Samuel’s box score will looks strange to most, but that’s what happens when Kyle Shanahan tries out a hook-and-ladder play in the first quarter. Mike Evans caught a pass from Brock Purdy, lateraling the ball to Samuel, who sprinted 80 yards downfield for the score. Despite Evans (rib) leaving the game early, Samuel technically finishes with zero targets, though he did carry the ball twice for 14 rushing yards. With his final stat-line, he sets the record for most receiving yards without a reception in NFL history. Samuel will benefit if Evans misses time and would be in the high-end WR3 range for Week 4 against the Broncos.
Tucker had a bigger impact in real life than he did in fantasy. On the plus side, he helped set up a field goal and a touchdown, first by finding the soft spot in the Saints’ zone coverage in the two-minute drill. Later, his 15-yard gain on a deep crossing route helped set up the Raiders. He also committed a holding penalty, which erased a short gain for RB Ashton Jeanty. Tucker is a WR4/FLEX against the Chiefs next week.
Watkins saw increased opportunity with Mike Evans (rib) exiting in the second quarter. He caught a pair of long targets from Purdy despite KhaDarel Hodge and Jacob Cowing beating the 24-year-old in snaps. Watkins could certainly be on the fantasy radar if Evans misses an extended period of time.
Gainwell was once again inefficient with his limited opportunities. He operated as the team’s lead back, however, when Bucky Irving exited with a lower body injury. If Irving misses any time, Gainwell would profile as a top-24 PPR option, even if he loses touches to Sean Tucker. Tampa’s offense could be without Baker Mayfield (thumb) for a while. That would dampen the prospects of everyone in the offense.
Love tallied a career-high 26 touches in Week 3, gashing the 49ers’ banged-up offensive line for over 100 total yards. The rookie out-snapped Tyler Allgeier 55-to-31 while also out-touching him 26-to-6. Nearly all the high-value touches went to Love, who scored on a play-action pass at the one-yard line. The path to true workhorse usage is wide open for Love after a monstrous workload and productive fantasy day against the 49ers. He is a high-end RB2 for Week 4 against the Giants.
Ferguson continues to make the most of his limited targets. Despite seeing just nine targets in his last two games, the veteran tight end has turned three of those into scores. Ferguson hauled in a 19-yard touchdown catch from Dak Prescott in the third quarter against the Ravens, but was otherwise held to just four yards on his other four targets. The touchdowns are encouraging, but we will need to see more targets before we can elevate Ferguson into TE1 territory. He’ll be a boom-or-bust TE2 next week against the Texans.
Allgeier lost nearly all high-value touches to Jeremiyah Love in Week 3, falling far behind the rookie in total opportunities and sinking further in total snaps. He saw 31 snaps to Love’s 55, seeing just six touches to Love’s 26. Allgeier’s most usage came in passing-down situations, catching four passes while pass-blocking was his most prominent role. Allgeier holds little standalone value with Love taking over the backfield; he is a valuable fantasy handcuff for now.
Ferguson got tangled up on a target half way through the first quarter and limped to the sideline under his own power. He was then escorted to the locker room for x-rays. No additional update has been provided.
Running a route on 29 of the team’s 37 drop backs, Hockenson was uninvolved in the offense even after Justin Jefferson exited the game with an ankle injury in the first half. Hockenson, who has nine grabs over the Vikings’ first three games, profiles as a low-floor weekly option in a Minnesota offense that has not passed at its usual volume early in the season.
Mayer scored with just under six minutes left in the first half. Coach Klint Kubiak sent TE Brock Bowers in motion, back and forth across the formation, behind the line of scrimmage, before QB Kirk Cousins executed the play-action fake. Mayer ran an out route from the slot and shook S Justin Reid on the cut before quickly hauling in the pass. Mayer’s other two catches both went for double-digit yardage gains. He will be a viable high-end TE2 moving forward, with defenses focused on stopping Bowers.
McBride had a big receiving day, though penalties prevented it from being more productive. His first reception was called back due to offensive pass interference while he drew defensive pass interference in the endzone on a 4th-and-1 play. He continues to be the Cardinals’ most effective target on immediate routes, slashing through the 49ers defense for 75 yards. Not much more nuance is needed here, McBride is a fantasy TE1 for Week 4 against the Giants.
It goes down as his second one-catch, three-target, 11-yard game of the season. He posted those exact numbers in Week 1, though with a touchdown for good measure. Ayomanor popped for 69 yards in Week 2 but failed to find the big play in this game, cratering his numbers. As the WR3 on one of the worst offenses in football, he is not on the fantasy radar for Week 4.
Held under 20 yards in each of the Dolphins’ first two games, Dulcich finally had something of a pop-up effort as the ‘Fins tried in vain to match points with the Chiefs. It was nice to get some proof of TE2 concept, but it is going to be exceptionally difficult for Dulcich to carve out streamer value in a low-volume passing attack focused on seeing what it has in its intriguing rookie receivers.
Nacua came into the weekend listed as doubtful but was seen working out before the game to see if he would be able to go. He’ll ultimately be held out for the second consecutive game as the Rams look to improve to 2-1. Davante Adams vaults into the top-tier WR1 range in Nacua’s absence. Also inactive for the Rams are DB Kam Kinchens, WR CJ Daniels, WR Tutu Atwell, QB Ty Simpson, S Maximus Pulley, and OL Bill Murray
Bech reportedly fractured his forearm against the Saints. Bech earned an end zone target on the Raiders’ fourth drive. The pass was overthrown and ruled incomplete, but Bech was hit by a defender late, resulting in a personal foul. The Raiders accepted it, erasing Bech’s target from the box score along the way. He finished the game with zero statistics and will likely miss a few weeks due to injury.
Mooney has exactly two catches in each of his first three games as a Giant. He has hit on a few chunk plays in New York but isn’t seeing enough targets to be a weekly fantasy option. He is not on the FLEX radar for Week 4.
Mayfield was down for a while after taking a big hit from two Vikings defenders late in the fourth quarter, and replays showed his thumb slamming against one of the Minnesota players in a way that might suggest a serious thumb injury on his throwing hand. An extended absence for Mayfield could prove disastrous for Tampa’s pass catchers, as undrafted free agent QB Jalon Daniels would be the team’s starter. Mayfield threw for 217 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before his exit. Daniels would be an interesting superflex add considering his rushing ability.
Pocic, who took a helmet to the knee, was already in the game to replace Jovaughn Gwynn, who exited earlier with an ankle injury. Now down both centers, the Ravens have called on rookie Vega Ioane to snap the ball for what is quickly becoming a decimated offensive line.
Fields hasn’t caught more than two passes in a game this year. He finished third on the team in targets in Week 3. Fields is on the field plenty, he just isn’t earning that many opportunities. He is not a viable fantasy option for Week 4.
Irving was on the sideline for much of the fourth quarter with a potential injury, though it was unclear when or how to picked up the ailment. He accounted for 15 of 18 Bucs running back carries on the day, maintaining his role as the clear No. 1 back in the Tampa backfield. He saw four targets while Kenny Gain well caught two of his five targets. Much of Gainwell’s involvement came after the Bucs fell behind the Vikings. Irving would have a sweet matchup in Week 4 against a vulnerable Green Bay defensive line if he can suit up.
The 49ers offense had another fruitful fantasy day despite injuries haunting the team once again. Purdy showcased his mobility and athleticism, often making throws on the run and scrambling out of pressure. His first score was a completion to Mike Evans, who lateraled it to Deebo Samuel for the score. Purdy then threw a more traditional touchdown to Evans later in the first half, then threw two scores to George Kittle to seal the game in the second half. Despite losing Evans and LT Trent Williams by the third quarter, Purdy was still able to gash the Cardinals defense and surpass 300 total yards. Though the offense keeps losing pieces, Purdy in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme is a fantasy QB1 until further notice.
Godwin had a long touchdown grab called back on a holding penalty in the second half — a deflating moment for the Bucs in their comeback attempt against the elite Minnesota defense. Godwin was third on the team in targets on a low-volume day for the Tampa offense. Godwin, who has ten receptions over three games this year, won’t have much fantasy appeal going forward if Baker Mayfield’s hand/thumb injury proves to be of the long-term variety.
An official diagnosis has not yet been given, but Coker does not think his quad injury is “anything too crazy.” He spent time on short-term injured reserve with a quad injury last season, so adding another one to his injury history is a little concerning. We expect updates on the issue in the next 24-48 hours. Stay tuned.
Pollard handled all but three of the running back carries in this contest and was the only Titans running back to earn a target. Tyjae Spears was a game-time decision because of an ankle injury and was likely on some sort of pitch count, shifting the bulk of the touches to Pollard. The role was great, but the fantasy production was lacking. That has been a theme for Titans players over the past few years. Pollard is capable of earning an RB2 workload but will ultimately project for RB3 fantasy numbers when the Titans take on the Ravens next week.
Addison dominated air yards and targets with Justin Jefferson sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained in the second quarter. His 41-yard touchdown grab from Kyler Murray was one of three downfield looks he got on the day; he nearly converted the other two as well. A non-factor in the Vikings’ first two games of the season, Addison should be locked into lineups if Jefferson misses any time with the ankle issue. If Jefferson returns for Week 4 against the Dolphins, Addison would figure to be flex-viable as long as Murray is under center.