🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Target Acquired: Surprise Target Grabbers from Week 3 and Possible Breakouts for Week 4

By Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Demetri Raftopoulos examines which NFL wide receivers and tight ends saw a surprisingly high number of targets in Week 3 of the fantasy football season and could become a desirable waiver target and add for Week 4.

Injuries continue to sweep through the league, leaving the question of "who will I start instead" to loom around fantasy lineups. A week-to-week, matchup-based option could always help answer that. Paying attention to targets is always important, regardless of how many lead to actual receptions.

Here is a look at the surprise target grabbers from Week 3, and a look at possible breakout options for Week 4 based on the usage they are seeing in the passing game.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

Surprise Week 3 Target Grabbers

Terrelle Pryor, Sr. - Cleveland Browns 

What a showing this week for Terrelle Pryor. With Corey Coleman out because of a broken hand, Pryor emerged as the number one target for rookie quarterback Cody Kessler. Little did anyone know that Pryor would share some snaps at center with Kessler. We can thank Hue Jackson's versatile play-calling for the bloated stat line. Pryor finished the day with eight receptions on 14 targets for 144 yards, rushed for 21 yards on four carries, and completed three of five pass attempts for 35 yards.

It would be unrealistic to expect this type of production from Pryor on a weekly basis, but with Coleman likely missing four to six weeks, Pryor will be the Browns' WR1 again Week 4. He has a favorable matchup against a Redskins team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.

Adam Humphries - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

With the Buccaneers playing from behind for most of Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Rams, Jameis Winston attempted an insane 58 passes. This benefited a couple receivers on Tampa Bay, including Adam Humphries. Humphries broke out for a surprising nine receptions on 12 targets for 100 yards.

Humphries' production, receptions, targets, and receiving yards have all increased from week to week, but the same might not be the case against the Denver Broncos Week 4. The defending Super Bowl champions have allowed the third fewest fantasy points to receivers this season, according to Yahoo! Sports, and held the Cincinnati Bengals to only 206 yards through the air last week. Humphries isn't an option Week 4.

Kyle Rudolph - Minnesota Vikings 

Minnesota's offseason and start to the regular season have been filled with quite a few key injuries to their offensive unit. But they keep finding ways to win, thanks largely in part to their defense, and to specific, overshadowed performances. Kyle Rudolph, a borderline TE2 heading into Week 3, was targeted by Sam Bradford 10 times, reeling in seven of them. He accumulated 70 yards and found the end zone once, posting a very solid fantasy day, specifically in PPR formats for those who took the chance on him last week.

Rudolph has seen eight targets or more in all three games this season. Rudolph does face a difficult matchup this week against a New York Giants team that hasn't allowed a touchdown to tight ends yet this season. Rudolph, despite the all the extra targets, is a touchdown-dependent starter in standard leagues.

 

Possible Week 4 Breakout Options

Cole Beasley - (WR, DAL)

Dak Prescott has certainly looked Beasley's way often, targeting him 25 times in three games this season. Beasley has made the most of the looks with 20 receptions so far. Beasley has become Prescott's favorite option for underneath routes and really provides the young quarterback with a safety net out of the slot.

High volume aside, Beasley has yet to find the end zone, and could struggle to do so against a relatively stingy secondary of the San Francisco 49ers. That being said, I wouldn't worry too much about the Niners slowing down the Cowboys' recent offensive production. San Francisco has allowed 27.7 points per game, ninth-most in the league. Beasley is more of a WR4, but he has a lot of appeal in deeper PPR leagues.

Michael Thomas - (WR, NO)

With Willie Snead questionable to return in Week 4 after missing last week's contest versus the Atlanta Falcons, another opportunity could potentially open up for Michael Thomas to produce. Thomas finished Monday night's shootout with seven receptions on 11 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. It was the young receiver's best performance of the season while he proved capable of meshing with New Orleans' pass-heavy offense.

Thomas has a healthy matchup this week against a San Diego Chargers defense that has allowed 322.0 yards in the air per game, third-most in the NFL, according to ESPN.com. Thomas is behind Brandin Cooks on the depth chart but outperformed a nearly non-existent Cooks against the Falcons.

Jamison Crowder - (WR, WAS) 

Crowder will likely be one of the most popular adds off the waiver wire this week after another productive showing. Facing the divisional rival Giants Week 3, Crowder caught four passes for 78 yards and a score. He was targeted seven times, bumping his target-total up to 25 for the season. His looks have slightly decreased since Week 1, but he should see the same range of seven to 10 when the Redskins host a struggling Cleveland Browns defensive unit. The Browns are allowing a bloated 294.3 passing yards and 28.0 points per game, and have relinquished the fourth-most fantasy points to wideouts so far this season, according to Yahoo! Sports. He should be started in PPR leagues.

Other Options: Steve Smith (WR, BAL) vs OAK, Kevin White (WR, CHI) vs DET, Zach Miller (TE, CHI) vs DET

 


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Stephon Castle

Active on Wednesday
Tyler Kolek

Elevated to Available on Wednesday
Tari Eason

Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Tobias Harris

Not Expected to Suit Up on Thursday
Ariel Hukporti

Available For Wednesday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Mason Plumlee

Undergoes Groin Surgery
Zach Collins

Out at Least 10 More Days
Jerami Grant

Unavailable Again on Wednesday
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Kon Knueppel

To Make Return For Charlotte On Wednesday, In Starting Lineup
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Questionable Wednesday
Adam Gaudette

Unavailable Wednesday
Darcy Kuemper

Activated From Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Nursing Lower-Body Injury
William Karlsson

to Miss Olympics
Jack Eichel

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Jason Dickinson

Hurt Versus Islanders
Mitchell Robinson

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Grayson Allen

Listed as Doubtful Wednesday
Mason Plumlee

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason Plumlee Remain Out Wednesday
Kon Knueppel

Likely to Return Wednesday
Miles Bridges

Listed as Questionable Wednesday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Misses Second Straight Game
Devin Vassell

Ruled Out for Wednesday
Stephon Castle

Iffy for Wednesday
Josh Giddey

Sidelined "at Least a Few Weeks"
Desmond Bane

Might Miss Wednesday's Game in Indiana
Jalen Suggs

on the Injury Report Again for Wednesday Night
Connor Dewar

Available Tuesday
TOR

Chris Tanev to Miss Time With Lower-Body Injury
Dakota Joshua

Out With Kidney Problem
MON

Samuel Montembeault Returns to Canadiens Crease
Erik Karlsson

Good to Go Tuesday
William Nylander

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Auston Matthews

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
Dak Prescott

Will Play in Week 18
Lamar Jackson

Week 18 Status "to be Determined"
Joe Mixon

Won't Return This Season
T.J. Watt

a Long Shot to Play in Week 18?
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
Joe Burrow

Will Play in Week 18 Against the Browns
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach
CFB

Texas Leading Rusher Quintrevion Wisner Set to Transfer

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP