Through four weeks of the regular season, the percentage of points being scored by field goals is the highest it been since 1993. If you’ve noticed that quarterbacks, for the most part, aren’t throwing TDs like you’re accustomed to seeing.
The NFL has a way of self-correcting anomalies as a season goes on, but — for now — with all the long-bomb field goals being made, the right kicker may be one of the most valuable players on your roster.
Fantasy football risers
San Francisco 49ers WR Jauan Jennings – Jennings caught everyone’s attention against the Rams when he snared 11 passes for 175 yards and three TDs when Deebo Samuel was out. Deebo was back last week and Jennings still caught three passes for 88 yards. He may be the new fantasy WR2 in the 49ers offense.
New York Giants WR Wan’Dale Robinson – The Giants offense has had it struggles, but Robinson has emerged as a viable fantasy option as a go-to slot receiver. Over the last two games (vs. Cleveland and Dallas), Robinson has been targeted 22 times, catching 18 passes for 132 yards. Not many fantasy managers will turn down the opportunity for a flex player who puts up 13.1 and 18.1 points off the waiver wire. Look for it to continue given the offensive line issues.
Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt – The Chiefs made Isiah Pacheco such a centralized part of their offense, there wasn’t a Plan B in place to replace him. Carson Steele is a fullback, and Samaje Perine is a third-down back. Hunt made his return from exile from Kansas City and had 16 touches – rushing 14 times for 69 yards and catching two passes for 16 yards. This is a lucrative fantasy spot to fall in.
Carolina Panthers WR Diontae Johnson – What a difference a QB makes. Johnson was floundering with Bryce Young through two games – targeted 12 times, catching five passes for 34 yards with no TDs. Two games with Andy Dalton: 27 targets, 15 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers offense is still a work in progress, but Johnson moved to the front of the line quickly.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy – The blazing speedster has made an impact despite limited usage. Through four games, he has just 14 touches, but has scored three touchdowns. With Rashee Rice done for the year, everyone in the wide receiver room is going to need to step up and nobody has more talent than Worthy. If he can polish his game, he could be a weekly fantasy starter.
Fantasy football fallers
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray – Murray’s fantasy value is tied into his rushing production. Through four games, Murray has averaged 4.1 points a game as a runner and has just one game where he has accounted for more than one touchdown. Murray has a history of erratic fantasy scoring. You take the good with the bad. But, there’s been more bad than good thus far and, as a late-QB1 on draft day, those who have him Murray likely own another viable option.
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts – Over the last three years, Pitts has appeared on this list many times because nothing changes. Pitts has been M.I.A. in the Kirk Cousins offense. In four games, he has just eight catches for 105 yards and one touchdown. Over the last games, Pitts has produced point totals of 5.0, 7.9, and 0.0. For some reason, he keeps ending up in lineups despite underperforming his draft slot week after week over years.
Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper – Nobody fears playing against Cooper … until he has that one game every three games that pads his season numbers. He had his one-in-four explosion this year against the Giants, scoring 27.6 fantasy points. In the other three? Classic Cooper … 3.6, 4.1, and 7.5 points. The big days will come, but there are just too many duds to make him worthwhile as a weekly starter – at least if you want to win.
Las Vegas Raiders RB Zamir White – White was a trendy pick entering his first year taking over for Josh Jacobs, but the returns have been minimal. Through four games, White has posted weekly totals of just 6.6, 6.8, 3.4, and 5.0 fantasy points, leading to reports of Alexander Mattison expected to see more work. White has played his way out of the lineups he was in and, at best, should be at the very end of a fantasy bench, if not allowed to hit the waiver wire if a better option is available.
Chicago Bears WR Keenan Allen – Allen was brought in to be a key component in helping Caleb Williams ascend as an NFL quarterback. Allen has missed two games, but Allen has just seven catches for 48 yards — posting weekly totals of 6.9 and 4.9 points — in the two weeks he has played. While Williams has been building timing with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, Allen has been left behind and, at the moment, is unplayable.
