Are you exhausted after week 4? I know I am!!!
We all knew going into this season that COVID was going to rear its’ ugly little head, but I don’t think we truly knew the headaches that would follow! The Titans and Steelers game was just the beginning but ended up being handled properly. As of writing, the positive cases have not grown, and there was no transmission to the Vikings. Moving forward to the weekend, and the other foot dropped. Cam Newton tested positive. This sent shockwaves throughout the fantasy landscape and left many of fantasy managers, and commissioners, in a state of uncertainty. Luckily for all involved, the virus did not spread any further and the KC/NE is going to be played on Monday night.
What does all of this mean? It means to stay vigilant and prepared to react to any and all news. How do you do that you ask? Well keep reading and have one, if not all, of these players, rostered and ready. It’s also important to note that we are entering certain teams’ BYE weeks.
Defensive Line
Josh Allen
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 9 |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 8 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 6.8 |
After being held without a sack for the first 2 weeks of the season, Allen has recorded a sack in consecutive weeks. Allen played in 77% of the snaps in week 4, recorded 2 tackles, 1 sack and had some good pressure on Joe Burrow. The Jags will travel to Houston to face the Texans, the NFL’s most sacked team!
Akiem Hicks
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 24% |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 10.75 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 13.87 |
For the 4th week in a row, Akiem Hicks has put up great numbers for a DL, especially for an interior lineman. In week 4, Hicks had a season-high 6 tackles, to go along with 2 Tackles for a Loss and 2 QB hits. I’m not sure if its the attention paid to Mack or Quinn, or both, but nonetheless, as long as Hicks is putting up these numbers, he should be rostered in more than just a quarter of the leagues.
Stephon Tuitt
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 2.4% |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 0 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 8.58 |
The Steelers were on the Covid Bye week in week 4 and will turn their attention to week 5 when they play host to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tuitt has recorded 2 sacks in 3 games played and ranks in the top 4 in the NFL in QB Hit% (minimum 30 snaps/gm). The constant pressure on the QB should be on display this week against an Eagles offensive line that has allowed the 3rd most sacks in the NFL.
Linebacker
B.J Goodson
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 6.2% |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 9 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 12.8 |
The injury to Mack Wilson had a number of people uncertain at who would step in and man the middle in Cleveland. It appears that B.J. Goodson was ready to step up and take the role. In his first 4 games, he has matched his entire 2019 fantasy point total. Goodson filled the stat sheet in week 3 and has now recorded 27 tackles, 1 FR, and an INT. The Browns will face the run-heavy Colts, in which I could see an opportunity at good tackle totals and the potential Philip Rivers errant pass.
Anthony Walker
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 7.7% |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 15 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 8.68 |
Walker recorded 11 total tackles in week 4 and is in line for another big game in week 5. If I can just overlook the week 2 game against Minn, Walker has registered no less than 5 solo tackles. What sets the floor even higher for Walker this week is the uncertainty surrounding All-Pro Darius Leonard. Leonard left week 4 with a groin injury, to which the extent is unknown. The Colts will face off vs the Cleveland Browns, who boast the most rushing attempts in the NFL, so Walker should be busy.
K.J. Wright
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 14.5% |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 23.5 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 11.75 |
The Seahawks have lost a few key pieces over the first 4 games, none more noteworthy than Jamal Adams. K.J. Wright has been asked to step up and take on an even bigger workload with that loss, coupled with the loss of Bruce Irvin. In weeks 1-2, Wright logged 70% of the snaps, and in the past 2 games, he has played in 90%. As a direct result of those increases in playing time have come 2 monster games. Last week Wright had a career game, recording 8 tackles, 3 passes defended, and a forced fumble. Even if Adams is back, I still expect to see a heavy workload and a good fantasy week vs the run-heavy Vikings.
Defensive Backs
Taylor Rapp
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 10% |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 11.25 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 7.25 |
Taylor Rapp entered the season as one of the more hyped IDP players at DB . Unfortunately for him, the knee injury that cost him the start of the season also had cost him his role. Jordan Fuller had grabbed ahold of the position and wasn’t letting go. Fast forward to week 4 and Fuller had to leave the game in the 2nd quarter due to a shoulder injury. Rapp filled in and filled up the stat sheet with 8 tackles and played in nearly 100% of the snaps. Rapp will travel to Washington to face the Football Team. Last year Rapp played in 10 games and had 100 tackles. Strike while the iron is hot! Plus, there is a chance that Jalen Ramsey is going to face punishment for his fight with Golden Tate, which might mean Rapp is asked to be all around the ball.
Deionte Thompson
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | .2% |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 12.75 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 9 |
Filling in for Buddha Baker, Thompson definitely could earn some looks on the waiver wire. Let me be completely clear, if there is an inkling that Baker will be allowed to play, this will be a wasted pick. If I am a betting man, I can see the Cardinals giving Baker 1 more week of rest since they play the lowly Jets. Thompson recorded 9 tackles and had 1 pass defense.
Jordan Whitehead
| % Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus) | 8.5 |
| Week 4 Fantasy Points | 12 |
| FPPG (Fantasy Points Per Game) | 12.37 |
Whitehead has now recorded a sack in each of his past 2 games and has exactly 4 solo tackles in each game of the 2020 season. Add in the INT in week 2 vs Carolina and Whitehead has contributed across the board for the Bucs. Tampa Bay will face the Bears, who are 3rd in INT’s, in week 5.
