Time flies when you’re having fun. The fantasy season is already three weeks in the books. No matter where your at in the standings though the week ahead is an important one. Get the right players in your lineup by checking out the latest edition of Studs, Duds and Sleepers.
QUARTERBACKS
Stud: Eli Manning – Manning is coming off his best game of the season and has a great matchup this week against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers allowed Mike Glennon and Case Keenum to throw for 300 yards. Manning is a nice option in daily leagues and is a QB1 this week.
Dud: Michael Crabtree – Crabtree isn’t going to fare well this week against the Broncos. Their secondary is big, physical and won’t let Crabtree push them around in the red zone. It’s hard to like any Oakland wide receiver this week, but it’s even harder to imagine Crabtree posting big numbers. Denver has allowed seven passing touchdowns in the past thre weeks, so there is some hope if you have to play Crabtree in a season long league. Stay away from him in daily formats.
Sleeper: Cooper Kupp – Who would’ve thought the Rams’ offense would be this fun to watch? I expect Dallas to focus on stopping Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods this week. They’re coming off of a huge performance against the 49ers. That means Kupp should get a few more chances. He’s fifth on the team in receiving yards, but he should get more opportunities this week. He’s a flex play in 12-team PPR leagues. Dallas is giving up the sixth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
RUNNING BACKS
Stud: Chris Carson – Carson is the lead back in Seattle and has a great matchup this week against the Colts. They haven’t given up a ton of yards, but they’ve allowed the 11th most fantasy points to running backs this season. Carson caught a touchdown last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a few goal line carries and found his way into the end zone against the Colts.
Dud: Bilal Powell – With Matt Forte likely out this week, some fantasy owners may consider plugging in Powell. I’d shy away from doing so. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense has played very well through three weeks. They may shut down the Jets’ offense. Powell is worth having on your bench, but it’s hard to feel good about having him in a lineup this week.
Sleeper: Giovani Bernard – The Bengals handed the keys to the backfield to Joe Mixon last week. They phased out Jeremy Hill. I’ve heard they want Bernard to get more snaps. I’m guessing with see a lot of Mixon and Bernard this week. Bernard is a sneaky flex play in PPR leagues and worth a dart throw in daily leagues.
MORE WEEK 4 ADVICE:
- GSI Cheat Sheet – Rankings
- Listen: Weekly Fantasy Segment on ESPN 1530
- FOX19 Fantasy Friday: Week 4 Lineup Advice
- Week 4 Podcast – Fantasy Happy Hour – coming soon
- Office Pool Picks: Week 4
WIDE RECEIVER
Stud: DeVante Parker/Jarvis Landry – Yes, I have two stud wide receivers this week. Parker and Landry have a great matchup against the Saints. I expect Jay Cutler to rebound. Landry has plenty of appeal in PPR leagues and is a WR2 this week. Parker is a top 15 fantasy wide receiver and has more upside. Both are worth a look in daily leagues. The Saints are giving up the 10th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
Dud: Tyreek Hill – Hill has two touchdowns in three games, but could struggle against a good Redskins defense. Washington held Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper in check last week. Hill has unique quickness and speed, so he should still find some room to operate. He’s worth plugging in to a season long lineup, but I’m staying away from him in daily games.
Sleeper: Brandon Marshall – The Giants need to get Marshall more involved and this is the perfect way to do it. He only has 10 receptions for 93 yards this season. Something tells me the Tampa Bay defense will help fix his woes. Five different wide receivers have at least 51 yards receiving against the Buccaneers and they’re allowing the most fantasy points to receivers this season. Marshall is a WR3 with upside.
TIGHT END
Stud: Delanie Walker – Walker is a TE1 most weeks, but his fantasy value has taken a slight hit. He hasn’t scored a touchdown yet this season. Backup tight end Jonnu Smith has two touchdowns on the season. Walker has 15 receptions in three games. The Texans gave up nearly 400 yards passing last week and Walker is bound to find the end zone sooner rather than later.
Dud: Jordan Reed – Reed is dinged up, missed last week and has to go up against a tough Kansas City defense if he does play. The game is on Monday night, so it’ll be risky to wait-and-see if he can play. Reed is a great player, but he’s clearly not 100 percent. The risk outweighs the reward in this instance. I’m staying away from him in daily and season long leagues.
Sleeper: Jared Cook – Cook is getting plenty of targets through three weeks. He has 13 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown. He should get plenty of opportunities this week against Denver. The Broncos are great on defense, but they struggle to cover tight ends. They’ve allowed the seventh most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Cook is a sneaky play in daily games and has a pretty high floor if you use him is season-long leagues.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Stud: Seattle – The Seahawks’ defense has had its’ ups and downs through three weeks. They should have plenty of ups this week against the Colts. Indianapolis has given up the most fantasy points to defenses this season. I expect Seattle to put up a vintage ‘Legion of Boom’ performance on Sunday night.
Dud: Atlanta – The Falcons’ defense is fast, they try to force turnovers and hit the quarterback. I’m not sure that’ll work well against Tyrod Taylor and the Bills. Buffalo doesn’t turn the ball over often and Taylor can use his legs against the athleticism of Atlanta.
Sleeper: New York – The Giants have one of the best defenses in the league. They should generate multiple turnovers. Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers have given up the 16th most fantasy points to defenses this season and they haven’t played a defense as good as the Giants.
