Fantasy Football Player Notes

Bhayshul Tuten is the RB16 in fantasy points per game, averaging 16 touches and 80 total yards. Among 42 qualifying running backs, he ranks tenth in explosive run rate, eighth in rushing success rate, tenth in yards after contact per attempt, and ninth in missed tackle rate. Among the same sample, Tuten is only 27th in snap rate and 24th in designed carry share. If he keeps producing like this on a per-touch basis, he will earn more of the Jags backfield. Tuten has six red zone carries to Chris Rodriguez's five through three games. He's had a consistent 31.3-35.5% route share (6.2% target share, 1.24 YPRR). This could be the week when Tuten finally logs a 100-yard rushing outing. Cincy has allowed the ninth-highest explosive run rate, the ninth-most yards after contact per attempt, and the seventh-highest missed tackle rate.

Jakobi Meyers is the WR30 in fantasy points per game with two top-30 finishes in weekly scoring through three games (WR28, WR14). Meyers has a 13.6% target share, 1.89 YPRR, two red zone targets (two scores), one deep target, and a 17.2% first-read share. I expect DJ Turner to follow Brian Thomas Jr. this week, but after seeing Thomas Jr.'s role in the offense decline last week, I could be wrong. Meyers could see Turner this week, so there's volatility in his projection. Turner has shadowed in each game this season following Emeka Egbuka, Xavier Hutchinson, and DK Metcalf on 53.1-69% of their routes. Turner hasn't allowed any of these receivers to surpass 53 receiving yards in his coverage. Metcalf scored a touchdown against him, but Turner ran into a teammate on the play, which left Metcalf wide open. Meyers is downgraded this week with a possible shadow and the fact that Cincy has been tough against perimeter wide receivers, allowing the second-fewest yards per target and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to the position.

Brenton Strange is the TE24 in fantasy points per game with a 71.3% route share, a 12.3% target share, 1.16 YPRR, two red zone targets, zero deep targets, and a 12.1% first-read share. Strange is a viable streaming option at tight end this week or a desperation flex in deeper leagues. Cincy hasn't allowed a receiving score to a tight end yet this season, but they have given up the fourth-most yards per target to the position. Strange could be a TE1 this week.

Brian Thomas Jr. has had a predictable but rough beginning to the season. Last week, his route share dipped to 43.8% while he had only a 3.4% target share. Thomas Jr. is an easy sit this week with his role declining in the Jags offense and possible shadow coverage from DJ Turner when he's on the field. I don't know if Cincy will view Jakobi Meyers as the bigger threat this week or Thomas Jr., but Cincy has also been tough against perimeter receivers. Thomas Jr. is a sit, regardless of how you dice up this matchup. Turner has shadowed in each game this season following Emeka Egbuka, Xavier Hutchinson, and DK Metcalf on 53.1-69% of their routes. Turner hasn't allowed any of these receivers to surpass 53 receiving yards in his coverage. Metcalf scored a touchdown against him, but Turner ran into a teammate on the play, which left Metcalf wide open. Cincy has allowed the second-fewest yards per target and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers.