Let’s take a look at notable salary changes as we head into Week 4 of the NFL season.
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Quarterbacks
Blake Bortles (JAX): $7,700 @ NYJ (+$700)
After simply being more of a game manager in Week 1 and an utter disaster in Week 2, Bortles exploded in Week 3 for 27.6 FDP. He threw for four touchdowns and didn’t turn the ball over in London, as the Jaguars destroyed the Ravens. Week 4 presents a tempting matchup, as Jacksonville will now travel to New York to play the Jets, who have allowed six passing touchdowns through three games. They haven’t given up a ton of yards, however, so I’d be careful not to chase points after Bortles’ salary rose the second-highest among all quarterbacks.
Jameis Winston (TB): $7,300 vs. NYG (-$100)
Full disclosure: this is not a good matchup for Winston and the Buccaneers’ passing attack. Winston is coming off of a three-interception outing against the Vikings, but he did manage to throw for 328 yards and two touchdowns. He also coughed up the ball twice, so his fantasy outing certainly could have been better. While Winston’s decision making can be questionable at times, the fearlessness he possesses also serves as a boon to his stock in tournaments. He finally showed a rapport with deep threat DeSean Jackson, which could make this a potent offense going forward, as it should force a safety from leaning heavily towards Mike Evans. All told, Winston’s salary is ripe for tournament play this week, as he’s a high-risk, high-reward play at home against a tougher opponent.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (MIN): $7,500 vs. DET (+$1,000)
It’s time to get #ShookForCook! The talented rookie is coming off of a phenomenal outing against a talented, yet banged up Tampa Bay defense, in which he scored 25.4 FDP. Owners who took advantage of his price last week were handsomely rewarded, and I think he will continue to prove a reliable option most weeks. The Lions handled opposing rushing attacks well through the first two weeks before they were hit up pretty hard in Week 3 by the Falcons. Cook’s price jumped enough heading into Week 4 that owners will want to consider a fade in tournaments, but it’s tough to not have some shares of Cook in your fantasy portfolio, as he still has a reasonable price.
Jacquizz Rodgers (TB): $5,300 vs. NYG (-$1,300)
Rodgers has been a disaster through two weeks, and he’s running out of time to make an impact as Doug Martin’s return from suspension looms on the horizon. Rodgers had just five carries last week, as he was clearly impacted from game flow in Minnesota. He did have 19 carries for 67 yards and a score in Week 2, so I think this is a very good spot to target him after such a big price drop. Not only is he cheap, but owners will likely be soured on his Week 3 outing. The Giants have been vulnerable to opposing rushing attacks, as they’ve allowed at least 129 rushing yards per game. They were beaten up last week by the Eagles, as they surrendered 193 rushing yards and two touchdowns. I just mentioned Jameis Winston earlier as a decent, albeit risky tournament play, and while I stand by that, I think it’s wise to split your exposure between him and Rodgers this week.
Wide Receivers
Geronimo Allison (GB): $5,500 vs. CHI (+$900)
Allison saw the biggest increase in salary among all receivers this week, as he produced 15.2 FDP in relief duty of Randall Cobb. While Allison did haul in six catches on eight targets for 122 yards, 72 of those came on one play in overtime. There is a chance Cobb could be forced to sit again due to the short turnaround, but I don’t think I can trust Allison in Week 4.
Julio Jones (ATL): $8,400 vs. BUF (-$900)
Stop the press, Jones is banged up yet again. Typically saddled with foot or ankle injuries in the past, Jones is dealing with a back issue now, which could prove to be troublesome. It’s early in the week, so a lot could change, but head coach Dan Quinn didn’t seem overly concerned heading into Week 4. The Bills have yet to allow a passing touchdown this season, but they’ve also faced the Jets, Panthers, and Broncos, so I think that streak is in peril in Week 4. Even dinged up, Jones is too talented of a receiver to be priced here.
Tight Ends
Benjamin Watson (BAL): $5,200 vs. PIT (+$500)
I’m a bit perplexed by what’s going on here with Watson, as his price dropped by $100 heading into Week 3 after he scored 13.1 FDP in Week 2. Now, his salary has risen the most among tight ends heading into Week 4, despite being targeted just three times. He did score a touchdown, but I don’t know that he’s going to be someone to target in Week 4 in a tough matchup at home against the Steelers.
Jimmy Graham (SEA): $6,200 vs. IND (-$200)
Graham’s price dropped $200 after a seven-catch, 72-yard outing against the Titans in Week 3, but he did fail to score a touchdown. He was targeted 11 times in the passing game, so I think the scores will follow if this type of volume continues. He draws a juicy matchup at home against the Colts, so feel free to target Graham in tournaments this week.
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Adam Sutton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Adam, follow him @DraftStars_Adam. You can find more of Adam’s work at DraftStars.net.
