Join the Footballguys Daily Update
Start your morning with our roundup of the most important stories in football - with the fantasy insight you need to make league-winning decisions. Delivered straight to your inbox, 100% free.
Buy Low
Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis, RB, Taywan Taylor, WR, TEN - The Titans offense looked like a new unit against the Eagles. Marcus Mariota was moving around well, making good decisions and on target throws, Lewis was very difficult for the first tackler to bring down, and the game plan was rational, with little Henry against a very strong Eagles run defense. This is a good sign for Henry because a good offense (and surging defense) will give him more favorable game scripts when he can control the fourth quarter, such as this week against the Bills. Lewis should continue to be a PPR force, and Taylor was a dropped deep ball away from a huge Week 4. The offensive line will enhance the value of all of these elements, as the first game with all five starters happened to coincide with the best offensive performance of the year.
Chad Kelly, QB, DEN - Case Keenum isn’t playing badly, but he isn’t getting the value out of his top three receivers and solid running back duo that he should be. Kelly oozes ability - including all-important running ability in fantasy - and his superior tools could unlock more of the upside of this offense if Keenum doesn’t start putting up numbers soon. Kelly has to be pre-emptively added in 2QB/Superflex leagues soon and shouldn’t be on any dynasty waiver wires.
Chester Rogers, Deon Cain, WR, Jack Doyle, TE, IND - Rogers looked like the fastest player in the Colts offense after TY Hilton left last week, and he did well on short catches with run after opportunities and tighter coverage catches in clutch situations. With Hilton out this week, he should be a focal point of the game plan against the Patriots. Cain is on injured reserve and might not be easy to pry from his teams in dynasty leagues, but it is easy to see him as the #2 target in this pass offense next year and Luck can easily support his fantasy value and make the most of Cain’s talent when he returns. Doyle is hurt right now, but his reliable hands are sorely needed in this undermanned passing game. Even though he wasn’t on the field, Luck’s return to form against a stiff Texans pass rush added value for Doyle in Week 4.
Julian Edelman, WR, NE, Mark Ingram, RB, NO - Look for a post-suspension bounce for each of these players as they are eager to return to offenses that are eager to have them. The Saints should bring Ingram right back into the fold to ease up on Alvin Kamara’s usage and they are still generating a ton of red zone opportunities. Tom Brady is missing Edelman getting open at will and he should exploit a weakened Colts cornerback group that will also have to deal with a resurgent Patriots running game. Both of these players should be every week starts going forward, but if their dynasty teams started slow, they may be available for a discount.
Jimmy Graham, TE, GB - Graham is the healthiest of the top four pass catchers in Green Bay and he should be target hog in Week 5 against the Lions, who have already allowed scores to Geoff Swaim an Garrett Celek from the tight end position this year. Tight end has been a brutal position this year, but Graham actually has been getting downfield at times, and as Aaron Rodgers gets healthier, his numbers should, too.
Jamison Crowder, WR, WAS - There were high expectations for Crowder and his fit with Alex Smith that haven’t come to fruition yet. Of course, Washington has only played three games, two were dominated by the running game, and Crowder faced the Colts upstart defense and budding slot corner Kenny Moore in the other. The Saints slot corner was attacked by Sterling Shepard to the tune of 10 catches and a score last week, and the Saints run defense should encourage more passing this week. Crowder could also be a focal point in a bye week adjustment to priorities in the Washington offense.
Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, ARI - Seals-Jones is a rare tight end who can consistently make plays downfield in the passing game, and now he has a quarterback to match in Josh Rosen. He also has a matchup this week against a 49ers defense that has allowed a touchdown to a tight end in every game so far this year, and Rosen’s stats conceal that he was actually a very effective downfield passer last week.
Matt Breida, RB, SF - Breida's knee injury scare seems to have passed, but his burst hasn't diminished one bit after the hold your breath moment. This running game should still be productive under Kyle Shanahan's direction, and Breida is starting to assert control over it, including as a receiver out of the backfield. This week, the weak Arizona run defense is up and Breida could have another week-winning performance like the one he posted in Week 2 to cement his value as an every week RB2 despite the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo.
Sell High
Eric Ebron, TE, IND - Ebron continues to generate value by sheer number of targets, and when he doesn’t have time to think in the red zone he has actually made some nice plays on the ball in flight to account for his scores. Once Jack Doyle is back, Ebron will be a less trusted target because of his numerous lapses, and he hasn’t been the healthiest during his career either. Ebron looks like one of the safe, stable options at tight end right now, but that is sure to change if his inconsistent play and track record are any indication. If you can cash him in at the barren tight end position, consider it, even if you have to stream in the meantime.
Golden Tate, WR, DET - Tate was a sell high last week and went off on two busted coverages. If the Lions become a strong running team and continue to use all three of their wide receivers in somewhat equal proportions, these ceiling games will be rare. The sell high window is open.
Buy High
Keke Coutee, WR, HOU - Coutee was heavily involved before Will Fuller went out, so don’t chalk up his debut breakout strictly to Fuller’s injury. He was a substitute for running plays with high percentage targets, but he also made some catches downfield and still hasn’t gotten to show off his deep speed. If Fuller is healthy, that gives Coutee more room and easier coverage. If Fuller is out, that gives Coutee more targets. He’s here to stay.
Aaron Jones, RB, GB - Jones might not be cheap, but he also might not be any less expensive than he is right now with a massive blowup possible against the woeful Lions run defense. The Packers need Jones or at least somebody else to play a larger role in Week 5 with all of their top three receivers banged up and Darius Slay blotting out at least one of them. Jones value might take off on the Ford Field turf this week.
Kerryon Johnson, RB, DET - Johnson, like Jones, has already proven that he is the best back on his roster, and his team wants to run the ball as a high priority. He can also play in passing situations and be on the field in any personnel set, so we are just waiting for the Lions to correctly install him as their lead back. He could be a league winner if the Lions actually commit to him.
