The Replacements: Week 4

Photo: USA Today Sports

The Way This Works...

To see this article's purpose, please refer to the intro from Week 2.

The Running List of Options

I'll update this throughout the season so you have a wealth of considerations beyond my weekly recommendations. 

Add Nows 

Most of these players will not be available, but you'll get a sense of who has been recommended.

Jordan Mason: I mentioned in two different articles late in the preseason that you should add Mason if you have Christian McCaffrey or if McCaffrey shows up on the injury report with a tag of questionable or worse. Now you know why.

Jalen Nailor: A quick and fast receiver with YAC skills in the mold of Bills' Khalil Shakir, Nailor has scored every week and has displayed toughness over the middle and up the seams. He's an addition at the end of your roster's bench who can give you at least WR3 fantasy production when one or both of the Vikings' starters are hurt. 

Cam Akers: A former early-round prospect, Akers had an impressive preseason in Houston, earning a roster spot. He's a powerful runner with good receiving skills. Joe Mixon is week-to-week with an ankle injury and hasn't practiced this week. Akers will continue seeing significant touches as the team's lead runner. He earned 64 yards and a score against the Vikings, who limited the Texans' passing game. Akers may remain the stater for the next 2-3 weeks. 

Alec Pierce: Adonai Mitchell's separation score impresses people, but his ability to be on the same page with Anthony Richardson isn't reliable at this point. Richardson told the national media before Week 1 that the public had written off Pierce, and he was about to remedy that. Two weeks later, Pierce has 12 targets, 9 catches, 225 yards, and 2 scores as fantasy football's No.16 receiver. That fantasy standing may not last but don't expect Pierce to return to fantasy anonymity, either. Pierce is a legitimate deep threat with contested- catch skills, and he works effectively over the middle. 

Andrei Iosivas: An excellent athlete from Princeton, Iosivas knew next to nothing about running routes but sought out receiver coach Drew Lieberman during the offseason. His game has grown substantially during the offseason because, according to Lieberman, Iosivas had no bad habits to unlearn. Iosivas has scored three times in the past two weeks and his 7-target, 5-catch, 52-yard output against Washington was his best overall week. Tee Higgins is expected back soon, but Iosivas is worth having at the end of your bench as a preemptive option once that happens. Iosivas should still have flex value. 

Preemptive

Many of these players are still available. Some were past Add-Nows or Monitors.

Allen Lazard: Fantasy analysts may minimize Lazard's rest-of-season value due to his age and the attention Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams should eventually command from Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers has the most rapport with Lazard, he performed well in camp behind the scenes, and Rodgers demands talent that can be on the same page. Also, do you trust Mike Williams to stay healthy? I don't. Against the Patriots in Week 3, Lazard earned 3 catches for 48 yards and a score. He'll still be a match-up factor with big-play potential for Rodgers and this will translate to flex value. Lazard will still be available for a few more weeks due to Williams' street value and most underrating Lazard. 

Isaac Guerendo: If he can pick up the details of the system fast enough and Jordan Mason falters, Shanahan will give Guerendo a chance. Just know if Guerendo falters just a bit, Shanahan is likely to find someone else just as fast. Blessed with Todd Gurley's size and speed, Guerendo was one of those college running backs who began on a loaded depth chart at Wisconsin with the likes of Jonathan Taylor, Braelon Allen, and Chez Mellusi. 

Skylar Thompson: The Dolphins' reserve quarterback dealt with a lot of pressure against the Seahawks while executing a conservative offensive game plan. When Thompson earned some intermediate passing opportunities, he executed, but they were too few. A rib injury abbreviated his first start in two years. Tyler Huntley could earn an opportunity in 2-3 weeks if Thompson struggles or his injury gets worse. At best, Thompson is a desperation preemptive addition who you hope Mike McDaniels gives more opportunities to be aggressive as a passer. 

Preemptive/Monitor

Dalvin Cook: The most impressive runner in Dallas' rotation thus far has been Rico Dowdle, but the Cowboys' defense has been so bad that Dowdle doesn't earn enough touches due to poor game scripts. Unless Cook can also become an impactful defensive player and play two weeks, this dynamic is unlikely to change. You can add Cook in anticipation that he'll get a try, but consider him a preemptive addition only for deep rosters. Otherwise, monitor from afar. 

Chris Brooks: The former Dolphin earned three carries for three yards in his debut on the Packers' active roster. His touches came in a close-out role after Green Bay built a substantial lead. The Packers have MarShawn Lloyd on IR for at least the next three weeks, so Brooks is worth a preemptive add for larger rosters if you want a talented back who could earn a bigger role if Josh Jacobs and/or Emanuel Wilson get hurt. 

Monitor

Some of these players were past Add-Nows or Preemptives, but circumstances have changed. 

Michael Penix Jr.: I've shared in great detail why Penix is one of the most talented passers in this draft. Penix is a strong fit for Atlanta's passing attack because of his mobility, skill with off-platform placement, and bold vertical game. Atlanta featured Kirk Cousins more often under center against the Eagles in Week 2, but mostly handing off the ball. Cousins' velocity and accuracy on routes outside the numbers beyond 15 yards still look suspect--even the completed passes didn't have great placement and zip. Atlanta has had success working around this weakness in Cousins' game. Continue monitoring Cousins' play, especially if Atlanta goes on an extended losing streak.

Sean Tucker: The second-year speedster from Syracuse has a role on special teams and a nearly non-existent role in the offense. No one in the fantasy community wants to hear Todd Bowles explain that Rachaad White's role and game scripts lead to more difficult situations as a runner than what Bucky Irving is seeing. They all want to believe White's days as the lead back will end soon, while Bowles says we'll still see a committee split, at best. If this is true, it means Tucker will earn a committee role if one of Irving or White gets hurt. Tucker is a good cutback runner and can catch screens and check-downs. 

Drew Lock: If Daniel Jones falters, Lock has the skills and experience to deliver strong outings that could lead to big weeks. If Lock has learned to work at his craft behind the scenes since Denver dumped him, this could be the makings of a beautiful career rebound. Click here to read the preemptive indicators for adding Lock to your rosters. 

Blake Watson: A rookie passing-down back with enough size to work between the tackles as a committee option on running downs, Watson has good speed and excellent hands. If Watson begins earning an uptick in touches and has success, consider making him a preemptive addition for 1-2 weeks at the bottom of your depth chart.

Dawson Knox: Knox is an excellent athlete who can win jump-balls. He's a good blocker, and that's likely his role as long as Dalton Kincaid is healthy. There were multiple indications--including Week 1--that Knox would still have a legitimate role in the passing game, but as I mentioned two weeks ago, Kincaid will heat up. Knox only has 2 catches for 30 yards after three weeks. Unless Kincaid gets hurt, you don't need Knox on your rosters.