By Winsto (09/24/2024)
There are a few names here to consider for Week 04 here.
(The following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.)
QUARTERBACK
Sam Darnold (Min)–After mentioning him last week, all Darnold did was throw for 4 TDs (and 181 yards) against Houston in Week 03. It could have been more, honestly, but the game turned into a blowout. And, he is doing this without his second WR (Jordan Addison). Addison may actually return this week, and Darnold’s opponent, Green Bay (if Jordan Love returns) should force him to throw more.
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ)–(at 51% rostered) Yes, I am cheating a bit here, but I wanted to mention that he has shown signs of his old self lately. He has a decent match-up with Denver this week, so he could be useful. Note, however, that his following three games against Minnesota, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh could be rough.
-Deeper Leagues
Geno Smith (Sea)—He has been steady thus far. The Seattle-Detroit matchup in Week 04 has the 2nd highest over/under of the week, so potential points should come.
Justin Fields (Pit)–Pittsburgh is winning, so I am not sure they are rushing Russel Wilson back. Fields has been serviceable, and his next three opponents (Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and Dallas) are not defenses to shy away from.
Daniel Jones (NYG)?–This is a hard sell, but he has put up 2 TDs with 0 turnovers each of the past two games. Week 04’s opponent, Dallas, does not have the look of a defensive juggernaut. That said, again, this is a hard sell.
RUNNING BACK
Bucky Irving (TB)—I have discussed Irving in last week’s column as well is in others. His takeover of this backfield, or at the very least flipping the touches distribution in his favor, is inevitable. Rachaad White is not an efficient rusher. For his career, White now has a 2.1 yards per carry average (on 31 attempts). So far this season, rookie Irving is averaging 5.3 yards per carry (on 16 attempts). Irving has 6.2 ypc (on 25 attempts). We have all seen the difference between the two, and it seems the coaches have also noticed, as they are now discussing how Irving has “earned more snaps going forward.” White is still a good pass catching back, so the ceiling on Irving is capped. That said, he has the looks of a mid-to-high RB2 very soon.
Braelon Allen (NYJ)—Allen continues to showcase his abilities in relief of Breece Hall, and No, he is not a threat to Breece Hall in terms of overtaking him, but he is a threat to be a source of nuisance for Hall managers, as he will probably see 30-35% of the snaps out of the backfield from here on out. He best viewed as a low-end flex option, unless something happens to Hall. Then, he would have the look of a borderline RB1. I put him on a tier below Benson and Corum simply because I am not completely sold of the ability of the Jets offense at this point, thus limiting his upside.
Trey Benson (Ari) and Blake Corum (LAR)—I suppose this is just going to be a weekly reminder. I am not sure how these players are under 50% rostered. They are both one injury away from being borderline RB1s, and neither James Conner nor Kyren Williams have been models of durability. These are two of the best lottery picks to stash on your bench.
Isaac Guerendo (SF)—Now, there are reports regarding Christian McCaffrey seeing a specialist in Germany. That, ladies and gentlemen, is not ideal! We should brace ourselves for the reality that this is the Jordan Mason for the foreseeable future. And for that foreseeable future, the rookie, Guerendo, is one injury away from being the number one RB in the 49er offense, an offense that tends to produce RB1 numbers for its running backs.
Kareem Hunt (KC)–Do I think Hunt is the same player he was a few years ago? No. Do I think he may become fantasy relevant if Carson Steele falters? Yes. KC signed him off its practice squad to the active roster today. Maybe it is just for depth, but that was quicker than I anticipated. I still think Steele is the favorite, but Hunt could play a role. This could also just turn into a fantasy nightmare where Steele, Hunt, and Samaje Perine just split snaps and none are fantasy relevant.
Dameon Pierce or Cam Akers (Hou)—This is dependent on the health of Joe Mixon. It is also dependent on the health of Pierce. Akers served as the main bell-cow of Houston’s offense, as both Mixon and Pierce were ruled OUT. But because of the score, Houston abandoned the run in Week 03 against Minnesota. I do not foresee that happening again against Jacksonville this upcoming week. Thus, if Mixon and Pierce miss again, Akers looks like the guy. However, if only Mixon is ruled out, then Pierce may be the guy? Or, Pierce and Akers could split carries.
Emanuel Wilson (GB)–Josh Jacobs is still the guy here, but Wilson is someone to note. He played 41% of the snaps in the backfield in Week 03. This, however, would be complicated once Marshawn Lloyd, Green Bay’s 3rd round draft pick, comes off the IR, though it is not like he has proven to be healthy thus far his rookie season.
WIDE RECEIVER
Jauan Jennings (SF)–So that was unexpected. Jennings is a 2020 7th round draft pick. Normally, in this situation, I would chalk it up to a fluky game. But wow! We cannot simply chalk up 11 receptions for 175 yards and 3 TDs… with a 40% target share! He was also on the field for more plays than Brandon Aiyuk. In addition, if you somehow forgot last season’s Superbowl, Jennings threw for a TD, caught a TD, and was actually on the verge of being wide open for a TD in overtime on the play where Brock Purdy was forced to throw short due to Chris Jones. Jennings has shown glimpses of talent before. Deebo Samuel sounds like he will miss more time. Jennings is worth the risk here.
Quentin Johnston (LAC)—I am still not completely sold on a wide receiver in this offense, but as of right now, Johnston looks like the best bet. He does have the pedigree to be impactful, and he seems to have a knack for exploiting breaks in secondary coverage.
Jalen Nailor (Min)–This is dependent on the health of Jordan Addison this week. He has scored a TD in every game thus far.
Allen Lazard (NYJ)–Speaking of scoring TDs, it looks like the Rodgers-Lazard connection might be back. The ceiling is probably a WR3 here, but there is value with that.
Xavier Legette (Car)–This is more for deeper leagues, but with news of Adam Thielen being placed on IR and with Carolina’s offense showing actual competency under Andy Dalton, Legette has an opportunity.
TIGHT END
Cole Kmet (Chi)–I never really understood Chicago’s signing of Gerald Everett. It looks like coaching staff has had a change of heart regarding Everett’s playing time at the tight end position. Kmet has seen his snap share rise in the last few weeks, and he has capitalized (relative to the 2024 tight end position in fantasy). He realistically can finish as a top 8 TE, given the wasteland that position is in at this moment.
Brenton Strange (Jax) and Brock Wright (Det)–These are injury replacements in case Evan Ingram (Jax) and/or Sam LaPorta (Det) are unable to suit up for Week 04. They are both solid options, as Strange has 11 targets for 77 yards and 1 TD in the last two games while Wright saw 5 targets for 34 yards in Week 03 in the game LaPorta injured himself. Again, we are talking about the 2024 tight end landscape, so those numbers look pretty solid.
IDP
Troy Anderson (LB-Atl) Since Nate Landman has gone on the IR, Anderson has seen over 93% of the snaps over the past 2 games and has produced steady numbers (9 and 11 total tackles respectively). As long as Landman is out, Anderson should keep up that steady pace.
Nick Bolton (LB-KC) Two seasons ago (2022), Bolton finished as one of the top IDP fantasy players. Unfortunately, last season was marked by injuries. He is still the Green Dot caller on defense, has played against stingy offenses regarding fantasy points to the LB position, and has been okay (7 total tackles in all 3 games). At the very least, he is someone to keep an eye on in case he starts showing signs of returning to his 2022 form.