place. Houston has been pretty good vs. WRs in the first three games, largely because its run defense is awful, but drool-inducing matchups with Seattle and Atlanta are on the docket before the Week 7 bye.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $6-8

1-week plug & play/grab & stash

Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders

Shaking off hip and thumb issues entering Week 3, Beasley capitalized on a fine slot matchup and a first-half injury suffered by John Brown (calf). The Raiders present a reasonable matchup for gamers looking to fill a void in PPR scoring, and Beasley clearly has Josh Allen’s eye, dating back to last year. In Week 5, when bye weeks resume, the Bills face Tennessee, a defense that had no answer for Minnesota rookie slot receiver Justin Jefferson in Week 3. Depending on the severity of Brown’s injury, Beasley may stick around several weeks with matchups vs. KC and the New York Jets running through Week 7.

Availability: 48%
FAAB: $2-3

Greg Ward, Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers

This one may turn into a longer stay than the one-week matchup vs. the Niners. San Fran could be without its top three cornerbacks for this one, but opportunities for Ward to see more work persist on Philadelphia’s side. The Eagles will be without WR Jalen Reagor (thumb) and likely TE Dallas Goedert (ankle), who is expected to miss some time. Alshon Jeffery may not be ready quite yet, and DeSean Jackson (hamstring) exited last week with an injury of his own. All of that helped lead to Ward — a late-season savior of sorts for the Eagles — to snare eight of his 11 targets, good for 72 yards and a score. After this reasonable matchup, the Steelers and Ravens are on the schedule, which may seem daunting, but someone has to catch the ball. Ward’s roster stay probably doesn’t live longer than two weeks for most situations, unless bye weeks force gamers into desperation mode.

Availability: 83%
FAAB: $2-3

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The towering rookie exploited the Philadelphia defense after wrestling the starting lineup away from John Ross, who ended up a healthy scratch in Week 3. Higgins caught five of his nine targets from fellow rookie Joe Burrow, resulting in 40 yards and a pair of scores. Overall, Jacksonville hasn’t been all that good of a matchup for receivers, but allowing a TD per game to the position thus far is encouraging for a wideout whose game will revolve around finding paydirt. And, in fairness, the level of WR competition vs. the Jags has been suspect so far. Higgins has a pair of tough opponents (BAL, IND) after this one, so he’s probably a bench candidate for a few weeks, regardless of how he plays in Week 4.

Availability: 48%
FAAB: $2-3

Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills

Even though Renfrow and LA Rams receiver Cooper Kupp couldn’t be much different in style of play and physique, it’s worth noting Kupp owned the Bills out of the slot in Week 3. The Jets’ Jamison Crowder — much closer in nature to Renfrow — did the same in Week 1. Renfrow will once again be the likely leading receiver for Derek Carr if Buffalo handles TE Darren Waller like New England did in Week 3. In addition, the Raiders may be without WRs Henry Ruggs (knee, hamstring) and Bryan Edwards (ankle). Another TD from Renfrow may be asking too much of him, but the second-year wideout has a good chance of posting double-digit PPR stats without scoring. The Chiefs are ahead after the Bills, and Renfrow could be useful in that one, too, prior to Vegas’ bye.

Availability: 48%
FAAB: $2-3

1-week plug & play

Brandon Powell, Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

How desperate are you feeling? The Falcons could be without two of its top three receivers in Week 4. Julio Jones (hamstring) was inactive in Week 3, and that game saw Russell Gage (concussion) go down. He is in jeopardy of having to sit out vs. the Pack. Green Bay’s offense is clicking, and it will be all hands on deck for the battered Falcons after blowing late leads in consecutive weeks. Dallas is the only team to have surrendered more receiving scores to WRs through three games in 2020, and Powell has a shot at relevance after seeing four targets in Week 3.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

Tight Ends

1-week plug & play

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons

The fourth-year pro has finally earned a chance to show his skills, and it has resulted in a touchdown each of the past two weeks. He has eight total targets, going for 75 yards on his seven grabs, and Tonyan now draws the second-best fantasy matchup of Week 4 for his position. No team has given up more touchdowns than Atlanta when facing tight ends, and if WR Davante Adams (hamstring) isn’t ready, Aaron Rodgers will have to look elsewhere. Tonyan is a brilliant gamble for a touchdown in Week 4. Afterward, the Packers go on bye and return to a rocky schedule for tight ends. Even with another strong showing by Tonyan, don’t be afraid to drop him after Week 4.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $1-2

grab & stash

Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears

The seasoned veteran still can find the end zone with the right matchup, and he should have four total TDs in 2020, if not for coming up just shy a few weeks back. At any rate, the upcoming tilt with Indianapolis isn’t one of those “right” matchups. Graham’s 10 targets in Week 3 may seem enticing, but Chicago was in catch-up mode vs. a defense that is horrendous against the position. In a pinch, Graham can be deployed for a flier TD gamble, but it really shouldn’t be this week. Add him for depth at this time.

Availability: 58%
FAAB: $0-1

Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Chargers

LA’s defense is just good enough to stymie opponents in the Chargers’ territory. Only Minnesota has granted more field goal attempts to the position than the Bolts’ 11 faced, and only three PATs against ranks as the second fewest entering Monday night’s game between Baltimore (fewest) and KC. Tampa Bay’s inconsistent running game and work-in-progress passing attack should struggle to consistently score touchdowns vs. this defense, especially if Chris Godwin (hamstring) sits again.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $0-1

Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings

Going back to the well once again … it was mostly dry in Week 3 after recommending Fairbairn vs. the Steelers, but expecting Houston to score three touchdowns wasn’t part of the equation. The Vikings have given up a least a pair of field goal attempts in each game this year, including an insane six last week. It wasn’t so fluky, though, since Indy kicked four of them the prior week. Trust Fairbairn once more. The matchup is an insane 70.6 percent better than the league average for fantasy points allowed.

Availability: 58%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/Specials Teams

1-Week Plug & Play

Denver Broncos at New York Jets

Defensive life has been rough without Von Miller and A.J. Bouye, but the Broncos have a chance to right the ship vs. the death spiral that is the 2020 Jets season. Sam Darnold threw a pair of interceptions that went the other direction in Week 3, and there are no weapons to speak of around him right now. Furthermore, it’s a short week for New York to regain some of its injured targets, and we’re approaching the point in which even lowly fantasy defenses, like Denver, need to be considered vs. New York.

Availability: 75%
FAAB: $0-1

Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants

Picking on the New York teams wasn’t the intent, but when your offense cannot make anything happen vs. the visiting, injury-ravaged 49ers, all hope is lost. The Giants were without Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard, sure, but something, anything would have been understandable from Daniel Jones and Co. Anyway, the Rams have five takeaways in the past two games and seven total sacks in three games after not recording one against the Eagles in Week 2. Much like with the Jets, we’re approaching the territory where any fantasy defense with a hint of life is a strong play vs. the G-men.

Availability: 51%
FAAB: $0-1

Fantasy football market report: Week 3

Two weeks into the bizarre 2020 season and we’ve already seen seismic shifts in the fortunes of fantasy football teams due to injuries. There are only two things certain about the NFL: It’s a violent game and injuries happen. But, this may be the …

Two weeks into the bizarre 2020 season and we’ve already seen seismic shifts in the fortunes of fantasy football teams due to injuries. There are only two things certain about the NFL: It’s a violent game and injuries happen. But, this may be the earliest the chickens have come home to roost and ruin a fantasy team.

In just two games, we’ve seen arguably the top two picks in most fantasy football drafts – running backs Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley – and the top wide receiver – Michael Thomas – get knocked out of action.

This is the truest test of a fantasy football player if it happens to you. It’s a debilitating loss. Those players were counted on to be your weekly roster compass. You might make changes elsewhere, but there aren’t many players that are every-week starts, but those three were.

Each injury is unique unto itself, but the one thing that 2020 brought for the first time was the lack of hitting before wins and losses mattered. The NFL went from 0-to-80 in a hurry by cancelling the preseason and players were dragged along.

The result may well be a rash of injuries in the first four weeks – the time typically spent lightly hitting in camp and aggressively hitting for short periods in the preseason. It’s been “Game On!” for two weeks and it’s been “Game Over” for an inordinate number of players – offensive and defensive – and it has changed how teams are already looking at their fate in 2020.

Here is the Week 3 Fantasy Football Market Report:

Fantasy Football Risers

WR Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons

There were a lot of fantasy analysts that were all over Ridley despite being the clear No. 2 guy in Atlanta behind Julio Jones. Not so fast, my friend. The numbers through two games speak for themselves – 16-239-4 for Ridley, 11-181-0 for Jones.

But, in his last 15 games, Ridley has scored 11 touchdowns and scored a TD in nine different games. In his last 14 games, Julio has scored two TDs – and both came in the same game. Fantasy football is about what have you done for me lately and Ridley has been the man.

TE Noah Fant, Denver Broncos

There was a bit of disappointment in Fant as a rookie, who had just two games with more than 60 receiving yards, 11 with less than 40 and three touchdowns. In two games this season, despite an injury-involved change at quarterback, Fant has caught nine of 11 passes thrown his way, has 138 yards and a TD in each game. He wasn’t necessarily drafted to be a starter in fantasy leagues, but he’s making his case.

WR Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Did the Bills give up to much to acquire Diggs from Minnesota? In two games, he leads the NFL with 16 receptions and 239 yards (with one TD). He has eight catches in both games and yardage totals of 86 and 153. He has done everything Buffalo expected and has pushed his way into the must-start category every week.

WR Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers

Nothing is guaranteed now that Christian McCaffrey is down, but, when the Panthers brought Anderson over, he had a mild bit of swag because of his skill to string together strong fantasy outings.

In two games, Teddy Bridgewater has thrown his way 18 times. He has caught 15 of them for 223 yards and one touchdown. He’s one of only two players in the NFL through two weeks with two 100-yard receiving games (114 and 109) and he likely spent at least one week on a bench if not both. If your roster is so strong, trade him away. His value will never be higher.

TE Johnnu Smith, Tennessee Titans

For years, Delanie Walker was the man in Tennessee. As failed draft picks and mid-range free agents came and went at wide receiver, the Titans built an offense that included a big tight end component because it had to. Walker is gone. But, that mindset of using the tight end as a primary passing weapon hasn’t changed.

Smith has caught just eight passes in two games, but has three touchdowns to show for it. In TE-mandatory leagues, a weak roster got stronger when he was pulled off the waiver wire.

WR Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a long play that you can likely pull off the waiver wire. Ben Roethlisberger has a long history of developing young, non-first round receivers over his career. Two of those guys – JuJu Smith-Schuster (2nd round, 2017) and Diontae Johnson (3rd, 2019) have both had big games to start the season. But, Claypool has been targeted just five times. He has caught them all for 127 yards and a touchdown. It may take an injury to get more looks his way, but Roethlisberger loves what he sees so far.

Fantasy Football Fallers

WR Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears

There are rumors that the Bears might look to trade Robinson for the right deal. If that’s the case, they’re going about it wrong. He has had 18 targets in two games, but has caught just eight passes for 107 yards. Those aren’t the kind of numbers you bank on for a WR1 (where many analysts had him ranked).

I’ve always been scared of how brutal Mitchell Trubisky can be, so it impacts my feelings on Robinson. But this comes at a time when five different Bears have caught touchdown passes and Mr. Robinson isn’t one of them.

WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

Anyone who had Green last year likely doesn’t have him this year because a preseason injury that never put him on Injured Reserve resulted in him stealing a fantasy roster spot all season.

He and Joe Burrow have no rapport so far. The rookie has thrown his way 22 times, but he has caught just eight passes for 80 yards with a long of 15. At least he wasn’t in the lineup when he was killing fantasy owners last year that had him pegged as a WR1 or WR2.

WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

He has built enough fantasy cred to be viewed as a top-20 receiver. He apologized after Week 1 when a key drop cost the Colts a chance to beat lowly Jacksonville. He had a touchdown bomb in his hands all alone on Sunday and dropped it.

He has caught just seven of 14 passes thrown his way and has just 81 yards and no touchdowns. It’s not time to cut him, but it’s time to reassess your available players and ask yourself if you think they can score more?

TE Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

Ertz owners expect 100 yards and a TD every week. While not realistic, it is realistic to think that he will provide you enough fantasy points to make him worthwhile. In his first game, he caught three passes for 18 yards and a touchdown – numbers you would associate with a blocking tight end who nobody covered in the Red Zone. Last week, he caught five passes for 42 yards.

At a time when tight ends are posting some really big weekly numbers (including teammate Dallas Goedert in Week 1), Ertz is a fantasy anomaly. Team owners are afraid to bench him because they know what he’s capable of. But, he just isn’t showing it.

WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants

For a lot of guys on this list, it’s been targets not corresponding with receptions and yards that is the problem. In Shepard’s case, it’s a trust from his QB. He has been replaced as the No. 1 receiver by Darius Slayton, who has 15 targets, nine receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also been surpassed by tight end Evan Engram as the No. 2 guy.

Shepard has caught eight of the 10 passes thrown his way, but they’ve been short passes that have netted just 76 yards. He was viewed as the guy to have in the Giants pass game. Not anymore.

Fantasy football free-agent forecast: Week 3

Be sure to stay up on your waiver claims after a week of injury after injury claimed several starters.

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

Grab & Stash/watch list

Jeff Driskel, Denver Broncos

Driskel will replace the injured Drew Lock (shoulder) as the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. The second-year passer was injured in Week 2 and will miss up to six weeks. Driskel has eight starts under his belt and has looked capable, especially Sunday in relief of Lock, finishing with 256 yards, two scores and an interception vs. Pittsburgh. The Broncos have plenty of weapons to make Driskel relevant, presuming Courtland Sutton’s knee injury proves to be minor. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are next, and it will serve as a good barometer of whether Driskel can serve as a competent fantasy backup or even a spot-starter once bye weeks arrive. He’s worth adding out of desperation but also could be left on the wire as a watch.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

WATCH LIST

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Short and sweet: Tyrod Taylor (chest) will regain his starting job upon returning to the health. Even if Herbert gets the start in Week 3, he’s not a fantasy No. 1 but more of a low-tier QB2 in superflex vs. the Carolina Panthers. Let’s say he has a monster performance, because he does have the weapons to make it happen, one has to question if Taylor really does return to the lineup.

Availability: 99%

Running Backs

Priority Free Agent

Dion Lewis, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley (knee) going down opens the door for the veteran Lewis to see the majority of touches in this backfield. He won’t be a season-saver, by any means, but Lewis will be useful. He ran for 20 yards on his 10 carries, scoring once, vs. Chicago’s tough defense, adding another 9.6 PPR points via the aerial game. RB Devonta Freeman is expected to work out fir the G-men, which would cut into Lewis’ value. The decimated San Fran defense is ahead, and then the Giants travel to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4. Those to matchups should give us a clearer idea of his utilization, particularly if a vet is added. He’s a low-tier RB2/flex in both of them should New York wait on bringing in help.

Availability: 78%
FAAB: $15-17

Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

A line of 12 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown was highlighted by a 40-yard jaunt. Henderson added two grabs for 40 yards, and he had three more touches than Malcolm Brown. While Brown was fine — 4.3 yards per carry on his 11 totes — he didn’t score and is overly dependent on finding the end zone. Henderson was a rookie with fanfare last year prior to getting hurt, and he is definitely more dynamic than Brown. That said, both will have serious roles while Cam Akers (ribs) is on the mend … however long that may be. LA faces Buffalo on the road in Week 3, so consider Henderson a fringe starter should Akers sit.

Availability: 44%
FAAB: $6-8

Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers

He was worth adding as a speculative buy last week, and the injury to Raheem Mostert (knee) makes McKinnon virtually a must-own in all formats. While Mostert’s injury is being described as a mild sprain, it still could cost him time. The 49ers cannot afford to lose any other players, and it will be all hands on deck to find a way going forward. McKinnon saw the ball only three times, making the most of it, with 77 yards and a score in Week 2. He travels to the New York Giants in Week 3.

Availability: 41%
FAAB: $12-13

grab & stash

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

Edwards ran 10 times for 73 yards in Week 2 and saw the most carries of all Ravens running backs. He had eight more handles than J.K. Dobbins and should be part of a three-pronged attack the rest of the way. However, it’s going to be extremely challenging to play him without a bye week or an injury forcing your hand … as it turns out, injuries were the story of Week 2, and bye weeks start soon. Add Edwards and play him only if you must, but his four carries in Week 17 should help illustrate the inconsistency of his utilization on a weekly basis. Hopefully averaging 7.3 yards per attempt will earn him a larger role.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $2-3

Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey exited with an ankle/foot injury and will have tests done Monday to understand the extent of it. His immediate backup is the veteran Davis, and any running back with a hand on the reins of a starting lineup spot should be owned. The Panthers play the Chargers in Week 3, so playing Davis should be done obviously only if CMC is out and you’re in desperate need of a flier for a cheap score. If McCaffrey is out long term, Davis becomes the top free agent in all formats.

Availability: 82%
FAAB: $3-4

Wide Receivers

Priority Free Agent

Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars

He was included last week as a stash option, and Cole delivered once again. The veteran saw seven targets in Week 2, finishing with a line of 6-58-1, bringing his two-week total to 11-105-2. Jacksonville’s defense is lousy, and they’ll be in plenty of shootouts. Miami suffered a few injuries on defense of late, including cornerback Byron Jones, so shuffling up the secondary could help Cole. After that, the Jags face Cincinnati, Houston and Detroit before going on a Week 7 vacation.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $2-3

Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons

Like Cole, Gage was included last week as a stash target. The Falcons, like the Jaguars, have an awful defense and will put their quarterback in plenty of pass-by-necessity situations. Use that to your advantage. There will be games in which he disappears, but the attention paid to Julio Jones frees up everyone, and the Falcons have little semblance of a running game at the moment. Gage finished Week 2 with a 6-46-1 line on his nine targets, bringing his two-game count to 21 looks from Matt Ryan.

Availability: 41%
FAAB: $2-3

grab & stash

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

The rookie suited up and saw six targets, hauling in four for 37 yards. Nothing exciting, but his feet are officially wet. The Colts lost last week’s standout receiver, Parris Campbell, to an apparent knee injury. He was carted off. Keep tabs on Pittman, but he is worthy of a look in deeper PPR setups as bench material with bye weeks on the horizon. Gamers looking for a flier in Week 3 could take a shot on him vs. the New York Jets.

Availability: 47%
FAAB: $1-2

Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers

The massive rookie is blazing fast, and it was on full display in Week 2. He landed an 84-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, one of his three receptions on as many looks. There are too many weapons in this offense to trust him on a weekly basis as a starter, but he’s the embodiment of what to look for a in a “no risk it, no biscuit” scenario. Add Claypool and deploy him in a pinch.

Availability: 60%
FAAB: $1-2

watch list

Chris Hogan, New York Jets

For gamers in truly desperate situations, Hogan may be closer to a one-week play vs. the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets were down Jamison Crowder and Le’Veon Bell entering Week 2, and Breshad Perriman left early. The result was eight targets for the well-traveled Hogan. He finished with 75 yards on six catches. Indianapolis gave up points to Jacksonville receivers in Week 1 but stifled the entire Minnesota passing game this past Sunday. How much was the latter a product of Kirk Cousins being hilariously bad? In Week 3, presuming Crowder doesn’t return, someone has to catch passes from Sam Darnold. Thus far, Hogan is the safest bet to be that guy.

Availability: 97%

Tight Ends

Priority Free Agent

Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers

Well, this one could be a short-lived recommendation. The ultra-talented Reed managed to stay healthy for an entire game in replacement of George Kittle (sprained knee, bone bruise) and scored a pair of touchdowns. The star has a chance to play in Week 3, which would make Reed unplayable. The status of QB Jimmy Garoppolo is up in the air, too, although Nick Mullens has acquitted himself dating back to last year. Reed should be added in case Kittle misses more time, and running two TEs could become the norm when Kittle is back.

Availability: 77%
FAAB: $3-4

1-week plug & play/Grab & Stash

Jordan Akins, Houston Texans

The young tight end — a 2018 third-rounder — scored in Week 1 on one of his two grabs, and he returned to see seven targets, landing all in Week 2. He posted 55 yards. In Week 3, Pittsburgh is the opponent for Houston. The Steelers gave up a 4-570-1 line to Noah Fant in Week 2 and could help make Akins a viable starter once again.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $1-2

Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts

A pair of injuries helped make Alie-Cox the leading receiver for Indy in Week 2, so it all could go away as fast as it appeared, depending on the prognoses for WR Parris Campbell (knee) and starting tight end Jack Doyle (ankle, knee). It is worth noting that Philip Rivers singled out Alie-Cox while discussing the offense during an interview prior to the season. The Colts host the New York Jets in Week 3, and Alie-Cox would be a viable TE1 on the lower end of the spectrum, should those two targets miss the contest.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $1-2

grab & stash

Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals

A second-round pick in 2019, Sample is more of an H-back than a traditional tight end. He landed seven of nine targets in Week 2, although they amounted to a total of 45 yards. He will replace C.J. Uzomah (Achilles) as the primary tight end option, a game after the injured starter posted a 4-42-1 line. Young quarterbacks tend to checkdown quickly to tight ends, and Joe Burrow’s anemic 5.2 yards-per-attempt average is indicative of more work for the Washington product.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

1-Week Plug & Play/grab & stash

Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys

Schultz was listed as on our watch list last week after the season-ending injury suffered by Blake Jarwin. The Cowboys have so many ways to attack that it was tough to see a major role for Schultz, although the one factor that was underestimated: just how poor the Cowboys can be on defense. Granted, some of their woes were due to field position, but they still allowed a mess of points in Week 2, and it required four different players to see at least seven targets. Schultz led the way with 10 looks on his path to a strong 9-88-1 line. He should be added and could take advantage of the Seahawks in a lineup-worthy way in the third game of 2020.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $0-1

Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets

The Colts’ offense is still finding its way in 2020 and has stalled several times, affording Blankenship seven three-point attempts in his two games. The undrafted rookie has plenty of leg from distance, and his offense has kinks to work out, especially after losing three starters in the past two games. The Jets may be just good enough on defense to get in the way and force Indy to settle for three a couple of times. Either way, it appears this offense is poised to grant its kicker more than enough opportunities to matter to gamers.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $0-1

Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers

After a quiet Week 1, Fairbairn booted three kicks from distance and overcame a tough matchup to be a top-10 fantasy kicker this week. Another awful matchup for Houston’s middling offense is on the docket, and it would be surprising if Fairbairn didn’t get called on several more times. The 2018 No. 1 fantasy kicker had an off-year in 2019 and deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Availability: 58%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/Specials Teams

1-Week Plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets

The opening week may have led to people dropping Indianapolis after the Jaguars had their way with this unit. A rebound in Week 2 gives hope for what was a promising sleeper defense in the offseason drafts. New York has almost nothing of concern for Indianapolis, and Sam Darnold is being thrown to the wolves. After stampeding the Jets, look at Indy as a viable play vs. Chicago, Cleveland and Cincinnati over the three following games.

Availability: 42%
FAAB: $1

1-Week Plug & Play

Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Football Team

Last week, in this spot, the recommendation of Arizona vs. Washington was slightly risky as banking on an unproven fantasy defense can be tricky. It paid off with four sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. In Week 3, go to the well once more. Cleveland dropped Joe Burrow three times in Week 2, also recording a fumble, and it should be able to harass Dwayne Haskins into mistakes in Week 3. If nothing else, there’s a good chance Washington won’t put up enough points, which can be beneficial in some leagues.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $0-1