Each week, I’ll make the observations and you can draw the conclusions with your own team.
Trends will highlight the things that could shape your SuperCoach decisions. Trades will put the more obvious advice in front of you when injuries, roles or other circumstances force the issue.
TRENDS
As the season progresses, the Trends will get a lot smaller and less segmented, and the trade advice will get a lot more involved.
Cleveland's offence is beginning to take shape. Deshaun Watson is looking increasingly comfortable in the passing game, thanks to the immediate impact rookie pair Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion are having as the top two receivers. Harold Fannin Jr. is the clear TE1, and Quinshon Judkins is getting a lead-back workload, even if the yardage is unreliable. Watson is also showing a willingness to use his legs to escape pressure in the pocket.
In the game of football Monopoly, Jonathan Taylor remains the Colts' Get Out of Jail Free card.
Tet McMillan and Chuba Hubbard are quickly becoming one of the strongest offensive duos in the NFL, with both developing an excellent connection with Bryce Young.
Detroit has now allowed 47 receptions from 56 targets (83.9%) for 639 yards and 5 TDs to the top target-getters through four weeks of football.
Start your WRs against Detroit.
The Texans have allowed a combined 84 targets for almost 800 yards and 5 TDs through four games so far to their opponents’ top receiving options.
Jalen Hurts’ fantasy output could take a significant hit if Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert remain out together with their respective injuries.
The Jacksonville defence has only allowed 2.94 yards per carry from running backs through four games, only conceding one score from that source. Bench your RBs against Jacksonville.
Kenneth Walker has 621 scrimmage yards and 6 TDs through four games. He finished all of last season in Seattle with 1,309 scrimmage yards and 5 TDs.
Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely have remained the top targets at the Giants. We said this in Week 1, and it's now continued even with Jameis Winston under centre.
Carnell Tate finally put himself on the map, with 9 receptions from 12 targets for 145 receiving yards.
The Cardinals offence appears to be centred around Michael Wilson and Trey McBride as the top receiving options, with 90 combined targets through four games. The next best has 14. Jeremiyah Love has 55 carries and appears to be settling in as the lead back now, with 35 of those carries in the last two weeks.
Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft are unsurprisingly the top three targets in Green Bay’s passing game and have combined for 93 targets in four games, accounting for 7 of the 8 receiving TDs the team has recorded so far. The run game is virtually non-existent, with no scores from that source so far and no individual back reaching 100 yards for the season yet, even after four games.MarShawn Lloyd has been the most involved back, but has struggled with efficiency.
COOL STAT
Bijan Robinson has now recorded three rushing TDs of 50+ yards in just five Monday Night Football appearances.
WORTH MONITORING
Lamar Jackson exited the game against the Titans with an ankle injury. HC Jesse Minter is unsure of Jackson’s chances of playing against the Falcons in Week 5, but doesn’t expect the injury to be a long-term issue.
DJ Moore exited the game against the Titans after seemingly re-aggravating his shoulder issue. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that it’s not considered a long-term issue.
Ja’Marr Chase failed to finish the game against the Jaguars after being ruled out with a concussion. He will now have to make his way through protocols to be cleared for Week 5. Both Chase and Tee Higgins, who is dealing with adductor soreness, have been labelled day-to-day by HC Zac Taylor.
Ladd McConkey was active after nursing a foot issue all week, but was ruled out of the game against the Seahawks after aggravating it. Updates on Monday indicate the injury is week-to-week.
Saquon Barkley was ruled out in the first half against the Rams due to a hamstring injury. Updates on Monday indicate the injury is week-to-week.
Rashee Rice exited the game against the Raiders with a hamstring complaint and did not return.
TRADES
If you own Ladd McConkey, I think we’ve seen enough between the rib injury and now a foot issue to suggest it’s time to cut ties. Pair that with a misfiring Chargers’ offence and it’s probably time to look elsewhere. The struggling offence also works against Omarion Hampton or Justin Herbert, if you own either.
DJ Moore has shown, when he’s fit, that he is Josh Allen’s top target. Exiting early in two out of four games so far with the same injury is annoying, but I recommend watching this space on Moore.
Brock Bowers is shaping up as a top TE target. No other tight end has shown the same amount of consistency so far this season. Since returning in Week 3, Bowers has 16 receptions from 25 targets for 202 yards and 2 TDs.
Don’t waste a trade on a DST just yet. If your DST has an early bye, that is when you could potentially make a swap. Most weeks your DST or Kicker should be your lowest score, therefore dropping out of your round total.