Fantasy Football Player Notes

Christian Watson is the WR3 through three weeks. Yes, you read that correctly. After returning from his ACL injury last year and taking a step forward as a receiver, he has continued to gain momentum into this season. Injuries have always been the main issue with Watson. However, if he is healthy, he is one of the freakiest athletes in a league full of athletic monsters. We have seen his game progress to big plays and technical red zone work. Scoring a touchdown in each game so far, he looks to continue this streak against an intriguing Buccaneers defense. Entering the season, the Bucs were hanging their hat on their run defense. That said, through three weeks, they are allowing the third-fewest passing touchdowns. With Baker Mayfield sidelined, Watson managers need to hope that the Packers continue to struggle on the ground and are forced to rely on the passing game.

Matthew Golden is in the midst of a sophomore breakout season. Golden is the WR15 in fantasy points per game with a 22.6% target share, 2.32 YPRR, four red zone targets, six deep targets, and a 27.4% first-read share (leads the team). He has been absolutely awesome. I didn't know what to make of Golden this summer after a sleepy rookie season and minimal usage. This week, he'll face a Bucs secondary that has the second-highest single high rate in the NFL (71.7%). Against single high, he is second on the team with a 24% target-per-route run rate with only 1.43 YPRR. He has been the team's go-to against two high, with improved efficiency. This isn't a coffin nail, but it's harder to project a ceiling week for Golden when considering this. Tampa Bay hasn't been amazing at defending perimeter wide receivers, allowing the 13th-most yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity to the position. Golden can still have a strong Week 4, even if he doesn't blow the doors off.