The third week of the fantasy football season can be a pivotal one. As players’ roles begin to emerge and injury issues become clearer, fantasy managers are getting a better picture of how their teams stack up against the rest of the league.
For some off to a 1-2 or 0-3 start, the need to right the ship becomes especially important with the possibility of another loss looming. In that case, a trade may be just what your team needs to get back on course.
So let’s take a look at some players whose values are trending upward (or downward) as a result of their performances in Week 3.
Fantasy football: 5 players to buy in Week 4
WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers: The Niners have had a rash of injuries at the skill position spots, so someone has to step up. With Christian McCaffrey on IR, Deebo Samuel nursing a multi-week injury and George Kittle sidelined in Week 3, Jennings was the next man up, and he showed out. He blew up for 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets. As long as Deebo is out, Jennings is worth starting.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
WR Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers: Johnson was brought in to help Bryce Young, but they were never able to get on the same page. With Andy Dalton running the offense in Week 3, Johnson had his first 100-yard game in a Panthers uniform, while scoring his first touchdown, too. This offense looks functional again.
RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fantasy managers drafted Rachaad White with the idea of him being a low-end RB1 or top RB2. That hasn’t materialized, and the rookie from Oregon has gotten more and more runs. He posted 70 yards on nine attempts, and his 12 touches in Week 3 were the most this season. With White averaging just 2.1 yards per rush, Irving’s role is likely to continue expanding.
RB Tyler Badie, Denver Broncos: Badie burst onto the scene in Week 3 in Tampa with a surprising 70 rushing yards on nine attempts. While one of the runs went for 43 yards, skewing his numbers a tad, he was far more effective than Javonte Williams or Jaleel McLaughlin. Don’t be surprised to see Sean Payton lean on Badie in Week 4, and we’ll see where it goes from there.
TE Tyler Conklin, New York Jets: After two rather ineffective performances, Conklin shined under the lights in Week 3 with five catches, 93 yards and six targets. In the past, Aaron Rodgers has leaned on his tight ends quite a bit, and as he and Conklin build rapport, Conklin’s fantasy star could continue to rise even further.
Fantasy football: 5 players to sell in Week 4
RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys: It was great seeing Zeke return to the Cowboys, as he just didn’t look right in New England. However, he was limited to just three totes in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. While Dallas got away from the run after falling in a deep, early hole, Rico Dowdle stepped up in the second half and was used when the team needed to run. There is concern Dowdle could see more work at Zeke’s expense.
QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: The good news is Goff had two touchdown passes for the first time this season, but the bad news is he has more interceptions (4) than TDs (3). The Lions appear hellbent on running the ball more, and that’s never good for a fantasy quarterback’s outlook.
RB Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders: White didn’t do well in the first two games, but he had a couple of tough matchups. Patience was preached with the lowly Panthers on the schedule for Week 3, but White stubbed his toe in that matchup, too. He had just 10 rushes for 34 yards, and he wasn’t targeted in the passing game. That’s simply not going to fly.
RB D’Onta Foreman, Cleveland Browns: Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski wanted to use a big body in Jacksonville in Week 2, so Foreman had 14 carries to just seven for Jerome Ford. The team won, and Foreman looked like he could have a larger role at home in Week 3. He had just two touches on offense. With Nick Chubb eligible to return in Week 5, both Ford and Foreman are likely to see diminished roles.
QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts: Richardson opened with 212 passing yards, two touchdown passes and a rushing score in Week 1. His passing yardage and rushing yardage have decreased in each game since, and he went without any kind of TD in Week 3. He is completing just 49.3% of his passes and can’t be trusted as a fantasy regular right now.