Kirk Cousins (ESPN 32% Yahoo 72%)
Don’t look now but Cousins is the 5th best QB in fantasy. I hyped him up this off-season but I guess it was still the cool thing to say he sucks. If throwing for 8 TDs on no turnovers sucks then I don’t know how to help you. Browns and Lions next 2 weeks. At the very least add him as your backup.
Derek Carr (ESPN 49% Yahoo 53%)
Derek Carr has gone from people saying he shouldn’t be a starting QB, to those same people who can’t keep there eyes off him. 1200 yards passing through 3 games. That’s good enough to lead all QBs by well over 100. Do not be scared of Carr moving forward as this pass first offense has several favorable matchups over the next 2 months. Must add QB just like Cousins.
Sam Darnold (ESPN 9% Yahoo 21%)
No CMC will definitely effect Darnolds play but I still am not worried about him, especially as a fantasy streamer. His play with Moore last week was what you love to see from your #1 wideout. His passing numbers may seem low but in the redzone he has utilized his legs with 3 rushing TDs. Not sure about you but I would rather those 6 points as opposed to 4. He faces the Cowboys defense next week and could replace your current QB on the week if he faces one of the NFLs elite defenses.
Chuba Hubbard (ESPN 11% Yahoo 25%)
Lets start the RB list with the obvious. Chubawamba entered TNF as the lead back after CMCs hamstring injury. Reports are he will miss several weeks which is a damn shame. Hubbard totaled 79 yards while being targeted 5 times in the passing game. Darnold has dumped off several times to CMC thew first 3 games and feel he will continue to with his RBs. He should be one of your first claims, if not your first this week.
Zach Moss (ESPN 58% Yahoo 53%)
Moss now is coming off of back to back RB2 performances. After hauling in 2 scores last week, he added a third TD in the past 2 weeks. 77 Total yards on 13 touches in an offense that continues to DOMINATE. Next week he faces the lonely Texans and should be amongst your top adds not just for running backs, but overall.
Cordarelle Patterson (ESPN 59% Yahoo 65%)
Patterson makes the waivers list again but this will be the last week. The Falcons offense is not the same threat they use to be, but a surprising bright spot is Mr. Patterson. For a third straight week Pattersons touches have increased as well as his yardage. He is utilized as a rusher and a pass catcher making him a perfect fit for your bench in PPR formats. 2 straight weeks of 15+ points in PPR with plenty more to come.
Alexander Mattison (ESPN 41% Yahoo 68%)
Mattisons name began to trend Sunday morning surprised when we initially heard the news of Cook being uncertain. We all raced to free agency to see if he was available and he was in 2/3rds of ESPN leagues. This is clear as day in regards to Mattison, when Cook is inactive he is a nonfactor. When Cook is not playing he is a MUST OWN. I love this kid and wish he could find himself elsewhere as opposed to being a handcuff back but that’s for another blog. 170+ Total yards and straight up killed it. I have no idea what next week brings with the Vikings RB game but I would put a claim in for Mattison because we know very well all about Cooks injury history.
Peyton Barber (ESPN 4% Yahoo 5%)
Here is a name I never thought would make this report a couple weeks ago. With Jacobs out a 2nd straight week, Barber paved the way for the Raiders backfield. Last week was ugly but his carries were there. This week I kid you not I shit my pants when I saw 23 carries in the box score. Gruden clearly favors him over Drake as a runner. Barber finished week 3 as a top 5 RB in fantasy. I would bet my left nut this doesn’t happen again but I already lost it in a past bet. Jacobs did not practice all week and we subsequently knew by Friday he was a no go. Considering Barbers workload he is worthy of a flex play against the Chargers Week 4 if Jacobs remains out.
Giovanni Bernard (ESPN 13% Yahoo 15%)
This is dead ass my cousin Gio and he’s back from the dead. Bernard was targeted 10 times and brought in 9 of those for catches on 51 yards and a TD. Now I didn’t watch this whole game but I saw enough to know the Rams d-line was creating havoc on Brady. Between this and the Rams secondary Brady was forced to find the RB on several dump-offs. The Bucs backfield continues to underperform but Gio in PPR formats is worth a look if you are in need of RB depth.
Royce Freeman (ESPN 0% Yahoo 1%)
Is this the guy you should be targeting? No, probably not. Do you like to live life on the wild side? Yea, me too. Freeman saw 10 snaps to Chubas 36 so clearly Hubbard is the main back while CMC is sidelined but we saw flashes of Freemans skillset in Denver. Deep formats only or like I said, wildside.
Jeff Wilson (ESPN 6% Yahoo 19%)
Wilson will remain sidelined for sometime as he continues to rehab from a torn meniscus. While I feel it is still way too early to add Wilson, I wanted to get his name out there now. If you have an IR spot in your league, keep an eye on picking up the back in coming weeks. You know as much as myself how chaotic the 49ers backfield is season after season.
Emmanuel Sanders (ESPN 23% Yahoo 26%)
Were we sleeping too much on the vet during drafts? Most of the talk was Gabriel Davis or Cole Beasely as 2nd options to Diggs but Week 3 Sanders emerged as Allens top option. 5 catches/94 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is averaging just a hair under 7 targets a game and will be a prime candidate for the waiver wire. Each week may present different outcomes for all these wideouts but Buffalo’s offense is that good where these guys should be given flex consideration almost every week. 1 more note while speaking of Bills wideouts, Beasley is most likely not available in ESPN league but for some reason Beasley is available in almost half of Yahoo leagues. He definitely should be on a roster.
Christian Kirk (Yahoo 51% ESPN 23%)
I like to take credit as often as possible because my haters love to rub it in my face when I am wrong. I spoke on Kirks behalf before the season and he is finally putting in work in large part to Kyler Murrays play. Kirk had his season high of 8 targets and 104 yards while catching 7 passes. Extremely similar to the Bills wideouts, it seems any wideout can step up and be productive. Kirk now has 2 games with 16+ points in PPR this young season and could have plenty more if Murray continues this MVP production.
Marquez Callaway (ESPN 48% Yahoo 38%)
The preseason Don faded heavy duty the first 2 weeks of the season. After 2 dud performances, many people quickly dropped Callaway and are probably now pretty pissed they did so. Callaway brought in 5 catches for just 41 yards but added a touchdown to his stat line. Now I wouldnt rush back to the wire so quickly but if you are in a deeper format and feening for WR help, he could be helpful as he was Winstons target leader on the day.
Tim Patrick (ESPN 14% Yahoo 22%)
Patricks name was brought up a lot after Jeudys injury all for the right reasons. He has shown why he should be owned in all fantasy formats especially after this last game against my Jets. The most targeted Bronco on the day caught 5 catches from Teddy and was just 2 yards shy of 100. That was good for his third straight game of 12+ points in PPR. Patrick was constantly a waiver wire target of mine last year and the trend continues.
Hunter Renfrow (ESPN 11% Yahoo 10%)
Derek Carr is on fucking fire and Renfrow is there to contribute to the heat. He is as consistent as they come as he has at least 5 catches in each game and has been aroun 57-77 yards in all 3. He added a score to this year’s resume and will continue to be a reliable option each week for Carr. The Raiders have some tough defenses coming up but the schedule will eventually open up for Renfrow and company.
Sammy Watkins (ESPN 31% Yahoo 22%)
I am just stunned he has gone 3 games without an injury. Watkins talent has never been in question but obviously his injury history speaks for itself. Watkins has found a new home in Baltimore and is clearly a part of the offense. 3rd straight game with 7+ targets although he didn’t do much with it. Watkins is a guy I will never target but he could make sense on your squad if you play in a 14 team league or bigger.
Terrace Marshall (ESPN 15% Yahoo 15%)
Another deep league option is the rookie in Carolina. With CMC out and the Robby/ Darnold marriage on the rocks, Marshall stepped up week 3 and had his best game as a pro. While the numbers aren’t earth-shattering, it shows me he is slowly coming along and slowly grasping the offense. Darnolds eyes clearly only lock eyes with DJ Moore at this point but maybe just maybe he can look at someone else’s eyes next week when he faces the Cowboys. Deep format add here.
Collin Johnson (ESPN 0% Yahoo 0%)
Here is an interesting candidate for the waiver wire. Both Shepard and SLayton left week 3s matchup against the Falcons with hamstring injuries and Johnson took full advantage of the opportunity. He tied for the team high on the day in targets despite another loss. We are unsure of the severity of these injuries but Johnson could be a depth option if Daniel Jones can continue being successful.
DeSean Jackson (ESPN 2% Yahoo 2%)
Well look what we have here. It’s been a while since we have had something positive to say about Jackson but he did what he has don’t so many times in his career. For the 9th time Jackson caught a 75+ TD pass tying an NFL record. We shouldn’t expect this each week but just know with Stafford at the helm, Jackson could have a similar weeks to this. He’s a boom or bust guy but could be a nice option when your top wideouts are on bye weeks.
Mike Gesicki (ESPN 65% Yahoo 56%)
Gesicki is praying Tua stays out for an extended period of time because it seems when he’s not Quarterbacking, Gesicki starts to eat. After just 9 targets the first 2 games Gesicki surpassed that week 3 with an astounding 12 targets and 10 catches.
Tyler Conklin (ESPN 3% Yahoo 4%)
After Irv Smiths injury, many individuals jumped on the Conklin bandwagon which fell flat. Week 3 painted a different picture as Conklin hauled in7 passes on 70 yards. Cousins has done a good job of giving all his weapons opportunities and Conklin should be viewed as a streaming option moving forward.
Dawson Knox (ESPN 4% Yahoo 9%)
The Tight end position hasn’t taken off so far but Knox has been one of the brighter spots as he has caught 2 TDs in the past 2 weeks. Like I said, any pass catcher in the Bills offense will have fantasy relevance moving forward, all they need is opportunity. Knox has gotten just that as he is a top 10 TE in fantasy through the first 3 weeks. Knox squares off against Houston week 4