The Lions Might Be A Fantasy Factory - What Fantasy Lessons We Learned After Week 4
Gregory Shamus. Getty Images.*The following is based off 4-point passing TDs and 0.5 points per reception.
Quarterbacks
The Lions are giving up 35.25 points per game. But they're a frisky team and they're staying competitive. In fact, they're averaging 35 points per game themselves and Jared Goff is the triggerman. They're almost continually in catch up mode and that's good news for their fantasy managers, because that time is ripe for fantasy points. Remember, garbage yards count the same as clutch yards. Detroit faced a big test this past weekend without their best Receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown) and their top Runningback (D'Andre Swift). Goff is QB5 overall and proved the first few games were no fluke with 378 yards 4 TDs and just 1 INT to the tune of 33.22 points in Week 4.
Steph Chambers. Getty Images.Geno Smith might be for real with 320 yards 2 TDs to go with 7 carries for 49 yards and 1 TD (31.70 points). Geno Smith was QB2 overall last week, just behind Goff, but he's also QB10 on the year. He's been fairly consistent with 3 games above 17.20 points and I think can be counted on as a steady QB2 in Superflex or 2 QB leagues at this point.
Russell Wilson bounced back after a tough start with 26.98 points via 237 passing yards 2 TDs to go with 4 carries for 29 yards and 1 TD. It's about time! After an 11.06 Week 2 followed by a 9.06 Week 3, Wilson owners were firmly worried about Mr. Unlimited. But he answered the bell with a huge Week 4 finishing the week as QB3. He's now QB14 on the year but his arrow is firmly pointed up, especially after Javonte Williams unfortunate injury. The Broncos may have no choice but to Let Russ Cook the rest of the year.
Runningbacks
Josh Jacobs carried the mail with 28 carries for 144 yards and 2 TDs to the tune of 32.0 points. The Raiders came out with a much more balanced attack and leaned on the run. Jacobs was RB1 on the week and is RB9 on the year so far. He was on the field for a season-high 89% of the snaps and gets a nice matchup vs. the division rival Chiefs coming up in Week 5.
Gregory Shamus. Getty Images.Jamaal Williams filled in nicely for D'Andre Swift and finished the week as RB5 with 19 carries for 108 yards and 2 TDs, good for 23.40 points. He is RB3 on the year as he was getting a lot of goalline work even with D'Andre Swift healthy. Williams is a great case study for why the Zero RB Strategy works.
Breece Hall looks like he's taking over the main RB role with the Jets finishing as RB16 last week. He carried it 17 times for 66 yards and 1 TD. He also had 2 catches for 12 yards, but a nice 6 targets. Meanwhile, Michael Carter Jr. had 9 carries for 15 yards and 2 grabs for 14 yards on 3 targets. Hall was a nice target early on in the draft and the logical choice
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Wide Receivers
Mike Evans is back with a vengeance finishing as WR1. He came back from suspension with 8 catches on 10 targets for 103 yards and 2 TDs (26.30 points). He is WR18 on the year despite missing a full game. With injuries decimating the Buccaneers Receiving Corps, he is a firm #1 WR from here on out.
Paul Sancya. Shutterstock Images.Josh Reynolds filled in nicely for Amon-Ra St. Brown putting up an 8-7-81-1 line for 17.60 points to finish as WR11. Reynolds is coming off a 10 target 6 catch 96 yard performance the week before with St. Brown getting nicked proving that if St. Brown misses time, he'll be a dependable starter and furthering the case for the Lions being the greatest fantasy show on turf this season.
Corey Davis is a name to watch in New York with Zach Wilson stepping into the starting role. Davis has familiarity with Wilson from last year and finished as WR12 in Week 4 with 5 catches for 74 yards and 1 TD on 7 targets. Garrett Wilson came back down to earth with a 2 catch 41 yard performance on 6 targets and at least in the near-term, don't be surprised if Davis becomes 'the guy' in New York.
Tight Ends
NurPhoto. Getty Images.TJ Hockenson is a top target if Amon-Ra St. Brown is out. He likely drove most of his managers to a win with his 8 catch 179 yard 2 TD and 1 2-point conversion performance (37.90 points). Hockenson was a top 10 pick a few years ago and was touted as a great receiver and blocker. We haven't seen it to an elite level fantasy production, but he was a firm TE1 going into the year. Now, especially tied with this Lions offense, he is a must start, especially if any of their other skill position guys are banged up. He has passed Mark Andrews and is now TE2 on the year behind only Travis Kelce.
Tyler Higbee is a target machine. He had a 10 catch night for 73 yards on a whopping 14 targets and finished as TE6. It's his third game this season with 9+ targets. Higbee is TE7 and he hasn't even scored a TD or had a game over 75 yards. He could be a nice buy low as once he starts getting TDs he should skyrocket into the top 4 at the position.