RADIO
Week 3 of the 2018 NFL Season is in the books, and here is a quick fantasy recap to keep you up to date. Patrick Mahomes continues to take the NFL by storm with 13 touchdown passes in the first three games of the season. That's more than the entire NFC East put together! Alvin Kamara hauled in 15 passes in Week 3 and now has 30 on the year. He's on pace for 160 receptions, which would shatter an NFL record. How about Michael Thomas? The New Orleans wide receiver has caught 28 of 30 targets for an insane catch rate of 95 percent, and has to be considered the Fantasy MVP through the first three weeks of the season.
With Week 4 quickly approaching, it's time to dig into the RotoBaller Mailbag. I will be answering several of the best questions from Twitter each and every week. Thanks to everyone who sent theirs in for this edition! Before we get to the questions, here is a quick look at all of the upcoming games, as well as the current Vegas spreads and point totals.
- Minnesota at Los Angeles Rams (-7.0) - Total: 49.5
- Cincinnati at Atlanta (-5.0) - Total: 51.5
- Tampa Bay at Chicago (-3.0) - Total: 46.5
- Detroit at Dallas (-3.0) - Total: 43.5
- Buffalo at Green Bay (-10.0) - Total: 45.0
- Houston at Indianapolis (-1.5) - Total: 47.0
- New York Jets at Jacksonville (-7.5) - Total: 38.5
- Miami at New England (-6.5) - Total: 47.5
- Philadelphia (-4.0) at Tennessee - Total: 41.0
- Seattle (-3.0) at Arizona - Total: 38.5
- Cleveland at Oakland (-3.0) - Total: 45.0
- New Orleans at New York Giants - Total: 50.0
- San Francisco at Los Angeles Chargers (-10.5) - Total 46.5
- Baltimore at Pittsburgh (-3.0) - Total: 51.0
- Kansas City (-5.0) at Denver - Total: 56.0
Week 4 Reader Q&A
Does Josh Rosen give a fresh line of hope for Larry Fitzgerald?
— Sreekanth (@sreekanthreddyn) September 26, 2018
Mike's Take:
Well, I don't think it can get much worse than the first three weeks with Sam Bradford under center. Bradford averaged 133 passing yards per game, with two touchdowns and four interceptions during that span. Fitzgerald ranks 67th in fantasy points per game and 45th in targets among all wide receivers, which is inexcusable on the coaching staff's part, regardless of the quarterback play. Rosen will stretch the field more and could spark an offense in dire need of some efficiency. Is he going to turn Fitzgerald into a top 20 WR again? I doubt it, but this can only be viewed as a positive move for the Cardinals and all of their impact players.
Kareem Hunt vs Denver or Jordan Howard vs Tampa ???
— ً (@_Losvaisze) September 26, 2018
Mike's Take:
Both players have had disappointing starts to the season in their own ways. Hunt has barely been used in the passing game with just one reception to his name, while Howard just hasn't been efficient with the ball in his hands. The good news is that the usage has been there for both guys. Hunt and Howard both rank in the top 10 in touch percentages for their respective backfields with 79 and 73 percent, meaning they are borderline workhorses in a day and age that is dominated by committee approaches. Howard has outscored Hunt 13.9 to 12.1 in fantasy points per game, and has the better matchup versus the 26th ranked Tampa Bay run defense. Howard also has the higher floor in PPR formats with 10 receptions so far this season.
Trade Jordan Howard and Landry for David Johnson and tyreek?
— Eddie (@eddie80lopez) September 26, 2018
Mike's Take:
This is almost a lateral move that comes down to personal preference. One could make the argument that the DJ/Tyreek side has more upside, which is probably true when you consider what Johnson did just two seasons ago and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield if Arizona ever decide to start using him properly. Looking at the receivers, Landry leads the entire NFL with a 35 percent target share, compared to Hill ranking 29th with just a 20 percent target share. However, Hill can do more with less, as he ranks sixth in fantasy points per game with 21.3 to Landry's 16.6, which puts him at 23rd among all receivers. If you're looking for the safe floor and have a strong supporting cast, it may be wise to side with Howard and Landry. If you need these two players to carry your team, Johnson and Hill have top-end potential and may be worth the gamble.
David Johnson for Jordan Howard.
I have Jordan Howard— Brandon Ross (@bfuckingross) September 26, 2018
Mike's Take:
Hey Brandon, please see above.
Russ Wilson struggling. Start him vs AZ or stream - baker vs oak, tannehill vs NE, flacco vs Pitt or Eli vs NO?
— Westernsubs (@Westernsubs) September 26, 2018
Mike's Take:
Benching Wilson is the smart play for now, at least until Doug Baldwin is healthy again. Even then, the offensive line is a major concern. For this week, I like everyone you mentioned aside from Manning as a one-week streamer. Mayfield is the most intriguing option if you're looking for someone for this week AND moving forward. If we are talking strictly this week I'm siding with Flacco up against a Pittsburgh defense that is surrendering 29.2 fantasy points per game to the quarterback position. Plus, as you can see near the top of the page, Vegas is forecasting a high-scoring matchup with an over under total of 51 points.
Trade away Sony Michel and Tate for Edelman and Ingram ? my other backs are Barkley, Carson , shady and white with Adams, sanders and Jordy as my other wrs.
— K.P. (@Lock_Down_23) September 26, 2018
Mike's Take:
Not a chance. If I'm a Sony Michel owner, it's going to take an over payment to take him off my hands. With Rex Burkhead landing on the IR, Michel should see a very steady workload in an offense that will rebound like they always do. Michel should be viewed as a RB2 for fantasy owners moving forward. Ingram is a bit of a question mark coming off his suspension, especially with Kamara not only handling 76 percent of the backfield touches, but thriving in the process. At wide receiver, I've got Tate ahead of Edelman as well. Tate is sixth in the NFL with 36 targets and is averaging a rock-solid 17.5 fantasy points per game. Be very careful with players coming off PED suspensions, which both Edelman and Ingram are.
That's all I have time for this week, ladies and gents! To have your questions featured next week on our mailbag, please send them to @1ststopfantasy and/or @RotoBallerNFL with #RotoBallerMailbag. Good luck in your Week 4 matchups!
