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Wagerallsports

Wagerallsports

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Fantasy football flex and superflex rankings for Week 1​

ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)

Welcome to the 2021 fantasy football season and the newest version of our weekly flex rankings, the debut of the Superflex 150! This season, we decided to add quarterbacks to these PPR rankings and extend the list deeper than ever. Why? Well, we know many of you now compete in Superflex formats that invite/covet second quarterbacks in starting lineups, thus the adjustment. It may look odd to see the lowest-ranked fantasy passers ranked ahead of typical RB2 and WR2 options, but the potential point impact demands it. If your league is of the standard flex variety, just ignore the presence of quarterbacks. Regardless, good luck in Week 1 and beyond!

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers: We all await him averaging 30 PPR points again, but over 17 weeks!
2. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: First-round pick, if not first overall, in Superflex formats, for obvious reasons.
3. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals: Will be interesting to see how his fantasy performance is affected if he really does run less.
4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: He should run even more. Just. Stay. Healthy.
5. Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers: We should all be so productive when we hit 40. Guess I will find out soon! LOL!
6. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: Give him credit for amazing strides in throwing accuracy last season. Should be awesome for a long time.
7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings: Only concern is health, but he is surely healthy this week.
8. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints: Few doubt the skills, but there is a new QB leading the way.
9. Davante Adams, WR, Packers: He got his old quarterback back, and could not be happier.
10. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs: Rare to find a tight end ranked so well, but every season the numbers are there.
11. Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
12. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys:
Certainly one to watch early on for the shoulder injury. Team says, of course, that all is well.
13. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
14. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
15. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals
16. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans:
Rare to find a running back with so little impact in the passing game still awesome in PPR formats.
17. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks: Would not be surprising to see him end up as fantasy's top wide receiver.
18. Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
19. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles:
Intriguing situation, because his running ability makes him a hot commodity. The Eagles may not be all-in here.
20. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
21. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans
22. Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons:
Will not miss his former teammate and future Hall of Famer. Ridley was awesome last season no matter what.
23. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
24. A.J. Brown, WR, Titans:
He gets to play with Ridley's former teammate and again, it should not greatly change the statistical dynamic or fantasy value.
25. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
26. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington:
Could be an underrated offense in Washington, with Gibson ready to emerge as a star.
27. Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
28. Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers:
Why not another 92-catch season? It starts this week.
29. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys: The best of Prescott's options.
30. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington
31. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
32. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Washington:
There will be some turnovers, but the veteran surely shows confidence throwing the football downfield.
33. Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
34. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars:
Top-notch skills, intriguing players and coaching around him. Stardom must be pending.
35. Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
36. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
37. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers:
Pick a Brady receiver, one cannot go wrong. Evans is the touchdown maker.
38. Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
39. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars:
With Travis Etienne Jr. out, expectations for Robinson suddenly returned to 2020 levels, at least.
40. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
41. Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings
42. Allen Robinson II, WR, Bears:
Rough Week 1 matchup, and rough Week 1 quarterback.
43. Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
44. David Montgomery, RB, Bears
45. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers:
Seems guaranteed for high volume as a rookie, and should factor into passing game as well.
46. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys
47. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles:
Eagles have options if he cannot hold on to the football, or cannot stay healthy.
48. George Kittle, TE, 49ers
49. Darren Waller, TE, Raiders
50. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs:
Ankle injury may keep volume down a bit early on, but he remains a trusted option.
51. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants: You may think you know about his volume, but the Giants may not even know. Certainly some risk here.
52. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
53. Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
54. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
55. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Texans:
Keeping company with reliable veterans in these rankings, because he can be a surprise fantasy asset.
56. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins: Possesses the skills to be great, and Miami surrounded him with better receivers this season.
57. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots
58. Zach Wilson, QB, Jets:
Well, it is the Jets, but perhaps Wilson can overcome it.
59. Sam Darnold, QB, Panthers: Be willing to give him a chance.
60. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Broncos
61. Jameis Winston, QB, Saints:
There will be interceptions, unless the Saints really play it safe, which they may.
62. Carson Wentz, QB, Colts
63. Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
64. Jared Goff, QB, Lions:
Not a good offense, but he is a competent quarterback.
65. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
66. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers
67. Andy Dalton, QB, Bears:
Week to week, much like all of us.
68. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
69. Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys
70. Robert Woods, WR, Rams
71. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
72. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers:
Would have surpassed 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, if healthy. Ah, always the "if healthy" part.
73. Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens: It is his backfield, and he can do what he wants with it. Invest.
74. Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks
75. Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers:
One of several Steelers receivers that may reach 1,000 receiving yards. Or all of them may do it.
76. DJ Moore, WR, Panthers
77. Robby Anderson, WR, Panthers
78. Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals:
Burrow has plenty of receivers as well. Higgins should be the best of them.
79. Julio Jones, WR, Titans: Name gets him overrated a bit, but he remains a productive player when on the field. Make sure he is on the field.
80. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders: Odd situation here in that Jacobs better produce, or he may end up sitting.
81. Raheem Mostert, RB, 49ers
82. Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals
83. D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions:
Groin injury remains an issue, and it should compromise his Week 1 volume. We just do not know how much.
84. Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans
85. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
86. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos:
Obvious breakout possibilities, but difficult Week 1 matchup.
87. Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals
88. Mike Davis, RB, Falcons
89. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Rams:
Health is the only thing worrying us, but he looks to be healthy today.
90. Damien Harris, RB, Patriots: Not a pass catcher, but should score more touchdown runs now that Cam Newton is gone.
91. Myles Gaskin, RB, Dolphins: Preseason scare about his place on the depth chart is over now.
92. Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys
93. Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
94. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
95. Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
96. Kenny Golladay, WR, Giants
97. Antonio Brown, WR, Buccaneers
98. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Browns:
Overrated for fantasy.
99. Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns: Underrated for fantasy.
100. Jamaal Williams, RB, Lions: Rated pretty well for fantasy, especially this week with Swift not as swift as usual.
101. Sony Michel, RB, Rams: Make sure he is rostered in your league, because Henderson is not the most durable fellow.
102. Kenyan Drake, RB, Raiders
103. DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles:
Heisman-winning rookie has mad skills, but can his quarterback find him enough?
104. Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens: Because his quarterback does not find him enough.
105. DJ Chark Jr., WR, Jaguars
106. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Jaguars
107. Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers:
Get ready for another frustrating season of relying on Tampa Bay running backs.
108. Ronald Jones II, RB, Buccaneers
109. Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
110. Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns
111. Marquez Callaway, WR, Saints:
Figures to get enough targets to matter, and Michael Thomas is not playing this month.
112. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons: Exciting rookie should make his mark right away.
113. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions
114. James Conner, RB, Cardinals
115. Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos:
Perhaps Broncos will be patient, but this rookie is ready to take over the backfield. Expect a higher ranking in future weeks.
116. Melvin Gordon III, RB, Broncos
117. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Texans:
Former Bronco is better than most think. Appealing flex option this week.
118. David Johnson, RB, Texans
119. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Jaguars
120. DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
121. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington
122. Michael Carter, RB, Jets:
Give it time.
123. J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington: Now we come to the pass-catching, running back section. Hey, McKissic outscored all but 16 running backs in PPR last season. Not bad.
124. James White, RB, Patriots
125. Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts
126. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
127. Corey Davis, WR, Jets
128. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
129. Logan Thomas, TE, Washington
130. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots
131. Zack Moss, RB, Bills:
Potential for 1,000 rushing yards, but needs to find the end zone, too.
132. AJ Dillon, RB, Packers
133. Trey Sermon, RB, 49ers
134. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
135. Jalen Reagor, WR, Eagles
136. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Raiders:
Tough matchup vs. Ravens, and we should still expect future breakout.
137. Devin Singletary, RB, Bills
138. Giovani Bernard, RB, Buccaneers
139. Damien Williams, RB, Bears
140. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
141. Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
142. Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs
143. Parris Campbell, WR, Colts
144. Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings:
One of the top backup situations in the league.
145. Malcolm Brown, RB, Dolphins
146. Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
147. Jonnu Smith, TE, Patriots
148. Carlos Hyde, RB, Jaguars:
A bit underrated, and in a decent position should Robinson struggle.
149. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
150. Tyrell Williams, WR, Lions:
And our first No. 150 of the young season, the pride of Western Oregon!
 

Bettor Days

Bettor Days

Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Messages
5,091

Fantasy football flex and superflex rankings for Week 3​

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Week 3 of the fantasy football season is upon us, and you have flex concerns! Well, that is why we are here: to offer opinions on options, and perhaps entertain along the way. Fantasy managers should manage their teams their way, of course, but if you crave a bit of advice, here we go. Quarterbacks are now included in our superflex rankings, and even the worst ones still rank well. Regardless, check the matchups each week, go with your best options, and good luck in Week 3 and beyond!

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers: Went from 30 touches in Week 1 to only 29 last week. Nobody is complaining.
2. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals: Awesome numbers, including two rushing touchdowns already. Unstoppable, especially by the Jaguars.
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: He has thrown 16 incomplete passes in two weeks. How do the Chiefs ever lose?
4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
5. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
6. Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers:
Facing the Rams is a bit different than the lowly Falcons, but we are confident there will be numbers anyway.
7. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: You should not sit him. Just don't.
8. Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings: His managers wince whenever he limps around or needs medical attention. Will he play all 17 games?
9. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans: Exploded in the second half last week, but I keep watching his receptions. He should have a career high before Week 5!
10. Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
11. Davante Adams, WR, Packers:
And you were worried about this offense. Ha!
12. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
13. Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers:
Nine targets and nine rushing attempts in Week 2. Well, we could use more rushing attempts, but hard to complain.
14. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
15. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles:
Still concerns about his throwing -- remove one play last week and he had only 99 passing yards. As long as he runs, nobody minds.
16. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: Quiet in Week 2, but at least he looks healthy. The Eagles defense appears improved so far, but Dak should get his production.
17. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
18. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints:
One more disappointing game and we worry, but we have to assume the Saints figure this out.
19. Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
20. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks:
Unstoppable, and this week, sure, he gets the nod for Seattle's top WR.
21. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals
22. Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
23. Derek Carr, QB, Raiders:
Reasons for optimism, but would be nice if team could protect him better. And threaten to run the ball.
24. Justin Fields, QB, Bears: I think Bears fans have had enough of the Andy Dalton experience, and so has everybody else.
25. Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
26. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Broncos
27. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants:
Plays the Falcons. If there was ever a time to go with Jones, this is it.
28. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans
29. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers:
Pectoral injury could be a problem, so watch the updates later this week. Steelers' O-line is a problem.
30. Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
31. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts:
The time to trade a reasonable amount for this RB1 is running out.
32. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers: Not one, not two, but four touchdowns. Another reason to trust your top players after one rough week.
33. Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
34. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
35. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams:
At some point defenses will handle him better, and then the other Rams options will make more plays.
36. Darren Waller, TE, Raiders: Just seven targets in Week 2, coming off 19 of them, but still, no Raiders player had more.
37. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
38. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington
39. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
40. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers:
Still has yet to rush for 50 yards in a game, though it seems he has nowhere to run, too. Keep the faith.
41. Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks
42. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys:
Better Week 2 performance, but this is clearly a two-back offense now. Elliott may be more of an RB2 now.
43. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys: Perhaps 1,400 receiving yards is possible here. Really, this is a star.
44. Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys
45. David Montgomery, RB, Bears
46. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington:
No real difference for him with another quarterback. He is just not a factor on third downs.
47. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
48. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons:
Easy to see lots of fourth-quarter numbers for him as team will face large deficits.
49. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
50. Sam Darnold, QB, Panthers
51. Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
52. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers:
As long as he avoids turnovers, he can keep the starting role from Trey Lance longer than anyone except him seems to want.
53. Jared Goff, QB, Lions
54. Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington
55. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars:
Remember, Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions his first season (with 26 TDs). Lawrence can have that season still.
56. Carson Wentz, QB, Colts
57. Jameis Winston, QB, Saints:
What, you actually expected consistency with this fellow?
58. Davis Mills, QB, Texans
59. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots
60. Zach Wilson, QB, Jets
61. Jacoby Brissett, QB, Dolphins
62. Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons
63. Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings
64. A.J. Brown, WR, Titans:
Good time to trade for him. Too talented to be this average and he looks healthy enough. Invest.
65. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
66. Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
67. Allen Robinson II, WR, Bears
68. D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions:
Odd usage. He should be getting 25 touches a week. Not sure what the Lions are seeing here.
69. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants: About time for him to be getting 25 touches as well.
70. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs: He is not getting 25 touches, and if he is no factor in the passing game, then we all overrated him.
71. Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
72. Robert Woods, WR, Rams:
Just wait, his numbers will come -- though perhaps not in this tough matchup with Tampa.
73. George Kittle, TE, 49ers
74. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
75. Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
76. Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals:
As with Swift, this makes little sense. Edmonds warrants far more touches than 14.5 per game.
77. Damien Harris, RB, Patriots
78. Julio Jones, WR, Titans
79. Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
80. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders:
Missed Week 2 with toe/ankle issues, and would not count on him suiting up for this one.
81. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Rams: Would not assume he plays through rib injury, either. It is only Week 3. You knew this was likely.
82. Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
83. DJ Moore, WR, Panthers
84. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
85. Ty'Son Williams, RB, Ravens:
Averaging 6.5 yards per carry so far. Certainly a relevant fantasy option.
86. Devin Singletary, RB, Bills: I rank him higher than my colleagues, but acknowledge he has not received a ton of touches.
87. Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers
88. Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers
89. Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants:
Other than QB, this is New York's PPR scoring leader so far. Leads team with 19 targets, 16 catches.
90. Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens: His yards per target is way up, indicative of his talent and that of Lamar Jackson.
91. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
92. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys:
At 7.7 yards per tote, the offense has to continue getting him involved. Add him in case he takes over.
93. Mike Davis, RB, Falcons
94. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars:
Not a good ranking for any Jaguars, but at this point how can we rely on any of them? Keep Robinson on your roster, though.
95. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Jaguars
96. Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns
97. Kenyan Drake, RB, Raiders:
Jacobs may sit, but Drake looks like he is merely a pass-catching option. Peyton Barber would get the Jacobs carries.
98. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Buccaneers: We want to say this production cannot possibly continue, but it is Brady and Gronk. Maybe it can.
99. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions
100. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
101. Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
102. Robby Anderson, WR, Panthers:
With four catches in two weeks, managers are moving on. I think it is a bad idea to do so.
103. Antonio Brown, WR, Buccaneers: Did little in Week 2 and many will move on, but again, that is ill-advised. This offense can support many individuals. Brown was placed on the COVID-19 list Wednesday, so be sure to seek updates on his status.
104. Myles Gaskin, RB, Dolphins
105. James White, RB, Patriots
106. J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington
107. Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans:
Targets kept on coming when backup Davis Mills entered in Week 2. He knows who to look for.
108. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
109. DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles
110. Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals
111. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Raiders:
Hard for defensive backs to keep up with him. Nice to see Carr is finding him downfield.
112. Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals: This fellow is electric, and Murray definitely looks for him.
113. Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos: I do not know when I will stop preaching patience with this backfield, but it surely is not yet.
114. Melvin Gordon III, RB, Broncos
115. Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
116. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
117. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Falcons:
Here is Atlanta's PPR scoring leader so far, and that includes the QB! Seems time to give him more touches, eh?
118. Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts
119. Jamaal Williams, RB, Lions
120. DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins:
Cannot say I would utilize him with Jacoby Brissett at QB, but then again, it may not matter.
121. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
122. Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
123. Logan Thomas, TE, Washington
124. DJ Chark Jr., WR, Jaguars
125. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots
126. Kenny Golladay, WR, Giants:
Too early to give up, but this ranking shows you do not have to play him.
127. Jalen Reagor, WR, Eagles: You would think of him differently if he had not stepped out of bounds on his Week 2 touchdown catch.
128. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles
129. Michael Carter, RB, Jets:
No guarantee the Jets start giving him major touches soon, but it would be nice.
130. Corey Davis, WR, Jets
131. Mark Ingram II, RB, Texans
132. Jared Cook, TE, Chargers:
He had a TD overturned by penalty. Again, he would be more popular if he had scored, but it should not alter much. He matters.
133. Damien Williams, RB, Bears
134. James Conner, RB, Cardinals:
Nary a target so far, and not much success in the ground game. Cannot recommend him in fantasy.
135. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Jaguars
136. Sammy Watkins, WR, Ravens
137. Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
138. AJ Dillon, RB, Packers:
Roster him in case Aaron Jones gets hurt, but he is not playing much so far.
139. Latavius Murray, RB, Ravens
140. Sony Michel, RB, Rams:
Hardly the talent Henderson is, but if he gets a chance, he may create at least a timeshare.
141. Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles: May get more looks if Zach Ertz misses the game, but hard to call Goedert a safe TE1.
142. Robert Tonyan, TE, Packers
143. David Johnson, RB, Texans
144. Darrel Williams, RB, Chiefs:
He and Mahomes have the team's rushing touchdowns so far. May become meaningful in time.
145. Zack Moss, RB, Bills: Two touchdowns on eight carries is nice work. Perhaps he sees more overall work this week.
146. Salvon Ahmed, RB, Dolphins
147. Ronald Jones II, RB, Buccaneers
148. Ty Johnson, RB, Jets
149. Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs
150. K.J. Osborn, WR, Vikings:
And finally, we end these proceedings with this Miami product, who has outscored his teammate Jefferson so far.
 

Bettor Days

Bettor Days

Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Messages
5,091

Fantasy football Week 3 shadow report: Key WR/CB matchups​

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By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start decisions and fantasy advice each week. Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can also help you make the best waiver wire pickups.

Below are the receivers with the best and worst Week 3 matchups, as well as the corresponding fantasy impacts. To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet. Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjust to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.

Advantageous Matchups​

i

Rams' Cooper Kupp vs. Buccaneers' Ross Cockrell

Kupp is the top-scoring wide receiver in fantasy through two weeks and he's a good bet to keep rolling in Week 3. Having aligned in the slot on 68% of his routes this season, he's set up for a matchup with Cockrell, who has aligned inside 79% of the time since replacing injured Sean Murphy-Bunting as the Buccaneers' primary slot corner. Just like perimeter corners Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean, Cockrell has been heavily targeted -- but unlike them, he's struggling, having allowed more than double the fantasy production they have on a per-snap basis.

Tampa Bay has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, but they've actually been efficient in slowing down the position. The culprit is heavy volume, as they've faced a league-high 66 WR targets, which has led to a league-high 114 expected fantasy points (they've allowed 110). In fact, they've allowed 6.5 yards per target to the position, which is third-lowest in the league. That's all a long way of saying that, while the Buccaneers' defense is good, teams are forced to throw often against them, which leads to a lot of fantasy production from opposing wideouts. Kupp gets the biggest value boost for his matchup, but Robert Woods and Van Jefferson can also be upgraded.

i

Seahawks' Tyler Lockett vs. Vikings' Bashaud Breeland

Lockett is currently fantasy's No. 2-scoring wide receiver after posting point totals of 26 and 32 in his first two games of the season. Same as Kupp, he's positioned to do even more damage in Week 3. The Vikings' defense looked very good on paper prior to the season, but the results out of the gate are not good at all. That's especially the case against wideouts, as Minnesota has allowed 107 fantasy points to the position. That's third-most in the league (second-most if adjusted for expected points). Despite the overall struggles, free agent signing Patrick Peterson has actually worked out well at right corner.

The problem has been left corner, where Breeland has been targeted on 29% of his coverage snaps and is allowing an atrocious 1.00 fantasy points per route. Breeland has allowed 45 fantasy points, which is most among all defenders. Lockett moves around the formation quite a bit, but he's been at right perimeter receiver 54% of the time this season, which means he's set to face Breeland (or Cameron Dantzler if Breeland is benched) over half the time this week. Lockett should be upgraded, but we don't need to adjust DK Metcalf, as while Minnesota has allowed the second-most fantasy points to Lockett's primary side, it has surrendered the 13th-fewest to Metcalf's side (58% left perimeter).

i

Colts' Michael Pittman Jr., Zach Pascal and Parris Campbell vs. Titans' Janoris Jenkins, Kristian Fulton and Chris Jackson

The Titans have allowed 130 fantasy points to wide receivers this season, which most in the league by 20. Even we adjust for heavy volume (they've faced 50 WR targets), they've still allowed 40 points above expected, which is also worst in the league (by nine points). They've allowed the most receiving yards and touchdowns to the position as well.

The Colts stand to benefit in Week 3. Pittman (75% perimeter) and Campbell (85%) will see plenty of Jenkins and Fulton on the outside, which bodes well considering the Titans have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the perimeter. Pascal (86% slot) has three touchdowns this season and should be upgraded against Jackson (the Titans have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the slot). Note that should Campbell remains out due to injury, rookie Mike Strachan will step into his role and will be a deep sleeper for a big play or two.

i

Ravens' Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins and Devin Duvernay vs. Lions' Amani Oruwariye, Bobby Price and AJ Parker

Detroit's secondary remains a work in progress, especially after a season-ending Achilles injury to 2020 first-round pick Jeff Okudah in Week 1 and an injury that landed his replacement, Ifeatu Melifonwu, on injured reserve in Week 2. The Lions will now utilize Oruwariye and 2020 undrafted free agent Bobby Price on the perimeter with Parker -- an undrafted rookie -- set to continue handling slot duties. Detroit has allowed the eight-most fantasy points over expected to wide receivers through two weeks. The lack of corner talent is a major concern for Detroit and sets up the Ravens for a big Week 3. Brown (48% perimeter) has aligned inside more this season, allowing Watkins (81%) and Duvernay (58%) to handle primary perimeter duties. All three should be upgraded, with Brown a weekly must-start and Watkins a viable flex.

Other notable upgrades:

Bengals' Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd vs. Steelers' Cameron Sutton, Tre Norwood and Joe Haden (or, if Haden remains out, James Pierre)

Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, A.J. Green and Christian Kirk vs. Jaguars' CJ Henderson, Tyson Campbell and Shaquill Griffin

Jaguars' Marvin Jones Jr., DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr. vs. Cardinals' Marco Wilson, Robert Alford and Byron Murphy

Tough Matchups​

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Falcons' Calvin Ridley vs. Giants' James Bradberry (shadow)

Though these two spent two years together in the NFC South, they didn't face each other much, as Bradberry was tasked with shadowing Julio Jones when the Falcons and Panthers met. During those four games, Bradberry covered Ridley on only 13 pass plays and allowed a 3-64-0 receiving line on four targets. Bradberry has been one of the league's best and most-utilized shadow corners during his time in the league and we saw him in that role against Terry McLaurin in Week 2. McLaurin put together a strong 11-107-1 receiving line in the game, but about half of that came on a few plays he wasn't facing Bradberry. Bradberry doesn't work in the slot much, but neither does Ridley (88% perimeter), so these two could be aligned against one another 80-90% of the time in Week 3. Ridley gets the downgrade and is a name to avoid in DFS cash games.

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Dolphins' DeVante Parker vs. Raiders' Casey Hayward Jr. (shadow)

These two veterans don't have much history (35 coverage snaps against one another), though it includes a 2020 Week 10 game in which Hayward (then with the Chargers) was tasked with shadowing Parker. Parker posted a weak 2-31-0 receiving line on seven targets in that game, with Hayward on him on 18 of his 24 routes. That underwhelming showing is one thing working against Parker this week and there are several others: One, Hayward has played terrific ball so far this season while being tasked with shadowing Sammy Watkins part-time in Week 1 and Chase Claypool on most of his routes in Week 2. Two, Will Fuller is back this week and could steal some targets from Parker. And three, Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa is out with a rib injury. Hayward hasn't been targeted much this season and that doesn't figure to change while he's traveling with Parker. Parker has major bust potential and should be downgraded.

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Eagles' DeVonta Smith vs. Cowboys' Trevon Diggs (shadow)

The Cowboys have allowed 45-plus fantasy points to both WR units they've faced this season, but we have to dig deeper to see why this could be a trouble spot for Smith. Diggs has shadowed the opposing team's No. 1 wide receiver in each of Dallas' first two games. He was assigned to Mike Evans in Week 1 (2-15-0 receiving line on 38 routes against Diggs) and Keenan Allen (2-72-0 line on 19 routes against Diggs) in Week 2. The two star receivers combined to run 37 perimeter routes against Dallas and Diggs was aligned against them on all 37. Diggs also traveled inside part time, covering Evans on nine of 19 slot routes and Allen on six of 24.

Smith has aligned outside on 80% of his routes this season, so it's reasonable to expect Diggs to cover him roughly 80% of the time this week. Especially after Smith was quiet against the 49ers' in Week 2, he needs to be downgraded against Diggs. With Diggs shadowing on one side, Anthony Brown shadowed on the other during Weeks 1-2. He traveled with Antonio Brown (4-94-1 receiving line on 27 routes against Brown) and Mike Williams (4-55-1 on 22 routes against Brown). The 39 fantasy points he's surrendered this season are second-most in the league behind only aforementioned Breeland. This week, he'll work primarily against Jalen Reagor (80% perimeter), who should be upgraded.

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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown vs. Rams' Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams and David Long

The Rams' pass defense may be missing John Johnson III and Troy Hill from last season's dominant unit, but it's nonetheless off to a very good start in 2021. The Rams have faced the ninth-most WR routes and targets, but have allowed the 10th-fewest yards, second-lowest yards per target (6.4) and only one touchdown to the position. That's troubling news for a Tampa Bay offense off to a hot start in 2021. These teams met in Week 11 last season and the result was all three Tampa Bay wide receivers clearing 13 fantasy points. Ramsey shadowed Evans in that game (33 of his 45 routes, including 28 of 29 on the perimeter), so it's possible he does so again this week, but I'm betting against it for two reasons: One, Ramsey didn't shadow Allen Robinson or Michael Pittman Jr. in Weeks 1-2, and two, Godwin has been Tampa Bay's No. 1 and most-productive wideout so far this season. Godwin has aligned in the slot on 73% of his routes this season, which is problematic for him considering how Ramsey has been utilized this season. Ramsey, who has been his usual terrific self while playing the unique "star" position, has aligned in the slot on 55% of his coverage snaps. The Rams have, in turn, allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the slot on the season. Godwin is an obvious downgrade.

Looking at personnel matchups in this scenario, Evans would seem to have the best matchup, as he'll see Long -- the team's replacement for offseason departure Hill -- most often. However, Long hasn't allowed much production thus far and the Rams have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to his primary side of the field. Though Evans would see Long the most, he'd get some slot run against Ramsey and work against Williams a few times. Brown is tricky as well. Williams was very good last season, but he's been heavily targeted and is struggling in coverage early on this season. In fact, the Rams are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to right perimeter receivers, which is Brown's primary spot and where he aligns 61% of the time. This is a tough pass defense as a whole, so we need to keep expectations in check for all three Tampa Bay receivers, but Brown is likely to get the least attention and should benefit from Ramsey covering Evans and/or Godwin. Note that Brown had a team-high 13 targets in the 2020 game.

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WFT's Terry McLaurin vs. Bills' Tre'Davious White (shadow)

Buffalo has allowed 55 fantasy points to wide receivers through two games, which is 25 below their expected total of 80. That gap is best in the NFL. Buffalo has faced the fourth-most WR routes and targets, but has allowed only 255 yards (sixth-lowest), one touchdown and 4.9 yards per target (lowest). As if that's not enough to make us wary of McLaurin, it's possible that he'll draw shadow coverage from White. Buffalo's star corner hasn't shadowed yet this season, but did when the matchup called for it in the past, including 2020 showdowns with Preston Williams, DK Metcalf, DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown and Travis Kelce. Even if White doesn't shadow McLaurin, Buffalo's pass defense has played so well overall that we should lower expectations for "F1" and his fellow pass-catchers.

Other notable downgrades:

Raiders' Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards vs. Dolphins' Xavien Howard and Byron Jones

Saints' Marquez Callaway vs. Patriots' J.C. Jackson and Jalen Mills

Jets' Jamison Crowder vs. Broncos' Bryce Callahan (slot)

Other potential shadow scenarios

Bengals' Chidobe Awuzie shadowed Justin Jefferson and Allen Robinson II on the perimeter during Cincinnati's first two games, leaving Eli Apple (subbing for an injured Trae Waynes) to travel with Adam Thielen and Darnell Mooney. Diontae Johnson is the Steelers' No. 1 receiver, so it's possible Awuzie (who has played decently) shadows him, leaving Apple (who has struggled) on Claypool. Even if he doesn't shadow, Johnson aligns wide left 52% of the time, which is where Awuzie has been on 72% of his coverage snaps. We don't need to be too worried about this matchup, but a slight upgrade for Claypool and downgrade for Johnson seems warranted.
 

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Wagerallsports

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41,169

Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 4: RB replacements among top pickups​

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There are a bunch of different things in the conversation for being the absolute best part about fantasy football. In fact, there are far too many to list here. However, there is one thing that is the far and away the worst -- injuries.

Injuries stink. They are wretched. There's no sugarcoating it. No matter the player, an injury is an injury and a completely disheartening situation.

On Thursday night, we saw an injury to the most high-profile player in fantasy football, Christian McCaffrey. A strained hamstring will keep him out for some period of time, although the specific timetable for his potential return remains uncertain.

While those who currently roster McCaffrey are unquestionably disappointed that their best player will not be available for the near future, here's your reminder that no matter how disappointed you are about your fantasy team, the player himself is exponentially more disappointed to not be on the field. Don't vent your disappointment at them -- ever!

We'll keep tabs on the timeline for the McCaffrey injury and follow along with how the Carolina Panthers divide his workload amongst the rest of the backfield. As to who we think gets first crack at the almost assuredly temporary starting gig there, read on! The identity of that individual leads our Week 4 ESPN Fantasy waiver-wire conversation below.

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Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers (11.3%): Hubbard is a fourth-round rookie who had an excellent career at Oklahoma State that included over 2,000 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2019. When McCaffrey went down, Hubbard handled 11 carries and five targets, clearly playing ahead of former Broncos back Royce Freeman (only five carries and just one target). While we hope McCaffrey is back sooner rather than later, Hubbard is a must-add in all leagues -- and a player that will likely land inside the top 25 of the RB rankings as soon as Week 4.

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Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings (40.7%): While it seems well within the range of possibilities that Dalvin Cook will return this weekend, Mattison has major value if he does not. Mattison stepped in and delivered a Cook-approved effort in Week 4, handling 26 carries for 112 yards, adding six catches on eight targets for another 59 yards. Mattison should be rostered in all leagues and, hopefully, those fantasy managers who have Cook had already worked to acquire him.

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Peyton Barber, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (7.3%): With Josh Jacobs on the mend from an ankle injury, the Raiders have turned to Barber (and not Kenyan Drake) as their No. 1 runner. In Week 3, Barber had his best day in a while, toting the rock 23 times for 111 yards while also finding the end zone. Not to be overlooked in this effort was that Barber also saw five targets. While the rushing volume figures to be in his favor until Jacobs returns, his integration into the passing game raises the floor. He's an add in leagues of any size.

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Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals (22.7%): The Cardinals offense is absolutely electric right now, as Kyler Murray cannot be stopped. Plus, he's getting help from his wideouts -- including Kirk, who has 60-plus receiving yards in every game this season and is coming off of a seven-catch, 104-yard effort in Week 3. The line of thinking is relatively simple: You want as much exposure to this offense as you can get. Kirk is a smart add for WR depth.

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Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Buffalo Bills (23.2%): There's wisdom behind another very simple idea: Get as many of Buffalo's pass-catchers as you can. While Stefon Diggs will be the "go-to guy" and Cole Beasley feasts in the middle of the field, Sanders had a throwback performance in Week 3 that reminded people that he still has gas left in the tank. While it's hard to consistently expect a ton from any team's third wideout week-in and week-out, the Bills offense is explosive enough at its apex to invest in three receivers. This is another solid player to add to your bench who will get opportunities for your roster when the bye weeks roll around.

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Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos (14.0%): The Broncos have had woeful injury luck at wide receiver this season, as KJ Hamler (torn ACL) joins Jerry Jeudy (high ankle sprain) on the list of electric, young pass-catchers who will miss time. Jeudy was expected to miss just four to six weeks, while Hamler is out for the year. Patrick, who has scored double-digit fantasy points in every game this season, should step up into an almost every-snap role for Denver. He is a huge target who scored in Weeks 1 and 2 while pacing the Broncos with 98 receiving yards in Week 3. He's an add in 12-team leagues or larger.

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Kendrick Bourne, WR, New England Patriots (0.4%): This is a monitor add, as Bourne had an awesome Week 3 that included a circus catch for a touchdown. While the Patriots have been conservative offensively this season, Mac Jones found his best Week 3 rhythm when the team opened things up and his coaches let him go to work through the air. Let's see if that trend continues, particularly with an upcoming matchup against the Buccaneers, where they'll need to score. Bourne is an "add and stash."

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Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (11.0%): The Raiders offense is humming so far this season and Renfrow has been a busy man. He has five-plus catches and at least 57 receiving yards in each game so far this year, good enough for double-digit fantasy points in every outing. Renfrow is a route-running maven, Derek Carr is playing lights out, and Las Vegas figures to stay pass-heavy. He's a deep-league add.

Quarterback Report​


We'll offer our usual QB caveat that, while there are certainly addable players this week, the reality is that for those who play in a league with 10 to 12 teams, there are going to be more than 10 to 12 weekly options for whom I'd advocate starting. Accordingly, I understand why the roster percentage will likely stay down for these players, despite their strong performances thus far.

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Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (49.2%): Carr has been absolutely incredible through three games, as he's now averaging over 400 yards per game and playing (arguably) the best football of his career. While the Raiders may not yet have a dominant receiver you can consistently trust in your fantasy lineup, they do have one of the best tight ends in the game (Darren Waller) and an allotment of useful pass-catchers. Carr can be your starting quarterback.

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Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings (32.3%): Cousins has been really, really good to start the season, with over 21 fantasy points in each of the Vikings' first three games. Cousins has been typically accurate, completing nearly 74% of his passes. As we have always known, he has excellent wide receivers to target and, whether it's Cook or Mattison, he also has an effective screen game that leads to yards after the catch. Cousins has been solid early this season and I suspect that will remain the case going forward.
 

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Wagerallsports

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Messages
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Fantasy football trade index and rest-of-season rankings: Derrick Henry is pulling away​

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It is not too often a wide receiver leads all of fantasy in PPR scoring, but credit to Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp. He enters Week 4 with the slight edge over Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady, who we hear has an interesting reunion game pending this week. Quarterbacks make up 11 of the top 14 scorers so far, with Kupp, Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry and Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams infiltrating the top scorers.

Not surprisingly, those aforementioned names all moved up in the end-of-season rankings, though only one of them usurps the top spot at his position. Check below and you will see. Still, there is ample movement, as always, and we continue to add our positional trade index to spice things up. Make those trades now and do not wait until it is too late!



Quarterback​

Rankings changes: New Rams leader Matthew Stafford may be the real-life MVP leader after another terrific performance, and he moves into the top 100 here, but remains just shy of the top 10 at his position. Hey, it is deep! Who would leave the top 10? Minnesota Vikings starter Kirk Cousins may deserve inclusion soon as well. Carolina Panthers starter Sam Darnold moves into solid QB2 territory while Pittsburgh Steelers disappointment Ben Roethlisberger and Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Trevor Lawrence move out. Week 3 was not a strong one for rookie passers. Is Justin Fields the problem for the Chicago Bears or may it be the mess around him?

Trade for: As expected, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen is back on track. May be too late to reasonably trade for him. Same with Chargers star Justin Herbert. He is already a dominant player. The price would be sky high.

Be cautious trading for: Consider backing off trading for any of the rookie passers, including Lawrence and Fields. It may not be their fault, but we may not see nice numbers for a while. Roethlisberger looks done. Jameis Winston averaging 130 passing yards per game does not excite. It would be something if he falls short of 2,500 passing yards, or more than half his 2019 total. Wow.

Running back​

Rankings changes: We have a new No. 1! Derrick Henry was already a star but now, even in PPR formats, his newfound use in the passing game pushes him to the top. Henry also boasts 80 rushing attempts! Joe Mixon is the only other RB with more than 52! Anyway, the latest Christian McCaffrey injury played a role in Henry moving up, too. The Carolina Panthers are without him again, perhaps only for a few weeks. Chuba Hubbard rises to relevant flex territory. The Giants' Saquon Barkley gets back into the top 10. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and James Robinson rebounded. Darrell Henderson Jr. and Elijah Mitchell did not play. Miles Sanders did, but it was tough to tell.

Trade for: Denver Broncos rookie Javonte Williams has RB2 status in is future. Do not wait. As for the other North Carolina rookie running back, the Jets' offense is so ineffective it may be tough for Michael Carter break out. Touted Steelers rookie Najee Harris is a major factor in the passing game. If the Lions' D'Andre Swift gets more touches, he may be a RB1 option.

Be cautious trading for: Many of us scoffed at the notion of McCaffrey having a durability problem, but perhaps that was a premature reaction. His talent is ridiculous, but we cannot go through what we did a season ago, when he played in a mere three games. We like the Robinson Week 3 workload for the Jaguars, but still, it is the Jaguars, and who knows what they do moving ahead. It is risky to trade for backups Hubbard and Alexander Mattison on the premise the starters keep getting hurt.

Wide receiver​

Rankings changes: Chargers veteran Mike Williams and Bengals rookie Ja'Marr Chase left us no choice with their play. Welcome to WR2 territory, fellows. Titans star A.J. Brown is off to a rough start, but he remains ahead of them, for now. What is going on with Steelers wide receivers and have the Panthers forgotten about Robby Anderson? By the way, we barely resisted adding new Chief Josh Gordon to the rankings. Perhaps next week.

Trade for: Chase may not get to Justin Jefferson numbers from a season ago, but he looks relatively safe, as rookies go. The Titans' Brown is going to be fine, assuming reasonable health. Speedy Baltimore Raven Marquise Brown just needs to drop fewer passes to flirt with WR2 status.

Be cautious trading for: Giants options. Jaguars options. Steelers options. It was nice to see Odell Beckham Jr. returning to the lineup but do not confuse him with a WR2 option. We are getting closer to Saints star Michael Thomas returning to his lineup, but do not assume he is a safe WR2 option, either.

Tight end​

Rankings changes: Perhaps we were too hasty in exalting Atlanta Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts to star status. So far, no star. Next drop may be out of the top 100, but they do have a Jets game approaching. Miami's Mike Gesicki saw volume. It may have nothing to do with the QB change. Travis Kelce opens up a larger lead and his own tier at the top, as Darren Waller and George Kittle are fine, but not statistically special lately. The Jaguars traded for Dan Arnold, so one presumes he will play a key role in the offense.

Trade for: Waller and Kittle will return to special statistics soon. Not sure trading for any tight end outside of the top three is wise.

Be cautious trading for: Certainly when Rob Gronkowski left Sunday's game after a hard hit his detractors wondered if he would miss games. He did not. Still, he is not 25. Pitts is 20. He may need a year or two.

Top-100 Rankings For Rest Of Season​

RANK PLAYERTEAMBYEPOS.
RANK
NEXT 3
1 Derrick HenryTEN13RB1@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
2 Alvin KamaraNO6RB2NYG, @WSH, BYE
3 Dalvin CookMIN7RB3CLE, DET, @CAR
4 Christian McCaffreyCAR13RB4@DAL, PHI, MIN
5 Jonathan TaylorIND14RB5@MIA, @BAL, HOU
6 Nick ChubbCLE13RB6@MIN, @LAC, ARI
7UPAaron JonesGB13RB7PIT, @CIN, @CHI
8 Austin EkelerLAC7RB8LV, CLE, @BAL
9 Davante AdamsGB13WR1PIT, @CIN, @CHI
10 Tyreek HillKC12WR2@PHI, BUF, @WSH
11 Travis KelceKC12TE1@PHI, BUF, @WSH
12UPSaquon BarkleyNYG10RB9@NO, @DAL, LAR
13 Ezekiel ElliottDAL7RB10CAR, NYG, @NE
14 Stefon DiggsBUF7WR3HOU, @KC, @TEN
15UPCooper KuppLAR11WR4ARI, @SEA, @NYG
16 DeAndre HopkinsARI12WR5@LAR, SF, @CLE
17 Joe MixonCIN10RB11JAX, GB, @DET
18 Najee HarrisPIT7RB12@GB, DEN, SEA
19 Antonio GibsonWSH9RB13@ATL, NO, KC
20 DK MetcalfSEA9WR6@SF, LAR, @PIT
21 Justin JeffersonMIN7WR7CLE, DET, @CAR
22 Calvin RidleyATL6WR8WSH, NYJ, BYE
23 Terry McLaurinWSH9WR9@ATL, NO, KC
24 David MontgomeryCHI10RB14DET, @LV, GB
25 D'Andre SwiftDET9RB15@CHI, @MIN, CIN
26UPChris CarsonSEA9RB16@SF, LAR, @PIT
27UPClyde Edwards-HelaireKC12RB17@PHI, BUF, @WSH
28DOWNDarren WallerLV8TE2@LAC, CHI, @den
29 George KittleSF6TE3SEA, @ARI, BYE
30 Patrick MahomesKC12QB1@PHI, BUF, @WSH
31 Kyler MurrayARI12QB2@LAR, SF, @CLE
32 Lamar JacksonBAL8QB3@den, IND, LAC
33 Mike EvansTB9WR10@NE, MIA, @PHI
34DOWNMiles SandersPHI14RB18KC, @CAR, TB
35 Keenan AllenLAC7WR11LV, CLE, @BAL
36 Tyler LockettSEA9WR12@SF, LAR, @PIT
37 Adam ThielenMIN7WR13CLE, DET, @CAR
38DOWNA.J. BrownTEN13WR14@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
39UPMike WilliamsLAC7WR15LV, CLE, @BAL
40UPJames RobinsonJAX7RB19@CIN, TEN, MIA
41UPJosh AllenBUF7QB4HOU, @KC, @TEN
42UPTom BradyTB9QB5@NE, MIA, @PHI
43UPRussell WilsonSEA9QB6@SF, LAR, @PIT
44UPJustin HerbertLAC7QB7LV, CLE, @BAL
45UPDak PrescottDAL7QB8CAR, NYG, @NE
46DOWNDamien HarrisNE14RB20TB, @HOU, DAL
47DOWNChris GodwinTB9WR16@NE, MIA, @PHI
48DOWNAllen Robinson IICHI10WR17DET, @LV, GB
49DOWNCeeDee LambDAL7WR18CAR, NYG, @NE
50DOWNJosh JacobsLV8RB21@LAC, CHI, @den
51UPJa'Marr ChaseCIN10WR19JAX, GB, @DET
52DOWNDJ MooreCAR13WR20@DAL, PHI, MIN
53UPJavonte WilliamsDEN11RB22BAL, @PIT, LV
54 Kareem HuntCLE13RB23@MIN, @LAC, ARI
55DOWNJulio JonesTEN13WR21@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
56 T.J. HockensonDET9TE4@CHI, @MIN, CIN
57 Mark AndrewsBAL8TE5@den, IND, LAC
58 Courtland SuttonDEN11WR22BAL, @PIT, LV
59DOWNAmari CooperDAL7WR23CAR, NYG, @NE
60 Myles GaskinMIA14RB24IND, @TB, @Jax
61 Deebo SamuelSF6WR24SEA, @ARI, BYE
62DOWNRob GronkowskiTB9TE6@NE, MIA, @PHI
63DOWNDarrell Henderson Jr.LAR11RB25ARI, @SEA, @NYG
64 Chase EdmondsARI12RB26@LAR, SF, @CLE
65UPMelvin Gordon IIIDEN11RB27BAL, @PIT, LV
66 Tee HigginsCIN10WR25JAX, GB, @DET
67UPBrandin CooksHOU10WR26@BUF, NE, @IND
68 Ty'Son WilliamsBAL8RB28@den, IND, LAC
69DOWNRobert WoodsLAR11WR27ARI, @SEA, @NYG
70UPJalen HurtsPHI14QB9KC, @CAR, TB
71DOWNKyle PittsATL6TE7WSH, NYJ, BYE
72UPNoah FantDEN11TE8BAL, @PIT, LV
73UPJames ConnerARI12RB29@LAR, SF, @CLE
74UPJaylen WaddleMIA14WR28IND, @TB, @Jax
75DOWNDevin SingletaryBUF7RB30HOU, @KC, @TEN
76 Logan ThomasWSH9TE9@ATL, NO, KC
77UPAaron RodgersGB13QB10PIT, @CIN, @CHI
78UPMatthew StaffordLAR11QB11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
79UPMarquise BrownBAL8WR29@den, IND, LAC
80DOWNDeVonta SmithPHI14WR30KC, @CAR, TB
81DOWNDiontae JohnsonPIT7WR31@GB, DEN, SEA
82 Mike DavisATL6RB31WSH, NYJ, BYE
83 Chase ClaypoolPIT7WR32@GB, DEN, SEA
84DOWNAntonio BrownTB9WR33@NE, MIA, @PHI
85 Leonard FournetteTB9RB32@NE, MIA, @PHI
86DOWNElijah MitchellSF6RB33SEA, @ARI, BYE
87UPBrandon AiyukSF6WR34SEA, @ARI, BYE
88DOWNCorey DavisNYJ6WR35TEN, @ATL, BYE
89 DJ Chark Jr.JAX7WR36@CIN, TEN, MIA
90DOWNJuJu Smith-SchusterPIT7WR37@GB, DEN, SEA
91 Michael CarterNYJ6RB34TEN, @ATL, BYE
92DOWNKenny GolladayNYG10WR38@NO, @DAL, LAR
93 Rondale MooreARI12WR39@LAR, SF, @CLE
94DOWNRobby AndersonCAR13WR40@DAL, PHI, MIN
95 Michael Pittman Jr.IND14WR41@MIA, @BAL, HOU
96 Henry Ruggs IIILV8WR42@LAC, CHI, @den
97 Kenyan DrakeLV8RB35@LAC, CHI, @den
98 Tony PollardDAL7RB36CAR, NYG, @NE
99 Tyler BoydCIN10WR43JAX, GB, @DET
100 Jamaal WilliamsDET9RB37@CHI, @MIN, CIN

Top Quarterbacks For Rest Of Season​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
130 Patrick MahomesKC12@PHI, BUF, @WSH
231 Kyler MurrayARI12@LAR, SF, @CLE
332 Lamar JacksonBAL8@den, IND, LAC
441 Josh AllenBUF7HOU, @KC, @TEN
542 Tom BradyTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
643 Russell WilsonSEA9@SF, LAR, @PIT
744 Justin HerbertLAC7LV, CLE, @BAL
845 Dak PrescottDAL7CAR, NYG, @NE
970 Jalen HurtsPHI14KC, @CAR, TB
1077 Aaron RodgersGB13PIT, @CIN, @CHI
1178 Matthew StaffordLAR11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
12114 Ryan TannehillTEN13@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
13115 Kirk CousinsMIN7CLE, DET, @CAR
14116 Derek CarrLV8@LAC, CHI, @den
15120 Joe BurrowCIN10JAX, GB, @DET
16131UPSam DarnoldCAR13@DAL, PHI, MIN
17133UPDaniel JonesNYG10@NO, @DAL, LAR
18134 Baker MayfieldCLE13@MIN, @LAC, ARI
19137 Teddy BridgewaterDEN11BAL, @PIT, LV
20138 Matt RyanATL6WSH, NYJ, BYE
21157DOWNBen RoethlisbergerPIT7@GB, DEN, SEA
22165UPJimmy GaroppoloSF6SEA, @ARI, BYE
23169 Trevor LawrenceJAX7@CIN, TEN, MIA
24171 Taylor HeinickeWSH9@ATL, NO, KC
25172DOWNJameis WinstonNO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
26173 Mac JonesNE14TB, @HOU, DAL
27174 Carson WentzIND14@MIA, @BAL, HOU
28175DOWNJustin FieldsCHI10DET, @LV, GB
29176 Trey LanceSF6SEA, @ARI, BYE
30177 Tua TagovailoaMIA14IND, @TB, @Jax
31178DOWNJared GoffDET9@CHI, @MIN, CIN
32181 Zach WilsonNYJ6TEN, @ATL, BYE
33NR Andy DaltonCHI10DET, @LV, GB
34NR Jacoby BrissettMIA14IND, @TB, @Jax
35NR Tyrod TaylorHOU10@BUF, NE, @IND
36NR Davis MillsHOU10@BUF, NE, @IND
37NR Taysom HillNO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
38NR Jacob EasonIND14@MIA, @BAL, HOU
39NR Drew LockDEN11BAL, @PIT, LV
40NR Ryan FitzpatrickWSH9@ATL, NO, KC

Top Running Backs For Rest Of Season​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
11 Derrick HenryTEN13@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
22 Alvin KamaraNO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
33 Dalvin CookMIN7CLE, DET, @CAR
44DOWNChristian McCaffreyCAR13@DAL, PHI, MIN
55 Jonathan TaylorIND14@MIA, @BAL, HOU
66 Nick ChubbCLE13@MIN, @LAC, ARI
77 Aaron JonesGB13PIT, @CIN, @CHI
88 Austin EkelerLAC7LV, CLE, @BAL
912UPSaquon BarkleyNYG10@NO, @DAL, LAR
1013DOWNEzekiel ElliottDAL7CAR, NYG, @NE
1117 Joe MixonCIN10JAX, GB, @DET
1218 Najee HarrisPIT7@GB, DEN, SEA
1319 Antonio GibsonWSH9@ATL, NO, KC
1424 David MontgomeryCHI10DET, @LV, GB
1525 D'Andre SwiftDET9@CHI, @MIN, CIN
1626 Chris CarsonSEA9@SF, LAR, @PIT
1727 Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC12@PHI, BUF, @WSH
1834 Miles SandersPHI14KC, @CAR, TB
1940UPJames RobinsonJAX7@CIN, TEN, MIA
2046DOWNDamien HarrisNE14TB, @HOU, DAL
2150 Josh JacobsLV8@LAC, CHI, @den
2253UPJavonte WilliamsDEN11BAL, @PIT, LV
2354 Kareem HuntCLE13@MIN, @LAC, ARI
2460 Myles GaskinMIA14IND, @TB, @Jax
2563 Darrell Henderson Jr.LAR11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
2664 Chase EdmondsARI12@LAR, SF, @CLE
2765UPMelvin Gordon IIIDEN11BAL, @PIT, LV
2868 Ty'Son WilliamsBAL8@den, IND, LAC
2973UPJames ConnerARI12@LAR, SF, @CLE
3075DOWNDevin SingletaryBUF7HOU, @KC, @TEN
3182 Mike DavisATL6WSH, NYJ, BYE
3285 Leonard FournetteTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
3386DOWNElijah MitchellSF6SEA, @ARI, BYE
3491 Michael CarterNYJ6TEN, @ATL, BYE
3597 Kenyan DrakeLV8@LAC, CHI, @den
3698 Tony PollardDAL7CAR, NYG, @NE
37100 Jamaal WilliamsDET9@CHI, @MIN, CIN
38101 Latavius MurrayBAL8@den, IND, LAC
39102 AJ DillonGB13PIT, @CIN, @CHI
40103UPChuba HubbardCAR13@DAL, PHI, MIN
41104UPAlexander MattisonMIN7CLE, DET, @CAR
42109 Sony MichelLAR11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
43110 Nyheim HinesIND14@MIA, @BAL, HOU
44111 J.D. McKissicWSH9@ATL, NO, KC
45113 Kenneth GainwellPHI14KC, @CAR, TB
46118 Cordarrelle PattersonATL6WSH, NYJ, BYE
47121 Zack MossBUF7HOU, @KC, @TEN
48123 Mark Ingram IIHOU10@BUF, NE, @IND
49132UPGiovani BernardTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
50135DOWNJames WhiteNE14TB, @HOU, DAL
51140 Trey SermonSF6SEA, @ARI, BYE
52141 Phillip LindsayHOU10@BUF, NE, @IND
53144DOWNRonald Jones IITB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
54146 Tony Jones Jr.NO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
55158 David JohnsonHOU10@BUF, NE, @IND
56159UPPeyton BarberLV8@LAC, CHI, @den
57161 Larry Rountree IIILAC7LV, CLE, @BAL
58168 Carlos HydeJAX7@CIN, TEN, MIA
59NR Damien WilliamsCHI10DET, @LV, GB
60NR Tevin ColemanNYJ6TEN, @ATL, BYE

Top Wide Receivers For Rest Of Season​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
19 Davante AdamsGB13PIT, @CIN, @CHI
210 Tyreek HillKC12@PHI, BUF, @WSH
314 Stefon DiggsBUF7HOU, @KC, @TEN
415UPCooper KuppLAR11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
516 DeAndre HopkinsARI12@LAR, SF, @CLE
620 DK MetcalfSEA9@SF, LAR, @PIT
721 Justin JeffersonMIN7CLE, DET, @CAR
822 Calvin RidleyATL6WSH, NYJ, BYE
923 Terry McLaurinWSH9@ATL, NO, KC
1033 Mike EvansTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
1135 Keenan AllenLAC7LV, CLE, @BAL
1236 Tyler LockettSEA9@SF, LAR, @PIT
1337 Adam ThielenMIN7CLE, DET, @CAR
1438DOWNA.J. BrownTEN13@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
1539UPMike WilliamsLAC7LV, CLE, @BAL
1647 Chris GodwinTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
1748 Allen Robinson IICHI10DET, @LV, GB
1849 CeeDee LambDAL7CAR, NYG, @NE
1951UPJa'Marr ChaseCIN10JAX, GB, @DET
2052 DJ MooreCAR13@DAL, PHI, MIN
2155 Julio JonesTEN13@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
2258 Courtland SuttonDEN11BAL, @PIT, LV
2359DOWNAmari CooperDAL7CAR, NYG, @NE
2461 Deebo SamuelSF6SEA, @ARI, BYE
2566 Tee HigginsCIN10JAX, GB, @DET
2667UPBrandin CooksHOU10@BUF, NE, @IND
2769DOWNRobert WoodsLAR11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
2874UPJaylen WaddleMIA14IND, @TB, @Jax
2979UPMarquise BrownBAL8@den, IND, LAC
3080 DeVonta SmithPHI14KC, @CAR, TB
3181 Diontae JohnsonPIT7@GB, DEN, SEA
3283 Chase ClaypoolPIT7@GB, DEN, SEA
3384DOWNAntonio BrownTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
3487UPBrandon AiyukSF6SEA, @ARI, BYE
3588DOWNCorey DavisNYJ6TEN, @ATL, BYE
3689 DJ Chark Jr.JAX7@CIN, TEN, MIA
3790DOWNJuJu Smith-SchusterPIT7@GB, DEN, SEA
3892DOWNKenny GolladayNYG10@NO, @DAL, LAR
3993 Rondale MooreARI12@LAR, SF, @CLE
4094DOWNRobby AndersonCAR13@DAL, PHI, MIN
4195 Michael Pittman Jr.IND14@MIA, @BAL, HOU
4296DOWNHenry Ruggs IIILV8@LAC, CHI, @den
4399 Tyler BoydCIN10JAX, GB, @DET
44106UPJakobi MeyersNE14TB, @HOU, DAL
45107 William Fuller VMIA14IND, @TB, @Jax
46108 Odell Beckham Jr.CLE13@MIN, @LAC, ARI
47112DOWNLaviska Shenault Jr.JAX7@CIN, TEN, MIA
48122 Michael ThomasNO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
49125 Marvin Jones Jr.JAX7@CIN, TEN, MIA
50128 Sterling ShepardNYG10@NO, @DAL, LAR
51139 Jalen ReagorPHI14KC, @CAR, TB
52142UPEmmanuel SandersBUF7HOU, @KC, @TEN
53143UPMarquez CallawayNO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
54145UPCole BeasleyBUF7HOU, @KC, @TEN
55148 Elijah MooreNYJ6TEN, @ATL, BYE
56149UPHunter RenfrowLV8@LAC, CHI, @den
57150DOWNDarius SlaytonNYG10@NO, @DAL, LAR
58151 K.J. OsbornMIN7CLE, DET, @CAR
59153DOWNMecole HardmanKC12@PHI, BUF, @WSH
60155 DeVante ParkerMIA14IND, @TB, @Jax

Top Tight Ends For Rest Of Season​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
111 Travis KelceKC12@PHI, BUF, @WSH
228 Darren WallerLV8@LAC, CHI, @den
329 George KittleSF6SEA, @ARI, BYE
456 T.J. HockensonDET9@CHI, @MIN, CIN
557 Mark AndrewsBAL8@den, IND, LAC
662 Rob GronkowskiTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
771 Kyle PittsATL6WSH, NYJ, BYE
872 Noah FantDEN11BAL, @PIT, LV
976 Logan ThomasWSH9@ATL, NO, KC
10105 Tyler HigbeeLAR11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
11117UPMike GesickiMIA14IND, @TB, @Jax
12119 Dallas GoedertPHI14KC, @CAR, TB
13124 Robert TonyanGB13PIT, @CIN, @CHI
14126UPDalton SchultzDAL7CAR, NYG, @NE
15127 Hunter HenryNE14TB, @HOU, DAL
16129 Jared CookLAC7LV, CLE, @BAL
17130DOWNJonnu SmithNE14TB, @HOU, DAL
18136 Austin HooperCLE13@MIN, @LAC, ARI
19147 Zach ErtzPHI14KC, @CAR, TB
20154 Cole KmetCHI10DET, @LV, GB
21160 Blake JarwinDAL7CAR, NYG, @NE
22164 Jack DoyleIND14@MIA, @BAL, HOU
23184 Eric EbronPIT7@GB, DEN, SEA
24185 Juwan JohnsonNO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
25187UPDan ArnoldJAX7@CIN, TEN, MIA
26200UPDawson KnoxBUF7HOU, @KC, @TEN
27NR O.J. HowardTB9@NE, MIA, @PHI
28NRDOWNGerald EverettSEA9@SF, LAR, @PIT
29NR Hayden HurstATL6WSH, NYJ, BYE
30NRUPTyler ConklinMIN7CLE, DET, @CAR
31NRUPPat FreiermuthPIT7@GB, DEN, SEA
32NRDOWNAnthony FirkserTEN13@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
33NR Maxx WilliamsARI12@LAR, SF, @CLE
34NR Foster MoreauLV8@LAC, CHI, @den
35NRDOWNAdam TrautmanNO6NYG, @WSH, BYE
36NR Pharaoh BrownHOU10@BUF, NE, @IND
37NRUPTommy TrembleCAR13@DAL, PHI, MIN
38NR Evan EngramNYG10@NO, @DAL, LAR
39NR Harrison BryantCLE13@MIN, @LAC, ARI
40NR Albert OkwuegbunamDEN11BAL, @PIT, LV

Top D/STs For Rest Of Season​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
TEAMBYENEXT 3
1152 Buccaneers D/ST9@NE, MIA, @PHI
2183 Rams D/ST11ARI, @SEA, @NYG
3191 Bills D/ST7HOU, @KC, @TEN
4192UP49ers D/ST6SEA, @ARI, BYE
5193 Steelers D/ST7@GB, DEN, SEA
6194 Browns D/ST13@MIN, @LAC, ARI
7195 Patriots D/ST14TB, @HOU, DAL
8196DOWNRavens D/ST8@den, IND, LAC
9197 Broncos D/ST11BAL, @PIT, LV
10198 Saints D/ST6NYG, @WSH, BYE
11199UPPanthers D/ST13@DAL, PHI, MIN
12NR Colts D/ST14@MIA, @BAL, HOU
13NRUPVikings D/ST7CLE, DET, @CAR
14NRDOWNBears D/ST10DET, @LV, GB
15NR Eagles D/ST14KC, @CAR, TB
16NRUPPackers D/ST13PIT, @CIN, @CHI
17NRDOWNWashington D/ST9@ATL, NO, KC
18NRDOWNChiefs D/ST12@PHI, BUF, @WSH
19NR Cardinals D/ST12@LAR, SF, @CLE
20NRDOWNDolphins D/ST14IND, @TB, @Jax
21NR Chargers D/ST7LV, CLE, @BAL
22NR Seahawks D/ST9@SF, LAR, @PIT
23NR Giants D/ST10@NO, @DAL, LAR
24NR Titans D/ST13@NYJ, @Jax, BUF
25NR Cowboys D/ST7CAR, NYG, @NE
26NR Jets D/ST6TEN, @ATL, BYE
27NR Raiders D/ST8@LAC, CHI, @den
28NR Bengals D/ST10JAX, GB, @DET
29NR Falcons D/ST6WSH, NYJ, BYE
30NR Texans D/ST10@BUF, NE, @IND
31NR Lions D/ST9@CHI, @MIN, CIN
32NR Jaguars D/ST7@CIN, TEN, MIA
 

Wagerallsports

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First look at fantasy football for NFL Week 4: Uncertain RB situations, Mike Williams and more​

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady seems all but guaranteed to make history in the highlight game of Week 4, and he will do so in a stadium where he has made lots of history previously. Brady, who famously led the New England Patriots to unparalleled success for two decades, makes his road return to Massachusetts on "Sunday Night Football" versus legendary coach Bill Belichick and his former franchise. Brady needs a mere 68 passing yards to break Drew Brees' NFL mark, and he can do so back in New England. We must watch!

For fantasy purposes, however, the quarterbacks are not really the story of this game. After all, Brady is universally rostered, and for Week 3, a tough road game against the Los Angeles Rams, he was active in more than 75% of ESPN standard leagues. That figure should be higher in Week 4. Put simply, after 56.8 PPR points in three games, Brady forces us to play him. Then there is Patriots rookie Mac Jones, rostered in 17% of leagues and barely active in any of them, and that should not change against the challenging Buccaneers defense, either.

No, this matchup -- at least in fantasy -- might be about the running backs. For the Patriots, there was very little running game in a Week 3 loss to the New Orleans Saints, as Damien Harris turned his six carries into a mere 14 yards. His pair of receptions actually cost the team 3 yards. Harris ran well the first two games of the season and saw ample touches, and he has already caught five passes in three games, matching his season total from 2020. Still, if opposing defenses force the raw Jones to throw, it might be a problem for Harris. Keep the faith for now, but there are concerns.

On the Tampa Bay side, Brady led the team in rushing yards in Sunday's loss to the Rams, as Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II continue to underwhelm. Fournette has a mere 84 rushing yards this season, though he is a factor in the passing game. On Sunday, Giovani Bernard was a bigger factor, scoring 20.1 PPR points. Jones has 5.1 PPR points after three games. Fantasy managers have been moving on from him already. Fournette remains universally rostered, but is not much of a worthy flex option. Bernard is not a pickup yet, but he could be soon, if healthy.

Another Buccaneer to watch returning to New England is wide receiver Antonio Brown, currently on the COVID-19 reserve list. He missed the Rams game but should be available to face the Patriots, with whom he famously played in one game during the 2019 season. Brown, 32, remains talented, though Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and mercurial tight end Rob Gronkowski -- who also has quite the history in New England -- play larger roles in the offense.

Huge NFC West matchup

Speaking of the unbeaten Rams, they host the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals this week, and running backs will again be a focus for fantasy managers. The Rams' Darrell Henderson Jr. missed the Week 3 game with a rib injury, and former Patriot Sony Michel handled a heavy workload, though he barely made it to double-digit PPR points. If Henderson returns, this might be a timeshare situation. On the Arizona side, after an uninspiring start to the season, James Conner scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the win over the beleaguered Jacksonville Jaguars. Chase Edmonds, who catches passes, remains the better fantasy option, but this ongoing timeshare restricts each player from RB2 status.

One more Rams note: While Cooper Kupp looks like a prime Jerry Rice these days, and others, such as DeSean Jackson and Van Jefferson, continue their relevance, Robert Woods investors continue to sigh. Most evaluators regarded Kupp and Woods as similar in the preseason as mid-to-late WR2 types, but Kupp is currently dominating ... while Woods has 31 PPR points so far. Woods should improve, but he is more flex choice than clear fantasy starter moving ahead. It remains a bit too early to give up on numerous wide receivers off to slow starts, such as Woods, Allen Robinson II and Robby Anderson.

Injuries to watch

Running back is also the focus here, and not because of Henderson or Las Vegas Raiders starter Josh Jacobs, who missed the past two games with an ankle injury. Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook was the No. 2 player in ESPN ADP and he missed Sunday's game with a sprained ankle, though fantasy managers did not get clarity until the morning of the game. Alexander Mattison starred in his absence against the Seattle Seahawks, netting 23.1 PPR points, more than Cook had attained in either of the first two games. There is no controversy here; Cook is the starter when healthy, and perhaps in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns, but fantasy managers must roster Mattison just in case. A star lurks.

As for wide receivers to watch, Tennessee Titans star A.J. Brown left Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts in the first half with a hamstring injury, this after catching nary a pass. Brown has 7 catches and fewer than 100 receiving yards after three games, which is not what fantasy managers expected. The Titans play the New York Jets Sunday, a favorable matchup, but the Titans might be cautious knowing they are heavy favorites. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Steelers starter JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) left Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals early, while the Bengals' Tee Higgins (shoulder) did not play at all.

Monday night madness


The Raiders play the Los Angeles Chargers and will have to deal not merely with Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen, but with one of the emerging stars of the young season in Mike Williams. It took a few years for him to arrive at proper consistency with health and performance, but Williams boasts four touchdown receptions and 77.5 PPR points already, making him a clear WR2 entering this contest. The Chargers took down the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, but Williams was active in only 50% of ESPN leagues. Fantasy managers must take Williams more seriously.

As for the Raiders, off to a magical 3-0 start including Sunday's overtime win over the Miami Dolphins, we await clarity on whether Jacobs suits up, but given the way Peyton Barber ran on Sunday perhaps they exercise their own caution. Barber, with his third franchise in as many seasons, ran for 111 yards and a touchdown Sunday, and caught three passes. Kenyan Drake continues to earn his fantasy points mainly in the receiving game, but as long as Jacobs is out, Barber might earn RB2 status. It is good to have depth.
 

Wagerallsports

Wagerallsports

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Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 5: Essential RB pickups​

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Somehow, we've made it almost one quarter of the way through the NFL's regular season.

The fantasy regular season is more than a quarter of the way through and right now is about when you know what you need. And that's my bit of advice for you as you ponder the waiver wire this week: take a good hard look at your roster and size up what you most desire.

There isn't a guarantee that every week will include a bunch of must adds. In fact, many weeks there are not. But now is a good time to see if you might be in need of a bench wide receiver who has a high floor. Maybe a backup quarterback whose matchup you like when your regular starter will be on a bye. Maybe the insurance back to your best running back.

It's always good to know your needs.

Here's the Week 5 ESPN Fantasy waiver wire column.

Note: All players listed below are available in over 50% of leagues on ESPN.


i

Damien Williams, RB, Chicago Bears (10.4%): The Bears were dealt a major blow when starter David Montgomery left Week 4 due to a left knee injury, opening the door to Williams stepping into a larger role. Williams handled eight carries, scored a touchdown and caught two passes, one area that he especially excels in.

Williams did deal with a quad injury late in the game, though there are no indications on the severity as of yet. The Bears are thin at running back - especially until Tarik Cohen returns - making Williams an essential add. Should it appears that Williams will miss any time, Khalil Herbert is the only other running back on the active roster and should be added as well.

i

Samaje Perine, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (1.5%): With news from colleague Adam Schefter that Joe Mixon has a low-grade ankle sprain that has left him week-to-week, Perine profiles as the next man up in the Bengals' backfield. While rookie Chris Evans could figure into the mix as well, Perine has the likelier shot at a steady workload. Perine has filled in on occasion for Mixon in the past and while he's clearly not the same level of explosive and adept in the passing game, he's useful enough that he should be added in all leagues.

i

Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys (20.9%): The Cowboys have an endless supply of pass catchers and Schultz has been scorching over the past two weeks. He's scored three touchdowns in those games and now has exactly six catches in three of their four games this season. Tight end is the hardest position to find consistent production in fantasy, and even with Schultz playing alongside Blake Jarwin (who also found the end zone), he's proven there's plenty of fantasy points to be had.

i

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Buffalo Bills (44.4%): Another week, another five catches for Sanders. It's clear that he's the Bills' number two wide receiver and his volume is steady: he's seen at least six targets in all four games this year. Sanders has not lost his speed, is an exceptional route runner, and plays with one of the best quarterbacks in football. A useful add and stash or deep league flex.

i

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (24.7%): The Eagles' backfield is tough to size up right now. While Miles Sanders is the starter, he has just eight carries over the past two weeks, with Philly's porous defensive play leading to the offense having to throw a ton. But all that throwing has helped the value of Gainwell, who had six catches in Week 4 and three in Week 3 despite playing a decided smaller number of snaps than Sanders. He's a deeper league add to stash, especially as benches become more useful when bye weeks pick up.

i

Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets (14.2%): Making his season debut in Week 4, Crowder did what he normally does: piled up targets and produced. The slot option hauled in seven catches for 63 yards and a touchdown during the Jets' initial victory of the season. While Elijah Moore will likely be the slot receiver of the future, Crowder is a useful piece of the passing game this season and until Moore returns (concussion). I'd grab Crowder as an add and stash in 12-team or larger leagues.


i

Sam Darnold, QB, Carolina Panthers (9.0%): Who amongst us didn't expect Sam Darnold to be leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns so far this season? It's difficult to forecast that Darnold will continue this torrid pace he's on as a runner, as five touchdowns through four games is highly unusual. That being said, Darnold is playing really strong football, has an excellent group of pass catches to distribute the ball to and there are going to be opportunities as a runner near the goal line, so there's a chance he'll sprinkle a few more in. Bye weeks are coming around the corner Darnold is a smart add to potentially use now or when your normal starter is sitting.

i

Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers (19.8%): The exciting rookie has a chance to start until Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) returns, though a strong audition would seem likely to lead into an extended stay under center. In relief duty in Week 4, Lance accounted over 20 fantasy points, over four of which came with his legs. And while there's no doubt that Lance will need to develop as a thrower, the upside he presents with his legs is exceptional. I'd be looking to add Lance now and see if he can quickly develop into a dynamic fantasy star; we've seen it in recent years, including with Jalen Hurts just last season.

i


Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears (41.4%): The Bears' offense found life in Week 4 with Justin Fields making his second start, as he connected with Mooney for five catches and a season-high 125 yards. The flat-out flier now has five catches or more in three of four games this season and while he's yet to find the end zone, he's absorbing a notable target share and has obvious talent. He's another bench add to consider, especially if Fields' growth comes rapidly for as long as he's the starter. He throws an exceptional deep ball.


i

A.J. Green, WR, Arizona Cardinals (27.2%): The fountain of youth! Green has back-to-back games with at least five catches and over 13 fantasy points in three straight games. We've written about teammates Rondale Moore and Christian Kirk in this space before and the logic that we used then will apply here: you want as much of this Cardinals offense as you can get. Kyler Murray is en fuego and players like Green have helped that become the case. Green can be added as a bench stash.

i

Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills (19.3%): The Bills' offense looks much more like... the Bills offense. Buffalo has been shredding defenses in recent weeks after a sluggish start in Week 1, in part because of Knox's rise. He's got four touchdowns in his last three games and is an emerging player. While he's likely his team's fourth or fifth option in the passing game, he's still a possible add given the dearth of tight ends.
 

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Wagerallsports

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First look at fantasy football for NFL Week 5: Christian McCaffrey eyes return​

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The first thing to know about the Week 5 fantasy football slate for Sunday is that it actually begins in the morning. Rookie Zach Wilson and the New York Jets, fresh off their first win of the season, face Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons, fresh off a discouraging loss, at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 9:30 a.m. ET. Perhaps Harry Kane will attend. Fantasy managers love their handful of standalone Sunday morning games, but chances are someone in your league(s) forgets they are happening, wakes up at halftime and begs for roster maneuvering forgiveness. Commissioners, do not fall for this.

Something else fantasy managers might not want to fall for is Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson, one of the more surprising PPR stars of the first month of the season. Patterson, a 30-year-old journeyman of five franchises who scored seven touchdowns from scrimmage in the past four seasons, now has five of them in the past three weeks alone, including his three on Sunday. He scored a career-best 34.6 PPR points Sunday, and this season he has already outscored -- for fantasy -- his 2019 and 2020 seasons. Can this continue? Well, not nearly at this rate, but Patterson can remain relevant as a flex option.

Patterson hardly gets enough snaps for this mighty level of efficiency to continue, but he does earn touches on nearly half his snaps. That is simply wild! Perhaps we said this entering Week 4, and yeah, in Week 5 he gets the Jets, but still, trading for Patterson is risky. We love how much the Falcons focus on him when he is on the field, but opposing defenses have to figure this out, too. What is odd is that Ryan rarely looks downfield now. He lost Julio Jones, sure, but he still has Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts. Ryan has averaged fewer than 7 yards per pass attempt each week, which is low for him and unlikely to continue.

Regardless, it makes sense to rely on Patterson in Week 5 and perhaps a bit longer, certainly over starter Mike Davis, who salvaged another disappointing fantasy game Sunday with a receiving score but is not doing much. The Falcons do not defend well, and they cannot open reasonable running space for the aforementioned running backs -- and Wayne Gallman, who got a chance Sunday -- so Ryan keeps on throwing. He just figures to throw a ton more to Ridley and Pitts, and these touchdowns will slow down. Most of them time, after all, they do.

Return of the great one

The Carolina Panthers expect RB Christian McCaffrey back in their lineup for the Week 5 home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and not a moment too soon for fantasy managers everywhere. McCaffrey amassed 52.4 PPR points the first two weeks of this season and then suffered a hamstring strain during Week 3 and missed this past Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing against talented rookie Chuba Hubbard, who scored 9.1 PPR points at Dallas, but there is nobody like McCaffrey. Check in with health updates as the week progresses and, for those concerned the next McCaffrey injury is just around the bend, consider trading him before it happens. Hey, he played in three games last season. It might be a trend ... or he might end up fantasy's top option.

Meanwhile, Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery has a pending MRI on his left knee scheduled for Monday. He rushed for 106 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns (22.6 PPR points) in the win over the Detroit Lions before exiting, and in a fantasy world in which we cannot find 20 reliable running backs, he surely is one of them. Former Kansas City Chiefs great Damien Williams, who scored 15 PPR points in relief Sunday, is the valuable backup, and potentially the hottest pickup of the week if Montgomery is out long term, but then again, Williams did not finish the game himself. He has a quad injury.

As for other injury situations to watch, check out quarterback with San Francisco 49ers starter Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) and the Denver Broncos with Teddy Bridgewater. If Garoppolo sits in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, intriguing rookie Trey Lance would get the nod, and fantasy managers would become very interested. If Bridgewater misses time with a concussion, Drew Lock would play against the sputtering Pittsburgh Steelers, and that is not quite as exciting.

Arizona's new, old star

As for that final NFC unbeaten team, the Kyler Murray-led Cardinals, they face another tough NFC West matchup against the 49ers. Murray continues his MVP level of performance, though his three-game streak of rushing for a touchdown ended in Sunday's blowout win over the Los Angeles Rams. James Conner rushed for multiple touchdowns for the second consecutive game, while Chase Edmonds remains a safe flex option. What is new of late is at wide receiver.

Speedy Rondale Moore was one of the Week 2 stars, catching 114 yards worth of passes including a touchdown, and the fantasy world could not get enough of him. Since then, Moore has been less, scoring 9.1 PPR points over two games, while former Cincinnati Bengals franchise icon A.J. Green continues his relevant role. He should be one of the more popular fantasy pickups this week.

Green, 33, missed the 2019 season and last year averaged a mere 5 yards per target, but with Murray he is rolling along, reminding us of his Pro Bowl days. While defenses pay close attention to Hopkins, Green gets single coverage. He caught a 41-yard touchdown on Sunday, dragging a defender over the goal line after a long catch, and he has averaged 16 PPR points over the past three games. Hopkins, incidentally, has not reached 16 PPR points in any of those games.

Monday night madness


The Indianapolis Colts return to their franchise beginnings in Baltimore to face the Ravens (they bolted Maryland for Indiana for the 1984 season). For fantasy purposes, there are few similarities between these teams. The Ravens' Lamar Jackson is one of the most valuable quarterbacks in fantasy, while the Colts' Carson Wentz is surely not. Jonathan Taylor is one of the most valuable running backs around for Indy, but the Ravens, in their Sunday win at Denver, relied on castoffs Latavius Murray, Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman, benching the once-promising Ty'Son Williams. Murray looks like the Ravens running back to roster for now, but that will likely change.

Check out wide receiver for potential value on these teams. The Ravens' Marquise Brown has scored a touchdown in three of four games this season, as he redirects the narrative about his many dropped passes. Brown scored on a pretty, 49-yard, diving grab of a Jackson pass at Denver, and is well on his way to 1,000 receiving yards, after leading the Ravens with only 769 of them last season. He remains available in more than 10% of ESPN standard leagues. As for the Colts, Michael Pittman Jr. is available in more leagues, and by far the top Wentz target. The second-year player from USC should find the end zone soon, so do not despair. Pittman has 32 targets over the past three games.
 

Wagerallsports

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Fantasy football flex and superflex rankings for Week 5​

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Welcome to Week 5 of the fantasy football season and the latest edition of the superflex rankings, as we combine the best of the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends -- and the quarterbacks now! -- into one tidy package of 150 names to aid in your decision-making. Remember, this is a special week, in that there is a London game on Sunday morning (Jets-Falcons), and, in addition, this is the final week of games until the byes begin. We all love those! Good luck in Week 5 and beyond!

1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: Still only one big fantasy game, but the way the Chiefs defend, this should be No. 2.
2. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs:
Could not have made his five-TD performance at the Eagles look easier. Buffalo will be more of a challenge.
4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
5. Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers:
Perhaps his 11-point outing at New England will be his worst game of the season. Expected so much more.
6. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans: Has 14 catches on 15 targets, which seems unsustainable, but clearly he has more of a role in the passing game.
7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
8. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys:
Are his days of adding rushing value gone? He always likes facing the Giants.
9. Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
10. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
11. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams:
Fantasy clunker against Arizona, but the entire offense looked flat. He will bounce back.
12. Davante Adams, WR, Packers
13. Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs:
Two great games. Two nothing games. Would like to see just all good games.
14. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
15. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants:
He is definitely back. Just. Stay. Healthy.
16. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys: Touchdowns in three consecutive games, but has anyone noticed he is barely a factor in the passing game?
17. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
18. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
19. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles:
More than 20 PPR points in each game. Even when the team stinks -- and they will again -- he gets his numbers.
20. Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
21. DJ Moore, WR, Panthers:
It is not just one game. He has four excellent games. Graduating into WR1 territory.
22. Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills: So many targets. Honestly, the window to buy low is just about run out. Big game coming Sunday.
23. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs: Amazing how Philly, with no linebackers, is the game Kelce provides disappointing numbers.
24. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers: More targets than Kelce this season. Extremely high floor for fantasy stats here.
25. Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
26. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
27. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
28. Sam Darnold, QB, Panthers:
If you think he will rush for 20 touchdowns, then by all means deal for him. He cannot rush for 20 touchdowns.
29. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans
30. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks:
Amazing how someone with touchdowns in three of four games can be mildly disappointing so far. Invest.
31. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington
32. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
33. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars:
Well, amidst a disappointing circus around him, nobody can say a bad word about him so far.
34. Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
35. D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions:
More volume should equal a run into RB1 territory soon. The time-share could become one-sided.
36. Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
37. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
38. Trey Lance, QB, 49ers:
No guarantee he starts Week 5 over recovering Jimmy Garoppolo, but honestly, what are they waiting for?
39. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
40. Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons:
So many targets, things will work out fine. Remember, not that you sit him, but his game is Sunday morning.
41. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
42. Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers:
Looks like it is very challenging to cover him. Making a run at WR1 status.
43. Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals: This offense can actually support three runners, including the QB. Would be nice if Edmonds scored an occasional TD, though.
44. Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks
45. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts:
About to fall from RB1 discussion and really, is it his fault? No asterisks in fantasy, though.
46. Darren Waller, TE, Raiders: Something to consider, he has exactly seven targets in each of past three games. We may be overrating him in the big picture.
47. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
48. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals:
Obvious buy-low candidate, but ... what if he is just a WR2 now? Low target share.
49. A.J. Brown, WR, Titans: Hamstring injury cost him Week 4, and probably the offense's ability to move the ball. Figures to play this week. Make sure first.
50. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
51. Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings:
Rough Week 4, but now he gets the Lions. Vikings employ two safe, top-15 WRs.
52. Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
53. Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington
54. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
55. Jared Goff, QB, Lions
56. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots:
Well, he gets the Texans this week. Have to assume some numbers. Still like the long-term outlook here.
57. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Broncos: Could come off concussion protocol by Sunday. If not, Drew Lock gets the Steelers. You probably do not want Lock.
58. Jacoby Brissett, QB, Dolphins
59. Carson Wentz, QB, Colts
60. Jameis Winston, QB, Saints:
Still stunning that he has 86 pass attempts in four weeks, and 60 rushing yards. You cannot rely on him in fantasy.
61. Zach Wilson, QB, Jets: Showed signs of future stardom in Sunday's win. It remains early.
62. Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
63. Justin Fields, QB, Bears:
Blame the decision-makers around him. Honestly, this fellow should be great, and that means great right now. Something is awry.
64. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Rams: Limited at practice this week. Easy to be skeptical he remains healthy enough to really aid fantasy managers this week and long term.
65. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers: If Christian McCaffrey plays, he becomes the No. 2 RB on this list. Hubbard would drop far. We shall see.
66. Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns
67. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington
68. James Conner, RB, Cardinals:
Four touchdown runs. Three receptions. Still, he does matter.
69. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs: A fine flex choice, but in retrospect, Chiefs may easily find someone better, more electric. Be careful trading for him.
70. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
71. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers:
Vegas had little trouble shutting him down. Window to sell high as WR1 has probably passed.
72. Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
73. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
74. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts:
Window for stardom is just opening, if his QB would just get his act together.
75. Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans: Perhaps my fave bad team stat so far is Cooks has 28 catches, 369 yards. Second on the team has 8 and 67! Incredible! There is nobody else in this passing offense!
76. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
77. Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens
78. Damien Williams, RB, Bears:
Should get the volume with David Montgomery out a month, but there is a younger option waiting, too.
79. Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers: He is the team's running back. Some touchdowns should come.
80. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders: Obviously not 100% healthy, but he just looks awful out there. Should improve.
81. Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys
82. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Jaguars
83. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots
84. Michael Carter, RB, Jets:
I will keep saying that both the North Carolina running backs (Javonte Williams, Denver) will bring decent value this season.
85. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Falcons: Great story, but as written here, it is not at all realistic that he keeps doing this at this rate. You know that, deep down.
86. Mike Davis, RB, Falcons
87. Zack Moss, RB, Bills:
Week 1 absence scared us, but he is clearly the better Buffalo option.
88. Davis Mills, QB, Texans
89. Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
90. Allen Robinson II, WR, Bears
91. Julio Jones, WR, Titans
92. Damien Harris, RB, Patriots:
Totaled 10 carries, 10 rushing yards the past two games. If he does not run all over Houston, then worry.
93. Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos
94. Jamaal Williams, RB, Lions:
Despite talk of Swift taking over, Williams just had 14 rushing attempts. He is not going away.
95. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions
96. George Kittle, TE, 49ers:
Looks hurt. You cannot sit him, of course, but something just looks off and it is not the QB play.
97. Robert Woods, WR, Rams: He does not look hurt. Still think a WR2/3 lurks.
98. Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
99. Antonio Brown, WR, Buccaneers
100. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Bills
101. Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals
102. Samaje Perine, RB, Bengals:
Ankle injury may keep Joe Mixon out, though I believe he does play. Would rank Mixon just behind Carson.
103. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Browns
104. DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles
105. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles:
Keep him rostered, but, at this point keep him benched if you can. Saw a big drop in the rest-of-season rankings/trade index. There must be more to this odd turn of events.
106. Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants
107. Kenyan Drake, RB, Raiders
108. Latavius Murray, RB, Ravens:
Few seem to have noticed, but he has touchdowns in three games. May approach RB2 status soon.
109. Melvin Gordon III, RB, Broncos
110. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles:
He may become the top Philly RB soon. He has mad skills. This is not ridiculous.
111. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
112. Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
113. Kenny Golladay, WR, Giants
114. DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
115. Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers:
Eleven touchdowns as a rookie, nary a one so far. Hamstring injury sure is not helping.
116. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
117. Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
118. Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
119. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons:
Kind of mad I fell for this one. Rookies. Always with the rookies. Still bright future, but perhaps not in 2021.
120. Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears: Rarely discussed, but he has more catches and yards than teammate Robinson. Not that either has many.
121. Corey Davis, WR, Jets
122. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Jaguars:
No more DJ Chark Jr. How can Lawrence not look in Shenault's way more? Oh, Jaguars.
123. Cole Beasley, WR, Bills
124. Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders:
Did you see his special teams hit? As the silly announcers say, this guy is a football player!
125. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
126. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Raiders
127. Robby Anderson, WR, Panthers
128. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys:
Dallas may have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers. Hey, he remains on pace!
129. Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts: Nobody in this offense is thriving right now. Nobody.
130. J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington
131. Devin Singletary, RB, Bills
132. Tim Patrick, WR, Broncos
133. Jamison Crowder, WR, Jets:
Looked great in season debut, and remains available in leagues. Go get him!
134. Kalif Raymond, WR, Lions: Raymond or Quintez Cephus? This week, we like Raymond. Well, we like neither, but Raymond got ranked.
135. Myles Gaskin, RB, Dolphins
136. Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears:
Virginia Tech product may see opportunity this week. Add in deep formats.
137. Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers: Shoulder injury may keep him sidelined yet again. 49ers have Week 6 bye.
138. Dawson Knox, TE, Bills
139. Dalton Schultz, TE, Cowboys
140. Marquez Callaway, WR, Saints
141. Van Jefferson, WR, Rams:
Stop playing DeSean Jackson. Jefferson is far more involved.
142. A.J. Green, WR, Cardinals: Yeah, most of us thought he was done. He is not, but not exactly a WR3 yet, either.
143. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington: Four targets in debut, but if it doubles this week, that would interest us.
144. Brandon Bolden, RB, Patriots
145. Chris Evans, RB, Bengals
146. Trey Sermon, RB, 49ers:
Sure would like to see him get 19 touches each week. If Mitchell sits, Sermon moves into top 90 here.
147. AJ Dillon, RB, Packers
148. Jeremy McNichols, RB, Titans
149. Ronald Jones II, RB, Buccaneers
150. Josh Gordon, WR, Chiefs:
And we close this week, not entirely facetiously, with the star of the 2013 season ready to debut with another team. Hey, there are worse landing spots for a receiver. Like 31 worse landing spots.
 

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Wagerallsports

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Fantasy football trade index and rest-of-season rankings: Is Sam Darnold for real?​

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October football is here and while we still have plenty of time to make trades, it hardly means you should wait too long to make those trades. Make those deals now! We hope our weekly end-of-season rankings help you in that respect, along with our positional trade index.

With the NFL season heading into Week 5, it is quite amazing how quickly things can change in fantasy football. One month in and look at all the new names that suddenly matter in fantasy football ... and the many names that might not.

Quarterback​

Rankings changes: It remains completely unrealistic to expect Panthers newcomer Sam Darnold to continue scoring rushing touchdowns at a rate of more than one per game, but still, it is fun to point out he is fifth in QB scoring. He has solid players around him. The Giants' Daniel Jones is sixth in scoring, with both ahead of the Bills' Josh Allen. No, we still take Allen every single time, but Jones and Darnold move into safer QB2 territory. Jones comes first because his rushing prowess might stick.



Trade for: Keep a close watch on the 49ers because even if Jimmy Garoppolo plays through a calf injury, the Trey Lance era is going to start at some point soon. Get in on the fun if you still can. No other rookies look like stars in 2021, though it is rarely just their fault. The Titans' Ryan Tannehill makes for a decent trade target, assuming his starting receivers return to health.

Be cautious trading for: Darnold, for an obvious one. The Saints' Jameis Winston has attempted 86 passes in four games. Yikes. Tom Brady has nearly 100 more. Starting to get a bit worried that Dak Prescott, who always seems to rush for six touchdowns, will not get close to that.

Running back​

Rankings changes: Why is the Titans' Derrick Henry still at the top even though the Panthers' Christian McCaffrey might be back this week and other pass-catchers such as the Saints' Alvin Kamara and Giants' Saquon Barkley look great? Henry is catching passes! More than Kamara so far. Twice as many as Ezekiel Elliott. Anyway, McCaffrey and Barkley do move up, while Dalvin Cook, Jonathan Taylor and others slide a bit. Each Cardinals running back rises. Injured Bengal Joe Mixon falls some. Injured Bear David Montgomery falls some more. Miles Sanders appears healthy, but his volume is not. Nice job, Eagles. The Falcons' Cordarrelle Patterson, wildly, even sans volume, is now a strong flex option.

Trade for: Well, Barkley for sure. Steelers rookie Najee Harris is safe for volume. The Colts' Taylor can clearly do more. Same with the Lions' D'Andre Swift.

Be cautious trading for: Patterson, obviously. What he is doing is stunning, much like Darnold. If you think McCaffrey will just keep getting hurt, then let someone else deal with it. Who knows? The Sanders situation boggles the mind. Tough to trade for him.

Wide receiver​

Rankings changes: The 49ers' Deebo Samuel and Panthers' DJ Moore keep producing and moving up, while fantasy managers complain about their ignored teammates Brandon Aiyuk and Robby Anderson. The Cardinals remain unbeaten, but DeAndre Hopkins' fantasy managers are not enjoying it the past three weeks. Nearly 40 wide receivers alone boast more targets this season. The Raiders' Hunter Renfrow is legit. The Jaguars' Laviska Shenault Jr. will score a touchdown soon. Farewell, DJ Chark.

Trade for: Titans A.J. Brown and Julio Jones will find health, will play again and will play well. Same for the Seahawks' DK Metcalf. The Bears' Allen Robinson II will improve.

Be cautious trading for: Even when the Saints' Michael Thomas is healthy, will Winston be permitted to throw the football downfield? The Rams claim they must get Robert Woods more involved. Wait until they do -- if they do.

Tight end​

Rankings changes: Well, this is what we were afraid of with the Buccaneers' Rob Gronkowski. The team says he might play in Week 6, but the way Gronkowski plays, more injuries and missed games seem likely. The 49ers' George Kittle looks hurt. Washington's Logan Thomas is hurt. The Cowboys' Dalton Schultz and Bills' Dawson Knox look legit. The Packers' Robert Tonyan looks ignored.

Trade for: Other than the Chiefs' Travis Kelce and Raiders' Darren Waller, it is tough to trade for any tight end as of now.

Be cautious trading for: Everyone else, and that includes Kittle.

Eric Karabell's Rest-Of-Year Top 100 Rankings​

RANK PLAYERTEAMBYEPOS.
RANK
NEXT 3
1 Derrick HenryTEN13RB1@Jax, BUF, KC
2 Alvin KamaraNO6RB2@WSH, BYE, @SEA
3 Christian McCaffreyCAR13RB3PHI, MIN, @NYG
4UPSaquon BarkleyNYG10RB4@DAL, LAR, CAR
5 Dalvin CookMIN7RB5DET, @CAR, BYE
6 Austin EkelerLAC7RB6CLE, @BAL, BYE
7 Jonathan TaylorIND14RB7@BAL, HOU, @SF
8UPEzekiel ElliottDAL7RB8NYG, @NE, BYE
9 Nick ChubbCLE13RB9@LAC, ARI, DEN
10 Tyreek HillKC12WR1BUF, @WSH, @TEN
11 Davante AdamsGB13WR2@CIN, @CHI, WSH
12 Aaron JonesGB13RB10@CIN, @CHI, WSH
13UPNajee HarrisPIT7RB11DEN, SEA, BYE
14 Travis KelceKC12TE1BUF, @WSH, @TEN
15 Stefon DiggsBUF7WR3@KC, @TEN, BYE
16 Cooper KuppLAR11WR4@SEA, @NYG, DET
17UPTerry McLaurinWSH9WR5NO, KC, @GB
18 Antonio GibsonWSH9RB12NO, KC, @GB
19UPJames RobinsonJAX7RB13TEN, MIA, BYE
20 Justin JeffersonMIN7WR6DET, @CAR, BYE
21 D'Andre SwiftDET9RB14@MIN, CIN, @LAR
22 Calvin RidleyATL6WR7NYJ, BYE, @MIA
23DOWNJoe MixonCIN10RB15GB, @DET, @BAL
24 DK MetcalfSEA9WR8LAR, @PIT, NO
25DOWNDeAndre HopkinsARI12WR9SF, @CLE, HOU
26 Darren WallerLV8TE2CHI, @den, PHI
27 Chris CarsonSEA9RB16LAR, @PIT, NO
28 Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC12RB17BUF, @WSH, @TEN
29UPKareem HuntCLE13RB18@LAC, ARI, DEN
30 Patrick MahomesKC12QB1BUF, @WSH, @TEN
31 Kyler MurrayARI12QB2SF, @CLE, HOU
32UPJosh AllenBUF7QB3@KC, @TEN, BYE
33 Lamar JacksonBAL8QB4IND, LAC, CIN
34 Mike EvansTB9WR10MIA, @PHI, CHI
35 Keenan AllenLAC7WR11CLE, @BAL, BYE
36 Tyler LockettSEA9WR12LAR, @PIT, NO
37 Adam ThielenMIN7WR13DET, @CAR, BYE
38UPDeebo SamuelSF6WR14@ARI, BYE, IND
39UPDJ MooreCAR13WR15PHI, MIN, @NYG
40 Russell WilsonSEA9QB5LAR, @PIT, NO
41 Justin HerbertLAC7QB6CLE, @BAL, BYE
42UPJalen HurtsPHI14QB7@CAR, TB, @LV
43 Tom BradyTB9QB8MIA, @PHI, CHI
44DOWNMike WilliamsLAC7WR16CLE, @BAL, BYE
45DOWNA.J. BrownTEN13WR17@Jax, BUF, KC
46UPChase EdmondsARI12RB19SF, @CLE, HOU
47UPJames ConnerARI12RB20SF, @CLE, HOU
48 CeeDee LambDAL7WR18NYG, @NE, BYE
49 Ja'Marr ChaseCIN10WR19GB, @DET, @BAL
50 Josh JacobsLV8RB21CHI, @den, PHI
51 Chris GodwinTB9WR20MIA, @PHI, CHI
52 Allen Robinson IICHI10WR21@LV, GB, @TB
53DOWNGeorge KittleSF6TE3@ARI, BYE, IND
54 Javonte WilliamsDEN11RB22@PIT, LV, @CLE
55DOWNDak PrescottDAL7QB9NYG, @NE, BYE
56DOWNMiles SandersPHI14RB23@CAR, TB, @LV
57 T.J. HockensonDET9TE4@MIN, CIN, @LAR
58UPMarquise BrownBAL8WR22IND, LAC, CIN
59 Courtland SuttonDEN11WR23@PIT, LV, @CLE
60DOWNJulio JonesTEN13WR24@Jax, BUF, KC
61DOWNDamien HarrisNE14RB24@HOU, DAL, NYJ
62UPCordarrelle PattersonATL6RB25NYJ, BYE, @MIA
63DOWNMark AndrewsBAL8TE5IND, LAC, CIN
64UPNoah FantDEN11TE6@PIT, LV, @CLE
65 Melvin Gordon IIIDEN11RB26@PIT, LV, @CLE
66 Darrell Henderson Jr.LAR11RB27@SEA, @NYG, DET
67 Brandin CooksHOU10WR25NE, @IND, @ARI
68 Tee HigginsCIN10WR26GB, @DET, @BAL
69DOWNAmari CooperDAL7WR27NYG, @NE, BYE
70UPZack MossBUF7RB28@KC, @TEN, BYE
71DOWNMyles GaskinMIA14RB29@TB, @Jax, ATL
72 Robert WoodsLAR11WR28@SEA, @NYG, DET
73 Aaron RodgersGB13QB10@CIN, @CHI, WSH
74 Matthew StaffordLAR11QB11@SEA, @NYG, DET
75DOWNDavid MontgomeryCHI10RB30@LV, GB, @TB
76 DeVonta SmithPHI14WR29@CAR, TB, @LV
77 Diontae JohnsonPIT7WR30DEN, SEA, BYE
78UPLeonard FournetteTB9RB31MIA, @PHI, CHI
79DOWNKyle PittsATL6TE7NYJ, BYE, @MIA
80UPMichael Pittman Jr.IND14WR31@BAL, HOU, @SF
81DOWNDevin SingletaryBUF7RB32@KC, @TEN, BYE
82DOWNJaylen WaddleMIA14WR32@TB, @Jax, ATL
83 Mike DavisATL6RB33NYJ, BYE, @MIA
84UPTrey SermonSF6RB34@ARI, BYE, IND
85UPJ.D. McKissicWSH9RB35NO, KC, @GB
86UPKenneth GainwellPHI14RB36@CAR, TB, @LV
87 Chase ClaypoolPIT7WR33DEN, SEA, BYE
88 Antonio BrownTB9WR34MIA, @PHI, CHI
89UPDamien WilliamsCHI10RB37@LV, GB, @TB
90 Corey DavisNYJ6WR35@ATL, BYE, @NE
91 JuJu Smith-SchusterPIT7WR36DEN, SEA, BYE
92UPLatavius MurrayBAL8RB38IND, LAC, CIN
93 Michael CarterNYJ6RB39@ATL, BYE, @NE
94 Kenny GolladayNYG10WR37@DAL, LAR, CAR
95 Henry Ruggs IIILV8WR38CHI, @den, PHI
96UPHunter RenfrowLV8WR39CHI, @den, PHI
97 Kenyan DrakeLV8RB40CHI, @den, PHI
98 Tony PollardDAL7RB41NYG, @NE, BYE
99 Tyler BoydCIN10WR40GB, @DET, @BAL
100 Jamaal WilliamsDET9RB42@MIN, CIN, @LAR

Top 40 Quarterbacks​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
130 Patrick MahomesKC12BUF, @WSH, @TEN
231 Kyler MurrayARI12SF, @CLE, HOU
332 Josh AllenBUF7@KC, @TEN, BYE
433 Lamar JacksonBAL8IND, LAC, CIN
540 Russell WilsonSEA9LAR, @PIT, NO
641 Justin HerbertLAC7CLE, @BAL, BYE
742 Jalen HurtsPHI14@CAR, TB, @LV
843DOWNTom BradyTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
955 Dak PrescottDAL7NYG, @NE, BYE
1073 Aaron RodgersGB13@CIN, @CHI, WSH
1174 Matthew StaffordLAR11@SEA, @NYG, DET
12113 Ryan TannehillTEN13@Jax, BUF, KC
13114 Kirk CousinsMIN7DET, @CAR, BYE
14115 Joe BurrowCIN10GB, @DET, @BAL
15117 Derek CarrLV8CHI, @den, PHI
16120 Daniel JonesNYG10@DAL, LAR, CAR
17121 Sam DarnoldCAR13PHI, MIN, @NYG
18130 Matt RyanATL6NYJ, BYE, @MIA
19138 Baker MayfieldCLE13@LAC, ARI, DEN
20152 Teddy BridgewaterDEN11@PIT, LV, @CLE
21169 Trevor LawrenceJAX7TEN, MIA, BYE
22171UPTrey LanceSF6@ARI, BYE, IND
23174 Taylor HeinickeWSH9NO, KC, @GB
24175DOWNBen RoethlisbergerPIT7DEN, SEA, BYE
25177 Jameis WinstonNO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
26178 Mac JonesNE14@HOU, DAL, NYJ
27179 Carson WentzIND14@BAL, HOU, @SF
28180 Justin FieldsCHI10@LV, GB, @TB
29181 Tua TagovailoaMIA14@TB, @Jax, ATL
30182 Jared GoffDET9@MIN, CIN, @LAR
31183DOWNJimmy GaroppoloSF6@ARI, BYE, IND
32186 Zach WilsonNYJ6@ATL, BYE, @NE
33NR Andy DaltonCHI10@LV, GB, @TB
34NR Jacoby BrissettMIA14@TB, @Jax, ATL
35NR Tyrod TaylorHOU10NE, @IND, @ARI
36NR Davis MillsHOU10NE, @IND, @ARI
37NR Taysom HillNO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
38NR Jacob EasonIND14@BAL, HOU, @SF
39NR Drew LockDEN11@PIT, LV, @CLE
40NR Ryan FitzpatrickWSH9NO, KC, @GB

Top 60 Running Backs​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
11 Derrick HenryTEN13@Jax, BUF, KC
22 Alvin KamaraNO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
33 Christian McCaffreyCAR13PHI, MIN, @NYG
44UPSaquon BarkleyNYG10@DAL, LAR, CAR
55 Dalvin CookMIN7DET, @CAR, BYE
66 Austin EkelerLAC7CLE, @BAL, BYE
77 Jonathan TaylorIND14@BAL, HOU, @SF
88 Ezekiel ElliottDAL7NYG, @NE, BYE
99DOWNNick ChubbCLE13@LAC, ARI, DEN
1012 Aaron JonesGB13@CIN, @CHI, WSH
1113 Najee HarrisPIT7DEN, SEA, BYE
1218 Antonio GibsonWSH9NO, KC, @GB
1319UPJames RobinsonJAX7TEN, MIA, BYE
1421 D'Andre SwiftDET9@MIN, CIN, @LAR
1523DOWNJoe MixonCIN10GB, @DET, @BAL
1627 Chris CarsonSEA9LAR, @PIT, NO
1728 Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC12BUF, @WSH, @TEN
1829UPKareem HuntCLE13@LAC, ARI, DEN
1946UPChase EdmondsARI12SF, @CLE, HOU
2047UPJames ConnerARI12SF, @CLE, HOU
2150 Josh JacobsLV8CHI, @den, PHI
2254 Javonte WilliamsDEN11@PIT, LV, @CLE
2356DOWNMiles SandersPHI14@CAR, TB, @LV
2461DOWNDamien HarrisNE14@HOU, DAL, NYJ
2562UPCordarrelle PattersonATL6NYJ, BYE, @MIA
2665 Melvin Gordon IIIDEN11@PIT, LV, @CLE
2766 Darrell Henderson Jr.LAR11@SEA, @NYG, DET
2870UPZack MossBUF7@KC, @TEN, BYE
2971DOWNMyles GaskinMIA14@TB, @Jax, ATL
3075DOWNDavid MontgomeryCHI10@LV, GB, @TB
3178 Leonard FournetteTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
3281 Devin SingletaryBUF7@KC, @TEN, BYE
3383 Mike DavisATL6NYJ, BYE, @MIA
3484UPTrey SermonSF6@ARI, BYE, IND
3585UPJ.D. McKissicWSH9NO, KC, @GB
3686UPKenneth GainwellPHI14@CAR, TB, @LV
3789UPDamien WilliamsCHI10@LV, GB, @TB
3892 Latavius MurrayBAL8IND, LAC, CIN
3993DOWNMichael CarterNYJ6@ATL, BYE, @NE
4097DOWNKenyan DrakeLV8CHI, @den, PHI
4198DOWNTony PollardDAL7NYG, @NE, BYE
42100DOWNJamaal WilliamsDET9@MIN, CIN, @LAR
43102DOWNAJ DillonGB13@CIN, @CHI, WSH
44103DOWNChuba HubbardCAR13PHI, MIN, @NYG
45105DOWNAlexander MattisonMIN7DET, @CAR, BYE
46111DOWNSony MichelLAR11@SEA, @NYG, DET
47112DOWNNyheim HinesIND14@BAL, HOU, @SF
48131UPJeremy McNicholsTEN13@Jax, BUF, KC
49133DOWNElijah MitchellSF6@ARI, BYE, IND
50142UPRonald Jones IITB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
51148DOWNTy'Son WilliamsBAL8IND, LAC, CIN
52151 Tony Jones Jr.NO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
53158UPKhalil HerbertCHI10@LV, GB, @TB
54159 Phillip LindsayHOU10NE, @IND, @ARI
55160DOWNMark Ingram IIHOU10NE, @IND, @ARI
56163 David JohnsonHOU10NE, @IND, @ARI
57165 Larry Rountree IIILAC7CLE, @BAL, BYE
58173 Carlos HydeJAX7TEN, MIA, BYE
59NRDOWNGiovani BernardTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
60NRUPLe'Veon BellBAL8IND, LAC, CIN

Top 60 Wide Receivers​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
110 Tyreek HillKC12BUF, @WSH, @TEN
211 Davante AdamsGB13@CIN, @CHI, WSH
315 Stefon DiggsBUF7@KC, @TEN, BYE
416 Cooper KuppLAR11@SEA, @NYG, DET
517UPTerry McLaurinWSH9NO, KC, @GB
620 Justin JeffersonMIN7DET, @CAR, BYE
722 Calvin RidleyATL6NYJ, BYE, @MIA
824 DK MetcalfSEA9LAR, @PIT, NO
925DOWNDeAndre HopkinsARI12SF, @CLE, HOU
1034 Mike EvansTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
1135 Keenan AllenLAC7CLE, @BAL, BYE
1236 Tyler LockettSEA9LAR, @PIT, NO
1337 Adam ThielenMIN7DET, @CAR, BYE
1438UPDeebo SamuelSF6@ARI, BYE, IND
1539UPDJ MooreCAR13PHI, MIN, @NYG
1644 Mike WilliamsLAC7CLE, @BAL, BYE
1745DOWNA.J. BrownTEN13@Jax, BUF, KC
1848 CeeDee LambDAL7NYG, @NE, BYE
1949 Ja'Marr ChaseCIN10GB, @DET, @BAL
2051DOWNChris GodwinTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
2152DOWNAllen Robinson IICHI10@LV, GB, @TB
2258UPMarquise BrownBAL8IND, LAC, CIN
2359 Courtland SuttonDEN11@PIT, LV, @CLE
2460DOWNJulio JonesTEN13@Jax, BUF, KC
2567 Brandin CooksHOU10NE, @IND, @ARI
2668 Tee HigginsCIN10GB, @DET, @BAL
2769DOWNAmari CooperDAL7NYG, @NE, BYE
2872 Robert WoodsLAR11@SEA, @NYG, DET
2976 DeVonta SmithPHI14@CAR, TB, @LV
3077 Diontae JohnsonPIT7DEN, SEA, BYE
3180UPMichael Pittman Jr.IND14@BAL, HOU, @SF
3282DOWNJaylen WaddleMIA14@TB, @Jax, ATL
3387 Chase ClaypoolPIT7DEN, SEA, BYE
3488 Antonio BrownTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
3590 Corey DavisNYJ6@ATL, BYE, @NE
3691 JuJu Smith-SchusterPIT7DEN, SEA, BYE
3794 Kenny GolladayNYG10@DAL, LAR, CAR
3895UPHenry Ruggs IIILV8CHI, @den, PHI
3996UPHunter RenfrowLV8CHI, @den, PHI
4099UPTyler BoydCIN10GB, @DET, @BAL
41101UPLaviska Shenault Jr.JAX7TEN, MIA, BYE
42104 Robby AndersonCAR13PHI, MIN, @NYG
43108 Jakobi MeyersNE14@HOU, DAL, NYJ
44109 William Fuller VMIA14@TB, @Jax, ATL
45110 Odell Beckham Jr.CLE13@LAC, ARI, DEN
46122 Michael ThomasNO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
47123 Marvin Jones Jr.JAX7TEN, MIA, BYE
48125 Sterling ShepardNYG10@DAL, LAR, CAR
49132UPCurtis SamuelWSH9NO, KC, @GB
50134UPRandall CobbGB13@CIN, @CHI, WSH
51135DOWNBrandon AiyukSF6@ARI, BYE, IND
52136DOWNRondale MooreARI12SF, @CLE, HOU
53137UPVan JeffersonLAR11@SEA, @NYG, DET
54139UPQuintez CephusDET9@MIN, CIN, @LAR
55141DOWNJalen ReagorPHI14@CAR, TB, @LV
56145DOWNEmmanuel SandersBUF7@KC, @TEN, BYE
57146DOWNCole BeasleyBUF7@KC, @TEN, BYE
58147DOWNMarquez CallawayNO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
59149UPKadarius ToneyNYG10@DAL, LAR, CAR
60150UPKalif RaymondDET9@MIN, CIN, @LAR

Top 30 Tight Ends​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
114 Travis KelceKC12BUF, @WSH, @TEN
226 Darren WallerLV8CHI, @den, PHI
353 George KittleSF6@ARI, BYE, IND
457 T.J. HockensonDET9@MIN, CIN, @LAR
563 Mark AndrewsBAL8IND, LAC, CIN
664 Noah FantDEN11@PIT, LV, @CLE
779 Kyle PittsATL6NYJ, BYE, @MIA
8106 Tyler HigbeeLAR11@SEA, @NYG, DET
9107UPDalton SchultzDAL7NYG, @NE, BYE
10116 Mike GesickiMIA14@TB, @Jax, ATL
11118 Logan ThomasWSH9NO, KC, @GB
12119 Dallas GoedertPHI14@CAR, TB, @LV
13124UPDawson KnoxBUF7@KC, @TEN, BYE
14126 Hunter HenryNE14@HOU, DAL, NYJ
15127 Jared CookLAC7CLE, @BAL, BYE
16128DOWNRob GronkowskiTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
17129 Jonnu SmithNE14@HOU, DAL, NYJ
18140 Austin HooperCLE13@LAC, ARI, DEN
19143 Zach ErtzPHI14@CAR, TB, @LV
20144DOWNRobert TonyanGB13@CIN, @CHI, WSH
21164 Blake JarwinDAL7NYG, @NE, BYE
22168 Jack DoyleIND14@BAL, HOU, @SF
23187 Eric EbronPIT7DEN, SEA, BYE
24188 Juwan JohnsonNO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
25200UPMo Alie-CoxIND14@BAL, HOU, @SF
26NR Dan ArnoldJAX7TEN, MIA, BYE
27NRUPC.J. UzomahCIN10GB, @DET, @BAL
28NRUPCameron BrateTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
29NR O.J. HowardTB9MIA, @PHI, CHI
30NRUPMaxx WilliamsARI12SF, @CLE, HOU
31NRUPEvan EngramNYG10@DAL, LAR, CAR
32NRDOWNGerald EverettSEA9LAR, @PIT, NO
33NRDOWNHayden HurstATL6NYJ, BYE, @MIA
34NRDOWNTyler ConklinMIN7DET, @CAR, BYE
35NRDOWNCole KmetCHI10@LV, GB, @TB
36NRDOWNPat FreiermuthPIT7DEN, SEA, BYE
37NRDOWNAnthony FirkserTEN13@Jax, BUF, KC
38NRDOWNFoster MoreauLV8CHI, @den, PHI
39NRDOWNAdam TrautmanNO6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
40NRDOWNPharaoh BrownHOU10NE, @IND, @ARI

Top 32 Team Defense/Special Teams​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
TEAMBYENEXT 3
1153 Buccaneers D/ST9MIA, @PHI, CHI
2189 Bills D/ST7@KC, @TEN, BYE
3190 Rams D/ST11@SEA, @NYG, DET
4191 49ers D/ST6@ARI, BYE, IND
5192 Browns D/ST13@LAC, ARI, DEN
6193 Patriots D/ST14@HOU, DAL, NYJ
7194 Ravens D/ST8IND, LAC, CIN
8195DOWNSteelers D/ST7DEN, SEA, BYE
9196 Broncos D/ST11@PIT, LV, @CLE
10197 Saints D/ST6@WSH, BYE, @SEA
11NR Colts D/ST14@BAL, HOU, @SF
12NR Panthers D/ST13PHI, MIN, @NYG
13NR Vikings D/ST7DET, @CAR, BYE
14NR Bears D/ST10@LV, GB, @TB
15NR Packers D/ST13@CIN, @CHI, WSH
16NR Washington D/ST9NO, KC, @GB
17NRUPCardinals D/ST12SF, @CLE, HOU
18NR Chiefs D/ST12BUF, @WSH, @TEN
19NR Dolphins D/ST14@TB, @Jax, ATL
20NR Chargers D/ST7CLE, @BAL, BYE
21NR Seahawks D/ST9LAR, @PIT, NO
22NRUPJets D/ST6@ATL, BYE, @NE
23NR Giants D/ST10@DAL, LAR, CAR
24NR Titans D/ST13@Jax, BUF, KC
25NRDOWNEagles D/ST14@CAR, TB, @LV
26NR Cowboys D/ST7NYG, @NE, BYE
27NRUPLions D/ST9@MIN, CIN, @LAR
28NR Raiders D/ST8CHI, @den, PHI
29NR Bengals D/ST10GB, @DET, @BAL
30NR Falcons D/ST6NYJ, BYE, @MIA
31NR Texans D/ST10NE, @IND, @ARI
32NR Jaguars D/ST7TEN, MIA, BYE
 

Wagerallsports

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Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 6: Kadarius Toney, Devontae Booker and more​

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While there have been plenty of notable fantasy football performances from unexpected quarterbacks this NFL season (Sam Darnold and Taylor Heinicke, just to name a couple), the reality is that most weeks the top 10 or so quarterbacks in our rankings are going to be a pretty consistent group.

If you figure that Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert are likely to land in those 10-ish spots (in some order), it lines up that in a 10-team league, you don't see much quarterback movement.

But on Thursday night of Week 5, Wilson went down with a finger injury that is likely going to cost him as few as four weeks but perhaps a bit longer. Wilson being out is literally uncharted territory -- he hasn't even missed a practice in his career -- and has a trickle-down impact in fantasy. The most direct one is how those who have been starting Wilson will fill their quarterback voids.

Here's to hoping Wilson makes a speedy and full recovery, as the game is always better off when he is at his best.

Until he returns, we'll deliver the names you need to know at quarterback and otherwise.

Here's the Week 6 ESPN fantasy football waiver wire.

Note: All players in this column are available in more than 50% of leagues on ESPN.

Week 6 byes: 49ers, Falcons, Jets, Saints


Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants (10.7% rostered): The Giants have been decimated by injuries on offense in a way that is hard to believe. They finished Week 5 without Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton on the field, prompting even more opportunity for the already exciting rookie ankle breaker. He finished with an electric 10 catches for 189 yards, despite leaving the game once because of injury (which we'll monitor through this week) and again after being ejected for punching an opposing player. The talent is way too obvious, and the opportunity should be there now too. Add!

Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (7.5%): Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a knee injury in the third quarter on Sunday night that is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. While Williams didn't handle a major rushing load in his place (just five carries), much of that can be attributed to the Chiefs playing at a major deficit. Williams stands to see a significant workload and has plenty enough ability to make good on those touches. He's an adept pass-catcher and the Chiefs have shown a willingness to rely more on him at the goal line than CEH. He's a top add.

Devontae Booker, RB, New York Giants (3.8%): It was devastating to see Saquon Barkley leave the game for the Giants early after suffering an ankle injury that did not look good. Booker wound up leading the Giants in rushing attempts in Week 5 and finished with 42 rushing yards and 20.8 fantasy points after finding the end zone both as a runner and a receiver. He's obviously not the player that Barkley is, but Booker's workload should be large enough to expect borderline RB2 value until Barkley returns, especially considering that he's an adept pass-catcher. He's a must-add.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots (5.8%): The hits kept coming for the Patriots' backfield in Week 5, as Damien Harris left the game on two occasions and did not return after the second time. Stevenson handled 11 carries in Week 5, though he managed just 23 yards. With that being said, volume and talent are essential in fantasy football and Stevenson would likely be in line for double-digit touches if Harris misses any time. Stevenson can handle work in the passing game and is a powerful runner. What would unlock the potential to handle a big workload would be proving he is capable of holding up in pass protection. He should be added in all leagues, too.

Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (42.4%): The Chiefs dealt with a rash of injuries on Sunday night, including Tyreek Hill, who is now dealing with an undisclosed knee injury. We have no word on the severity as of this writing, including whether it would prevent him from being on the field in Week 6 against the Washington Football Team. That being said, Hardman would be the Chiefs wide receiver I most prefer if Hill misses any time.

Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos (29.8%): I've long felt Patrick was an underrated player, and he has a unique opportunity right now to prove it while both Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and KJ Hamler (torn ACL) are unavailable for Denver. Patrick has been busy in the two games since Hamler went down, as he has 15 targets and a total of 10 catches. Patrick has scored double-digit fantasy points in four of his five games this season and should remain a fixture in the Denver passing game until Jeudy returns. He's an add in leagues of 12 teams or larger.

Quarterbacks section: Names to consider in the event you roster Russell Wilson, who is expected to miss at least the next four weeks after suffering a finger injury in Week 5.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (42.9%):
Lawrence is starting to make some strides, even if the numbers are not eye-popping as of yet. Over his past two games, two of the most encouraging signs are his accuracy and decision-making. He has completed better than 70% of his passes with zero turnovers, and he has rushed for a touchdown in back-to-back weeks. The matchup across the pond in London against the Dolphins isn't one that strikes major fear, as while Miami has a strong cornerback room, the defense just hasn't been nearly as good as it was a season ago.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (24.7%): This comes with the obvious caveat that we don't yet know if Tua will play in Week 6, but he is eligible to do so and the team has been targeting that date for his return. The matchup is a juicy one against a Jaguars defense that frankly hasn't done much to impress this season. In the event that Tagovailoa is unavailable, I do believe Jacoby Brissett has a comparable chance for a good enough day to justify the stream.

Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington Football Team (12.5%): It might sound ironic to list Heinicke this week given how he played in Week 5 (fewer than 10 fantasy points), but I do believe that was an atypical dud game for him. He had three straight games with at least 20 fantasy points prior to that, and while Heinicke may be error prone, he is a playmaker with his legs (40 or more rushing yards in back-to-back games) and seems to find a way much more often than not.
 

Wagerallsports

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NFL launches responsible betting awareness campaign​

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By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start decisions and fantasy advice each week. Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can also help you make the best waiver-wire pickups.

Down below are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.

To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB cheat sheet.

Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.


Advantageous Matchups​

i

Packers' Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard vs. WFTs' Benjamin St-Juste, Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III

The Washington Football Team's secondary looks like a strength on paper, but it has been quite the opposite so far this season. Washington is allowing the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers, including the second most to the perimeter and fourth most to the slot. Heavy volume has been the primary culprit, as Washington ranks no better than third in WR targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and end-zone targets.

Adams (66% perimeter) and Lazard (65%) align all over the formation and will see an even share of Washington's top three corners. Upgrade them both, though Lazard is no more than a deep-league sleeper. The same goes for Cobb (83% slot) against Fuller in the slot, though he's super risky after a catchless Week 6.

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Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk and A.J. Green vs. Texans' Vernon Hargreaves III, Tavierre Thomas and Terrance Mitchell

Revenge Game Alert! Hopkins is set to face off with his old team for the first time since being traded to Arizona. Hopkins' targets are way down this season (9.9 per game in 2020, 6.0 in 2021), but he's still in a good spot against a Houston pass defense that has faced very little volume (100 WR targets ranks sixth fewest) but struggled with efficiency (9.8 yards per target ranks third highest). Houston's primary weakness is against left perimeter receivers (fifth-most fantasy points allowed), which is where heavily targeted Hargreaves aligns. Hargreaves has already been benched this season but slid back into the lineup over converted safety/slot corner Desmond King in Week 6. Hopkins (78% left perimeter) will work against Hargreaves on a majority of his routes this week. There is a major talent discrepancy between Arizona's wide receivers and Houston's corners, so the only concern here is that the heavily favored Cardinals will build a lead and simply won't need to throw as often as usual. It's tough to predict which Arizona wide receivers will hit in a given week, but Hopkins has the best matchup of the group this time around.

i

Texans' Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins vs. Cardinals' Byron Murphy Jr., Marco Wilson and Robert Alford

The other side of the Hopkins "Revenge Game" also features a plus WR/CB matchup. The Arizona defense has allowed a league-high 10 touchdowns to wide receivers and is allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to the position, including the ninth most to the perimeter. Alford and the rookie Wilson are the team's perimeter corners in nickel, and that duo will be tasked with slowing Cooks (70% perimeter) and Collins (87%) this week. Both corners have been heavily targeted this season, and that won't change this week considering Cooks has been targeted on a massive 31% of his routes. Upgrade Cooks and consider Collins a sleeper.

i

Chiefs' Tyreek Hill vs. Titans' Elijah Molden (slot)

Hill has been a bit boom/bust this season, with three top-10 fantasy weeks, as well as two outside the top 45. He appears more likely to boom this week against a Titans defense that has already allowed eight wide receivers to reach 19 fantasy points this season. Tennessee has allowed the most yards, touchdowns and fantasy points to the position (fifth most over expected), as well as the most to the slot. Injuries are also an issue, as with Kristian Fulton and Caleb Farley out, Chris Jackson has moved outside, leaving Molden to handle the slot. That bodes well for Hill, who has aligned inside on 55% of his routes this season. Upgrade Hill and the rest of Kansas City's wide receivers this week.

Other notable upgrades:

Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle vs. Falcons' Avery Williams (slot)

Tough Matchups​

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Seahawks' DK Metcalf vs. Saints' Marshon Lattimore (shadow)

New Orleans went into its Week 6 bye having allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to wide receivers, but fifth fewest over expected. The story here is a ton of volume faced (second-most WR routes and most WR targets), but strong efficiency (ninth-lowest YPT and fifth-lowest catch rate allowed to WRs). Regardless, we know Lattimore is one of the best in the business, and we've already seen him shadow Davante Adams and Terry McLaurin this season. Adams was held to a 5-56-0 receiving line on seven targets in Week 1 (2-37-0 on five targets and 15 routes against Lattimore), and McLaurin stumbled to a 4-46-0 line on 11 targets (2-31-0 on eight targets and 30 routes against Lattimore). This week, we should expect Lattimore to travel with Metcalf. We already saw Seattle's passing game struggle without Russell Wilson in Week 6, and that was against a Pittsburgh defense that had been brutal against wideouts this season. Metcalf is too good and too heavily targeted to bench, but he aligns outside 78% of the time, so he'll see a ton of Lattimore this week. Tyler Lockett will primarily see rookie Paulson Adebo and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, which puts Lockett in a good spot, but he fell flat in the same conditions in Week 6, so tread lightly on those DFS streets.

i

Raiders' Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards vs. Eagles' Darius Slay and Steven Nelson

The Eagles are 2-4, but they've done a pretty nice job against wide receivers this season. They've allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points (11th fewest over expected), including the second fewest to the perimeter and fewest to the left perimeter (Slay's primary side). Ruggs (58% perimeter) and Edwards (63%) primarily work on the outside, so they'll be in the toughest spot this week with Slay and Nelson on the other side. Philadelphia has shadowed in consecutive games, with Slay traveling with DJ Moore and Mike Evans, and Nelson following Robby Anderson and Antonio Brown. Slay has clearly covered the opposing No. 1 perimeter wideout, so it's possible he follows Ruggs this week. That would be even worse news for Ruggs, though his speed and explosiveness make him a candidate for a big play at any given point. Regardless, we'll need to lower expectations for the Raiders' wideouts this week.

i

Panthers' DJ Moore vs. Giants' James Bradberry (shadow)

Panthers' Robby Anderson vs. Giants' Adoree' Jackson (shadow)


"Revenge Games" are a hot topic this week, as Bradberry will face off with his former team for the first time since signing with the Giants. Bradberry has shadowed in three games this season (Terry McLaurin, Calvin Ridley, Marquez Callaway) and is a strong bet to travel with Moore in Week 7. Bradberry doesn't travel to the slot often (9%), but neither does Moore (15%), so these two figure to be aligned against each other a majority of the time. With Bradberry on Moore, Anderson (who will play at Metlife Stadium for the first time since departing the Jets) will draw plenty of Jackson on the other side. Though we know Bradberry and Jackson are good corners, the Giants have still allowed a ton of fantasy production to wide receivers this season. They've surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points (seventh most over expected), including the fourth most to the perimeter and eighth most to the slot. This makes me a bit hesitant to call this a "tough" matchup, as scheme matters in addition to player personnel, but we nonetheless need to be aware that shadow coverage by talented corners is looming for Moore and Anderson.

i

Buccaneers' Mike Evans vs. Bears' Jaylon Johnson (shadow)

Johnson, Chicago's 2020 second-round draft pick, appears to be in the midst of a second-year breakout. The 22-year-old has aligned at right perimeter corner on 87% of his coverage snaps this season, and the Bears are allowing the fewest fantasy points to that spot. They're also allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers as a whole. Johnson has shadowed twice this season, including Week 3 against Odell Beckham Jr. and last week against Davante Adams. Beckham posted a 5-77-0 receiving line on nine targets in the Week 3 game, with 3-57-0 coming on six targets (20 routes) against Johnson. Adams posted a decent 4-89-0 receiving line on five targets (all against Johnson) on Sunday, though limiting Adams to five targets on 23 routes is an achievement in its own right. It's not a lock, but Johnson is a decent bet to travel with Evans (62% perimeter) when he's aligned outside this week. That, of course, won't be full time, so Johnson figures to see some of Chris Godwin (31% perimeter) and Antonio Brown (82%) as well. We should anticipate a potential dip in targets for Evans this week, but he should obviously remain in lineups in Tampa Bay's high-scoring offense.

Other notable downgrades:

Eagles' DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor vs. Raiders' Casey Hayward, Nate Hobbs and Brandon Facyson

Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Rams' Jalen Ramsey (slot)

Patriots' Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne vs. Jets' Brandin Echols, Michael Carter II and Bryce Hall

Other potential shadow scenarios​

i

Falcons' Calvin Ridley vs. Dolphins' Xavien Howard (shadow)

Falcons' Kyle Pitts vs. Dolphins' Byron Jones (shadow)



There's a bit to unpack here, so I'll start by noting that both Howard and Jones missed Week 6 due to injury and should be considered questionable for Week 7. If they're out, that's good news for Ridley and Pitts. If they play, we should expect them to shadow. We got a glimpse of what we might expect back in Week 3 when Howard shadowed Henry Ruggs part time (including most of his perimeter routes) and Jones shadowed Darren Waller on 27 of his 40 routes (a massive percentage for a tight end). Howard has also shadowed Antonio Brown and Stefon Diggs this season, with Jones following Mike Evans, Nelson Agholor and Emmanuel Sanders. Ridley (80% perimeter) primarily works outside, and Pitts has been aligning all over the formation.

These seem like tough matchups on paper, but, even with a healthy Howard and Jones, Miami's defense has struggled this season. The Dolphins are allowing the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers (most over expected), including the third most to the perimeter and seventh most to the slot. They're middle of the pack against tight ends, but Pitts has run 68% of his routes from the slot or perimeter, so that doesn't matter much here, especially because he figures to draw Jones. Perhaps Jones and Howard show up healthy and playing at a high level, but the performance of this defense so far this season suggests we don't need to worry about it. Ridley and Pitts should, of course, be in lineups.
 

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Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 7: Derek Carr, Tua Tagovailoa and others​

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You know that feeling during your draft when you starting selecting your players and pay little attention to their bye weeks?

"I'll worry about that later."

We've all been there. And truth be told, that's the way to go. For starters, the team you draft is not the team you'll finish the season with. You're constantly tinkering, so paying too much mind to a bye week that's two months after your draft is a bit fruitless. Secondly, even if your roster is largely stagnant, you don't want to build a team that is too focused on one or two weeks of action. You need 18 weeks of upside.

Alas, Week 7 is one of those weeks when everyone is going to have to adjust a bit, as we've reached the first six-team bye of the season and there are some heavy hitters.

Players on a bye this week include: Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, Stefon Diggs, Josh Allen, Emmanuel Sanders, Zack Moss, Dawson Knox, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Robinson, Marvin Jones Jr., Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert.

We're all filling in this week together. ... With that in mind, here is the Week 7 ESPN fantasy waiver wire.

Note: Players on this column must be available in at least 50% of leagues on ESPN.

Week 7 byes: Bills, Chargers, Cowboys, Jaguars, Steelers, Vikings




Quarterback fill-ins​


With three surefire quarterbacks in Allen, Herbert and Dak Prescott on a bye, this is a week when many will need to turn to an alternative. These names suggested are specific to their Week 7 value.

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (46.4%): Carr has four games of 20-plus fantasy points this season with a looming matchup against Philadelphia. While Philly's defense has not allowed a ton of passing yards per game, it has surrendered 12 touchdown passes and allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 71.5% of their passes, each among the worst in the NFL.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (25.3%): Tua returned in Week 6 and put up a 300-plus yard passing effort and over 21 fantasy points. His Week 7 matchup features the Falcons, a team that has allowed 11 passing touchdowns and picked off just one pass this season. Moreover, Miami cannot run the ball, leaving Tua likely to throw it aplenty. He did so 47 times in Week 6.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Denver Broncos (16.9%): Teddy B has played pretty well so far this season, completing north of 70% of his passes and averaging over 250 yards per game. The Browns are another defense that has been a bit vulnerable against the pass, allowing 14 touchdowns through the air already this season. There isn't massive upside with Bridgewater, but he does have over 18 fantasy points in four of six games this season.


RBs, WRs and TEs​

Alex Collins, RB, Seattle Seahawks (46.6%)/ Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks (3.2%): The Seahawks have turned to Collins to fill in for Chris Carson while he nurses a neck injury, and the results have been solid so far: Collins has handled 38 touches in two games and rushed for over 100 yards in Week 6. It's worth noting that Collins is nursing a hip issue, but coach Pete Carroll has not slammed the door shut on him playing in Week 7. If he does play, it's an essential add. Penny is mentioned here because Carroll has stated he expects him back in Week 7 and there's a chance he'd take over for Collins if Collins is unable to go. He's a deeper league consideration.

Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos (40.4%): I've become a broken record and a Tim Patrick stan, as the man simply keeps on producing. He has a touchdown in three games this season and at least 10 fantasy points in all but one game. His role has expanded with the injuries to Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, but even when Jeudy returns, I suspect Patrick will stay involved. Patrick deserves to be rostered in many more leagues.

J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington Football Team (46.7%): Antonio Gibson was in and out of the lineup for the Football Team in Week 6 as he battles through a shin injury, which created even more opportunities for McKissic. But this is not tied exclusively to the fact that Gibson was banged up, as McKissic is an exceptional receiving back who has been good for Washington for quite some time. With the team ignoring defense this year, it figures to be playing from behind frequently enough that McKissic should be added in all leagues.

Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals (48.4%): Ertz capped off an incredible stay in Philadelphia with a four-catch effort in Week 6 that included a touchdown. Now he goes to Arizona, where he should be a nearly every-down player for an offense that recently lost Maxx Williams to a major injury. While the Cardinals have a lot of mouths to feed and Ertz is no lock to see a massive target share, he should have enough opportunities in one of the best offenses in football to have some vintage Ertz moments. He's an add in all leagues.

Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Washington Football Team (19.1%): Once Logan Thomas went down, the Football Team turned to Seals-Jones, and he has basically become a full-time player. He found the end zone in Week 6 and hauled in four total catches for 58 yards. This comes on the heels of five catches for 41 yards in Week 5. It's hard to find tight ends who have a steady role in the passing game, and RSJ is that right now. He's an add for anyone looking for a usable tight end at the moment.


Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens (14.6%): It was great to see Bateman make his NFL debut in Week 6 after he dealt with an injury during training camp that landed him on injured reserve. Bateman saw six targets against the Chargers, most among all Ravens wideouts, and caught four of them for 29 yards. There's plenty to be excited about from a talent standpoint with Bateman, which makes him a smart add-and-stash for those who can afford to be patient as his role grows.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts (23.1%): Hilton made his season debut in Week 6 and looked pretty darn good for a guy who hadn't played football for a while. And although Hilton he did leave the game with an injury, coach Frank Reich did not seem overly concerned about it after the game. We've seen more than enough from Hilton in the past to know he can be a factor in fantasy. Hilton is an add-and-stash, particularly because we don't yet know whether he'll be available in Week 7.

Jamal Agnew, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (0.4%): When the Jaguars lost DJ Chark for the season, we figured it would mean that Laviska Shenault Jr. would become a very busy man. Although Shenault has received work, the emergence of Agnew has been a surprise over the past two weeks, as he has seen 13 targets. It's at least worth monitoring and makes Agnew a deep league add-and-stash. He's a speedster and proved to be a very smart addition by the Jaguars this offseason.
 

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Fantasy fallout: Don't go chasing Cincinnati's other receivers​

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Nobody has a more stacked lineup of fantasy analysts and NFL team reporters than ESPN. It's the rare "backfield by committee" that is actually a good thing for fantasy football managers.

Every Tuesday, Mike Triplett will ask our NFL Nation reporters a series of burning questions about the weekend's biggest stories in order to help inform you for your waiver-wire pickups and roster decisions.

Among this week's topics: Why you should be prepared to wait for New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas to make an impact and why you should lower expectations for Cincinnati Bengals receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

It's time to begin our weekly trip around the league, so fasten your seat belts and get ready to tour the NFL Nation!



i
New Orleans Saints​

How soon will Michael Thomas be back on the field?

That's still a big TBD. However, even if he returns to practice this week now that he is eligible to come off of the PUP list, fantasy managers should be prepared to wait a little longer for him to be usable in their starting lineups. Remember, Thomas hasn't practiced with the Saints since January, and he had major ankle surgery in June.

He has been working out individually with the team, but it's unclear whether he is ready to be a full practice participant right away. Plus, he will need some time to ramp up before being activated for a game and ultimately resuming a full-time role. Eventually Thomas should return to being a major target for a passing offense that badly needs one. Just don't expect that to happen overnight. -- Triplett


i
Cincinnati Bengals​

Is Cincinnati's WR corps too crowded for both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd to be consistent fantasy producers?

Yes. The reliability of Higgins' and Boyd's respective target shares has dropped for two big reasons. One, Cincinnati's overall passing volume has plummeted significantly as the Bengals have employed a more balanced attack. Secondly, rookie Ja'Marr Chase has become QB Joe Burrow's preferred receiver target. It's fair to say he's Cincinnati's WR1 already. Given the LSU connection between Burrow and Chase, Higgins and Boyd could continue to see fewer targets throughout the season. -- Ben Baby


i
Baltimore Ravens

Could Devonta Freeman's role be big enough for fantasy managers to use him as a bye-week or injury replacement?

This really depends on Latavius Murray's availability. Murray left Sunday's game with an ankle injury and didn't return. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he didn't think it was serious, but acknowledged he didn't know the full extent of it. If Murray is sidelined, Freeman will step into a starting role against a Cincinnati defense that has struggled to stop Baltimore's running game in the past. The Bengals allowed the Ravens to run for 565 yards in two games last season. If Murray can play, though, Freeman might get only 4-5 carries. It's a situation worth monitoring. -- Jamison Hensley


i
Chicago Bears

Do you expect Justin Fields to be a bigger part of Chicago's run game after his career-high 43 rushing yards Sunday?

The Bears want Fields to extend plays and run when it makes sense. Also, look for Chicago to call 4-7 designed runs for Fields each week, especially with star running back David Montgomery (knee) on short-term injured reserve. Fields is always a smart play for fantasy managers because he has elite speed and moves within the pocket. The Bears are not about to stifle that. -- Jeff Dickerson


i
Cleveland Browns


Do the Browns have yet another running back who will become fantasy-relevant while Kareem Hunt is sidelined? Do you think they'll remain a run-heavy team even while Nick Chubb is also banged up?

The Browns are not changing their identity. After all, QB Baker Mayfield and offensive tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin are banged up as well. That said, Chubb is the only fantasy-relevant Browns back right now. However, since he will be missing another game on Thursday versus Denver, D'Ernest Johnson becomes intriguing. In the game when Chubb got injured last year, Johnson came in and rushed for 95 yards on 13 carries. Rookie Demetric Felton is worth monitoring too. The Browns need playmaking, and Felton, whether out of the backfield or at receiver, can give them that as a pass-catcher. -- Jake Trotter


i
Denver Broncos

Do you expect more consistent production from Noah Fant going forward after his career-high nine catches?

Fant is going to get plenty of targets at the position because the other pass-catching tight end (Albert Okwuegbunam) is on injured reserve. However, everybody's total targets are in for an adjustment with Jerry Jeudy coming back to the lineup at some point over the next three weeks. The Broncos have started the practice clock on Jeudy, who has been on IR since suffering an ankle injury in the season opener. Coach Vic Fangio said its "possible'' Jeudy would play as soon as Thursday night against the Browns, but it's far more likely that he'd return Oct. 31 against Washington or Nov. 7 against Dallas. -- Jeff Legwold


i
Indianapolis Colts

Apparently it didn't take long for T.Y. Hilton to establish himself as a go-to guy for yet another Colts quarterback. Do you expect that to continue -- and could that slow Michael Pittman Jr.'s rise?

Hilton, especially with the potential loss of Parris Campbell (foot) for the rest of the season, is Indianapolis' best deep threat. However, Pittman is the Colts' No. 1 receiver because he can do a little bit of everything, especially going into traffic to get a ball (see his effprt against Baltimore in Week 5) due to his size. You might want to pump the brakes on Hilton briefly, though, because he suffered a quad injury in the fourth quarter against Houston and his status for Sunday's game at San Francisco is up in the air. -- Mike Wells


i
Las Vegas Raiders

Any chance Kenyan Drake's two touchdowns could lead to a bigger role under a new coach?

To quote '90s R&B group Blackstreet, "No Diggity, no doubt." The funny thing is, before his 2-TD performance at Denver on Sunday (one by ground, one by air), Drake was going to be my 32-for-32 trade candidate. No more. Not after showing what he can do when used properly.

In his final Raiders media conference, Jon Gruden was asked specifically about Drake and whether he needed to use him more. "No," Gruden said, adding that he wanted to get "everyone" involved. But, as new offensive playcaller Greg Olson later said, you're bound to have a different "flow" with a different playcaller. And there it is.

I like the way he works it, but I'm just not sure Drake is a safe bet for fantasy managers to go all-in on with so much in flux with the organization. -- Paul Gutierrez


i
New England Patriots

Do you expect Rhamondre Stevenson's role to keep growing?

Absolutely. He was a bright spot in the game, showing up as a rusher (5 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD) and as a pass-catcher (3 catches, 39 yards). Plus, with Damien Harris managing an injury to his ribs, Stevenson is in position to do more. This was an important bounce-back game for him, as he is back to level ground after being benched for three games following a lost fumble and blitz-pickup struggles in the opener. -- Mike Reiss


i
Washington

Could J.D. McKissic keep up this kind of workload if Antonio Gibson misses time, or would another back get significant snaps?


Nobody knows, but he'll certainly get the chance. Jaret Patterson would play a little more, of course. I could see Patterson getting more early-down carries. But they love McKissic, and with good reason. So, I don't know that his snaps would increase a ton as much as his productivity would be more consistent. He hasn't caught more than two passes in consecutive games. The team has no chance at all if that remains the case and Gibson can't play. -- John Keim

Ricky Seals-Jones has played almost every snap since Logan Thomas got hurt. Should he be a serious consideration for fantasy managers dealing with byes or injuries?

Sure. He'll continue to get chances, and Taylor Heinicke is comfortable throwing to him. The two worked together a lot in training camp on the second unit, so that familiarity has helped. Seals-Jones is a bit limited, but the team keeps losing other weapons and the tight end has had 15 combined targets over the past two games. Thomas should be back in November, but that still gives Seals-Jones a chance to help someone for the next two weeks. -- Keim
 

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Fantasy football trade index and rest-of-season rankings: Joe Burrow, Darrel Williams moving up​

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Have you made more trades this season than the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles did last week? Sure, perhaps it was not loaded with big names but in the fantasy community, it certainly mattered. It helped both teams, too.

We will get to that, the positional rankings and our trade index as well as continue our trek through October. Good luck trading!



Quarterback​

Rankings changes: Time to shine some praise on a few second-year passers. Philadelphia Eagles runner Jalen Hurts has surpassed 20 PPR points in each game this season. He can thank his legs. Cincinnati Bengals passer Joe Burrow has thrown two or more touchdowns in each game. He can thank his arm. Hurts moves into the top five and Burrow solidifies his top 100 spot, though he remains one spot outside the top 10 quarterbacks. A big Week 7 game at Baltimore changes that.

Trade for: We mentioned trading for Seattle's Russell Wilson a week ago, and we mean it. He will have a big second half. You know, nobody ever wants to trade for the Vikings' Kirk Cousins and most of the time he is solid. He is the No. 10 QB for the season but a value in these rankings. Patrick Mahomes must stop these interceptions and, it says here, he will. As for the Ravens' Lamar Jackson and Chargers' Justin Herbert, who each scored 11 PPR points even though the former QB blew out the latter on Sunday 34-6, definitely invest.

Be cautious trading for: Miami's Tua Tagovailoa. Let him prove he can stay on the field. The Giants' Daniel Jones was terrible on Sunday. He has four touchdown passes ... this season! Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger won Sunday night, but he still has yet to reach 17 PPR points in a game. Let us not assume good times are pending. As for passers half his age, there remains no rookie QB to count on at this point.

Running back​

Rankings changes: First of all, for those still arguing about No. 1, well, stop it. Derrick Henry is unstoppable. Second, we got a bit of clarity on the former No. 1 Carolina's Christian McCaffrey, as he went on the injured reserve list. See you in Week 9, but only maybe and there should be real concerns about him staying healthy for December. One Cleveland running back takes a much larger tumble than the other. Tampa Bay's Leonard Fournette is the big riser. Hey, good for him. He has the backfield to himself, pretty much. Others moving up include the Chiefs' Darrel Williams, Panthers' Chuba Hubbard and Raiders' Kenyan Drake. Do not assume they are one-week wonders.

Trade for: The top 10 running backs appear awesome and safe. Anyone injured is, well, not on the field and we know that injury often leads to more injury. Think about that with McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Chris Carson. They belong in the next section. In deeper formats, it appears Washington's J.D. McKissic is not going away. Love those pass-catching running backs!

Be cautious trading for: The injured fellows. And we know you love the Rams' Darrell Henderson Jr. today, and we hope for durability, but let us see more. Be careful of the Patriots' Damien Harris. Still no factor in the passing game and no reason to believe it changes. James Conner has more PPR points. Three of the top four PPR running back scorers take their bye this week. Do not make a bad trade just for a Week 7 fill-in.

Wide receiver​

Rankings changes: His quarterback moves up, and so does his former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase, into our top 10. Pittsburgh's Diontae Johnson is back in the top 20 and Tampa Bay's Antonio Brown is just about there. We shall see if the Saints' Michael Thomas plays this coming week, and how it affects the offense. The bigger news is probably the droppers: The Bears' Allen Robinson. The physically compromised Titans. The Wilson-less Seahawks. Poor Robby Anderson.

Trade for: Unlike running back, there are about 25 or so wide receivers to be comfortable about. Seattle's Tyler Lockett is on the line but remember, Wilson will return soon. The Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb breaks into the top 10 soon. The Chargers' duo should be fine. Courtland Sutton is breaking out.

Be cautious trading for: Any rookie not named Chase. We want to believe Miami's Jaylen Waddle is safe. Perhaps he is. His QB must stay healthy, though. Trading for any Chiefs WRs other than Tyreek Hill seems too risky.

Tight end​

Rankings changes: Trade! Zach Ertz moves on from the Eagles to the Cardinals and that is key for not only his statistical value, but of Dallas Goedert. Now they can each play more snaps and get more targets! Everyone wins and perhaps we have a pair of TE1 options soon. For now, the back end of the TE1 discussion is rather crowded. Good for those in 14-team leagues! As always, unless it is one of the top three or four options, tough to trade for a tight end when there is relative depth.

Eric Karabell's Rest-Of-Year Top 100 Rankings​

RANK PLAYERTEAMBYEPOS.
RANK
NEXT 3
1 Derrick HenryTEN13RB1KC, @IND, @LAR
2 Alvin KamaraNO6RB2@SEA, TB, ATL
3 Austin EkelerLAC7RB3BYE, NE, @PHI
4 Ezekiel ElliottDAL7RB4BYE, @MIN, DEN
5 Jonathan TaylorIND14RB5@SF, TEN, NYJ
6 Najee HarrisPIT7RB6BYE, @CLE, CHI
7 Dalvin CookMIN7RB7BYE, DAL, @BAL
8 Aaron JonesGB13RB8WSH, @ARI, @KC
9 Davante AdamsGB13WR1WSH, @ARI, @KC
10 Tyreek HillKC12WR2@TEN, NYG, GB
11UPCooper KuppLAR11WR3DET, @HOU, TEN
12 James RobinsonJAX7RB9BYE, @SEA, BUF
13UPJoe MixonCIN10RB10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
14 Justin JeffersonMIN7WR4BYE, DAL, @BAL
15 Terry McLaurinWSH9WR5@GB, @den, BYE
16DOWNNick ChubbCLE13RB11DEN, PIT, @CIN
17 Stefon DiggsBUF7WR6BYE, MIA, @Jax
18 Travis KelceKC12TE1@TEN, NYG, GB
19 DeAndre HopkinsARI12WR7HOU, GB, @SF
20 D'Andre SwiftDET9RB12@LAR, PHI, BYE
21 Antonio GibsonWSH9RB13@GB, @den, BYE
22 Calvin RidleyATL6WR8@MIA, CAR, @NO
23 Josh AllenBUF7QB1BYE, MIA, @Jax
24 Kyler MurrayARI12QB2HOU, GB, @SF
25 Patrick MahomesKC12QB3@TEN, NYG, GB
26 Lamar JacksonBAL8QB4CIN, BYE, MIN
27UPJalen HurtsPHI14QB5@LV, @DET, LAC
28 DK MetcalfSEA9WR9NO, JAX, BYE
29UPJa'Marr ChaseCIN10WR10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
30 Mike WilliamsLAC7WR11BYE, NE, @PHI
31UPCeeDee LambDAL7WR12BYE, @MIN, DEN
32 Mike EvansTB9WR13CHI, @NO, BYE
33 Darren WallerLV8TE2PHI, BYE, @NYG
34 Keenan AllenLAC7WR14BYE, NE, @PHI
35 Adam ThielenMIN7WR15BYE, DAL, @BAL
36DOWNJustin HerbertLAC7QB6BYE, NE, @PHI
37 Tom BradyTB9QB7CHI, @NO, BYE
38DOWNChristian McCaffreyCAR13RB14@NYG, @ATL, NE
39 Saquon BarkleyNYG10RB15CAR, @KC, LV
40 DJ MooreCAR13WR16@NYG, @ATL, NE
41UPA.J. BrownTEN13WR17KC, @IND, @LAR
42UPDiontae JohnsonPIT7WR18BYE, @CLE, CHI
43DOWNDeebo SamuelSF6WR19IND, @CHI, ARI
44UPDarrell Henderson Jr.LAR11RB16DET, @HOU, TEN
45UPLeonard FournetteTB9RB17CHI, @NO, BYE
46 Chase EdmondsARI12RB18HOU, GB, @SF
47 James ConnerARI12RB19HOU, GB, @SF
48 Josh JacobsLV8RB20PHI, BYE, @NYG
49 Chris GodwinTB9WR20CHI, @NO, BYE
50 Marquise BrownBAL8WR21CIN, BYE, MIN
51 Javonte WilliamsDEN11RB21@CLE, WSH, @DAL
52DOWNChris CarsonSEA9RB22NO, JAX, BYE
53 Cordarrelle PattersonATL6RB23@MIA, CAR, @NO
54 Courtland SuttonDEN11WR22@CLE, WSH, @DAL
55UPAntonio BrownTB9WR23CHI, @NO, BYE
56 Dak PrescottDAL7QB8BYE, @MIN, DEN
57UPAaron RodgersGB13QB9WSH, @ARI, @KC
58UPMatthew StaffordLAR11QB10DET, @HOU, TEN
59UPChuba HubbardCAR13RB24@NYG, @ATL, NE
60 Mark AndrewsBAL8TE3CIN, BYE, MIN
61 Robert WoodsLAR11WR24DET, @HOU, TEN
62DOWNMyles GaskinMIA14RB25ATL, @BUF, HOU
63 Damien HarrisNE14RB26NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
64DOWNTyler LockettSEA9WR25NO, JAX, BYE
65 Tee HigginsCIN10WR26@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
66 Amari CooperDAL7WR27BYE, @MIN, DEN
67 Kyle PittsATL6TE4@MIA, CAR, @NO
68 T.J. HockensonDET9TE5@LAR, PHI, BYE
69UPNoah FantDEN11TE6@CLE, WSH, @DAL
70UPJ.D. McKissicWSH9RB27@GB, @den, BYE
71DOWNAllen Robinson IICHI10WR28@TB, SF, @PIT
72DOWNZack MossBUF7RB28BYE, MIA, @Jax
73DOWNBrandin CooksHOU10WR29@ARI, LAR, @MIA
74 Miles SandersPHI14RB29@LV, @DET, LAC
75UPAlex CollinsSEA9RB30NO, JAX, BYE
76DOWNMelvin Gordon IIIDEN11RB31@CLE, WSH, @DAL
77UPJaylen WaddleMIA14WR30ATL, @BUF, HOU
78DOWNDawson KnoxBUF7TE7BYE, MIA, @Jax
79UPDarrel WilliamsKC12RB32@TEN, NYG, GB
80UPJoe BurrowCIN10QB11@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
81DOWNMichael Pittman Jr.IND14WR31@SF, TEN, NYJ
82 Chase ClaypoolPIT7WR32BYE, @CLE, CHI
83DOWNDavid MontgomeryCHI10RB33@TB, SF, @PIT
84DOWNJulio JonesTEN13WR33KC, @IND, @LAR
85DOWNClyde Edwards-HelaireKC12RB34@TEN, NYG, GB
86UPDevontae BookerNYG10RB35CAR, @KC, LV
87 Elijah MitchellSF6RB36IND, @CHI, ARI
88DOWNKareem HuntCLE13RB37DEN, PIT, @CIN
89DOWNDeVonta SmithPHI14WR34@LV, @DET, LAC
90DOWNMichael CarterNYJ6RB38@NE, CIN, @IND
91 Latavius MurrayBAL8RB39CIN, BYE, MIN
92DOWNAlexander MattisonMIN7RB40BYE, DAL, @BAL
93DOWNMike DavisATL6RB41@MIA, CAR, @NO
94DOWNDamien WilliamsCHI10RB42@TB, SF, @PIT
95DOWNDevin SingletaryBUF7RB43BYE, MIA, @Jax
96UPTony PollardDAL7RB44BYE, @MIN, DEN
97 AJ DillonGB13RB45WSH, @ARI, @KC
98UPKenyan DrakeLV8RB46PHI, BYE, @NYG
99UPMarvin Jones Jr.JAX7WR35BYE, @SEA, BUF
100UPMichael ThomasNO6WR36@SEA, TB, ATL

Top 40 Quarterbacks​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
123 Josh AllenBUF7BYE, MIA, @Jax
224 Kyler MurrayARI12HOU, GB, @SF
325 Patrick MahomesKC12@TEN, NYG, GB
426 Lamar JacksonBAL8CIN, BYE, MIN
527 Jalen HurtsPHI14@LV, @DET, LAC
636 Justin HerbertLAC7BYE, NE, @PHI
737 Tom BradyTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
856 Dak PrescottDAL7BYE, @MIN, DEN
957 Aaron RodgersGB13WSH, @ARI, @KC
1058 Matthew StaffordLAR11DET, @HOU, TEN
1180 Joe BurrowCIN10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
12115 Kirk CousinsMIN7BYE, DAL, @BAL
13116 Ryan TannehillTEN13KC, @IND, @LAR
14121 Russell WilsonSEA9NO, JAX, BYE
15125 Derek CarrLV8PHI, BYE, @NYG
16126 Matt RyanATL6@MIA, CAR, @NO
17134 Daniel JonesNYG10CAR, @KC, LV
18136 Sam DarnoldCAR13@NYG, @ATL, NE
19139 Baker MayfieldCLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN
20140 Teddy BridgewaterDEN11@CLE, WSH, @DAL
21183 Ben RoethlisbergerPIT7BYE, @CLE, CHI
22185 Carson WentzIND14@SF, TEN, NYJ
23188 Trevor LawrenceJAX7BYE, @SEA, BUF
24189UPTua TagovailoaMIA14ATL, @BUF, HOU
25190 Jimmy GaroppoloSF6IND, @CHI, ARI
26191 Trey LanceSF6IND, @CHI, ARI
27192 Jameis WinstonNO6@SEA, TB, ATL
28193 Mac JonesNE14NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
29194 Justin FieldsCHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
30195 Taylor HeinickeWSH9@GB, @den, BYE
31196 Jared GoffDET9@LAR, PHI, BYE
32NR Zach WilsonNYJ6@NE, CIN, @IND
33NR Andy DaltonCHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
34NR Jacoby BrissettMIA14ATL, @BUF, HOU
35NR Geno SmithSEA9NO, JAX, BYE
36NR Davis MillsHOU10@ARI, LAR, @MIA
37NR Tyrod TaylorHOU10@ARI, LAR, @MIA
38NR Ryan FitzpatrickWSH9@GB, @den, BYE
39NRUPCase KeenumCLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN
40NR Taysom HillNO6@SEA, TB, ATL

Top 60 Running Backs​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
11 Derrick HenryTEN13KC, @IND, @LAR
22 Alvin KamaraNO6@SEA, TB, ATL
33 Austin EkelerLAC7BYE, NE, @PHI
44 Ezekiel ElliottDAL7BYE, @MIN, DEN
55 Jonathan TaylorIND14@SF, TEN, NYJ
66 Najee HarrisPIT7BYE, @CLE, CHI
77 Dalvin CookMIN7BYE, DAL, @BAL
88 Aaron JonesGB13WSH, @ARI, @KC
912 James RobinsonJAX7BYE, @SEA, BUF
1013UPJoe MixonCIN10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
1116 Nick ChubbCLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN
1220 D'Andre SwiftDET9@LAR, PHI, BYE
1321 Antonio GibsonWSH9@GB, @den, BYE
1438DOWNChristian McCaffreyCAR13@NYG, @ATL, NE
1539 Saquon BarkleyNYG10CAR, @KC, LV
1644UPDarrell Henderson Jr.LAR11DET, @HOU, TEN
1745UPLeonard FournetteTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
1846 Chase EdmondsARI12HOU, GB, @SF
1947 James ConnerARI12HOU, GB, @SF
2048 Josh JacobsLV8PHI, BYE, @NYG
2151 Javonte WilliamsDEN11@CLE, WSH, @DAL
2252DOWNChris CarsonSEA9NO, JAX, BYE
2353 Cordarrelle PattersonATL6@MIA, CAR, @NO
2459UPChuba HubbardCAR13@NYG, @ATL, NE
2562DOWNMyles GaskinMIA14ATL, @BUF, HOU
2663 Damien HarrisNE14NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
2770UPJ.D. McKissicWSH9@GB, @den, BYE
2872 Zack MossBUF7BYE, MIA, @Jax
2974 Miles SandersPHI14@LV, @DET, LAC
3075UPAlex CollinsSEA9NO, JAX, BYE
3176DOWNMelvin Gordon IIIDEN11@CLE, WSH, @DAL
3279UPDarrel WilliamsKC12@TEN, NYG, GB
3383DOWNDavid MontgomeryCHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
3485DOWNClyde Edwards-HelaireKC12@TEN, NYG, GB
3586UPDevontae BookerNYG10CAR, @KC, LV
3687 Elijah MitchellSF6IND, @CHI, ARI
3788DOWNKareem HuntCLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN
3890DOWNMichael CarterNYJ6@NE, CIN, @IND
3991UPLatavius MurrayBAL8CIN, BYE, MIN
4092DOWNAlexander MattisonMIN7BYE, DAL, @BAL
4193DOWNMike DavisATL6@MIA, CAR, @NO
4294DOWNDamien WilliamsCHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
4395DOWNDevin SingletaryBUF7BYE, MIA, @Jax
4496 Tony PollardDAL7BYE, @MIN, DEN
4597 AJ DillonGB13WSH, @ARI, @KC
4698UPKenyan DrakeLV8PHI, BYE, @NYG
47105 Sony MichelLAR11DET, @HOU, TEN
48106 Jamaal WilliamsDET9@LAR, PHI, BYE
49107UPKhalil HerbertCHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
50114DOWNTrey SermonSF6IND, @CHI, ARI
51119 Nyheim HinesIND14@SF, TEN, NYJ
52120DOWNKenneth GainwellPHI14@LV, @DET, LAC
53123 Rhamondre StevensonNE14NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
54144UPDevonta FreemanBAL8CIN, BYE, MIN
55145 Ronald Jones IITB9CHI, @NO, BYE
56149 Giovani BernardTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
57152UPRashaad PennySEA9NO, JAX, BYE
58154UPLe'Veon BellBAL8CIN, BYE, MIN
59157 Tarik CohenCHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
60163 Marlon MackIND14@SF, TEN, NYJ

Top 60 Wide Receivers​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
19 Davante AdamsGB13WSH, @ARI, @KC
210 Tyreek HillKC12@TEN, NYG, GB
311UPCooper KuppLAR11DET, @HOU, TEN
414 Justin JeffersonMIN7BYE, DAL, @BAL
515 Terry McLaurinWSH9@GB, @den, BYE
617DOWNStefon DiggsBUF7BYE, MIA, @Jax
719 DeAndre HopkinsARI12HOU, GB, @SF
822 Calvin RidleyATL6@MIA, CAR, @NO
928 DK MetcalfSEA9NO, JAX, BYE
1029UPJa'Marr ChaseCIN10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
1130 Mike WilliamsLAC7BYE, NE, @PHI
1231UPCeeDee LambDAL7BYE, @MIN, DEN
1332DOWNMike EvansTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
1434 Keenan AllenLAC7BYE, NE, @PHI
1535 Adam ThielenMIN7BYE, DAL, @BAL
1640 DJ MooreCAR13@NYG, @ATL, NE
1741UPA.J. BrownTEN13KC, @IND, @LAR
1842UPDiontae JohnsonPIT7BYE, @CLE, CHI
1943DOWNDeebo SamuelSF6IND, @CHI, ARI
2049 Chris GodwinTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
2150 Marquise BrownBAL8CIN, BYE, MIN
2254 Courtland SuttonDEN11@CLE, WSH, @DAL
2355UPAntonio BrownTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
2461 Robert WoodsLAR11DET, @HOU, TEN
2564DOWNTyler LockettSEA9NO, JAX, BYE
2665 Tee HigginsCIN10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
2766 Amari CooperDAL7BYE, @MIN, DEN
2871DOWNAllen Robinson IICHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
2973 Brandin CooksHOU10@ARI, LAR, @MIA
3077UPJaylen WaddleMIA14ATL, @BUF, HOU
3181 Michael Pittman Jr.IND14@SF, TEN, NYJ
3282 Chase ClaypoolPIT7BYE, @CLE, CHI
3384DOWNJulio JonesTEN13KC, @IND, @LAR
3489DOWNDeVonta SmithPHI14@LV, @DET, LAC
3599UPMarvin Jones Jr.JAX7BYE, @SEA, BUF
36100UPMichael ThomasNO6@SEA, TB, ATL
37101 Henry Ruggs IIILV8PHI, BYE, @NYG
38102DOWNCorey DavisNYJ6@NE, CIN, @IND
39103 Hunter RenfrowLV8PHI, BYE, @NYG
40104 Tyler BoydCIN10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
41108 Laviska Shenault Jr.JAX7BYE, @SEA, BUF
42122 Kadarius ToneyNYG10CAR, @KC, LV
43124 Emmanuel SandersBUF7BYE, MIA, @Jax
44130 Rondale MooreARI12HOU, GB, @SF
45131UPA.J. GreenARI12HOU, GB, @SF
46132UPSterling ShepardNYG10CAR, @KC, LV
47133UPChristian KirkARI12HOU, GB, @SF
48135UPK.J. OsbornMIN7BYE, DAL, @BAL
49137 Randall CobbGB13WSH, @ARI, @KC
50138 Brandon AiyukSF6IND, @CHI, ARI
51141DOWNJakobi MeyersNE14NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
52142 Van JeffersonLAR11DET, @HOU, TEN
53143 Marquez CallawayNO6@SEA, TB, ATL
54146 William Fuller VMIA14ATL, @BUF, HOU
55148UPTim PatrickDEN11@CLE, WSH, @DAL
56150UPKalif RaymondDET9@LAR, PHI, BYE
57151 Cole BeasleyBUF7BYE, MIA, @Jax
58153DOWNRobby AndersonCAR13@NYG, @ATL, NE
59155UPDonovan Peoples-JonesCLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN
60156DOWNOdell Beckham Jr.CLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN

Top 30 Tight Ends​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
PLAYERTEAMBYENEXT 3
118 Travis KelceKC12@TEN, NYG, GB
233 Darren WallerLV8PHI, BYE, @NYG
360 Mark AndrewsBAL8CIN, BYE, MIN
467 Kyle PittsATL6@MIA, CAR, @NO
568 T.J. HockensonDET9@LAR, PHI, BYE
669 Noah FantDEN11@CLE, WSH, @DAL
778 Dawson KnoxBUF7BYE, MIA, @Jax
8109UPMike GesickiMIA14ATL, @BUF, HOU
9110 Hunter HenryNE14NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
10111 Dalton SchultzDAL7BYE, @MIN, DEN
11112 Tyler HigbeeLAR11DET, @HOU, TEN
12113 George KittleSF6IND, @CHI, ARI
13117 Dallas GoedertPHI14@LV, @DET, LAC
14118UPZach ErtzARI12HOU, GB, @SF
15127 Jared CookLAC7BYE, NE, @PHI
16128 Rob GronkowskiTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
17129DOWNLogan ThomasWSH9@GB, @den, BYE
18147 Robert TonyanGB13WSH, @ARI, @KC
19170 David NjokuCLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN
20179UPRicky Seals-JonesWSH9@GB, @den, BYE
21181DOWNJonnu SmithNE14NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
22182 Dan ArnoldJAX7BYE, @SEA, BUF
23187 Jack DoyleIND14@SF, TEN, NYJ
24NR Blake JarwinDAL7BYE, @MIN, DEN
25NRUPPat FreiermuthPIT7BYE, @CLE, CHI
26NR Juwan JohnsonNO6@SEA, TB, ATL
27NRDOWNAustin HooperCLE13DEN, PIT, @CIN
28NR Mo Alie-CoxIND14@SF, TEN, NYJ
29NR C.J. UzomahCIN10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
30NR Cameron BrateTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
31NR O.J. HowardTB9CHI, @NO, BYE
32NR Evan EngramNYG10CAR, @KC, LV
33NR Tommy TrembleCAR13@NYG, @ATL, NE
34NR Gerald EverettSEA9NO, JAX, BYE
35NR Hayden HurstATL6@MIA, CAR, @NO
36NR Tyler ConklinMIN7BYE, DAL, @BAL
37NR Cole KmetCHI10@TB, SF, @PIT
38NR Donald Parham Jr.LAC7BYE, NE, @PHI
39NR Anthony FirkserTEN13KC, @IND, @LAR
40NR Foster MoreauLV8PHI, BYE, @NYG

Top 32 Team Defense/Special Teams​

POS.
RANK
OVR.
RANK
TEAMBYENEXT 3
1173 Bills D/ST7BYE, MIA, @Jax
2175 Buccaneers D/ST9CHI, @NO, BYE
3197 Rams D/ST11DET, @HOU, TEN
4198UPRavens D/ST8CIN, BYE, MIN
5199UPSteelers D/ST7BYE, @CLE, CHI
6200UPBroncos D/ST11@CLE, WSH, @DAL
7NRUPCardinals D/ST12HOU, GB, @SF
8NRUPCowboys D/ST7BYE, @MIN, DEN
9NR Bears D/ST10@TB, SF, @PIT
10NR Saints D/ST6@SEA, TB, ATL
11NRDOWN49ers D/ST6IND, @CHI, ARI
12NRDOWNBrowns D/ST13DEN, PIT, @CIN
13NRDOWNPatriots D/ST14NYJ, @LAC, @CAR
14NR Colts D/ST14@SF, TEN, NYJ
15NR Panthers D/ST13@NYG, @ATL, NE
16NR Vikings D/ST7BYE, DAL, @BAL
17NR Packers D/ST13WSH, @ARI, @KC
18NR Chiefs D/ST12@TEN, NYG, GB
19NR Eagles D/ST14@LV, @DET, LAC
20NR Dolphins D/ST14ATL, @BUF, HOU
21NR Chargers D/ST7BYE, NE, @PHI
22NR Seahawks D/ST9NO, JAX, BYE
23NRDOWNWashington D/ST9@GB, @den, BYE
24NRUPRaiders D/ST8PHI, BYE, @NYG
25NR Jets D/ST6@NE, CIN, @IND
26NR Titans D/ST13KC, @IND, @LAR
27NR Giants D/ST10CAR, @KC, LV
28NR Lions D/ST9@LAR, PHI, BYE
29NR Bengals D/ST10@BAL, @NYJ, CLE
30NR Falcons D/ST6@MIA, CAR, @NO
31NR Texans D/ST10@ARI, LAR, @MIA
32NR Jaguars D/ST7BYE, @SEA, BUF
 

Wagerallsports

Wagerallsports

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Messages
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Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 8: Mining the NFC East for pickups​

ESPN PLUS


Congratulations!

You've navigated the most difficult week of the fantasy football season, as Week 7 presented significant challenges with countless good players either on their bye or simply out because of injury.

Week 7 was the only week during the NFL calendar this season that scheduled six teams for a bye, which left us without the likes of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, James Robinson, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Diontae Johnson and Najee Harris.

Many, many more names were also unavailable for fantasy managers. We are all glad this past week is over. Now, byes are hardly gone forever and, in fact, 24 teams have still have yet to take theirs -- starting with the Ravens and Raiders in Week 8. Still, there has to be some rejoicing that the hardest week is behind us.

So, let's look forward and dive into the Week 8 ESPN Fantasy waiver-wire conversation below.

Note: All players on this column are available in at least 50% of leagues on ESPN.com.

i
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, (25.64% rostered) and Boston Scott, RB, (0.7%), Philadelphia Eagles: Miles Sanders left early in Week 7 due to an ankle injury, forcing the Eagles to turn to Gainwell and Scott, who both found the end zone. Gainwell is the better receiver and already had a role this season, while Scott had largely been relegated to a depth-level spot within the Philadelphia offense. So, while my preference would be to add Gainwell (more receiving upside), both merit consideration because I don't think either one will dominate the vast majority of touches. Because of that uncertainty, I'm not sure either player is a "lock it in" starter, even as I do recommend prioritizing Gainwell.

i
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers (1.6%): While it's unclear right now if MVS will even play on Thursday night after dealing with an injury that's kept him out for about a month, the Packers are severely thin at wide receiver after both Davante Adams and Allen Lazard landed on the COVID-19 list. Good things tend to come when you play with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and while this is still a roll of the dice, hopefully MVS finds somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-7 targets and one long catch, as he's also possesses elite long speed.

i
Dante Pettis, WR, New York Giants (0.6%): After a rash of injuries in the huddle, Pettis has become an unlikely top target for the Giants over the last two weeks. He has a total of 16 targets over the past two games and picked up a touchdown in Week 7. While his value would certainly diminish if several of the Giants' top pass-catchers (Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney) were to be available in Week 8, it's too soon to tell if that will indeed be the case. Either way, it's good to see the former second-round pick taking advantage of this opportunity.

i
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens (17.2%): The first-rounder has played in just two games this season and already looks like he'll have a nice home within the Ravens offense. He has posted back-to-back games with six targets and on Sunday he turned them into 80 receiving yards against the Bengals. Baltimore is extremely optimistic about his outlook as a player and, while they head into a bye this week, this is a "talent add" for a guy who should only improve as the season moves along.

i
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (42.4%): The Dolphins quarterback has returned from an injury and has now delivered in back-to-back weeks for fantasy purposes. He has recorded nearly 24.0 points per game and completed over 70% of his passes in both contests. While his Week 8 matchup against the Bills is more daunting, I think the play here is to add Tagovailoa now before you need a bye-week fill-in later. For example, Tom Brady is on a bye in Week 9 and Matthew Stafford has Week 11 off. Miami faces favorable matchups in the Texans and the Jets, respectively, in those two weeks.

i
Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals (30.8%): The Cardinals offense just keeps on rolling and Kirk has been rock-solid as a part of this roll. He has had five games this season with 50-plus receiving yards and five games with double-digit fantasy points. While DeAndre Hopkins figures to lead the team in targets and others like A.J. Green and Rondale Moore will also have a role, there's been enough to go around for Kirk. Snatch him up in deeper leagues. He has had three games with eight targets this season. When you have Kyler Murray as your quarterback, you have a chance.


i
Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons (9.9%): Gage was a fairly trendy preseason sleeper, but he's been limited to just three games so far this year, including a goose egg in Week 1. With that being said, he looked much more like the 2020 version of himself in Week 7, when he posted four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown on six targets. Gage plays in an offense that is one of the higher-volume passing units in the league. Matt Ryan has thrown at least 35 passes in every game this season and Gage figures to be a potential top-three option for Atlanta weekly. He's a nice deeper-league add.

i
Foster Moreau, TE, Las Vegas Raiders (0.2%): The Raiders head into their bye this week, affording Darren Waller an extra week to get healthy after an ankle injury kept him out of Week 7. If Waller is back in Week 9, Moreau's value is toast, but he stepped up and did a darn good job filling in for Waller in Week 7, catching six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Moreau is a solid player who just happens to be behind one of the best tight ends in the league, so his production should not be a total shock. If Waller's injury lingers, I'll have Moreau as a top-12 consideration in Week 9.
 

Wagerallsports

Wagerallsports

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Messages
41,169

Fantasy football flex and superflex rankings for Week 8​

ESPN PLUS

Welcome to Week 8 and the latest edition of the fantasy football superflex rankings, as we combine the best of the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends into one tidy package of 150 names to aid in your decision-making. Only two teams are on a bye this week (Ravens, Raiders). Follow our projections and myriad words online and in videos to help in roster decisions, but just trust your gut, too. Good luck in Week 8 and beyond!

1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: Leads all quarterbacks in fantasy points per contest and this week, he plays Miami. Nice.
2. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams: Here is the No. 1 overall scorer. Would have gotten pretty great odds on this one back in August.
3. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals: No. 3 QB scorer but a mere 10th in rushing yards at the position. Still, it is all working out. Packers matchup is tough, but you cannot sit him.
4. Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
5. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs:
Nobody has more interceptions. That noted, Mahomes is fifth in QB scoring. Faces Giants on Monday. Should bounce back nicely.
6. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans: Comes off worst game since Week 1. Something to watch is his decreased passing game usage. We were so excited about this until recently.
7. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints: No decreased anything for him in Week 7. But no other Saints are fantasy-relevant.
8. Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers
9. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles:
Cannot recall another player whose fantasy and real-life performance were so vastly different. He might really get benched soon.
10. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
11. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
12. Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
13. D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions:
The next Kamara. Seriously, trade for him if still possible. Eagles will not stop him this week.
14. Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs: Still nothing to worry about here. Ample targets. The interceptions do not go on his ledger.
15. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers: More than 20 PPR points in four consecutive and even at Cleveland, with his volume, he is safe.
16. Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
17. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants:
He throws. He runs. He even catches passes. Jones should get numbers against sputtering Chiefs defense.
18. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals: Just annihilated the Ravens defense, so no matchup should scare you. Now he plays the Jets.
19. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Broncos
20. Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
21. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
22. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals:
On pace for around 7 million receiving yards. OK, not quite, but it feels like it.
23. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Rams: Not to jinx him, but only one missed game and now comes a great matchup versus Texans. Enjoy it.
24. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars
25. Nick Chubb, RB, Browns:
Expected to return from calf injury this week, but no word yet on what kind of workload he gets. Browns have such ample running back depth.
26. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
27. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers:
We presume Davante Adams is out, so perhaps the Packers let Jones top 20 touches.
28. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans: Titans are winning, but their QB still has not reached 20 points since Week 3.
29. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers: Watch him throw for 300 yards even sans his top receiver.
30. Carson Wentz, QB, Colts
31. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
32. Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington:
He ran for 95 yards last week and topped 20 PPR points for the fourth time. Overall numbers look much like Daniel Jones, which is just fine.
33. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars: Comes off bye week with fewer points than 25 QBs. Not what we had in mind.
34. Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
35. DJ Moore, WR, Panthers
36. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys
37. Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals:
He has RB1 numbers, though pedestrian receiving numbers are a worry. Had nary a target in win over Ravens.
38. Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
39. A.J. Brown, WR, Titans:
Back on track in wins over Bills and Chiefs. Certainly could be a WR1 soon.
40. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
41. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Falcons:
OK, I am convinced he is a safe RB2 now. Notice he passed his ballyhooed teammate Ridley in these rankings. He is easily outscoring him.
42. Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons: Everyone pegged him for WR1 status and he has not delivered. Had only 26 receiving yards last week. Key week versus Panthers for his fantasy value.
43. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals
44. Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings
45. Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers:
Tough matchup at Saints, but he is barely sharing touches. This is an RB2.
46. Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
47. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
48. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
49. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington:
Perhaps someday he will have a QB1 to play with. Can only imagine his numbers then.
50. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
51. Jared Goff, QB, Lions:
Hard to believe Goff twice threw for more than 4,600 yards. This version will fall short, though he is a reasonable QB2 for Eagles matchup.
52. Jameis Winston, QB, Saints
53. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots
54. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks:
Made one big play on Monday to salvage statistical game, but overall he really, really needs Russell Wilson back.
55. Antonio Brown, WR, Buccaneers: He leads Bucs WRs in PPR points per game, so perhaps it is time we rank him that way. No, really. Make sure he returns to action this week, though.
56. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
57. Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
58. Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
59. Damien Harris, RB, Patriots:
Can make it three 100-yard rushing games in a row against the Chargers, who by the way, are not what most think defensively.
60. Robert Woods, WR, Rams
61. Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks
62. Sam Darnold, QB, Panthers:
Could easily be P.J. Walker early in this one, but who is still relying on Darnold? Other than Carolina, of course.
63. Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns: Might return from messy shoulder, but you should look elsewhere regardless.
64. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
65. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Texans:
Perhaps Davis Mills is not the future for this club.
66. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
67. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers:
The minute Trey Lance is ready he really should be the starter. His legs alone should make him fantasy viable.
68. Justin Fields, QB, Bears
69. Joe Flacco/Mike White, QB, Jets:
Either way, what are you doing investing here? I will say Flacco, even at this stage, is a clear upgrade.
70. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers
71. Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears:
Just ran for 100 yards on mighty Bucs run defense. He has to play over Damien Williams.
72. Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers: Looks the part of solid RB2, and Bears can be run on.
73. Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans
74. Kadarius Toney, WR, Giants:
Ankle injury could make him unavailable again, but if he plays, he is relevant.
75. Devontae Booker, RB, Giants
76. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington:
Should rush for 1,000 yards, but I cannot help but think, "is this all there is?"
77. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
78. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons:
Looks like the next Travis Kelce, right?
79. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Bills
80. Alex Collins, RB, Seahawks:
Held in check by Saints, but now he gets the Jaguars. Running out of time to solidify role before Chris Carson returns.
81. Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals
82. Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
83. Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys
84. Julio Jones, WR, Titans
85. Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants
86. Darrel Williams, RB, Chiefs:
Nothing special, but likely keeps some role even when Clyde Edwards-Helaire returns.
87. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles: No Miles Sanders this week, but the way the Eagles utilize running backs, will anyone notice?
88. Zack Moss, RB, Bills
89. Michael Carter, RB, Jets:
Should be the three-down back. Nice future here.
90. Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos
91. James Conner, RB, Cardinals:
Five receiving targets versus six rushing touchdowns this season. One of my favorite stats.
92. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos: Do not forget him! He is back from ankle injury, and he is a game-breaker.
93. Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
94. J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington
95. Jamaal Williams, RB, Lions:
No role in passing game with Swift around, but does have 50-plus rushing yards in three of four games.
96. Melvin Gordon III, RB, Broncos
97. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks:
I needed 2.2 PPR points from him on Monday to win a matchup and, LOL, he scored 3.2. You can sit him, even against Jags.
98. DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles: His QB is just so inaccurate. Yes, Gardner Minshew II would be better for Smith, much better in fact.
99. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Jaguars
100. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
101. Myles Gaskin, RB, Dolphins
102. Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts
103. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions:
Still only one game with more than 75 receiving yards, and no TDs since Week 2. Not all his fault, of course.
104. Boston Scott, RB, Eagles: Again, he should play, but relying on an Eagles RB seems so risky.
105. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
106. Kalif Raymond, WR, Lions
107. A.J. Green, WR, Cardinals:
Averaging 11.6 yards per target, which is easily a career best.
108. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers: Have to think he sees ample targets on Thursday. Who else is left?
109. Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
110. Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins:
Quiet in first Bills matchup, but still trending toward top-five TE status.
111. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Buccaneers
112. Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
113. DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
114. Cole Beasley, WR, Bills
115. Devin Singletary, RB, Bills
116. D'Ernest Johnson, RB, Browns:
Interested to see how many touches he gets if Chubb is active. Could play the Kareem Hunt role.
117. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Jaguars
118. Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals:
Has obviously been chased out of WR3 status, but this is a Jets matchup, so there is upside this week.
119. Samaje Perine, RB, Bengals
120. Mike Davis, RB, Falcons:
You probably wish to move on, but Week 7 was his first single-digit PPR game this season. It is not all bad.
121. Damien Williams, RB, Bears
122. Corey Davis, WR, Jets:
Do not laugh, but the Flacco trade definitely helps Davis. You know, if Flacco plays.
123. Kenny Golladay, WR, Giants: And you thought he would reach 1,100 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns again. Silly you.
124. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots
125. Brandon Bolden, RB, Patriots
126. AJ Dillon, RB, Packers
127. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs:
Surprised Mahomes does not throw his way a bit more. Nothing worked last week, though.
128. Dalton Schultz, TE, Cowboys
129. Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
130. Robert Tonyan, TE, Packers:
Nice red zone upside with Adams out.
131. Robby Anderson, WR, Panthers
132. Allen Robinson II, WR, Bears:
You know it is bad when 76 other wide receivers average more PPR points per game. Wow.
133. Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys
134. K.J. Osborn, WR, Vikings
135. Zach Ertz, TE, Cardinals:
Definitely a red zone factor for his new team and likely TE1 option for us.
136. Ty Johnson, RB, Jets
137. JaMycal Hasty, RB, 49ers
138. David Johnson, RB, Texans:
Has five receptions in two of past three games, a sign he could become relevant in fantasy.
139. Mark Ingram II, RB, Texans
140. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Browns:
Averaging poor 6.8 yards per target, in case you were thinking he was just unlucky.
141. Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns
142. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
143. Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals
144. Jamison Crowder, WR, Jets
145. Russell Gage, WR, Falcons
146. Van Jefferson, WR, Rams
147. Tim Patrick, WR, Broncos
148. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Packers
149. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks
150. Elijhaa Penny, RB, Giants:
And we close with the Penny running back brothers, because you know you care. Family first! Elijhaa is three years older and has 10.8 more PPR points this season. We do not recommend a Penny brother for this week in fantasy, but remain open-minded in the future and we will follow this storyline all season because we care and it is fun.
 

Wagerallsports

Wagerallsports

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Mar 6, 2018
Messages
41,169

Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: NFL Week 8 fantasy tips on start, sit, stream and more​

ESPN PLUS $ MATERIAL

The ESPN+ cheat sheet provides a rundown of the best tips from all of our fantasy football content. You'll find answers to the biggest start/sit questions of the week, along with injury updates, matchup advantages and wild-card plays from Matthew Berry, Eric Karabell, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Matt Bowen, Field Yates, Seth Walder, Al Zeidenfeld and myself. It's all the best advice in one handy article.

Here's what our experts are saying about Week 8 in the NFL.

Top Tips for Week 8​



Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (at Lions)

Hurts hasn't had the transcendent season many fantasy managers were expecting, but he has still been productive. "Hurts is now 7-for-7 on the season in scoring at least 20 fantasy points in a game," writes Matthew Berry in this week's fantasy football Love, Hate and Blind Résumés. "The man is seemingly incapable of not producing in fantasy, no matter how poorly his team -- or even Hurts himself some weeks -- performs." He now faces a Lions defense that has allowed 275.2 passing yards per game over its last five to Lamar Jackson, Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford. The second-year quarterback will put on a show against Detroit and silence his critics. Hurts has averaged 51.6 rushing yards per game this season. The Lions allowed 58 rushing yards to Jackson in Week 3.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Cowboys)

"You're never excited to have Cousins in your starting lineup," Berry wrote. "It's like opening your freezer to grab some dessert and there's just a tub of half-eaten vanilla ice cream in there. Then you open the lid and the top layer is covered with frost." Cousins, however, averages 294.8 passing yards per game this season. The Vikings have scored 87% of their touchdowns through the passing game. As for the Cowboys, they allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. According to Berry, "teams facing Dallas are averaging the seventh-most pass attempts per game and the Cowboys allow 295 passing yards per game, fifth-most in the league."

Dallas' running game

Seth Walder believes that the Cowboys have an individual mismatch that greatly benefits the team. "The great Tyron Smith is still producing on the ground -- he ranks 10th in run block win rate at tackle -- and he'll have D.J. Wonnum across from him," writes Walder in his fantasy football quarterback and running back upgrades/downgrades. "That's a cake assignment for Smith in the run game, because Wonnum is the worst-rated run-stopper at edge among qualifiers, period." Ezekiel Elliott should continue to provide you with RB1 returns in this matchup, but Tony Pollard remains a flex option as well. Each game, this dynamic duo averages 27.2 rushing attempts, 147.8 rushing yards, and a touchdown. Elliott and Pollard are likely to surpass these per-game averages against the Vikings.

Playing the matchups​

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Denver Broncos (vs. Football Team)

"The QB2 tier is loaded with attractive matchups plays during Week 8, but few stand out to Bridgewater's extent." writes Tristan H. Cockcroft in his best and worst matchups at each position column. "Washington's defense sports a bevy of league-worst rankings: Most fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks (186.82, or 26.7 per game) and most adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position (4.7) for the season, and most fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks (143.98, or 28.8 per game) and most points per pass attempt allowed (0.63) during the past five weeks." As for passing attempts of 20 or more yards, Bridgewater has the fourth-most. With that stat, the matchup and the return of electrifying receiver Jerry Jeudy, he's firmly on the streaming radar.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (at Lions)

Miles Sanders left early in Week 7 because of an ankle injury, forcing the Eagles to turn to Gainwell and Scott, who both found the end zone," writes Field Yates in his waiver wire column. "Gainwell is the better receiver and already had a role this season, while [Boston] Scott had largely been relegated to a depth-level spot within the Philadelphia offense." There are only five running backs who have more red zone targets than Gainwell this season: Najee Harris, D'Andre Swift, Aaron Jones, Leonard Fournette and Cordarrelle Patterson. Over the past five games, the Lions' defense has allowed some monster performances by running backs. In their games against Detroit, Latavius Murray, David Montgomery, Alexander Mattison, Joe Mixon, and Darrell Henderson Jr. averaged 20.6 touches, 100.8 total yards and 17.88 points. In this week's game, Gainwell might have his best performance to date.

James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Seahawks)

"Robinson has at least 19 touches and a touchdown in four straight games, and is averaging 21.7 PPG over that stretch," Berry writes. "He's also getting a ton of usage at the goal line with nine goal-to-go rushes in those four games, tied for third-most among backs. Now, with a week of rest, Robinson faces a Seattle team allowing 111.3 rushing yards to running backs this season and the second-most fantasy points to backs." The Seahawks defense has provided the runway for some exceptional fantasy performances to running backs this season. Alvin Kamara, Najee Harris, Henderson, Trey Sermon, and Mattison all excelled against them over the last five games. This group averaged 21.5 points per game.

Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos (vs. Football Team)
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos (vs. Football Team)
Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos (vs. Football Team)


"Jeudy is expected back from injury this week, which is bad news for a Washington defense that is already struggling against the pass," writes Clay in his tremendous best and worst WR/CB matchups. "Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers (eighth most over expected), as well as the most to the perimeter and second-most to the slot. Jackson (104 fantasy points allowed), who missed Week 7, and Fuller (96) were supposed to be one of the league's top CB duos, but instead both rank among [the 5 worst] defenders in fantasy points allowed this season. Washington is surrendering an astounding 46.1 fantasy points per game to wideouts, including at least 39 points in six of seven games." Emmanuel Sanders, Calvin Ridley, Marquez Callaway, Tyreek Hill, and Davante Adams all had great games against this secondary over the past five weeks. This group averaged 9.2 targets, 6.2 receptions, 82.2 receiving yards, and 21.62 points per game. For Jeudy to deliver such a performance would not be surprising.

Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (at Jets)

Clay also likes Boyd's matchup against Jets slot cornerback Michael Carter II. Boyd ranked third in targets last week behind alpha wideout Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who led the Bengals with 15 targets. The Bengals continue to lean more on quarterback Joe Burrow and his arm each week, so he could see more targets. Perhaps this will be the matchup Cincinnati exploits.

DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (at Lions)

"Smith hasn't reached the end zone since Week 1 on a schemed route to give the rookie free access off the ball versus man coverage," Bowen wrote in his film room column. "And the only time Smith has topped the 100-yard receiving mark this season was back in Week 4 against a struggling Kansas City defense. However, with a pretty good matchup this Sunday against the Lions, I like Smith as an upside WR3 in PPR formats." Despite averaging 7.6 targets and 100.4 air yards per game, Smith catches only 4.6 passes per game. Hurts' accuracy remains a concern. However, that could change against the Lions this week. "Detroit will sprinkle in some man coverage, based on down and distance or game situation, but the Eagles can prep for more two- and three-deep zone shells here. And that means designed throws from quarterback Jalen Hurts to interior windows. Toss in some RPO targets, too, and I think Smith can get you 5-7 receptions in this game, with some catch-and-run balls on crossers and in-breakers."

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions (vs. Eagles)

"Tight ends who see at least six targets against the Eagles this season are averaging 14.9 PPG. And now here is the part where I tell you that Hockenson has at least eight targets in five of his seven games this season and 10-plus each of the past two weeks, which bodes well for him against Philadelphia," Berry writes. "And now here is the part where I really seal the deal for Hockenson being on the Love list by telling you the Eagles have allowed six touchdowns to tight ends this season, tied for the most in the league."

Lottery Tickets​

Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants (vs. Chiefs)

Jones has thrown for more than 300 yards or multiple touchdowns only once so far this season, but he faces a Chiefs defense that has allowed some exhilarating performances. Against this defense, Jackson, Justin Herbert, Hurts, Josh Allen, Taylor Heinicke and Ryan Tannehill have averaged 275.4 passing yards and 25.0 fantasy points. Last week, Jones won a game against a stout defense with multiple offensive playmakers absent, a subpar running game and a bad offensive line. Jones is on the QB1 radar and is someone I wrote about in my streamers and last-minute pickups column.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Seahawks)

"Lawrence and his offense are in a great spot to put up big numbers," Zeidenfeld writes in his DFS best buys. "Lawrence has hit the 300-yard bonus twice this season and has seen his YPC rise in his last three games (12.3) compared to his first three contests (10.5)." With every game, the rookie improves. From Weeks 1 to 3, he had a QB rating of 60.3, a completion percentage of 54.2%, and seven interceptions. From Weeks 4 to 6, Lawrence showed dramatic improvement in those areas with a QB rating of 93.8, a completion percentage of 66.3% and an interception. Playing in redraft formats and need a streamer? Look no further than Lawrence.

Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Carter ran more routes in Week 7 than any other week of the season, writes Zeidenfeld. "Hopefully, a merit-based promotion is due for the rookie who is the most talented back in the Jets backfield. Running backs have averaged 9.6 targets per game against the Bengals this season, second-most in the league."

Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Panthers)

In his first action since Week 2, Gage caught 4 of 6 targets for 67 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins. Calvin Ridley is expected to rebound and last week against the Dolphins, he caught 4 of 10 targets for 26 yards and a TD. Ridley also allowed a defender to rip the football away from him, resulting in an interception, and he also dropped a screen pass. He doesn't seem to be in sync with Matt Ryan this season, and there could be more going on in Atlanta behind the scenes that we do not know about. Against a Panthers defense that has struggled in recent games, Gage can be used as a WR3 and is another one of my streaming recommendations.

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Titans)

"Despite their dominant win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7, the Titans have struggled mightily against the past this season," writes Cockcroft. "To illustrate, they have allowed 12-plus PPR fantasy points to multiple wide receivers in five of seven games this season, and in the past five weeks alone, they've afforded the position the third-most points (206.5). Cornerbacks Elijah Molden, Chris Jackson and Janoris Jenkins have been responsible for 75.6 of those points alone, as the nearest defenders to the wide receivers who have accrued them, and Jenkins in particular stands to see a lot of Pittman in Week 8."

Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams (at Texans)

Last week against the Lions, Tyler Higbee caught five of eight targets for 46 yards. He has been targeted 11 times in the red zone this season but has only scored two touchdowns. He will now face the Texans, who have allowed five touchdowns to tight ends over the last four weeks. "Nine tight ends have managed at least 8.0 PPR fantasy points in a game against them, their 2.31 points per target afforded to the position ranks third-highest, and consider some of the players who have delivered good scores against them: James O'Shaughnessy (10.8, Week 1), Tommy Tremble (10.7, Week 3), Dawson Knox (20.7, Week 4), Mo Alie-Cox (9.8, Week 6). Heck, Zach Ertz managed 16.0 points against the Texans just last week, in what was his Cardinals debut," writes Cockcroft.

Injuries of Note​

Quarterbacks: Questionable but expected to play

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns

Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers (not expected to start)

Quarterbacks: Questionable, likely game-day decision

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

Quarterbacks: Ruled Out

Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans

Zach Wilson, New York Jets

Running backs: Questionable but expected to play

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions

Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

Running backs: Questionable, likely game-day decision

Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks

Running backs: Ruled Out

Tevin Coleman, New York Jets

Chris Evans, Cincinnati Bengals

Wide receivers: Questionable but expected to play

Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns

DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins

Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots

Deonte Harris, New Orleans Saints

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

Wide receivers: Questionable, likely game-day decision

Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

Terrace Marshall Jr., Carolina Panthers

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

Kadarius Toney, New York Giants

Sterling Shepard, New York Giants

Kenny Golladay, New York Giants


DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans

Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team

Wide receivers: Ruled Out

Will Fuller V, Miami Dolphins

Corey Davis, New York Jets

Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tight ends: Questionable but expected to play

T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions

Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots

Evan Engram, New York Giants

O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tight ends: Questionable, likely game-day decision

Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers

Big question of the week​

Will Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd each exceed 100 receiving yards?

The Bengals are 10.5 point favorites against a New York Jets team coming off a 54-13 loss to the Patriots. As a team, the Jets give up 402.5 yards per game, including 275.7 passing yards. Joe Burrow averaged 34 passes and 329 yards over the last four games. Combined, Chase, Higgins and Boyd have averaged 24 targets, 15.5 receptions and 226.5 receiving yards per game. Cincinnati hasn't yet reached its full range of offensive capabilities. That could change against the Jets. Things could get ugly in this game for New Yor
 

Bettor Days

Bettor Days

Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Messages
5,091

Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 9: Is Adrian Peterson worth a look?​

ESPN PLUS

The most valuable player in fantasy football will miss a significant period of time, as Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry will have foot surgery that will keep him off the field until further notice.

It's a major bummer for the player and the franchise, as his brilliance has landed him in the conversation for the NFL's Most Valuable Player, a spot usually earmarked for top quarterbacks on successful teams.

As far as fantasy is concerned, there is no easy way to replace Henry. Through eight weeks, he has been over 40 points better than the next-best running back in fantasy this season, a gargantuan gap that is just one way to describe his impact.

It's sort of unprecedented as well, as Henry's durability has been a hallmark of his dominance. For those asking what the Titans' offense looks like without Henry ... who knows? Henry has missed just two games in his career because of injury and has handled over 95% of the running back rushing attempts for his team this season.

It took just hours for the Titans to make a move at running back, as they added veteran Adrian Peterson to their practice squad, with the expectation that he'll be elevated to their active roster in short order. In recent seasons, I've been skeptical of consistent fantasy value for Peterson because he has minimal passing game impact. He posted just 12 catches in 16 games last season while splitting duties in Detroit.

With that being said, if there were ever a team with which his between-the-tackles prowess could shine through, Tennessee is it. Peterson not only still has enough acceleration to get to the second level but plenty of ability to handle a significant workload, as he had five games last season with at least 15 touches. We'll continue to follow along for any updates or news surrounding the Henry situation, with more insight below.

It's the Week 9 ESPN Fantasy waiver wire.

Note: All players on this column are available in over 50% of leagues on ESPN.com.

Week 9 byes: Buccaneers, Lions, Seahawks, Washington Football Team

Adrian Peterson, RB, Tennessee Titans (0.1%):
Could this be an example of a player signing that is much bigger in name than impact? It sure could. There are enough variables in play to note that we do not know with certainty how Peterson will fit into Tennessee and just how much it will rely upon the now 36-year-old back. However, if a role exists for Peterson that includes 12 to 15 carries per game behind a stout offensive line in a potent offense, I do believe there's enough value to take a look. We're at the point of the season where most waiver-wire claims come with some baked in risk, and Peterson is part of that group. But there's a possible floor here that makes him worthwhile enough to consider in any league.

Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (4.5%): With Miles Sanders on injured reserve, we knew the Eagles would have to adjust their backfield somehow. We just didn't realize it would involve Kenneth Gainwell hardly playing until garbage time and both Boston Scott and Jordan Howard finding the end zone twice. Scott looked to me like the best runner for Philly on Sunday, and while Howard could steal goal-line work, I do believe Scott is the more complete player. So I'm prioritizing Scott, while noting that the game script in Week 8 was extremely favorable. But he's a must-add.

Jeremy McNichols, RB, Tennessee Titans (1.9%): I don't want to totally overlook the role that McNichols could play in this Titans' offense, as it's possible Tennessee adjusts its approach a bit and leans a little less run heavy. McNichols figures to get a few more carries and should stay busy in the passing game -- he's had 21 catches through the team's first eight games. I'm not discounting anything from this backfield situation, so I do believe McNichols is worth an add for the chance he plays a large role.

Carlos Hyde, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (6.7%): James Robinson left the Jaguars' Week 8 game and is dealing with a bruised heel, though the timetable for a return was uncertain. Hyde -- a trusted back of head coach Urban Meyer -- is the next man up and volume should be in his favor if Robinson is out in Week 9. While Hyde is not an explosive runner at this stage of his career, he's capable as a pass-catcher, can finish at the goal line and can make an impact with 15 or so touches. Another must-add.

Taysom Hill, QB, New Orleans Saints (.9%): After Jameis Winston suffered a significant knee injury in Week 8, the Saints will have to turn to a new starting quarterback, and Hill is in line to start as soon as he returns from a concussion. While we do not know if that will be in Week 9, we do know that when he was a starter last year, he was a strong option for your fantasy team. Hill is an unrefined passer but did enough through the air (in three of his four starts, he threw for over 230 yards) to complement his excellent rushing strength, as he had four rushing touchdowns and averaged over 52 rushing yards per game during that same stretch. He's a good option as a bye week fill-in and has the upside to be a near weekly starter.

Jamal Agnew, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (1.6%): When the Jaguars lost DJ Chark Jr. because of injury, it was unclear how the team would account for his absence. One surprising development has been the emergence of slot option Jamal Agnew, whose target share has ballooned of late. He has six, seven and now 12 targets over his past three games, including his first receiving touchdown of the season in Week 8. The volume should stay steady, as Jacksonville is playing from behind almost perpetually. He's an add for deeper leagues.


Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears (18.0%): Fields had his best effort of the season in Week 8, showing strides as a thrower with better decision-making and the arm strength we all knew was a top trait of his. But most importantly -- for fantasy purposes -- Field was unleashed as a runner, scampering for 103 yards and a magnificent touchdown on 10 carries. I'm hopeful that this is a sign of things to come from the Bears' offense, as Fields has such unique physical skills that he can become a significant force if allowed to run frequently. We've seen how much it raises the floor for a quarterback in fantasy, and I'd be open to adding Fields if there's room for a stash quarterback in the hopes that the Bears continue to turn to Fields frequently as a runner.

Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears (48.6%): We saw the best version of the Bears' passing offense that we've seen in any game this season, even if Justin Fields threw for just 175 yards. He looked to be in more rhythm and clearly has a favorite target in Mooney, who now has at least five targets in seven of eight games this season and double-digit fantasy points in half of his games. He's not a lineup lock yet, but if Fields continues to improve, Mooney should be the beneficiary of a steady target share and downfield upside.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (6.2%): The Steelers have found a good one in Freiermuth, as their second-round draft pick has shown that he can be a real factor in the red zone. With Eric Ebron out in Week 8, Freiermuth found the end zone and picked up four catches for 44 yards. That comes on the heels of a pre-bye seven-catch effort. He has been good enough to earn more looks and more playing time in this offense.
 

Bettor Days

Bettor Days

Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Messages
5,091

Fantasy fallout: How Titans, Saints will be affected by loss of Derrick Henry, Jameis Winston​

ESPN PLUS

Nobody has a more stacked lineup of fantasy analysts and NFL team reporters than ESPN. It's the rare "backfield by committee" that is actually a good thing for fantasy football managers.

Every Tuesday, Mike Triplett will ask our NFL Nation reporters a series of burning questions about the weekend's biggest stories to help inform you for your waiver-wire pickups and other roster decisions.

Unfortunately, injury replacements are the major topic heading into Week 9, with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry and New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston suffering season-ending injuries Sunday.

It's time to begin our weekly trip around the league, so fasten your seat belts and get ready to tour the NFL Nation!



i
Tennessee Titans​

How do you expect the Titans to divide their running back workload in the wake of Henry's injury?



Mike Vrabel pointed to the running back by committee approach when asked how the Titans will handle the loss of Henry. But they'll continue to have a run-heavy offense. Expect to see most of the carries go to Jeremy McNichols and Adrian Peterson. "I'm not ready to commit to anything or a wholesale change," Vrabel said Monday. "A lot of teams rely on multiple backs to run the football within their same scheme." -- Turron Davenport


i
New Orleans Saints​


Will Taysom Hill be the Saints' starting quarterback once he returns from his Week 5 concussion? And how will that affect Alvin Kamara's fantasy value?

The Saints haven't announced their QB plans yet, aside from Sean Payton insisting that they don't plan to look outside the building. And Hill has not been officially cleared from the concussion protocol yet. So there are reasons to be cautious, especially if Trevor Siemian starts this week and plays well against the Atlanta Falcons. But I still consider Hill the front-runner for the job long term. And his potential fantasy upside is so high as a running quarterback that he should be a top free-agent priority even if it's just a speculative add. Payton said Hill is doing well in his recovery from the concussion, so it's possible he could return to practice and start as early as this week.

As for Kamara's value, obviously there would be some concern because Hill seemed uncomfortable targeting him on checkdowns last season (Kamara caught zero, one, two and seven passes during Hill's four starts). However, we also saw Winston struggle to develop a rhythm with Kamara in the passing game early this season before they started to get on the same page. And we know from that experience that the Saints will keep trying to feed Kamara in one way or another because they recognize how vital he is to their offense. -- Triplett


i
Jacksonville Jaguars

Will Carlos Hyde get an RB1 type of workload as long as James Robinson is sidelined? Or do you expect more of a timeshare?

Hyde will get the bulk of the work, but there will be multiple players used in the run game as well. After Robinson went out against Seattle, Hyde had nine carries, Dare Ogunbowale had two and Laviska Shenault Jr. had one. Expect that ratio to be pretty similar going forward, with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell mixing in Ogunbowale, Shenault and maybe even Tavon Austin at times, too. -- Michael DiRocco


i
Philadelphia Eagles

Boston Scott and Jordan Howard had 12 carries each (mostly with the starters) and Kenneth Gainwell had 13 (mostly with the backups). Should we expect that type of even distribution going forward? If you could keep just one in your fantasy lineup, who would it be?

A committee approach seems most likely in Miles Sanders' absence, with the distribution of snaps dictated in part by whether the Eagles have a more run-based attack (which would lean more toward Howard and Scott) or go pass-heavy (in which case Gainwell would have a more prominent role). Tough call, but I'd probably lean toward having Howard in the lineup for now, given the likelihood he'll be used in goal-line situations. -- Tim McManus


i
Washington Football Team​

Do you expect Antonio Gibson to return to a RB1 workload if he can get healthier after the bye? Or should fantasy managers expect this timeshare to continue with Jaret Patterson and J.D. McKissic?

I do expect a heavy load, but the problem is we don't know if he'll be able to handle it. Will one week off change his situation? The shin remains an issue and has cost him some of his explosiveness. But also it has robbed him of practice time, and that's something he still needs at this position. It's not completely natural for him. I'd be wary of believing he can not only handle a full load -- he's had two 20-carry games with the shin injury -- but be as productive as we anticipated before the season. It would help him, too, if and when they get back players such as tight end Logan Thomas, guard Brandon Scherff and right tackle Sam Cosmi. The line is a mess with injuries right now, another reason to be cautious thinking that Gibson is close to that sort of production. -- John Keim


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New York Jets

Kudos on pointing out last week that Michael Carter should remain heavily involved in the passing game as long as Mike White is at quarterback (Carter had nine catches for 95 yards on Sunday). Should fantasy managers look to trade him before Zach Wilson returns, or has he done enough to ensure a major featured role no matter who is at quarterback?

I'll say 24 touches (Sunday's total) is a lot to expect every week, but it's reasonable to believe he will be in the 15-20 range. The coaching staff's confidence in Carter is growing. The same could be said of Ty Johnson, the Jets' third-down back, which is why they will continue to share the reps. But, yes, Carter is a worthwhile fantasy option ... and thanks for the shout-out on last week's projection. -- Rich Cimini


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Miami Dolphins

DeVante Parker was one of the most-dropped WRs in ESPN fantasy leagues after missing three straight games with injuries. But he came back with season highs of eight catches and 85 yards. Should he be a trusted fantasy option whenever he's active?


Can't blame anyone for looking for help while Parker nursed a hamstring injury, but the opportunities he gets each game will be there for as long as he is a Miami Dolphin. He's seen no fewer than seven targets in each game he's played and is a major part of an offense that averages the fourth-most pass attempts per game this season. Tua Tagovailoa said the team needs to get its playmakers involved early and he stuck to his guns, targeting Parker five times in his first nine attempts. If he's available and you have a need, go for it. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques


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Buffalo Bills

Any particular reason why Cole Beasley had 10 catches and Emmanuel Sanders had none Sunday? (Beasley has now had his two biggest fantasy weeks of the season over the past two games.) Or is it just a reminder that fantasy managers should expect random spikes from this crowded WR group?

Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Beasley's success in the past couple of games and Sanders not having a reception against the Dolphins aren't necessarily telling signs for the weeks to come. Beasley's production, especially in the second half, came from the slot position and quarterback Josh Allen finding openings in the Dolphins' scheme and taking advantage of them. One of the things that the Bills do well is adapt the game plan to the opponent. Beasley will still be a key option for Allen, but the next week Sanders might explode or Stefon Diggs could have a big game. While tight end Dawson Knox is out, there will be more opportunities in the middle of the field for the likes of Beasley, which could help him continue to see more targets. But don't be surprised if opportunities still get spread around. -- Alaina Getzenberg
 
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