Boom or Bust

Predicting the players who will break out or fail to meet expectations

Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals-Boom: Playing a weak Jaguars’ defense, expect Mixon to have a big game. The Bengals will most likely be playing with a lead, which will lead to more handoffs and fantasy points for Mixon.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Football Team-Boom: WFT plays a horrible Falcons’ defense that has allowed for high scoring games by wideouts. This makes McLaurin a good candidate to have a big week.

Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers-Bust: Jones plays a tough defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers that looks to bring back top edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. This will present a difficult challenge for Aaron Jones that will limit his potential.

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys-Bust: The Cowboys play a tough, albeit relatively untested, defense in week 4 with the Panthers. If the Panthers play the way they have been so far, Dak will look for a lower scoring week.

Start or Bench

Deciding the best players to play this week

Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans-Start: A breakout star this year, Cooks has had enough consistency to play at the flex or WR2 spot despite average at best QB play.

Cincinnati Bengals Defense-Start: The Bengals have had a strong start defensively this year and look poised for a big week against a feeble Jaguars’ offense. Look for Cincinnati to take advantage of rookie QB Trevor Lawrence after a good showing last week against the Steelers.

Kenyan Drake, RB, Las Vegas Raiders-Bench: Drake, who was a fringe flex option as is, was benched last week for Peyton Barber. This should take him away from starting lineups for the foreseeable future.

Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals-Bench: Despite a strong start to the season, the Cardinals go up against a strong Rams defense this week. Kirk will be a risky play this week that should be on the bench to be safe.

Best Pickups

Finding players on the waiver wire to best impact your team

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers: With the injury to Christian McCaffrey, Hubbard has emerged as the Panthers top running back and looks to carry the load in the Panthers’ backfield. 17.3% owned in ESPN leagues.

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders: Renfrow has yet to score below double digits this year in a pass happy Raiders’ offense, which puts him in a prime position to be a rotational wide receiver for many teams. 16.7% owned in ESPN leagues.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings: A typically average quarterback, Cousins has started 2021 hot as one of the best in the league. He can be a strong backup or potential starter on any team looking for a boost at the position. 42.5% owned in ESPN leagues.

Injury News

Staying up to date on the latest injuries in the NFL

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers: McCaffery suffered a hamstring injury in the Panthers week 3 game against the Texans that will take him out for a few weeks. On the positive, he was not placed on the IR, which means he should return within a month.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Cook did not play due to an ankle injury in week 3, but could return this week. He is officially listed as questionable. 

A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans: A hamstring injury has left Brown week-to-week and unlikely to play in week 4. Even if he does play, it will be in a limited role and someone to stay away from.