Fantasy Football Week 4: Early Point Magnets and Great Stock-Down Buys
With fantasy football Week 4 just two days away from kicking off, it's time to take a look at some of the best performers and some of the biggest underachievers in fantasy football.
On the one hand, we have the players who, if they're still available in your league, should provide you with an early season influx of points. On the other, we've got the guys who for one reason or another (schedule, poor play) have seen their stocks fall faster than LeBron's Q rating. If they're not already on the waiver wire, they can, in all likelihood, be traded for at quite a discount.
We're ranking the big scorers by their availability and the likelihood that they can keep up their big numbers, while our underachievers will be sorted by the chances that they can break out of their funks. Let's get started.
Point Magnet 10: Michael Vick, QB Philadelphia Eagles
1 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: From the backup quarterback to a top 5 point scorer, Vick has dazzled football fans and fantasy football players alike, putting up 75 points in 2 1/2 weeks of work. He's been the most exciting player in all of football through three weeks, and has convinced Andy Reid to keep him in the starting gig even now that Kevin Kolb can return.
Will It Last: To an extent, yes. As long as Vick's the starter in Philly, he'll continue to produce. However, don't expect 25-30 points from him from here on out, as defenses get used to containing him like they did before his suspension.
Can He Be Gotten: Possibly, but right now it's going to cost you. Vick's probably at the peak of his value right now, so owners aren't terribly willing to let the dynamic signal caller go without making you pay through the nose for him.
Stock Down Buy 10: Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
2 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Colston's historically been awful through the first month or so of the season, and he's continued that trend in 2010. He has yet to score more than 6 points in a week, and hasn't found the end zone yet.
Will His Funk Last: No. Colston always comes through with big games as the season progresses; he might start slow, but he'll pick things up as the weather gets colder.
Can He Be Gotten: Colston's value is probably at or close to it's nadir for the season. If you've got a trigger happy owner or two in your league, Colston can be gotten for less than market value.
Point Magnet 9: Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
3 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Through the first two weeks of the season, Best scored five touchdowns, and looked to be one of the NFL's most dynamic, exciting runners. While he returned to Earth a bit in Week 3, owners are still extremely high on this kid's talent.
Can He Keep it Up: No. Best's a rookie, meaning he's going to have ups and downs. Because his yard totals haven't been all that great even when he is scoring touchdowns, Best will have some truly awful weeks until he stabilizes as a back in the NFL.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes, but Best isn't worth the risk. He's no flash in the pan, but until the offensive line in Detroit improves its run blocking, and he can get consistent performance, you'd be giving up too much to get him in most leagues.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Stock Down Buy 9: Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers
4 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Have you watched the 49ers through the first three weeks? It's been pretty ugly. Smith has struggled with his consistency, and owners have been sprinting away from him like he's the first zombie of the apocalypse.
Will His Funk Last: Hard to say. He's got a favorable schedule coming and a new offensive coordinator, so if he's going to get fixed, now's when it should start to happen.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes. Smith's widely available, and could be worth a look as your backup quarterback. If he's not, don't bother trading for him, though.
Point Magnet 8: Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
5 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Foster went absolutely bananas in Week 1 against the Colts, causing millions of owners to sprint to the waiver wire and try to grab him. He's come back to Earth since then, but has looked like a reliable fantasy contributor every week this season.
Will It Last: Yes. Foster has the looks of an excellent running back, and he seems to have gotten the fumbles that plagued him in college under control. Expect him to be a consistent producer from here on out.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes, and if someone who expected 230 yards and three scores every game got him, you might be able to get him at a bit of a discount, considering his moderate numbers since Week 1. Otherwise, expect to give up a mid-level quarterback, or second-tier wideout (think Ochocinco or the aforementioned Colston) to get him.
Stock Down Buy 8: Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants
6 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Seventeen points through three weeks are not elite receiver numbers, and Smith hasn't looked like a number-one caliber wideout through three weeks. He's not getting the red zone looks, and owners have to be getting a bit nervous about his performance.
Will His Funk Last: No. Smith's one of the best wideouts in the NFL across the middle of the field, and he's got decent speed, size, and hands. If the Giants sort out their offensive line issues, expect Smith to bounce back soon.
Can He Be Gotten: Many of Smith's owners have dropped him, and the rest would be happy to trade him for less than market value right now. Best to jump now, before he can go off.
Point Magnet 7: Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
7 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: McFadden is finally running like the back people were expecting him to be when he was drafted first overall in 2008. He's putting up yards and points in bunches, making him one of the draft's big steals.
Will It Last: As long as he's healthy, there's nothing in McFadden's stats to suggest he's heading for a dip in production.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes, and for somewhat cheaper than you think. Owners are still wary of Darren, and would take a consistent mid-level point producer to save a bit of worry down the road.
Stock Down Buy 7: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
8 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Williams' start to 2010 has been just as bad as the rest of the Panthers', as he's mustered just 19 points in three weeks.
Will His Funk Last: No; in fact, it could end as soon as this week. Williams always seems to gash the Saints, and their run defense has been rather porous through three weeks.
Can He Be Gotten: His value probably hit its low point this week. With the Saints coming to town, a strong performance is likely, meaning you'll have to pay more to get him now.
Point Magnet 6: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
9 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Hillis entered 2010 as the Browns' goal line running back, but as of last week, he's also their best option on long yardage downs as well. He's big, strong, and quicker than you think, and if Cleveland keeps him as their starter, they won't be disappointed.
Will It Last: Yes. Hillis is a much more talented runner than people think, and even if he's not the every down back much longer, he'll vulture plenty of touchdowns from the Browns' other backs.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes. While Hillis is largely owned, he can probably be gotten fairly inexpensively in a trade, and would make an excellent asset to any team.
Stock Down Buy 6: Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints
10 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Thomas came into 2010 as one of the most highly valued backs in the NFL, with the upside for top 10 numbers. Through three weeks, though, the former Illinois runner has not impressed, totalling just 32 points, 14 of which came in Week 1.
Will His Funk Last: No. Thomas is the best back in New Orleans, and should get the lion's share of carries from here on out. Production should follow.
Can He Be Gotten: If his owner's not happy with him, then most certainly.
Point Magnet 5: Kevin Walter, WR, Houston Texans
11 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Walter has been one of Matt Schaub's favorite targets in the end zone, scoring a touchdown in each of the first three weeks of the year. For a guy who was supposed to have lost his job to Jacoby Jones by now, that's pretty good.
Will It Last: Maybe. Walter's a veteran wideout with reliable hands, and Schaub should keep looking to him in the end zone.
Can He Be Gotten: He's available in 17 percent of leagues, and can probably be traded for in the other 83 percent. He's not Andre Johnson, but he'll get you decent points until Jones passes him on Houston's depth chart.
Stock Down Buy 5: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
12 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Three brutal matchups in the first four weeks of the season mean Flacco's stats are in the tank across the board. He performed well in his first easy game against Cleveland last week, but Week 4's clash with Pittsburgh could send his owners over the edge.
Will His Funk Last: No. Flacco and his wideouts are too talented to continue to struggle like they have thus far. He'll break out soon.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes. Owners are probably anxious to get some value for Joe after his early season foibles, meaning he can be gotten for less than he's really worth.
Point Magnet 4: Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos
13 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Lloyd has been one of the more popular targets in Denver this season, and is clearly Kyle Orton's deep threat of choice. He's put up strong yardage and touchdown performances in every game thus far.
Will It Last: Possibly. This could be a tease from Lloyd, and his career stats suggest he can't keep this up. But he's always been fairly talented; maybe he's got his head on straight now.
Can He Be Gotten: Considering he's owned in under 50 percent of leagues, yes. He most certainly can be gotten.
Stock Down Buy 4: Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
14 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Smith has been the victim of terrible quarterback play through three weeks, and his stats have taken a serious hit.
Will His Funk Last: Probably not. Smith is the best wideout in Carolina by a mile and a half, and this team has to throw to someone. His stats should come around soon.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes. There are owners out there who would be more than happy to deal Smith for less than market value, just to be rid of the headaches the quarterbacks in Carolina are causing.
Point Magnet 3: Louis Murphy, WR, Oakland Raiders
15 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Murphy is blazing fast, and has reliable hands. Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski likes to throw to him, and he's gotten better every week.
Will It Last: Yes. Murphy's got the skills to be a boon to any fantasy team, and when a quarterback likes throwing to a wideout like Gradkowski likes hitting Murphy, good things will happen.
Can He Be Gotten: Murphy's owned in 56 percent of leagues, so he's fairly widely available, and can probably be traded for in leagues where he's owned.
Stock Down Buy 3: Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
16 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: One excellent week can't make up for two no-shows from Sims-Walker in 2010. Defenses are keying on Jacksonville's only decent wideout, and he has failed to rise to the occasion thus far.
Will His Funk Last: Somewhat. When the Jags play against lackluster defenses, Sims-Walker will get his catches. But the fact is, his skills aren't top wideout caliber, so he'll fade against good corners.
Can He Be Gotten: Considering the round Sims-Walker was drafted in for most leagues, yes. He's probably widely available, and won't cost you too much value in return.
Point Magnet 2: Tony Moeaki, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
17 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Moeaki has a touchdown catch in each of Kansas City's first three games. The rookie tight end has looked fantastic, and his role should grow as he learns the offense better.
Will It Last: Yes. Moeaki will make Chiefs fans reminisce about the Tony Gonzalez era. The only difference is, Moeaki's more athletic.
Can He Be Gotten: He's barely owned in 20 percent of leagues, so odds are good he's out there. If you need tight end help, he's a great option.
Stock Down Buy 2: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
18 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: People just don't know Thomas yet, and many of those who do were turned off by last week's struggles against Indianapolis. Plus, he's battling injuries, and it remains to be seen just how big his role in Josh McDaniels's offense will be.
Will His Funk Last: No. Thomas has the skills to be one of the league's best young receivers. If he stays healthy, he'll make Broncos fans forget all about Brandon Marshall.
Can He Be Gotten: Thomas is a free agent in more than 70 percent of leagues. Go get him now, before someone else does.
Point Magnet 1: Kyle Orton, QB Denver Broncos
19 of 20
Why He's a Point Magnet: Orton has looked extremely sharp through three games in Denver. He's minimized his turnovers, and has spread the ball around to a multitude of wideouts. In the Broncos' pass happy offense, Orton will have every opportunity to excel.
Will It Last: It should. Things get a little choppy in the matchup department over the next three weeks, but if you weather the storm, the rest of the schedule is much sunnier.
Can He Be Gotten: Despite ranking fifth in points among quarterbacks, Orton is only owned in just over 55 percent of leagues. If he's out there, get him; if he's not, try to trade a backup wideout or running back for him.
Stock Down Buy 1: Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
20 of 20
Why His Stock is Down: Rice has not performed the way the fourth player off the draft board should. He has yet to score, and has broken 100 total yards just once in three games this year.
Will His Funk Last: No. Rice is too talented a runner to stay bottled up for long. Look for him to rebound soon, and find the end zone.
Can He Be Gotten: Yes. He won't require elite talent to get, but you'll have to give up something of value in most cases.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")