Volume is king in fantasy football, and this report will help you understand which players are due more or less according to their usage.

Based on historical data tied to metrics we know drive volume, it is a great way to understand who is over-performing (sell high) and underperforming (buy low).

  • Overall offense: Which teams are enabling winning volume and efficiency across game scripts
     
  • Quarterbacks: How involved is each QB in the running game, and who is unlocking upside for their weapons
     
  • Running backs: Which backs are handling early downs, short yardage, and passing downs
     
  • Tight ends: Who is running enough routes and meeting critical targets per route run (TPRR) thresholds
     
  • Receivers: Which receivers are in the most routes and operating broadly within the offense

So, let's dive into all the key takeaways from Week 3 to get you ready for Week 4 in fantasy football.

1. Bucky Irving moves into must-roster territory.

Irving has two top-30 fantasy finishes in three games despite never handling more than 36% of the snaps. More importantly, his rush attempt share surged past Rachaad White to 56% in Week 3.

 

White missed practice time last week due to a groin injury, which could be a factor in Irving's expanded role. However, Todd Bowles indicated the rookie will see more work going forward. The coaching staff praised Irving's assertive running style this offseason while asking White to become more decisive. So far, White hasn't responded and appears on track for another miserable efficiency season, averaging 2.1 yards per carry.

Simply taking over the early-down work won't make Irving a must-start in fantasy, but it will get him into the RB3 and flex conversations. The former Oregon Duck doesn't have the same pass-down chops as White, but he is a capable receiver out of the backfield, so there is room for Irving to continue pushing for an even more prominent role.

Irving UPGRADES to RB4 territory and should not be available in 65% of Yahoo leagues–he is a HIGH-PRIORITY WAIVER WIRE TARGET.

2. Don't fall for the Jauan Jennings trap.

Jennings is available in almost 70% of Yahoo leagues but should not be a high-priority add for your fantasy team. But before we dive into the reasons for that statement, let us admire Jennings's monster 9.9 Utilization Score performance from Week 3.

 

It doesn't get better than that, y'all. The man was absolutely on fire, with a 40% target share and 47% air yards share on his way to 46.5 fantasy points.

Okay, now let's snap back to reality. Here are the reasons why you shouldn't unload your FAAB dollars or prioritize Jennings on the waiver wire:

  1. The 49ers are loaded, and Jennings will return to a reserve role as Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey return to health. We could see Samuel and Kittle as soon as Week 4.
     
  2. What Jennings did yesterday was cool, but in a much larger sample since 2021, he has never come close to that performance with key 49ers missing from the lineup.

Even if Samuel and Kittle are out of the lineup in Week 4, Jennings will be boom-bust WR4 at best. We have seen this movie before. In Week 9 of 2020, Richie James erupted with nine catches for 184 yards and a TD. He totaled 210 yards with zero TDs over the next seven games. Weird outlier performances happen.

Jennings UPGRADES to boom-bust WR4 status in games without Samuel and Kittle. He can be added in deep leagues but don't overspend with your FAAB dollars (5-10% max).

3. What should we do with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle?

Not even the magic pixie dust of Mike McDaniel has been able to keep the Dolphins offense on track without Tua Tagovailoa. Hill and Waddle have looked unrecognizable during the last two games with Thompson and Tim Boyle at the helm. Waddle is averaging 7.5 points, while Hill is at an unimaginable 6.6.

 

You have to think that the 12% and 16% target shares improve, given the talent profiles of the two WRs. However, even with more targets, there is no guarantee that this dynamic duo will return anywhere near our expectations.

Perhaps Tyler Huntley can steady the ship, but we are talking about a QB that has averaged 187 passing yards in games with at least 20 dropbacks–a slight improvement over the 150 from Skylar Thompson. We need Tagovailoa back.

Will Tagovailoa return this season? It sounds like he wants to play, but we have no guarantees. The Dolphins' performance and Tagovailoa's return timeline could theoretically reach a point where it makes sense for him to sit the rest of the season. 

The earliest he could return is Week 7, but what if the Dolphins are 1 and 6? What if his timeline is in six more weeks? The further that goes, the greater the risk of not seeing Tagovailoa under center.

I am not a doctor and don't have any insider information. I am simply playing out some potential scenarios, and getting to some worst-case outcomes doesn't take long. Therefore, I want to be open to moving Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle via trade right now.

We will see how the market develops this week, but Hill is currently valued similarly to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ja'Marr Chase, A.J. Brown, Marvin Harrison, and Nico Collins. That is too high, given Hill's potential downside.

Here are some one-for-one trades that have happened in the last two days that I would accept:

Without Tagovailoa, Hill DOWNGRADES to mid-range WR2 status, and Waddle is a WR4.

4. Buy the dip on J.K. Dobbins.

After flying high with 22.9 and 20.1 fantasy points in the first two games, Dobbins tumbled back to earth with 8.4 in Week 3. However, based on the underlying data, Week 3 was his strongest from a utilization perspective, with season-highs in snaps (64%) and rush attempts (75%).

 

We can't say for sure that this utilization will stick, but there is a chance that Dobbins is distancing from Gus Edwards, who saw his rush share fall from 42% to 15% after two lackluster games.

Dobbins has a 7.1 Utilization Score, which makes him a high-end RB2. However, if his snaps and attempt shares in Week 3 were a sign of what's to come, he offers mid-range RB1 upside. If his Week 4 utilization returns to Weeks 1 and 2 levels, you still have a high-efficiency back on a run-first offense.

One caveat: We need Justin Herbert to be healthy, along with the offensive line that saw Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater exit the game. Especially next week against a tough Chiefs run defense.

Dobbins is a BUY-LOW candidate if your local manager believes the good times have ended.

5. Marvin Harrison Jr. is who we thought he was.

It was a rough Week 1 for Harrison managers with a 3.2 Utilization Score, but the highly-lauded rookie followed that up with marks of 8.7 and 8.4. Over the last two games, Harrison has averaged 23.2 PPG with a 34% target share and 55% air yards share.

 

For the season, Harrison sits at a 7.5 Utilization Score. His comps averaged 14.8 points per game, with 21% reaching WR1 status, while 56% finished as WR2s. However, I am slightly more bullish, given how strongly Harrison scored in our Rookie Super Model (the best score ever).

Harrison UPGRADES to high-end WR2 territory.

6. Diontae Johnson returns from the dead.

Johnson was doing his part over the first two games with a 23% target share, but Bryce Young was too much to overcome. However, in Johnson's first game with Andy Dalton under center, he exploded for 26.2 fantasy points on a 38% target share.

 

Over his last 15 healthy starts, Dalton has averaged 217 yards per game. While we can't expect Dalton to pass for 300-plus yards and three TDs every game, who am I to say he can't experience a late-career resurgence like Sam Darnold and Derek Carr this year? Dave Canales helped Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield deliver QB1 finishes off the scrap heap in 2022 and 2023.

Diontae Johnson UPGRADES to mid-range WR3 status.

7. Mark Andrews DOWNGRADES again. Ughhh.

Andrews posted a startling 35% route participation and registered zero fantasy points.

 

When asked about Andrews' utilization, John Harbaugh chalked it up to their personnel packages and the style of football they wanted to play against Dallas. He stated that Andrews' role will vary from game to game.

My gut tells me Andrews is too good of a player to completely disappear from the Ravens as a featured player for the entirety of the season. However, he is still returning from tightrope surgery, which could also be a factor, so we must acknowledge the reality of the early season swoon.

Andrews DOWNGRADES to low-end TE1 territory, but he shouldn't be dropped due to the lack of better options on the waiver wire.

8. Rome Odunze enters the boom-bust WR4 chat.

Odunze got off to a rough start, only averaging 3.7 fantasy points over the first two games while battling an MCL injury. However, he was off the injury report late last week and showed up in a big way with 23.4 fantasy points against the Colts.

The No. 9 overall NFL Draft pick tied for the team lead in target share (24%) and led the way in air yards (49%) and endzone targets (40%) in Week 3.

 

The Bears still have more questions than answers overall as an offense. On multiple occasions, Caleb Williams flashed his ability to make something out of nothing on his way to 363 passing yards. However, far too many plays were Williams scrambling around trying to make something happen. We need an offense that can win on routine plays and stay on schedule.

Given all the questions around Chicago's offense, I am willing to SELL HIGH on Odunze, but remember, he holds the ultimate fantasy trump card at WR: talent. So, don't give him away cheaply. There is a lot of football left to play, and rookie WRs can be league-winners late in the season.

Despite the Bears' offensive environment concerns, high-end talent profiles have overcome bad situations. We must look no further than Malik Nabers, who deals with Daniel Jones in New York. Odunze has more target competition, but Williams offers far more upside as a passer than Jones if the Bears can get the offense right.

Odunze UPGRADES to boom-bust WR4 territory but could quickly find himself entering the WR2 chat if Keenan Allen continues to miss time.

Utilization Bytes

Quarterback

  • Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers posted 21 fantasy points and looked spry, making multiple throws from outside the tackle box and layering the ball to all layers of the field. Rodgers UPGRADES to high-end QB2 status and could push further once he and Wilson are on the same page.
     
  • Andy Dalton: Dalton carved up the Raiders for 319 yards and three TDs in his first start for Carolina. While we shouldn't expect that to become a trend, Dave Canales has worked some late-career wonders before with Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. Dalton is a low-end QB2 but will push toward mid-QB2 territory with another solid game.
     
  • Derek Carr: Carr fell back to earth in Week 3 with only nine fantasy points. That is bad when I need to spell your fantasy points out rather than use a number. However, Carr averages 17.7 points per game and is a top-10 QB. The Eagles front seven challenged the Saints in new ways that other teams are sure to try and mimic, but not every team has first-round NFL Draft picks like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis to stuff the run game. I am not bailing on the Saints' improved offense after Week 3. Carr is HOLDING STEADY as a low-end QB1.
     
  • Sam Darnold: Darnold is completing 68% of his passes while averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. He is the QB3 on the season with 19.9 points per game. That number could improve once Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson return to the lineup. Darnold UPGRADES to low-end QB1 territory.

Running Back

  • Aaron Jones: Jones is the RB7, averaging 18.8 points per game. He handled a season-high 68% of rushing attempts in Week 3. The veteran back now boasts an 8.4 Utilization Score. Since 2020, his comps have produced an RB1 campaign 65% of the time. Jones UPGRADES to low-end RB1 status. He is still valued similarly to backs like Brian Robinson and Rachaad White. That is too low, making him a BUY LOW candidate.
     
  • Alvin Kamara: Kamara posted 15.7 fantasy points, which brought his average down to 27.2 per game. Oh dear, what shall we ever do? Kamara has a 9.0 Utilization Score improved (9.0) after bogarting 87% of snaps and 93% of attempts in Week 3. Kamara's historical comps have averaged 20.4 PPG, with 86% of them gracing the top six. Kamara is HOLDING STEADY as a high-end RB1.
     
  • Bijan Robinson: Robinson is averaging 15.2 fantasy points per game, but his 82% snap share, 65% attempt share, 71% route participation, and 16% target share scream high-end RB1. Now is a great time to kick the tires on Robinson and see if their fantasy manager is losing resolve.
     
  • Cam Akers: A wild trailing game script worked against Akers versus the Vikings. However, he handled 92% of the rushing attempts, which would be a recipe for success should Mixon miss any more time. The primary risk with Akers would be another trailing game script-–Dare Ogunbowale garnered all the long-down-distance and two-minute offense snaps. Akers is a low-end RB2 in games without Mixon.
     
  • Chiefs RBs: Carson Steele was the primary early-down option, handling 61% of the rushing attempts in the first game without Pacheco. He only managed 8.4 fantasy points with a 6.7 Utilization Score. His score was held down by Samaje Perine, who took most of the passing down work, including 100% of the two-minute offense. Steele is a mid-range RB3, and Perine is a RB4.
     
  • Chuba Hubbard: Hubbard handled a season-high 68% of the rushing attempts in the Panthers' first leading game script. He totaled 27.9 fantasy points and now averages 13.6 on the season. However, Miles Sanders took all the LDD and two-minute offense work, which keeps Hubbard susceptible to massive downswings in trailing game scripts. Hubbard UPGRADES to RB3 territory while Jonathon Brooks recovers (ACL).
     
  • D'Andre Swift: Swift posted his lowest snap and rush shares of the season in Week 3, and you can't blame the Bears, considering how poor their rushing attack has looked. The door is open for Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert to challenge the free agent addition for opportunities. Swift DOWNGRADES to RB4 status until we see him successfully defend his job.
     
  • De'Von Achane: Achane dominated Utilization again in Week 3 but didn't look like his usual explosive self. There is a chance he is playing through a high-ankle sprain from Week 1, which isn't ideal, considering the Dolphins don't have Tua Tagovailoa. We could also see Raheem Mostert's return this weekend. Achane is a mid-range RB1 without Mostert, thanks to elite volume (see Kyren Williams last weekend), but DOWNGRADES to mid-range RB2 status upon Mostert's return. We will reassess once we have that data point.
     
  • Denver Broncos: No offense in the NFL converts less of their drives into TDs than the Broncos at 8%. That isn't ideal, especially in a backfield where the work is split three ways. Tyler Badie has become Sean Payton's new pet over the last two games, rendering Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin unstartable. Williams DOWNGRADES to mid-range RB3 status, and McLaughlin DOWNGRADES to RB5 territory.
     
  • Devin Singletary: Singletary averages 15.5 points and has a 7.7 Utilization Score. The Giants offense isn't one to get excited about, but Singletary rarely leaves the field with a 73% route participation. The veteran back has an 11% target share, tied for third on the team. His 45% route participation isn't great, but it is good enough. Singletary's comps have delivered an RB2 performance 53% of the time. Singletary UPGRADES to low-end RB2 territory.
     
  • Emanuel Wilson: Wilson is the clear-cut No. 2 option for the Packers with MarShawn Lloyd on IR. Wilson accounted for 42% of the snaps and 35% of rushing attempts in Week 3. Wilson is an RB5 stash, while Lloyd is sidelined.
     
  • Isaac Guerendo: Guerendo posted season-highs in snaps (14%), attempts (19%), and routes (11%). That might not sound like much, but he is the clear-cut No. 2 behind Jordan Mason and with Christian McCaffrey's return date still unclear, Guerendo is a speculative add in deep leagues. Guerendo UPGRADES to RB5 stash territory until CMC returns.
     
  • Jaylen Warren: Warren left the game in the third quarter. In the first half, Warren handled 70% of snaps but only accounted for 11% of the rushing attempts. For now, Najee Harris looks like the only RB who is guaranteed touches on a weekly basis, but we will monitor Warren's involvement in the passing attack when healthy. Warren DOWNGRADES to RB5 stash territory.
     
  • Jerome Ford: I can't decipher what is going on in the Browns backfield with Ford's utilization bouncing around over three games. But I can tell you he has posted two Utilization Scores of seven or higher and now sits at 7.2 for the season. Ford re-enters the mid-range RB3 chat.
     
  • Jonathan Taylor: After giving up passing downs to Trey Sermon in Week 2, JT returned to bell-cow status with a 91% route participation in Week 3. Taylor now boasts a 76% snap share on the season, averaging 17.6 points per game. He is a mid-range RB1.
     
  • Jonathon Brooks: Brooks can return from the NFI as soon as Week 5. He should eventually take over the lead role for the Panthers. Brooks will likely be eased into action but could eventually offer RB2 value and is available in 35% of Yahoo leagues.
     
  • Rachaad White: White lost his grip on the lead rushing role, accounting for only 38% of the team's attempts. It could just be a blip, considering White missed practice time last week with a groin injury, but it could also be a sign of things to come for the third-year back, who is struggling with a 2.1 yards per carry average. White's 7.2 Utilization Score is high-end RB2 caliber, but he is trending in the wrong direction-–White DOWNGRADES to mid-range RB2 territory.
     
  • Rhamondre Stevenson: Stevenson injured his finger, limiting him to a 46% snap share against the Jets. However, this is the game script we feared and the low-level scoring output that had us trembling in our boots in the preseason. Hopefully, you unloaded Stevenson as a recommended SELL-HIGH candidate in this column next week. Stevenson is a low-end RB2.
     
  • Roschon Johnson: Johnson played his first offensive snaps of the season with Travis Homer out. Johnson claimed a 38% snap share, 29% rush share, and posted a 38% route participation rate. He accounted for most of the LDD (72%) and two-minute offense (80%) snaps. Johnson is available in 98% of leagues and is an RB6 stash option in deeper formats.
     
  • Tyjae Spears: Spears missed some practice last week with an ankle injury but maintained his typical role with a 36% snap share. The idea of Spears operating in a split role with Pollard has yet to come to fruition, making the talented young runner a fantasy backup rather than a contributor. Spears has a 4.4 Utilization Score, which is historically RB5 territory. Out of respect for his talent and the Week 2 ankle injury, I am not going that far, but Spears DOWNGRADES to RB4 status.
     
  • Tony Pollard: Pollard bombed in the boxscore, but his role didn't change, with a 64% snap share and 67% rush attempt share. This was a game-script issue, with the Titans trailing the Packers early. Pollard has a 7.9 Utilization Score after three games–he is a mid-range to high-end RB2.
     
  • Zach Charbonnet: Charbonnet continues to dominate utilization with Kenneth Walker (oblique) out. The second-year back posted a 9.2 Utilization Score thanks to an 85% snap share on his way to 25.7 fantasy points. Charbonnet has a 9.1 Utilization Score in two games without Walker, which has a tremendous track record over the last four years. All of the comps finished as RB1s, averaging 20.4 PPG. Charbonnet might not be as flashy as Walker, but he UPGRADE to low-end RB1 status until his return.
     
  • Zamir White: White appeared to be in a great matchup against the Panthers in Week 3, but the third-year back registered his second game under a 40% snap share in three weeks in a trailing game script. White averages 5.7 points per game, and his Utilization Score (4.8) comparisons also bring terrible news, with only 10% reaching RB3 status. White DOWNGRADES to RB4 territory, where 56% of his comps reside. 

Wide Receiver

  • Allen Lazard: Lazard leads the Jets with 14.6 fantasy points per game. However, his 18% target share (similar to his career) tells us he is more likely a WR4 or WR5–especially once Mike Williams is healthy. Lazard UPGRADES to WR4 territory, but if you have him and someone in your league wants to buy him, don't hesitate to SELL HIGH.
     
  • Brandon Aiyuk: Aiyuk was a massive letdown in the fantasy box score with only 9.8 points. Jennings stole the show, delivering the performance we hoped Aiyuk would. However, I am still taking Aiyuk to outscore Jennings in 8 of 10 games where he and Jennings square off for the top role. Aiyuk still posted a 33% target share. He is a low-end WR2 when the 49ers are fully healthy, but he is a mid-range WR1 in games without Samuel or Kittle.
     
  • Brandin Cooks: Cooks showed significant falloff signs over the last two seasons as a target earner, and things have compounded in early 2024. The veteran has a 13% target share despite CeeDee Lamb compiling only 20%. Cooks DOWNGRADES to WR5 territory and can be cut in small-to-medium-sized leagues.
     
  • Chris Godwin: Godwin continues to dominate in his new slot role (64%), leading the Bucs with a 31% target share and 21.4 PPG. His 8.5 Utilization Score is in low-end WR1 territory, and 22% of his comps posted top-six campaigns. Godwin continues his ascent, UPGRADING to mid-range WR2 territory.
     
  • Christian Watson: Watson's route participation is down to 60% of the last two games, thanks to a WR rotation in Green Bay. The third-year WR has a 3.5 Utilization Score, making him merely a stash play.
     
  • DeAndre Hopkins: Hopkins' role remained limited, with a 50% route participation, but he posted a juicy 32% TPRR. That is an encouraging development, and if Hopkins' route participation increases, he could re-enter WR3 territory. Hopkins UPGRADES to WR4 status for now.
     
  • DeMario Douglas: In a trailing game script, the Patriots utilized 11 personnel for a season-high 79% of snaps. That led to more opportunities for Douglas, who posted an 86% route participation and 38% target share on his way to 14.8 fantasy points. This game script is the sort of situation we envisioned New England often facing in 2024, but they managed to outplay their roster over the first two games. I am betting on us pegging this team accurately. Douglas UPGRADES to low-end WR4 territory in PPR formats.
     
  • Dontayvion Wicks: Wicks has a 51% route participation over the last two games, eating into Christian Watson's role. Wicks can't be near fantasy lineups, but we know the underlying talent is there, making him a stash in deep leagues. He is available in over 85% of Yahoo leagues.
     
  • Drake London: London has a 30% target share, 35% air yards share, and 60% endzone target share over the last two games. After a slow Week 1, he has posted Utilization Scores of 7.8 and 8.5. London is a high-end WR2.
     
  • Garrett Wilson: Don't panic on Garrett Wilson, y'all. Rodgers looked great last Thursday, and despite defenses rolling coverage to Wilson in each of the first three games, he still leads the team with an immaculate 29% target share. Over 95% of WRs can't do that against single coverage, much less coverage with help–Wilson is an ALPHA. The third-year WR only averages 12.2 points per game, pulling his Utilization Score down to 7.6, but I am betting on the upper range of outcomes for that score. Since 2020, 21% of WRs with that score have posted a WR1 campaign. I expect many Wilson managers to falter in their convictions this week, making him a great BUY-LOW candidate.
     
  • George Pickens: Pickens leads the Steelers with a 24% target share but only averages 9.7 fantasy points. We are at the point where we can say Pickens has a WR2-worthy talent profile, but his limited route participation (82%) and run-heavy offense (minus 10% DBOE) are restrictors. All those factors add up to a 6.3 Utilization Score, which puts Pickens in boom-bust WR3 territory.
     
  • Indianapolis Colts: Josh Downs returned to the lineup with a 73% route participation and 29% target share. Alec Pierce held onto his starting role with a 91% route participation rate. Adonai Mitchell was the odd man out with a 9% route participation. These were victories for Downs and Pierce, but it is hard to get too excited about a run-centric offense (-9% DBOE) with a QB completing under 50% of their passes and three mouths to feed in the passing game. Downs and Pierce are boom-bust WR4 to WR5 options, while Mitchell can be dropped in most formats.
     
  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The second-year WR leads the team with a 93% route participation rate after three contests. However, his target-earning inconsistencies returned in Week 3 (9%), leaving fantasy managers to wonder if Week 2 was an aberration. JSN has a 6.4 Utilization Score after three contests, which puts him in WR3 to WR4 territory. His peer group averaged 12.4 points per game, with 46% finishing as WR3s. We saw 15% achieve WR2 status and 38% registered WR4 campaigns. Smith-Njigba is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range WR3.
     
  • Jalen Nailor: Nailor has WR2 (14.4) and WR3 (12.4) finishes filling in for Jordan Addison over the last two games. He has a Utilization Score on par with much more heralded names like Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Nailor is a WR4 option in games without Addison.
     
  • Jameson Williams: Jamo bombed with only 1.2 fantasy points and a 14% target share. After two big games, the third-year WR was due for more attention from the opposing defense, which is the next hurdle on his journey. His 7.0 Utilization Score comps range from WR4 to WR2 finishes, making Williams a WR3.
     
  • Malik Nabers: I am running out of superlatives for Nabers. He is the WR1 in all of fantasy football with 22.8 PPG, and his underlying utilization backs up his claim. The electric rookie ranks first in target share (38%) and air yards share (58%), fueling the No. 1 Utilization Score (9.6) in the land. His comps have averaged 21.3 PPG since 2021 and 100% posted a top-six finish. The Giants' offensive woes can't be dismissed, but Nabers UPGRADES to mid-range WR1 territory.
     
  • Mike Evans: Evans saw a lowly 10% target share in Week 3 but faced one of the best corners in the NFL in Patrick Surtain. Godwin's emergence as a target hog from the slot doesn't bode well for Evans, but the big-play veteran doesn't require huge target volume to do his thing. Evans delivered WR10, WR14, and WR10 finishes on 22%, 19%, and 16% target shares over the last three years. Evans remains locked into mid-range WR2 territory alongside Godwin.
     
  • Rashee Rice: Rice boasts the No. 2 target share (34%) in the NFL and the No. 6 Utilization Score for WRs. He averages 21.6 points per game, and his Utilization Score comps have posted a WR1 campaign 78% of the time. Rice UPGRADES to mid-range WR1 territory.
     
  • Rashid Shaheed: Shaheed delivered a painful zero in the fantasy box score, but his underlying data looked the same as in previous weeks, with an 89% route participation and 26% target share. The biggest concern is the Saints' minus-9% DBOE (fourth-lowest), which might cap overall volume in the offense. We thought a game script that forced the Saints to play meaningful snaps in the fourth quarter might unlock additional passing volume, but that wasn't the case, with Klint Kubiak holding fast to the run game on a whopping 51% of plays against the Eagles. Shaheed is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range WR3.
     
  • Tutu Atwell: Atwell posted a season-high 80% route participation with a 22% target share, filling in for Cooper Kupp. The former Round 2 NFL Draft pick posted 13.3 fantasy points with a 6.6 Utilization Score. Atwell is a boom-bust WR4 option until Kupp returns.
     
  • Wan'Dale Robinson: Robinson is the No. 2 option for the Giants with a 24% target share, but his 15% air yards share hurts his Utilization Score (5.9). He is the WR30 in fantasy, averaging 11.6 points per game. Robinson is HOLDING STEADY as a WR4.

Tight End

  • Brock Bowers: For the second straight week, we saw Bowers' route participation (60%) dip well below the standard for high-end TE1s of 80%. He now sits at 67% for the season. Bowers briefly left the Week 3 matchup for a concussion evaluation, but this is still a less-than-ideal trend. Bowers now has a 19% target share and a 7.6 Utilization Score on the season, both low-end TE1 marks. For now, Bowers is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range TE1 thanks to his talent profile, but we need more routes.
     
  • Cade Otton: Otton erupted with a 27% target share against the Broncos thanks to Surtain clamping Evans much of the afternoon. Otton isn't a high-end target earner, so don't overreact to his 11.7 fantasy points in Week 3. His 5.2 Utilization Score indicates a low-end TE2 who offers a few spike games per season thanks to high-end route participation.
     
  • Cole Kmet: Kmet emerged with a 24% target share in Week 3 on his way to 25.7 fantasy points. After some weird early-season experimentation with Gerald Everett playing more than Kmet, the veteran TE's route participation is trending in the right direction (33%, 62%, and 71%). Everett continues to keep Kmet from reaching elite route participation, but the absence of Keenan Allen opens up intermediate targets between the numbers. Kmet is UPGRADES to high-end TE2 status and is a low-end TE1 with Allen out.
     
  • Dallas Goedert: Goedert exploded for 27 fantasy points with A.J. Brown out of the lineup. DeVonta Smith left the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion, but Goedert had a 30% target share before Smith left. The veteran TE finished the day with an 88% route participation rate, 31% target share, and 31% air yards share. Goedert is HOLDING STEADY as a low-end TE1, but he offers high-end TE1 upside if A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith miss Week 4.
     
  • Greg Dulcich: In a leading game script, Dulcich gave way to the better blocking TE options. He posted a season-low 25% route participation. Dulcich is a low-end TE2.
     
  • Jake Ferguson: Ferguson returned to the lineup after missing Week 2 due to a knee injury. He posted a 73% route participation with a 22% target share on his way to 15.5 fantasy points. Even when including Week 1, when he left the game early, Ferguson has a 7.4 Utilization Score, which is encouraging. That would put his comps in the low-end TE1 range, but with increased playing time and a lack of target competition after Lamb, we shouldn't be surprised if Ferguson pushes into mid-range TE1 territory. Ferguson is HOLDING STEADY as a low-end TE1 but offers mid-range TE1 upside.
     
  • Sam LaPorta: LaPorta is day-to-day after suffering a low-ankle sprain. He put up another dud with only 5.6 fantasy points in Week 3. LaPorta remains a mid-range TE1; what better options do we have?
     
  • Tyler Conklin: Conklin has a 90% route participation for the season, so playing time is not an issue. If he can move his 10% TPRR closer to his three-year average of 17%, he could challenge for a low-end TE1 season. Since 2011, there have been 13 TEs to eclipse 80% route participation and post a TPRR between 15 and 18%. They have averaged 10.2 points with a TE11 finish. Conklin UPGRADES to high-end TE2 status and is available in over 85% of Yahoo leagues, making him a WAIVER WIRE target if you are hurting at the position.