Fantasy Football Player Notes

The Chargers' passing attack is a confounding mess. It's difficult to feel good about playing anyone on that roster right now. Ladd McConkey came out of the gate hot in Week 1 until he snapped a rib, and he has been middling ever since. Last week, McConkey had a 14.7% target share (third on the team) with a 19% first-read share (third on the team). He was a full-time player, though, with an 87.5% snap rate and 84.2% route share. It's maddening. It feels like Mike McDaniel is scrambling in real time to make this all work and flailing while doing so. McConkey is second on the team in red zone targets (two) and deep targets (two). McConkey could lead the team in targets this week, or he could be the third option in the passing progressions. Who knows. I do know that I don't want to plug him into a lineup this week against a secondary that has allowed the fourth-fewest yards per target and the tenth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers. McConkey picked up a new foot injury last week to add on top of his tender ribs. McConkey was limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday. He missed practice on Thursday. That's not an encouraging set of practice reports. He has been listed as questionable for Week 4.

Omarion Hampton has been a big letdown through three games as the RB23 in fantasy points per game. His usage trends are also going in a frightening direction, sadly. From Week 1 to last week, Hampton's designed carry share has dropped from 75% to 57.7%, and his route share has declined from 28.6% to 15.8%. There's nothing to like about any of that. Last week, Hampton finished with 15 touches and 56 total yards. In two of three games this season, he has had 15 touches or less. Among 43 qualifying backs, Hampton is 24th in explosive run rate, ninth in yards after contact per attempt, and 21st in missed tackle rate. With his route share declining and only a 3.4% target share this season, Hampton can easily be game-scripted out weekly if his usage continues to sit in this area code. That easily could happen this week against Seattle. The Seahawks' run defense also is no joke, as they have allowed the third-lowest explosive run rate, the third-lowest rushing success rate, and the sixth-lowest missed tackle rate. Hampton will need a touchdown to pay off this week for fantasy.

There's no way I'm playing Quentin Johnston in any league this week. Johnston has only a 17% target share with 0.79 YPRR and a 22% first-read share. Johnston leads the team with three deep targets, but he has zero red zone targets. Seattle has allowed the fourth-fewest yards per target and the tenth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers.

Last week, Oronde Gadsden goose-egged. He had an 8.8% target share with a 65.8% route share, but he finished with zero receptions and a 4.8% first-read share. Hopefully, better days are ahead for him, but I'm not starting Gadsden in any league this week. Seattle has allowed the third-fewest yards per target to tight ends.