(Image credit: Bruce Kluckhohn/AP)
By: Jett Rosenstein
Twitter: @rosey_jett
Welcome back to “The Playbook.” The one-stop-shop that gets you ready for the week ahead in fantasy football. Everything from who to start, who to sit, who to buy low, who to sell high, and much more. For fantasy managers, the goal every week is to set the best possible lineup and to be celebrating a victory when it is all said and done. So, let’s get right into it!
START
QB Kirk Cousins (MIN)
What a start to the season for Kirk Cousins! Through 3 games, Cousins has thrown for 918 yards, 8 TDs, and 0 interceptions. That is good for QB6. For a guy that went undrafted in the majority of leagues, he should now be added in most leagues, especially if you are in need of a QB. This upcoming week, Cousins and Co. will face off against the 2-1 Browns. The Browns have a solid defense and are in the middle of the pack when it comes to allowing fantasy points to opposing QBs. Get Cousins in your lineups and continue to ride the wave.
RB Zack Moss (BUF)
After being a healthy scratch in the Bill opening game, Zack Moss has come back strong and put together consecutive double-digit performances. He has found the end zone 3 times in the last 2 games. While he is sharing the workload with Devin Singletary, Moss has looked like the better player for the most part. This week, Moss will be facing off against a Texans team that will seemingly struggle on the defensive side of the ball throughout this game. Moss should have another nice game and be a suitable flex play in this matchup.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (CLE)
In his first game back since tearing his ACL, Odell had a solid performance against the Bears. He led the team in targets and yardage. Looking ahead to week 4, Odell will once again be a beneficiary of fellow WR Jarvis Landry being out of the lineup. He will face off against a Vikings secondary that has been kind to opposing WRs. They have allowed the 4th most points to opposing WRs. Odell is a solid play based on volume alone. He could have even more upside if this game turns into a shootout.
SIT RB Damien Harris (NE)
Damien Harris is coming off of his worst outing of the year. Harris only received 6 carries and his workload soon dissipated after the Patriots fell behind. Moving ahead to week 4, Harris has a tough test against a Tampa Bay defense that is not kind to RBs, especially those not involved in the passing game. He may get a decent size workload in this one, but I cannot imagine him having a successful day.
WR Robert Woods (LAR)
Up to this point in the season, Robert Woods has not lived up to his draft-day price. A lot of that has to do with Cooper Kupp lighting the league on the fire and some of it has to do with Matthew Stafford not looking his way a ton. Unfortunately, until further notice, Woods should be left out of starting lineups until we see him put together a quality performance. If you don’t have a better option, just keep him in there and hope for the best.
TE Dallas Goedert (PHI)
Dallas Goedert is too reliant on the big play for me to feel comfortable putting him in my lineup at the moment. The Eagles offensive line is not giving Jalen Hurts enough time to make those aforementioned plays. Zach Ertz will also continue to limit his upside. He could have a good game this week against the Chiefs in what could be a shootout, but I rather put my money on someone who will be receiving more consistent volume.
DEFENSIVE STREAM OF THE WEEK
TENNESSEE TITANS vs. New York Jets
This is a no-brainer for me due to how bad the Jets have looked in recent weeks. While the Titans do not have a great defense, to begin with, they should be able to force Zach Wilson and Co. to turn the ball over. Even though the Titans rank 31st among defenses in fantasy points, the Jets are allowing the most points to opposing defenses which is very telling. Start the Titans with confidence this week and look for them to turn in a top 5 performance.
Other notable options: Miami Dolphins vs IND, Chicago vs DET, Indianapolis vs MIA
BUY LOW
WR Calvin Ridley (ATL)
After finishing as the WR5 in PPR formats just a year ago, Calvin Ridley has endured a slow start to his 2021 campaign. Part of the reason is that it looks like Matt Ryan has regressed and is unwilling to throw the ball downfield like in years past. Despite all of that, he is still raking in the targets. Double-digits in the last 2 games. Ridley will be just fine and he can be acquired for a very reasonable price at the moment.
WR Tyreek Hill (KC)
It seems as if many Tyreek Hill owners have forgotten about his monster 37 point outing back in Week 1. While he has posted consecutive duds, we know what Hill is capable of and he should get back on track here in Week 4. This is your last chance to acquire a guy that has finished in the top 3 in 2 of his last 3 seasons.
SELL HIGH
WR Christian Kirk (ARI)
Christian Kirk is off to a fast start here in 2021. He is currently the WR15 in PPR formats and has looked like a completely different player compared to previous seasons. While it could continue, I much rather test the market and see what I can get for him. If you are able to acquire a much more reliable and proven name that may have gotten off to a slow start, pull the trigger.
RB Kareem Hunt (CLE)
Last week, Kareem Hunt exploded against the Bears en route to his RB2 finish in PPR formats. He is someone that can definitely increase your chances of winning a matchup, but at times will sprinkle a game or two where he busts. Especially when he cannot find the end zone. Due to the fact that Hunt is currently the RB7 in PPR formats, it cannot hurt to see what you can get for him. You may be able to snag a guy that has a more consistent workload on a week-to-week basis.
BOLD PREDICTION OF THE WEEK
Jonathan Taylor finishes as the RB1 in PPR formats
Up to this point, Jonathan Taylor has not lived up to his draft-day hype. He is currently the RB28 on the season in PPR formats. He has also yet to find the end zone. A positive is that he has 14 red-zone touches which are good for 2nd in the NFL among RBs. Looking ahead to Week 4, Taylor has a good chance of balling out in his matchup against the Dolphins. The Dolphins have been taken advantage of on the ground. They have allowed the 2nd most points to opposing RBs. While Taylor will have to defy all the odds to get to the top of the RB mountain, it is certainly not out of the question. If he can finally punch one into the end zone and see a heavy dose of work through the air, we could be looking at the game that everyone has been waiting for from Jonathan Taylor.