Quarterback
Zach Wilson, NYJ (vs ATL - London)
Wilson is coming off of his first win just in time to face an Atlanta defense that has given up 11 passing touchdowns this year. The Falcons have also given up at least 39 rushing yards to three of the four quarterback they have faced this year, which could mean that Wilson will bolster his production with a few fruitful scrambles. The return of Jamison Crowder seems to have calmed down Wilson and this offense, so Wilson is as viable in 2QB/Superflex and DFS has he has been all year.
Trey Lance, SF (at ARI)
We can’t be sure Lance will start yet, but if he does, he will have a ceiling as high as any quarterback this side of Kyler Murray, the quarterback he would face on Sunday. The Cardinals high scoring offense creates good fantasy game scripts for passers, as three of the four quarterbacks they have faced have accounted for multiple touchdowns. Lance did that last week in a half of football, and he added 41 rushing yards.
Trevor Lawrence, JAX (vs TEN)
How will the Jaguars respond to a week of coach-generated distractions? The good news is that they get get the Titans team that just allowed the Jets to win for the first time in the Wilson/Saleh era, which should get Lawrence going. The #1 overall pick ran more last week than he had in the first three games, and only a goal line stand by the Bengals that turned the game around kept him from scoring a second rushing touchdown. The Titans have allowed every quarterback they have faced this year to throw multiple touchdowns and rack up at least 289 passing yards except for Carson Wentz, who was nursing two ankle injuries. Feel free to fire up Lawrence in DFS and 2QB/Superflex.
Jared Goff, DET (at MIN)
Goff should compile a lot of pass attempts in a pretty hopeless matchup at Minnesota. Save for a matchup against a banged up Baker Mayfield last week, the Vikings have allowed 959 passing yards and six passing scores despite in three games despite only facing 31.7 pass attempts per game. Goff has at least 246 passing yards and two scores in every game this year except the strangely competitive contest against Baltimore.
Running Back
Michael Carter, NYJ (vs ATL - London)
Carter got 50% of the running back snaps and slightly over 50% of the touches last week, which sets him up well going into the road trip to London. Atlanta has allowed a running back rushing score in three of four games, with Tom Brady throwing for five scores in the one game that they didn’t surrender a rushing score. Carter got the call at the goal line last week and converted, so he should get the call again this week if any opportunities arise. The Falcons have also given up at least six running back receptions in every game and Carter is the Jets best receiving back.
Devin Singletary, BUF (at KC)
Singletary is not going to get many goal to go opportunities as long as Zack Moss is healthy, but he is still the better big play threat and he actually touched the ball more than Moss did last week. The Chiefs have already allowed six running back scores and only the Ravens failed to complete at least five passes to backs against them. If you have to dig deep for a back this week, Singletary could pop in what should be a track meet.
J.D. McKissic, WAS (vs NO)
McKissic has been a PPR RB1 two of the last three weeks, and he’s facing the Saints defense that lost track of Saquon Barkley on a wheel route that let the Giants back in a game that they were controlling. McKissic should have a good-sized role thanks to a Washington defense that has been one of the worst in the league and a lingering shin issue that is keeping Antonio Gibson on the injury report.
Samaje Perine, CIN (vs GB)
If Joe Mixon can’t go, Mixon will cede some snaps on passing downs to Chris Evans, but he should be the clear early down and goal line back for a Bengals offense that is surging and possibly getting back Tee Higgins this week. The Packers gave up 149 total yards and a score to Saints backs, 115 total yards to Lions backs in a blowout loss, 85 total yards and two scores to the 49ers backs an astonishing 4.1 yards per carry and rushing score to Najee Harris last week in a comfortable win over Pittsburgh.
Alex Collins, SEA (vs LAR) **Thursday**
Chris Carson is a game time decision officially, but it is difficult to picture him playing against the Rams this week. Collins showed renewed burst and purpose in the second half of the win over the 49ers this week, and he’s facing a Rams defense that allowed 170 rushing yards and two scores on the ground to Cardinals backs last week. The Rams defense should be tired after a short week of rest and the Seahawks should be eager to give a fresh Collins a chance to take pressure off of Russell Wilson.
Alexander Mattison, MIN (vs DET)
Dalvin Cook was able to finish last week, but is uncertain for this week. Mattison could still at worst have opportunity to close out of the game in what should be a comfortable win over a depleted Lions team. Cook could also limp off and have to be replaced like he was for a spell last week, and the Vikings would be smart to use a committee approach in this game to save Cook some punishment. The Lions gave up 168 rushing yards and three scores to opposing backs last week, and opposing backs have scored nine times this year against them in only four games. UPDATE: Dalvin Cook is a game time decision after not practicing this week.
James Conner, ARI (vs San Francisco)
Conner is fully awake with four touchdowns in the last two games, so he’s not exactly a sleeper, but his role is limited in a typical game and he is just as likely to put up 5 fantasy points as he is 15. This week that could change with Chase Edmonds nursing a shoulder injury. Conner has plenty of experience as an everydown back and the passing game and Kyler Murray’s running ability should open up running lanes for him. UPDATE: Edmonds is a game time decision for Week 5.
Wide Receiver
DeVante Parker, Jaylen Waddle, MIA (at TB)
Jacoby Brissett doesn’t exactly conjure up images of huge wide receiver stat lines, but he’s facing a Tampa secondary that has been injury and completion-riddled this year, in part because it is futile to even attempt to run against their Suh-Vea front. The Bucs have allowed at least 16 wide receiver receptions in every game this year, and Parker and Waddle should get the majority of the wide receiver looks in this one. Tampa also allowed seven wide receiver scores going into last week’s rain-marred matchup with New England where the two passing scores went to tight ends instead. UPDATE: Parker (hamstring) is a game time decision, making Waddle the play here.
Josh Reynolds, TEN (at JAX)
A.J. Brown could be back this week, but Julio Jones hasn’t practiced yet, which should open up a starting spot for Reynolds, who earned a lot of trust from his new quarterback last week in the overtime loss to the Jets. Jacksonville has given up a 100-yard game to a receiver in every contest this year, and if Brown isn’t full speed, Reynolds is the one who could go off against them this week. The #2 producing wideout has scored twice and had 112 and 77 receiving yards in the two games when they didn’t score, so there could be something there for Reynolds even if Brown is impressive in his return.
Marquez Callaway, Deonte Harris, NO (at WAS)
How desperate are you at wide receiver? Depending on the depth of your league, you might look to the Saints wide receiver group. Washington has allowed a wide receiver score and at least 186 total receiving yards to wideouts in every game this year. Jameis Winston might have to be let off the leash in this one and Harris and Callaway are the two receivers who have gotten the most snaps and targets while Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith are out.
Kadarius Toney, NYG (at DAL)
Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton might be close to returning this week, but the Giants would be foolish to put Toney back on the bench after the exceptional suddenness the rookie showed in his first extended action last week. Toney actually led the team in targets last week, and he should avoid budding ballhawk Trevon Diggs, who notched his fourth and fifth interceptions on the year last week.
Kalif Raymond, Quintez Cephus, DET (at MIN)
Raymond is coming off of a two score performance against the Bears and Cephus has been fantasy relevant in three of four games already this year. Those trends should help them in what will likely be a pass heavy day at Minnesota. The Vikings corners are easy to pick on, giving up six touchdowns to opposing wide receivers before Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense had a sluggish afternoon last week. UPDATE: TJ Hockenson is uncertain for Week 5 with a knee injury, making Raymond and Cephus better plays.
Tight End
Anthony Firkser, TEN (at JAX)
Firkser was targeted five times upon his return to the lineup last week, and he should be worked even more into the mix this week now that his knee injury is behind him. The wide receiver may not have Julio Jones and A.J. Brown is coming back from a hamstring injury, so Firkser could get opportunities in the red zone against a Jaguars pass defense that has given up a 5-95-2 line to C.J. Uzomah, nine catches to Broncos tight ends, and a 4-67 line to Pharaoh Brown.
Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, NE (at HOU)
Each of the Patriots tight ends caught a score last week, and that could happen again this week against a Texans defense that has been melting since a strong Week 1 performance against Jacksonville. Even in that game, they allowed a touchdown to Chris Manhertz and another six catches to James O’Shaughnessy. Browns tight ends caught 11 passes against Houston, Panthers tight ends combined for 3-53, which is astronomical for the position in that offense, and then Dawson Knox had two scores against them in the rain last week. The Patriots could also keep two tight ends on the field more often this week with four of their five starters on the offensive line banged up.
Tyler Conklin, MIN (vs DET)
Cole Kmet didn’t do much against the Lions last week, but the passing game was mostly dormant as the Bears cruised to a win. In the other three games vs. Detroit, Mark Andrews put up 5-109, Robert Tonyan Jr 3-52-1, and George Kittle (who we now know was dealing with a calf injury) 4-78. Tight end tend to run free against the Detroit defense, and Conklin has extra help since the thin Lions secondary has to deal with Justin Jefferson and Tyler Conklin.
Austin Hooper, CLE (at LAC)
Hooper could be in for additional opportunity this week as Brandon Staley’s defense will likely take the Browns out of their comfort zone, which is leaning on the running game. David Njoku is banged up and may miss this week, and that means more opportunity for Hooper, who has led the team’s tight ends in targets the last three weeks. The Chargers have allowed three receiving touchdowns to tight ends already this year and only two to wide receivers, so if Baker Mayfield throws one this week, Hooper will likely be the recipient.
