Quarterback
Daniel Jones (at DAL)
It’s time to see which unit is worse - the Giants offense or Cowboys defense. The Giants have faced a very rough opening schedule (PIT CHI SF LAR) and the Cowboys represent by far their easiest matchup to date. Jones won’t have Saquon Barkley or Sterling Shepard, but he can add value with his legs and might be forced to play more wide open if the Cowboys can build a lead.
Nick Foles (vs TB) **Thursday**
Foles looked like a backup quarterback against the stout Colts defense last week and the Bucs front seven can be tough to handle, but their deep pass defense was exposed against the Chargers last week and Teddy Bridgewater threw for 367 yards against them in Week 2. The playbook should be unlocked with Foles due to his history with Matt Nagy and perhaps the Colts defense made it difficult to show that last week. If Foles gets some good protection, he might hit on a few downfield shots this week.
Kirk Cousins (at SEA)
Cousins hasn’t been a strong play yet, but he hasn’t had to keep up with Russell Wilson. Justin Jefferson has also been involved the last two weeks to give the Vikings another downfield threat to take the heat off of Adam Thielen. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s totals of 315 pass yards and 24.45 points in standard Footballguys scoring were actually the lowest posted against the Seahawks this year.
Justin Herbert (at NO)
Herbert has been officially anointed the Chargers starting quarterback and he’ll have a chance to show why against the Saints on Monday night. He won’t have Mike Williams or Austin Ekeler, but he was able to complete three touchdown passes to UDFAs last week against the Bucs. The next time the Saints allow fewer than two passing touchdowns and 200 passing yards to an opposing quarterback will be the first.
Running Back
Ke’Shawn Vaughn (at CHI) **Thursday**
Vaughn scored on a reception last week and should be in position to get the majority of the running back targets from Tom Brady in Week 5. It could be a heavy workload in the passing game with all of the Bucs wide receivers banged up and the tight ends not heavily involved as receivers to date. Ronald Jones II could also inspire the ire of the coaches with a fumble or missed assignment and give Vaughn an extended audition as a runner.
Nyheim Hines (at CLE)
Hines hasn’t made a splash since Week 1, but with a depleted wide receiver group and Myles Garrett coming after Philip Rivers, it might make a lot of sense to use Hines as a receiver on screens and dumpoffs and as a runner on draw plays to slow down the Browns pass rush. He could exploit an inexperienced Browns linebacker and safety group.
Devonta Freeman (at DAL)
The Giants backfield isn’t going to be a place to look for fantasy value… that is unless they are facing a defense like the Cowboys. They were dismantled by the Browns running game last week and have allowed 30 or more running back carries in three of four games. Freeman could also rack up catches as a passing down back if the Giants fall behind.
Jerick McKinnon (vs MIA)
Raheem Mostert is due back this week, but that doesn’t mean that McKinnon automatically goes back to your bench. He actually scored in each of Mostert’s starts and showed last week that he can hold up under a heavy workload. McKinnon could be used more this week as the 49ers ease Mostert back in as he returns from a knee injury.
Duke Johnson Jr (vs JAX)
There’s hope of more rational coaching and optimal usage of players in Houston’s offense now that Bill O’Brien has been deposed. O’Brien the GM thought Johnson was worth a third round pick last year but still gave him less than half of the touches of Carlos Hyde, who was going to be released by the Chiefs. It’s possible that the backfield is closer to a 50/50 committee and the whole offense could get a bump from relief and more rational playcalling and game plans with O’Brien gone.
Wide Receiver
Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb (vs JAX)
Cooks and Cobb have had sporadic fantasy value this year as Deshaun Watson has faced tough defenses and rowed upstream against bad coaching. With Bill O’Brien shown the door, Cobb could get more short targets by design to slow down the opposing pass rush and Cooks could get more deep targets off of play action. Both are boom/bust plays, but the Jags pass defense has been eroding and could give up a huge game to Watson and his targets.
Zach Pascal (at CLE)
The Colts passing game has not given us a startable fantasy wide receiver, but Pascal could change that this week against the Browns. Denzel Ward is likely to be on T.Y. Hilton, leaving Terrance Mitchell on Pascal. Pascal had the biggest play of the day through the air for the Colts last week. The Browns have already allowed eight scores to opposing wide receivers.
Darius Slayton, Golden Tate (at DAL)
You’re probably sensing a theme here as we are open to playing all of our Giants pieces this week if necessary due to the matchup. Slayton only needs one pass to hit and he put up a great result with a garbage time score against the Steelers in Week 1 along with a tough deep score while the game was in question. Tate could rack up catches if the Giants have to pass a lot more than usual to keep up with Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have already allowed nine scores to opposing wide receivers.
Christian Kirk (at NYJ)
Kirk is healthy now and should be the primary deep threat for the Cardinals against a very weak Jets pass defense. DeAndre Hopkins is healthier this week to draw more attention and Kirk should be one on one, and he might draw UDFA Lamar Jackson after Blessuan Austin went down with a calf injury last week.
Cole Beasley, Gabriel Davis (at TEN)
This one might not be played until Monday or Tuesday, or might not be played at all, so exercise caution. If you have a hedge from the Chargers/Saints game, you might want to look at Beasley or Davis after John Brown looked like he was not 100% practicing with a calf injury on Thursday. Davis has two scores in the last three games and Beasley has been worth at least 12 PPR points in each of the last three games. The Titans defense will be shorthanded if they play, missing Jeffery Simmons up front and Kristian Fulton in the secondary.
Darnell Mooney (vs TB) **Thursday**
Mooney practiced in full leading up to this game, but was listed as questionable, so check the inactives. If he is healthy enough to play, he should get the deep shots from Nick Foles against a Bucs defense that just gave up long touchdowns to Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton last week. Mooney has been ahead of Anthony Miller in snaps, targets, and air yards, and could hit if the Bears give Foles time to throw downfield.
Scott Miller (at CHI) **Thursday**
Miller is the healthiest Bucs receiver and surest one to play in Week 5. He has been relevant in fantasy leagues in three of four games, and he had a lot more competition for targets in those games. Tom Brady is hitting his stride in the Bruce Arians offense, throwing five scores last week, and Miller is one of his favorite targets.
Tight End
Eric Ebron (vs PHI)
Ebron’s strong performance in Week 3 might have been overlooked since the Steelers didn’t play last week, but it gives him momentum going into a matchup with an Eagles defense had no answer for George Kittle last week, allowed three scores to Tyler Higbee in Week 2, and gave up a score to Logan Thomas in Week 1. Their linebackers are in disarray and Ebron should be able to take advantage.
Drew Sample (at BAL)
Sample racked up some garbage time numbers in Week 2, disappeared in Week 3, but then made some plays in the Bengals first win of the season last week. He should have had a touchdown, but Myles Jack stole the ball from him on a play that could have seen a better throw from Joe Burrow. The Ravens have already allowed two scores to opposing tight ends and the prudent Burrow could target Sample more to avoid their strong outside cornerback play.
Cameron Brate (at CHI) **Thursday**
Brate should get an increased opportunity with OJ Howard sidelined for the season. He has barely been seeing the field until last week, when he promptly scored, and it’s possible (probable?) that he’s a better passing game target than the ghost of Rob Gronkowski. He’s worth a shot if you have to go to waiver wire for your option at tight end.
Dan Arnold (at NYJ)
Arnold finally did something for the Cardinals last week, even though it came amidst a very tough day for the passing game that averaged an anemic 5.5 yards per completion. Arnold actually had a gaudy 39 yards on his four catches and could play a big role in the passing game again this week against a Jets defense that has already allowed three scores to opposing tight ends. Like Brate, he’s an option if you have to go to the waiver wire to hedge against Jonnu Smith not playing.