Sleepers at Quarterback
Geno Smith, Seattle (at Detroit)
Smith could be the focal point of the Seattle offense when they face a stout Lions run defense on Monday night. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was willing to go pass-heavy when the run wasn't working against the Patriots in Week 2, so that is a likely direction for the game plan in this one. These teams have met each of the last three years, averaging over 80 total points per game with a low of 68.
Andy Dalton, Carolina (vs Cincinnati)
Dalton played one of the best games of his career in Week 3, and he'll face one of the worst pass defenses in the league in Week 4. Even without Adam Thielen, Dalton should be able to lean on Diontae Johnson and supplement with throws to the running backs and supporting cast at wide receiver and tight end - it's not like Jayden Daniels had much in the way of weapons other than Terry McLaurin. Dalton is a safe high-floor play if you want to avoid the risk/reward profile of an option like Anthony Richardson.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh (at Indianapolis)
Fields got a lot more trust from the Steelers last week, and he responded by starting 10 of 10 (even if was only for 58 yards), throwing a game-clinching dart that turned into a long catch and run score for Calvin Austin III, and carrying the offense in a game where they actually threw seven more times than they passed. The growing trust should set Fields up for more passing opportunities, which should soften a Colts defense that has already been terrible against the run when they aren't facing the Bears. Fields was a fantasy QB1 going into last year and he should be ranked as one this week.
Gardner Minshew II, Las Vegas (vs Cleveland)
Minshew was a dud last week and got pulled for Aidan O'Connell. Antonio Pierce even left open the possibility that O'Connell would get a shot this week before naming Minshew the Week 4 starter. The team did throw for over 300 yards against the Panthers, and the Browns run defense is strong, so the game plan should lean pass-heavy, setting Minshew up for a good game if he doesn't get the hook.
Sleepers at Running Back
Cam Akers, Houston (vs Jacksonville)
There was a report earlier this week that Dameon Pierce was expected to be ready for this week, but as of Thursday, he hasn't practiced. Joe Mixon is even farther away from playing than Pierce, so we should expect another start for Akers in a much better game script than last week's blowout loss. If anything, we should look for a lopsided home win from the Texans, which would set Akers up with more volume and scoring opportunities, making him a good flex play or RB2 in a pinch.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee (at Miami)
Spears showed no ill effects from his ankle injury last week and should get the biggest workload he has seen this season on Monday night against a weakened Dolphins team. His explosive speed gives him the ability to make your week as a flex on any given play, and the Titans should look to lean on the run to minimize the chances of a catastrophic Will Levis error this week.
Justice Hill, Baltimore (vs Buffalo)
Hill should see the field a lot this week against a red-hot Bills team. The Ravens pass defense was exposed in the second half against the Cowboys, and the Bills should be able to keep them on their heels and probably force the Ravens to play from behind. The Ravens also have multiple injuries on an already unstable and half-baked offensive line, so establishing the run with Derrick Henry is going to be a difficult and maybe pointless task. Hill can rack up PPR points if the Ravens have to open up the offense to keep up with Josh Allen.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas (at NY Giants) **Thursday**
The Cowboys were behind big for most of Week 3, so you're forgiven if you didn't notice that the team shifted the backfield snaps away from Ezekiel Elliott. Dowdle's snap share didn't go up, but that's because the team was using fullback Hunter Luepke more than usual. If they can hang with the Giants, the Cowboys should be able to set up Dowdle with enough touches to merit a what-the-heck flex spot with the chance to prove he deserves more work going forward.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago (vs Los Angeles Rams)
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week that the Bears are going to give Johnson a longer look in the backfield this week. Most signs point to the Bears running game woes being a team-wide issue, but the Rams pass defense was very soft last week. They could look to lighten the box to help their beleaguered secondary, setting Johnson up for at least modest success. If Johnson can get some red zone touches over Khalil Herbert, he could hit simply because the Bears should be able to move the ball against the Rams through the air.
Sleepers at Wide Receiver
Allen Lazard, NY Jets (vs Denver)
Lazard has stuck as basically a full-time outside receiver even while Mike Williams is ramping back up, and he was the first receiver to get to three touchdowns in the NFL this year. He could be a good what-the-heck flex this week against the Broncos, who should try to cancel out Garrett Wilson with Patrick Surtain II, or extra attention with Surtain likely matching up with Williams. We know that Aaron Rodgers has chemistry with Lazard, and Rodgers looked like his old self last week.
Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Buffalo (at Baltimore)
The Bills pass offense is red hot and could create more than one good play against a vulnerable Ravens pass defense. Coleman should get a few chances to win on valuable downfield targets, and Samuel appears to be rounding into form after battling turf toe in the preseason. There are the two most likely Bills receivers to hit on a long touchdown in what could be one of the highest-scoring matchups of the week.
Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Indianapolis (vs Pittsburgh)
The Steelers pass defense was giving up plays to the Chargers before Justin Herbert went out last week, and they should be overplaying Jonathan Taylor and the Colts run game this week, daring Shane Steichen to call downfield passes that hit before the pass rush gets home. Downs tied for the team lead in targets last week, even though he was only in on a little more than half of the snaps. He's Richardson's favorite target and has multiple ways to hit this week. Pierce is the primary deep target and should get at least a couple of chances to run under a deep ball and punish an aggressive Steelers defense.
Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh (at Indianapolis)
Austin took an intermediate middle-of-the-field pass to the house last week, but he had also caught three balls before that as the Steelers are putting more on Justin Fields' plate. The Colt's secondary is very inexperienced, and the defensive game plan should focus more on helping out the run defense that got gouged by Joe Mixon and Josh Jacobs than taking away the downfield pass from a still-conservative Steelers offense. Fields has a beautiful deep ball and Austin has the speed to get behind the defense. Look for the Steelers to give him a shot to do that and make the week of anyone who plugs Austin into their lineup.
Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Carolina (vs Cincinnati)
The Bengals pass defense is bad enough that we should consider secondary targets in the opposing passing game until we see them improve. The Panthers have two big-bodied targets who are fast and will face zone or single coverage, as Cincinnati should try to take away Diontae Johnson first and foremost. This could turn into a shootout and give both youngsters a chance to have a breakout game.
Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Arizona (vs Washington)
The Commanders pass defense is still one of the softest in the league, even though Jayden Daniels overshadowed that on Monday night. The Cardinals couldn't get the run game going in two of the first three games of the season, and their one win came when they came out throwing more against the Rams. Taking Marvin Harrison Jr. away should be the priority for Washington, which could allow Wilson (who caught eight balls last week) and Dortch to put up solid PPR numbers if you need a waiver wire receiver to start for you this week.
Sleepers at Tight End
Tyler Conklin, NY Jets (vs Denver)
Conklin finally came through in Week 3, which in no coincidence was when Aaron Rodgers found his game. The Broncos should be able to take away one outside receiver with Patrick Surtain II, but they just lost linebacker Alex Singleton for the year. Cade Otton racked up seven catches against Denver last week, so Conklin could have another good week if Rodgers uses him to attack the middle of the field.
Noah Fant, Seattle (at Detroit)
Fant had his best game of the season last week just in time for a game against a Lions defense that allowed nine receptions for 132 yards to Seahawks tight ends in their matchup last season. Points have been difficult to come by at tight end this year and Fant at least has the speed to break free for a big gain.
Elijah Higgins, Arizona (vs Washington)
Trey McBride left last week with a concussion and hasn't practiced as of Thursday, so we're unlikely to see him on Sunday. Higgins is a WR/TE tweener who has already caught a touchdown this year and has caught at least one pass in every 2024 game. The Commanders didn't face a tight end of note until last week, when Bengals tight ends caught eight balls for 69 yards against them.
Tommy Tremble, Carolina (vs Cincinnati)
If you're digging deep for a tight end, Tremble could make waves in your lineup with Andy Dalton's help against a flailing Bengals pass defense. Someone will have to pick up the slack for the loss of Adam Thielen, and if it's not Legette or Mingo, Tremble is a good candidate. He has three catches in each of the last two weeks, which actually is more than many “name” tight ends.
