Fantasy Football Week 4: Sleepers and Last Minute Value Options
Running Back
Donald Brown-San Diego Chargers: Two weeks ago Brown was a change-of-pace seldom used third option in the San Diego backfield. In the last two weeks, Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead have gone down with serious injuries leaving Brown as the primary back for the Bolts. The timing couldn’t be better for Brown who faces the Jaguars this week who allow the most points in the league to opposing running backs. Brown has had plenty of success against Jacksonville from his Colts days, so expect a big game out of him on Sunday even though I don’t think he’s a great long-term solution in the San Diego backfield.
Lamar Miller-Miami Dolphins: Miller rushed for 108 yards on 15 carries last week while catching four of his five targets for 24 more yards in week 3. Now he’ll take on the Raiders in London where he’ll look to have another successful game replacing Knowshon Moreno as the Dolphins lead back. Oakland is the seventh-worst team in the league against opposing fantasy RB and is the second-worst run-defense in terms of yards per game. The Dolphins went too pass-heavy last week, but they’ll look to correct that this week meaning a nice heavy workload for Miller.
Khiry Robinson-New Orleans Saints: Robinson is expected to get the main non-passing down work this Sunday night against the Cowboys. He’ll still share time with Pierre Thomas, but his 18 caries last week indicate that the Saints aren’t afraid to make him their primary workhorse in the running game while Mark Ingram is sidelined. The Cowboys allowed the most fantasy points to opposing RB’s last year, and Robinson will look to exploit that weakness on Sunday Night Football.
Matt Asiata-Minnesota Vikings: Asiata will be the Vikings lead back again this week as they take on the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed the third-most fantasy points in the league to opposing RB’s, and Asiata may get even more touches than usual since the coaches will be trying to keep the heat off their franchise QB, Teddy Bridgewater. Asiata is a great value as your RB2 this week.
LeGarrette Blount-Pittsburgh Steelers: Blount had monster numbers last week finishing with 118 yards and a touchdown on ten carries against the Panthers usually stout run defense. Most of those carries came late in “garbage time” but they still count just as much. If the Steelers are able to pull away from the Bucs as expected, there could be more opportunities for Blount to bruise his way to another profitable fantasy week.
Kyle Juszczyk-Baltimore Ravens: Juszczyk is an H-back from Harvard who could see increasing work at the TE spot with Dennis Pitta’s injury. Last week, he found the end zone as part of three catches for 54 yards, and he could grow into a fantasy relevant option. He’s a super-high risk pickup for this week, but someone to watch going forward given his RB eligibility in many formats.
Last week: Zac Stacy, C.J. Spiller, Lamar Miller, Ahmad Bradshaw, Khiry Robinson, Jerick McKinnon