Based on players less than 50% owned and half-point PPR scoring.
Teams on bye: n/a
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold, Panthers @ Cowboys (Yahoo 22%, ESPN 9%, Sleeper 31%)
The Panthers defense has looked like one of the best in the league so far but they have a few tough matchups ahead: Cowboys, Eagles, Vikings, Giants, and Falcons. Those 5 teams also feature suspect defenses. So tougher offenses to keep up with + suspect opposing defenses + 296 yards per game (9th in the NFL) should lead to decent outcomes.
Daniel Jones, Giants @ Saints (Yahoo 44%, ESPN 45%, Sleeper 51%)
Has attempted at least 32 passes over the first 3 games with at least another 6 scrambles notching 2 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs. Not the sexiest of choices but the floor feels pretty safe.
Taylor Heinicke, Football Team @ Falcons (Yahoo 6%, ESPN 3%, Sleeper 14%)
Heinicke did not look great in Buffalo on Sunday throwing 2 INTs but was able to save his fantasy day with 2 passing TDs and another rushing TD. The Football Team visits the Falcons who have given up 31 points per game this season making for a potential “get-right game”. Plus, WR Curtis Samuel, who has yet to play this season due to a groin injury, is eligible to play this week, potentially adding another versatile weapon for Heinicke.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard, Panthers @ Cowboys (Yahoo 26%, ESPN 17%, Sleeper 41%)
Must Add. Last year with Christian McCaffery out the Panthers dropped Mike Davis right into the “CMC” role. Expect the Panthers to do the same with the 4th round rookie Hubbard.
Honorable Mention: Royce Freeman, Panthers (Yahoo 1%, ESPN 0%, Sleeper 0%)
If you miss out on Hubbard, give Freeman a look since you never know until you see it.
Payton Barber, Raiders @ Chargers (Yahoo 8%, ESPN 16%, Sleeper 7%)
With Kenyon Drake being used as -- a very expensive -- pass down back in Week 3, Barber recorded 23 carries for 111 yards and a TD in the Raiders’ overtime win. If Josh Jacobs is still nicked up then Barber provides flex potential against the Chargers run defense that has allowed 4 running backs to tally at least 10 fantasy points in 3 games.
Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders, Bills v. Texans (Yahoo 27%, ESPN 32%, Sleeper 27%)
The savvy route running veteran showed his ceiling in Week 3 with 94 yards receiving and 2 TDs. If you need it, Josh Allen and Sanders could provide another spike week against Houston
Tim Patrick, Broncos v. Ravens (Yahoo 23%, ESPN 21%, Sleeper 36%)
With K.J. Hamler now out for the season the Broncos target tree narrows and Patrick is a steady receiver who has efficiently tallied at least 11 fantasy points in each game this season catching 12 passes in 13 targets.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders @ Chargers (Yahoo 12%, ESPN 16%, Sleeper 22%)
PPR Magnet with a high floor. Second on the team in targets with 23, Renfrow has 16 catches and a touchdown so far this season.
Josh Gordon, Chiefs @ Eagles (Yahoo 5%, ESPN 12%, Sleeper 13%)
Gordon hasn’t played a down since 2019 but he’s worth adding in case the once prolific wideout has any juice left.
Tight Ends
Tyler Conklin, Vikings v. Browns (Yahoo 4%, ESPN 4%, Sleeper 8%)
After only seeing 8 targets in the first two games Conklin drew 8 more targets in Week 3 turning them into 7 catches for 70 yards and a TD. The jury is still out on the Browns coverage of TEs after they have faced Travis Kelce in Week 1 who tagged them for 2 TDs then Jordan Akins and Cole Kmet in Weeks 2 and 3 who were catching passes from rookie QBs. Conklin, who certainly will not be a focal point of the Browns coverage, has a decent shot at catching a TD in Week 4.
Evan Engram, Giants @ Saints (Yahoo 39%, ESPN 37%, Sleeper 43%)
After seeing 6 targets in Week 3, injuries at WR to both Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton might lead to more targets for the once (still?) talented TE in Week 4.
Defense
Titans @ Jets (Yahoo 17%, ESPN 12%, Sleeper 12%)
Picking on Jets’ rookie signal caller Zack Wilson has thrown 7 INT and been sacked 15 times through 3 weeks.
Bengals v. Jaguars (Yahoo 5%, ESPN 7%, Sleeper 3%)
A bit of a roll of the dice against a struggling rookie QB.
Dolphins v. Colts (Yahoo 17%, ESPN 20%, Sleeper 14%)
I don’t think anyone has been impressed with Carson Wentz and the Colts’ offense through 3 weeks as they have averaged just 18.7 points per game.
Kickers
Chase McLaughlin, Browns @ Vikings (Yahoo 4%, ESPN 18%, Sleeper 2%)
Follow the points. Vegas has pegged the Vikings-Browns matchup with the 3rd highest over/under of week 4 at 52.5 points. Alternatively, you could look at Vikings kicker Greg Joseph who is equally unowned.
Mason Crosby, Packers v. Steelers (Yahoo 26%, ESPN 10%, Sleeper 30%)
Made both of his 50-yarders in week 3 and is 8 of 8 on point after attempts this season.
Questions, comments, and other feedback is always welcome. Follow me on twitter @b_muell for my mildly depressing -- occasionally delusional -- Washington (RedWolves?), O’s, Caps and Terps takes.
