Raju Byfield

Kain Medrano was excellent in Week 3, reeling off three solos, two assists, one interception, one pass defended, and one touchdown on 66 percent of the snaps. Medrano sealed the game with his pick-six off Sam Darnold and may be tasked with a rotational role for the rest of the year now that Leo Chenal (neck) has been confirmed to be out for the season. Medrano is more of a deep league speculative add for now, as there is a high chance that the Commanders kick the tires on trade or free agent depth. Kain was a special teams player only before his breakout, so Washington may not be ready to hand him 50 percent or more of the snaps for the next 14 weeks of the season.

Drake Thomas continued his strong play in Week 3, generating five solos, four assists, and one tackle for loss. The LB12 through three weeks of action, Thomas will likely be ineligible for this column going forward. He has been a locked-in LB2 play since last season, and we have been some of his biggest fans. Treat him as such for a plus Week 4 matchup against the struggling Los Angeles Chargers.

Jack Gibbens showed up in Week 3, reeling off four solos, four assists, and one tackle for loss on 96 percent of the snaps. Gibbens is playing nearly every snap for Arizona after winning the starting job over Cody Simon this summer and seems to be in zero danger of Simon stealing snaps any time soon. Gibbens is a solid LB3 candidate for Week 4, thanks to a plus matchup against the banged-up New York Giants.

Trenton Simpson was back at it again in Week 3, notching five solos, two assists, two tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery. Simpson has done everything he could to make a case to stay ahead of Teddye Buchanan once both are healthy, and we will need to see how it plays out. Teddye played just four percent of the snaps in his first week back, and Head Coach Jesse Minter has been impressed enough that Simpson will likely get at least one more week of starting duties ahead of Buchanan. The more likely scenario is that Simpson will have to become a liability again before the team goes to Teddye. Add and start Simpson everywhere as an LB3 option ahead of a tasty Week 4 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

CJGJ showed up in Week 3 for the Buffalo Bills, notching three solos, two assists, one interception, and two passes defended. Gardner-Johnson remains a top-25 option, but has lost some of his IDP upside due to playing more of his snaps deep in the Bills' defensive scheme. He is still more than worthy of a DB2 or even a DB3 play, but we can no longer expect him to push for DB1 numbers over the course of a full season sans at least a handful of interceptions. Tap CJGJ as a top-25 option for a suddenly tasty Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots.

Hezekiah Masses was at it again in Week 3, reeling off four solos, two assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Masses now has a highly impressive three interceptions in two weeks filling in for the injured Darien Porter (foot), and may not be ready to give the starting role back. Masses has recorded four solos in two straight games, proving to be a worthy CB2/DB4 candidate if he continues to get starts. He is more of a deep league and speculative add, but Masses has shown enough to be worth a roster spot in leagues with deep benches.

Genesis Smith made a name for himself on Sunday, breaking out with two solos, three assists, two interceptions, and two passes defended on 63 percent of the snaps. Smith has seen his snap share grow each week and has likely earned the full confidence of the coaching staff. Derwin James, of course, has the more valuable role of the starting safety duo, but Smith has proven he can be an IDP option despite playing the bulk of his snaps deep.

Reed Blankenship showed up in Week 3, tallying five solos, four assists, one interception, and two passes defended. Blankenship has been a solid DB3 option to open the season, but flashed some of his DB2 upside against Indianapolis. For now, continue to treat him as a DB3 option for a plus Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.