Well, friends, here we are once more! Gone are last week’s bad beats and sweet victories. We have a gauntlet of injury news and underperforming superstars to navigate while seeking the holy grail of a week four W! I am super excited for this weekend’s slate of games for several reasons.
Firstly, I travel to London and witness firsthand my beloved Minnesota Vikings’ take on the New Orleans Saints. This will be my very first taste of live NFL action, and it is this weekend!!! I have been a Vikings fan since I was a child. Warren Moon was the quarterback for Purple & Gold back then. I still can’t quite get my head around the fact I am about to see them in person. #Skol
Secondly, I am excited that I went four for four on my flex recommendations last week! This brings my season-long tally to 8-4, not too shabby!
For the sake of transparency, let’s hit a full recap of last week’s picks.
Hits
Garret Wilson
Wilson put in a double-digit PPR performance for you last week, despite getting beat up during the game. Garret was only on the field for 63% of the snaps and still managed a joint team-high 11 targets. He finished with six receptions for 60 yards in a fairly forgettable performance by the Jets.
Greg Dortch
The Human Dortch most certainly lit it up for you in week three. Dortch finished as WR19 in PPR with nine receptions for 80 yards. He was only out-targeted by Hollywood Brown and stayed on the field for 81% of the snaps. He seems to have earned Kyler’s trust and is thriving in his newfound role with the struggling Cardinals offense. If Rondale misses Week 4, it looks like Dortch is once again a must-start.
Noah Brown
I did say Brown was a deeper league ONLY start last week. Considering this caveat, he made a respectable five receptions for 54 yards on seven targets against the Giants. While 10.4 PPR points are nothing to write home about, it is miles better than DJ Moore or Darnell Mooney. I am counting it as a win!
Dameon Pierce
I saved the best for last. Dameon Pierce was a smash play in Week 3 against the hapless Bears. Pierce finished as the RB9 on the week with 80 yards on 20 rush attempts and a rushing TD. He even managed to pick up two receptions on two targets for an extra 21 yards.
Pierce out-snapped Rex Burkhead 59% to 41% in a close game that the Texans ultimately ended up losing. Pierce did pop up on the injury report this week, which is something to monitor. If he is healthy, he is the dude in Houston for the time being.
Week 4
I don’t know about you, but I say we keep this hot streak rolling! As a reminder, I will base my suggestions on this week’s FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings. Only WRs outside the top 36 and/or RBs outside the top 24 are available for discussion!
Let’s dig in!
Romeo Doubs GB WR41 FantasyPros Expert Rank ⬇️
Doubs had an absolute coming-out party last week against the Bucs! He played 89% of the snaps and was a perfect eight receptions on eight targets. He contributed 73 yards and a TD to the Packers’ win over the TB12-led Buccaneers. Romeo posted a better PFF offensive grade, receiving grade, and YPRR (Yards Per Route Run) than the assumed WR1, Allen Lazard. The question will be whether New England can score enough to make the Packers need to pass the ball. I am not so sure. I would err on the side of caution this week unless necessary.
Rhamondre Stevenson NE RB32 FantasyPros Expert Rank ⬆️
This is a bit of a risky pick, but as Bruce Arians would say, no risk it, no biscuit. Mac Jones is very much up in the air for Sunday’s game against the Packers. He suffered a high ankle sprain in last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In the loss, Stevenson played 62% of snaps to Damien Harris’ 38%. He also recorded a higher PFF offensive grade, rushing grade, and receiving grade while more than doubling Harris’ Elusive Rating.
Even if Jones plays, chances are the Patriots will be playing from behind against the Packers. This should, in theory, lead to more Rhamondre on the field and hopefully more targets for him. The Packers currently have PFF’s 2nd worst graded run defense. They allow over 113 yards per game on the ground and rank dead last in rush DVOA.
Elijah Moore NYJ WR39 FantasyPros Expert Rank ⬆️
It has been a very frustrating start to the season for us, Elijah Moore Stans. He has run the most routes in the league through three games! He has also been on the field over 95% of snaps for the New York Jets. Despite this, he has yet to record a top 45 finish in PPR. Zach Wilson seems set to make his return this week. I am calling for the Moore breakout game we have all been waiting for.
Moore had rave reviews throughout training camp, with Wilson leading the offense. The Steelers have a tough defense, and the Jets will have to pass the ball. I am banking on those snaps and routes paying off and Moore having a big game in Week 4!
Devin Singletary BUF RB29 FantasyPros Expert Rank ⬆️
I have no idea why Singletary is ranked so low this week! The Bills versus the Ravens is primetime, must-watch football. There is a tantalizing 53.5 Over/Under courtesy of Vegas on this game! I honestly want pieces of this matchup in my lineups.
Singletary saw a joint team-high 11 targets in last week’s narrow loss to the Dolphins. In other words, even if the Ravens are leading the Bills, it doesn’t mean Singletary will be game-scripted out.
The Ravens are currently a bottom ten run defense, according to PFF. They are also ranked 23rd in terms of rush DVOA by Football Outsiders. We know they struggle through the air, but there is damage to be done on the ground as well.
Mack Hollins LV WR63 FantasyPros Expert Rank ⬆️
This is a deep-league special cause the degenerates need love too!!! I will be much more confident in this play if Hunter Renfrow is out again this week. Renfrow is currently not practicing and is in concussion protocol.
Hollins had eight targets in week two with Renfrow in the game. He followed that up with a game-wrecking eight receptions for 158 yards and a TD in Week 3. He was on the field for 97% of the snaps and out-targeted Davante Adams 11-10! Hollins had a better PFF receiving grade, better YPRR, and a much better rating when targeted than any other LV receiver in week 4.
The Denver Broncos are an excellent pass defense; there is no denying it. At the same time, they need to scheme for Davante Adams and Darren Waller. If Renfrow sits out, Hollins could be in line for another big week!
That’s all for me this week, folks! I hope you have the best of luck in your matchups, and I hope all your start-sit decisions are correct!
If you want to chat about anything I covered, you can find me on Twitter @FFEvanlution. I will see you again here next week, same time, in the same place!
Did you hear the big news? The Dynasty Nerds YouTube channel is up and running. Now you can see the podcast straight from the NerdHQ!! Smash that subscribe button. Sign up for the DynastyGM tool to keep that edge over your league mates. Manage all of your dynasty teams, use the trade calculator, and we just added a player shares tool so you can see all players you roster in one place.
