Running Backs
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Andre Ellington, ARI- The running back carousel continues in Arizona as the team struggles to replace David Johnson. Chris Johnson still lead the Cardinals in carries in Week 3 but he averaged a meager 1.4 yards per carry in a tough matchup against the Cowboys. Ellington has solidified himself as the team’s pass catching back since Johnson’s injury, averaging nearly four catches on five targets for 35 yards which in PPR leagues is good for 7.5 fantasy points. Add in the additional carrying opportunities he has started to receive and we are looking at nearly 10 fantasy points. In Week 3 Ellington finished with five catches on eight targets for 59 yards and added five carries for 22 yards. If this is the type of workload we can expect from him going forward then he could very well be the RB to own in Arizona.
C.J. Prosise, SEA- The running game in Seattle is in shambles with both Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy out of the picture which leaves rookie Chris Carson and Prosise as the running back duo in the offense. Carson had a solid Week 2 but did little to impress in Week 3 while Prosise has yet to be featured much as a ball carrier though his receiving skills are keeping him somewhat fantasy relevant. We saw a glimpse of what Prosise can do as a feature back last season before he suffered a season ending injury and it might not be too long before he gets another crack at it as he is already seeing the majority of snaps at the position.
Chris Thompson, WAS- There was some sleeper value around Thompson heading into the year after he set career highs in both rushing and receiving yards in 2016 but few could have predicted this type of start. While assuming his primary pass catching duties Thompson has also been a very effective runner and his four total touchdowns through three weeks is just one behind his career best mark which he set last season over 16 games. With both Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine dealing with minor ailments the running back to own in Washington looks to be Thompson.
Wide Receivers
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Willie Snead, NO- Snead will return to the Saints offense in Week 4 after serving his three game suspension and SHOULD be the team’s No.2 receiver against the Dolphins. Snead caught a career high 72 passes last season for 895 yards and four touchdowns. Given that the Saints still throw the ball a ton there is plenty of fantasy value here as opposing defenses look to shutdown Michael Thomas.
Will Fuller, HOU- Fuller returned to practice last week and there was a chance he might have taken the field against the Patriots but ultimately Houston decided to sit him out. Heading into Week 4 Fuller should get another full week of practice under his belt with the likelihood of him suiting up against the Titans being a favorable one. Fuller is a down field threat and could take the pressure off DeAndre Hopkins in the passing attack as Deshaun Watson continues to develop at the quarterback position.
Geronimo Allison, GB- With Randall Cobb ruled out for Week 3 many figured Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams would see the biggest bump in the Packers offense but it was Allison who went on to lead the team with six catches for 122 yards on eight targets. Allison showed some potential last season when the Packers were dealing with injuries to their receiving group and caught a few passes in Week 2 when both Nelson and Cobb were injured against the Falcons. We saw Davante Adams have a career year last season when the opportunity presented itself and this could be Allison’s time to do the same.
Tight Ends
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Vernon Davis, WAS- With Jordan Reed missing Week 3 due to injury and the likelihood that he sits out until after the Redskins bye week the fantasy world will scramble to pick up Vernon Davis off of waivers. With Reed sidelined in Week 3 Davis caught five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. With Reed injured last season Davis put up enough fantasy numbers to be considered a TE1 in all formats which showed that the talent is still there for the former Pro Bowler.
David Njoku, CLE- The Browns passing attack leaves much to be desired but the rookie tight end has now seen four targets in back to back games and more importantly he has also found the end zone in back to back games. While it is tough to predict touchdowns it is a good sign that the team has at least looked his way in the red zone.