It's Week 4, and the injury bug continues to wreak havoc in fantasy football. Hopefully, you've been able to dodge the landmines, but at this point, it's next to impossible.
Last week, it was starting quarterbacks. In Week 3, that position lost another, with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) suffering a multi-injury week. However, this week it was the running back spot that was hard hit.Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (knee), New Orleans Saints RB Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) and New York Jets RB Breece Hall (quadriceps) each exited games, and the injuries have varying degrees of severity. Achane is done for the season, Etienne might miss time some time, and Hall appears to have lucked out the most, although he is considered
week-to-week.
The wide receivers weren't untouched, either, as WR Mike Evans (rib) and WR Justin Jefferson (ankle) left games, although both appear to simply have day-to-day kind of injuries, avoiding a major scare.
Let's get started and find some replacements.
Ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo.
QUARTERBACKS
Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders (14% owned)
Fantasy managers have been avoiding Cousins, for whatever reason, and the experts have been scoffing at the success of the Raiders so far. All they've done is just win, baby, getting off to a perfect 3-0 start. While NFL team win-loss records don't really mean a thing to us, the reason for the success of the Raiders has mostly been Cousins and his steadying presence. Every game he has thrown exactly three touchdowns, giving the team quality play under center with few miscues. I started him in my 12-team, big-money league this past week, mainly as a replacement for Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams (hamstring). I wasn't disappointed. With TE Brock Bowers back, the TDs should continue for Cousins.
Geno Smith, New York Jets (9% owned)
If you're looking for a plug-and-play option - not necessarily for the long term, but for favorable matchups from time to time - Smith is your guy. He has thrown for 783 yards and - while he has lost a fumble - hasn't thrown a pick. He has three fewer passing yards than the more heralded Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (786 yards) and more passing yards than Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (745 yards) while tossing for the same number of TD strikes as the two-time MVP.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (7% owned)
Believe it or not, the Browns also have a winning record, similar to Cousins and the Raiders above. Watson hasn't nearly been as statistically impressive as Cousins, especially in the touchdown department, but he has developed a nice rapport with rookie WR Denzel Boston and TE Harold Fannin Jr., including two touchdowns to the latter in a Week 3 comeback victory. He hasn't thrown an interception in two games; he has two multi-TD games in that span, and he has seen his rushing attempts rise during every game, topping out with 11 carries and 45 yards in Week 3. In addition, Watson has similar stats to Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, with 33 fewer passing yards and the same number of TD passes to go along with two fewer picks and 18 more rushing yards. Yet Hurts is owned in 99% of leagues. Hmm.
RUNNING BACKS
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (21% owned)
Allen is next in line to carry the mail for the Jets after Hall went down to a quad injury in Week 3. In the team's Week 1 win in Tennessee, he saw a double-digit carry total with 10 runs for 40 yards and 4.0 yards per attempt. He had 25.6% of the rushing attempts in that victory over the Titans, although his usage dipped in Week 2. However, he did score, so even when he was skipped over, he didn't leave fantasy managers with a complete zero. After Hall exited Week 3, it's Allen time. He recorded three receptions against the Detroit Lions, and that has PPR fantasy managers intrigued.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (43% owned)
Kamara's ownership bumped up significantly in a week's time, going from 29% heading into Week 3 to 43% this week. Expect that number to continue to rise. He is expected to lead a three-headed monster, which also sees RB Kendre Miller wet his beak. Even rookie RB CJ Donaldson might get a touch or two per game. The latter is somewhat concerning, as he is a bowling ball by the goal line and could be a potential touchdown vulture.
Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers (6% owned)
This is more speculative than it is based on usage so far. Packers RB Marshawn Lloyd has had a golden opportunity to start with RB Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list, but Lloyd has fumbled away his chance. His usage has decreased in every game to date, going from 13 total touches in Week 1, six carries and eight total touches in Week 2 and a total of six touches in an embarrassing home loss to Atlanta. On the flip side, Johnson is getting more comfortable in Green Bay, totaling four or more runs in each of the past two games. Johnson hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, either, but the Packers could make big changes after a 1-2 start, and they need to get the run game going.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins (20% owned)
Washington isn't flashy, nor is the Miami passing offense, as Dolphins QB Malik Willis slowly tries to get things going in South Florida. The Dolphins might try to go to the air a little more with Achane going down for the season. Washington has tallied 23 targets through the first three games, so he is getting his opportunities. Once Willis polishes up his accuracy and Washington starts absorbing more of his targets, he could be a nice sleeper. As it stands, he has cashed in 12 of his 23 targets (52.2%) and owns a 27.1% target share for the Dolphins.
Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears (11% owned)
Raymond has recorded at least five receptions in all three of his games, totaling 21 targets with 19 catches. He has two games with at least 84 receiving yards, and we just saw him post a 41-yard touchdown from QB Case Keenum on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. It is stunning, but Raymond (19-214-1), not WR Luther Burden III (15-156-1) or WR Rome Odunze (8-139-0) who leads the Bears in receptions and receiving yardage. It's time to start trusting Raymond, as coach Ben Johnson is obviously comfortable with the veteran from their days together with the Detroit Lions. Heck, he is tied for fifth in the NFL in catches with Philadelphia's DeVonta Smith.
Keenan Allen, Indianapolis Colts (22% owned)
Allen was doing Allen things in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, finding the end zone for the first time in a Colts uniform. After taking some time to get acclimated to his new digs and fighting an off-the-field distraction, it appears his head is clear, he is more comfortable and he is ready to do what we've come to expect from a fantasy perspective.
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders (45% owned)
It's inexplicable, but Tucker is still available in more than half of all fantasy leagues. Yes, Bowers is back, meaning that's one big mouth to feed. Still, Tucker showed off his speed and downfield ability in Week 2 with 119 yards and a touchdown. Even sharing with Bowers, Tucker is clearly the WR1 in Sin City and he'll keep eating up the target share in the wide receivers' room.
TIGHT ENDS
Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets (20% owned)
After the elite tight ends, it's a precipitous drop-off, so where there is a tight end that is remotely decent available on the waiver wire, you need to pounce. Sadiq found the end zone in Week 1 on a rushing touchdown, no less, and he found the end zone in a more traditional way in Week 3. He has averaged 4.0 receptions and 4.7 targets per game through three outings. He appears to have pushed ahead of TEs Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert for the eye of QB Geno Smith.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3% owned)
The Bucs lost Mayfield to a dislocated right thumb, and he'll miss multiple games. Undrafted free-agent QB Jalon Daniels is expected to start. The Bucs will certainly simplify the playbook, using more short and intermediate routes. That benefits Otton greatly. He already has 11 receptions and 17 targets through three games, averaging 40 receiving yards. He should give Daniels a nice red-zone target in the coming weeks.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Waiver Wired - Week 4
