By Winsto (10/03/2022)
Aside from the Monday night match-up between the LAR and SF, Week 4 is in the books. Here is what, I think, we learned.
Rising Rookies
Week 4 saw several rookies become more fantasy relevant than they were.
Tyler Algeier (RB) became a major contributor for Atlanta, rushing for 84 yards on 10 carries, and adding a 20 yard reception. With news that Cordarrelle Patterson is hitting the IR and will miss at least the next 4 weeks, Algeier should become at least the leading member of the committee (along with Caleb Huntley, who also had 10 rushes for 56 yards) Atlanta will be using.
Jahan Dotson (WR-Was) has now scored in 3 out of the 4 games this season. Though he has not topped 59 yards, there is still value there, as a WR3.
Tennessee’s 4th round pick in 2022, Chig Okonkwo (TE) was able to haul in 3 passes for 38 yards and a TD. He is still receiving less snaps than George Swaim (74%) and Austin Hooper (37%) with 24%, but if those snaps increase, he may be someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses, especially considering the landscape of darkness and despair that is the fantasy TE position this season.
In their loss to Tennessee, Indianapolis 2nd round rookie, Alec Pierce, had 4 receptions for 80 yards. Again, he was only on the field for 44% of the offensive plays, so I am not recommending an add at this point. He is someone to watch, however.
Could we be witnessing the changing of the guard at running back in New York? In the NYJ’s defeat of Pittsburgh, Breece Hall (RB) played 66% of the snaps (to Michael Carter’s 44%), and had 17 carries for 66 yards (to Carter’s 9 carries for 15 yards). They both had 2 receptions, with Hall for 12 yards and Carter for 14. If for some reason, Hall is on the waiver wire, he should not be. Run!
In that same game, Coach Tomlin realized what seemingly the rest of the world already knew–Mitch Trubisky is not the answer. Welcome to the 2022 season, Kenny Pickett! Did it go well for Pickett? No. Did it go poorly for Pickett? No. Why am I not clearer? Because fantasy football, like life, can be complicated. Pickett sparked the offense, but he did throw 3 INTS–though I would only fault him for one of them. What makes this more interesting is that he may be able to unleash the potential of Pittsburgh’s skill position players. Speaking of which, George Pickens paced the wide receiver room with 6 catches for 102 yards. I am not saying Pickens has surpassed Diontae Johnson in terms of fantasy relevance, but Chase Claypool? Maybe? He is definitely someone I would consider adding if I had the room on my bench, just to see what happens. And with Pickett taking over, assuming Tomlin does not backtrack on his decision, Jaylen Warren (RB), the undrafted rookie, becomes a slightly more valuable handcuff to Najee Harris.
After reaching 100 total yards and a TD last week, Damion Pierce rushed for 131 yards, including a 75 yard TD run on 14 carries (and for you PPR players, 6 receptions for 8 yards). Rex Burkhead had 5 receptions for 39 yards and a TD, but no rushes. Pierce has the makings of a RB2 based on what we have seen thus far.
It looks like Romeo Doubs (WR) is winning the early rookie battle against Christian Watson (WR) in Green Bay. Though both had TDs, Doubs was on the field for 96% of the offensive plays as opposed to Watson’s 25%. I do not think this battle is over, but as of now, Doubs is the better short term player.
In the nightcap game, both Kansas City and Tampa Bay showcased their rookie running backs. Isiah Pacheco for Kansas City had 11 carries for 63 yards while Rashaad White had 56 total yards (50 through the air.) Was this the result of game flow? Look, Leonard Fournette is not losing his job anytime soon, but White may be carving out a role as the preferred passing down back, which has historically had success in a Tom Brady led offense. As for Kansas City, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (19 carries for 92 yards and 2 total TDs) had a solid game, and he looks like he is holding off Pacheco… for now.
Observations
Through 4 games, Patrick Mahomes (QB) has thrown 11 touchdowns. Only 2 have gone to a wide receiver (Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman).
I do not think Gabe Davis (WR) is over that ankle issue, as he has not looked the same compared to Week 1. He may be best left on your bench until you see signs that he is past that injury.
Austin Ekeler (RB) is still Austin Ekeler, with over 100 total yards and 3 total TDs.
CeeDee Lamb (WR) is starting to look like a WR1. Let’s see if he can keep it up when Dak Prescott returns.
Justin Fields (QB) completed 11 passes in Week 4. Progress.
Green Bay is running the ball well, which has led to lower passing game totals. That may be the case until they play a better than average team.
Russell Wilson (QB) had a solid day, with 237 passing yards, 29 rushing yards, and 3 total TDs. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton also both topped 50 yards receiving and had a TD. Still, I think we were all hoping for more from that offense. Maybe we overestimated them. Things may be worse now that Javonte Williams (RB) is out for the year with a torn ACL. Until we see something differently, this may be who they are this season. (Also, if Melvin Gordon is somehow on the waiver wire, go get him. In medium to deeper leagues, go get Mike Boone.)
Note: All player snap information in this column was obtained from NFL Snap Counts@NFLPlayerSnaps on Twitter.