Week 3 was the week of the wide receiver. Brandin Cooks and DJ Moore set the stage on Thursday night, and it was followed by three monsters performances of 30+ points from Mike Williams, Davante Adams, and Cooper Kupp. Some other big fantasy football names made their first splash of the early season. Josh Allen and Justin Herbert reminded the fantasy football community just how good they are as fantasy players. Next, we will see if the names such as Carr, Swift, Samuel, and Gronkowski can continue their torrid starts. We will once again use Sleeper’s PPR point projections.
QB: Teddy Bridgewater Under 18.4 Fantasy Points
Teddy Bridgewater has gotten off to a brilliant start in his first season with the Broncos. Bridgewater has shredded the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets on his way to a 3-0 start. This week we are turning the Madden difficulty up a couple of notches, as Bridgewater gets to play the Baltimore Ravens, leading to an entirely different game script as the Broncos will likely be trailing in this matchup. We will see if Bridgewater can continue his strong start. I do not have faith in him against a defense as talented as the Ravens. If you have another viable option to start, I will play them.
RB: Ezekiel Elliott Under 16.9 Fantasy Points
Ezekiel Elliott gets a terrible matchup, and we saw what happened in when the Buccaneers forced the Cowboys to abandon the run. As a result, Zeke became an afterthought in the fantasy picture. This Carolina defense is the real deal, as the strength of it is upfront. Carolina will cause problems for Zeke this week. I am expecting Dak to thrive in this matchup, as the loss of Horn should help sway the game plan to attack the secondary. I would still start Zeke unless I had excellent options to play, but I am lowering his floor in this matchup.
WR: DeAndre Hopkins Under 18.3 Fantasy Points
DeAndre Hopkins is one tough player, as he suited up and played through the rib injury that currently ails him. Unfortunately, it was Hopkins worst performance of the early season as he managed just five points last week. As a reward, Hopkins gets to go up against the Los Angeles Rams and superstar defender Jalen Ramsey in Week 4. It will not be an easy matchup for Hopkins. I am avoiding him until Hopkins shows clear signs the injury is behind.
TE: Mark Andrews Under 13.6 Fantasy Points
Mark Andrews draws the assignment of facing the Denver Broncos in Week 4, and it is a tough one. Denver has allowed a minuscule 162 passing yards per game in its first three contests. In particular, the defense has suffocated tight ends to the tune of 7 receptions for 55 yards total. Now, when you look at who the Broncos have played, it adds up. They have played the Giants, jaguars, and Jets. So the question is, do you trust the defense or the schedule? Week 4 holds the answer, as Lamar can beat any defense. So I would look elsewhere this week when starting a tight end.
Flex: Chuba Hubbard Under 17.3 Fantasy Points
Chuba Hubbard takes over for the best fantasy football player in the NFL. With CMC recovering from an injury for the next few weeks, he steps into the role of lead back. A matchup with the Cowboys brings fantasy points to mind. Unfortunately, this year that may not be the case for opposing running backs. Where teams have attacked Dallas, is through the air early this season.
The Cowboys’ offense ensures that opposing teams will not ground and pound their way to victory to keep up. The other potential thorn in Hubbard’s side is the fact Royce Freeman will likely eat into the touches for Hubbard. Expect Freeman to see work at the goal line while McCaffery is out. Therefore, I would temper expectations in Hubbard’s first game starting.