By: @KenSonnenberg
What does your fantasy team look like at the quarter pole of the NFL season? Are you the Kansas City Chiefs and you have come firing out of the blocks? Are you the Miami Dolphins, with your strong start despite what people thought based on your lineup? Perhaps the Minnesota Vikings, a lot of talent, but you just haven’t found the right mix yet to maximize all that talent? Or are you the Buffalo Bills, you were bad from the start, you came out bad, and there doesn’t look like there is any hope for you anytime soon? There is a bright side, it is still pretty early and there is still a chance to turn your season around with the right picks going into Week 5 of the NFL season. Here are a few guys that you may want to look at this week as a starter:
4-EYED PREVIEW #1: Jared Goff – Quarterback – Los Angeles Rams
If you have Jared Goff, he is looking like a must-start, if you see him on your waiver wire, it might be a good idea to pick him up. It is no coincidence that Goff has seen his stats shoot through the moon since the Rams hired Sean McVie as their Head Coach. Where many people were starting to see the former #1 overall pick as a potential bust, McVie saw his future franchise QB, and through the first four games of this season, that trust is really starting to pay off. With 1,406 passing yards and 11 TDs, Goff sits second in the NFL in both categories and is in the top 3 in most fantasy leagues in total points, averaging just over 25 per game using the Fantasy in Frames scoring criteria. This week, Goff and the Rams go up against the Seattle Seahawks, who were having a better than expected start to the season on defense, but will be tested against the #1 ranked offense in the NFL. They have lost all-pro safety Earl Thomas for the rest of the season with a broken leg, as well as LB Mychal Kendricks, who was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
Last week’s 465 yard, 5 TD performance against the supposedly vaunted Minnesota Vikings defense should give you all the information you need regarding your choice to sit or start Goff. He seems to be getting better and better as the weeks go by and he is discovering that Todd Gurley is not his only option on offense. By spreading the ball around to receivers like Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, who along with Gurley are starting to make people envision a previous version of the Rams offense, where Kurt Warner led what came to be known as “The Greatest Show on Turf”.
4-EYED PREVIEW #2: Adrian Peterson – Running Back – Washington Redskins
Someone looks like they are drinking from the Fountain of Youth! Is this 2018 or have we been gone back to 2012? Adrian Peterson has started out his 2018 campaign in classic Peterson style as he has racked up 236 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in his first three games. The Redskins having the early bye week last week is probably the only reason that he is not close to sitting on top of the NFL in rushing yards, and fantasy points from the RB position. This week, he faces the New Orleans Saints who have averaged giving up 12.2 points per game from the RB position so far this season. This looks to be a prime spot for Peterson to exact his revenge on the team that cut him after only four games last season where he would only rush 27 times for 81 yards, while giving us the now viral image of the Peterson death stare that he put on Coach Sean Peyton. Until further notice, Peterson looks to be no worse than a Fantasy flex option, but I would say that he has proven that he can be a clear RB2 in most leagues as he and a pretty solid Redskins offensive line go into that offensive bonanza that is the Superdome against that suspect Saints defense.
4-EYED PREVIEWS #3: Corey Davis – Wide Receiver – Tennessee Titans
Welcome to the party Corey Davis!! The 2017 5th overall pick in the NFL draft had his breakout game in last week’s overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles as he was targeted 15 times, hauling in 9 of those passes for 161 yards and 1 touchdown. If you are looking at the potential for Davis to up the level of his game like the way he played against Philadelphia, I would say that he is definitely someone worth taking a look at. The Tennessee receiving corps has taken a couple hits over the last few weeks, losing pro-bowl tight end Delanie Walker for the season with a broken and dislocated ankle and the recent release of former top WR Rishard Matthews, it appears that Davis will quickly become QB Marcus Mariota’s favorite target. Davis has been targeted an average of 9.75 times through the first four games, and that includes Week 3 against the Jaguars when he only had 4 passes come his way as he was matched up against Jalen Ramsey, one of the best lockdown corners in the NFL. This week Davis and the Titans match up against the Buffalo Bills, who are ranked 16th in the NFL in passing yards but have taken a few hits in the defensive backfield with the questionable status of safety Micah Hyde and the retirement of CB Dontae Davis. Even though Davis will most likely be covered by TreDavious White, one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL, look for him to get plenty of targets and ample chance to have a big game. It is still unclear as to where most see Davis as it relates to their fantasy WR corp. He is averaging 12 fantasy points per game, but that includes both his quiet performance against the Jags and his brilliant game against the Eagles. If one was to do an analysis of where they see his fantasy potential, Davis looks to be a solid WR2 option, where he is going to provide some consistent scoring, particularly in any PPR league since his targets will only increase the more comfortable he gets with Mariota. Look for him to continue to average between 12-15 points per game with the occasional Philadelphia-type performance.
4-EYED PREVIEW #4: John Johnson III – Safety – Los Angeles Rams
Lost in much of the hoopla surrounding the play of all the defensive acquisitions made by the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, as well as the resigning DT Aaron Donald, is the play of safety John Johnson III. Over the first four weeks of the season, Johnson has averaged a little over 10 fantasy points per game which ranks him 4th among defensive backs. This week, he and the Rams face the Seattle Seahawks, so not only will he be on the prowl for running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, but he will also have receivers Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett, as well as Quarterback Russell Wilson to help him continue to increase his numbers. He is a must-start in your fantasy lineup, particularly if you are in an IDP league.
*Also don’t forget to go back and read over our previous IN SEASON ARTICLES. You might find some nuggets of fantasy football gold that could propel you into the fantasy playoffs and even help you win a fantasy football championship!*
