We’re changing things up a bit this week! As rookies begin to find more relevance in fantasy football, I will be examining only the studs of the class in this week’s report. Studs are qualified as the highest scoring players, with the report structured in order of a standard SuperFlex lineup.
Offensive snap share statistics are derived from footballoutsiders.com, and player statistics, including PFF grades, are pulled from PFF’s Premium Stats. Positional rankings for the week will be included, as will points scored, each from Fantasy Pros.
These studs might surprise you…
Quarterback
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers: 20.38 fantasy points (QB14)
Week 4 Statistics:9/18 (50%), 157 yards, 8.7 YPA, 2 TDs, 8.9 aDoT, 7 rush, 41 yards
Week 4 PFF Grade:52.1
Trey Lance played a half of football and still finished as a high end QB2 in week 4. Lance struggled with accuracy, finishing with the fifth-worst adjusted completion percentage on the week, at 62.5-percent. His pocket mobility and shiftiness in the open field were the most impressive aspect of his game, solidifying his dual-threat prowess. Lance proved that he doesn’t need to play well to score fantasy points, so don’t let his inaccuracy ward you off. As a starter, he could easily find himself in the top-10 quarterbacks on a weekly basis.
This 4th down pick up from Trey Lance 🔥 #FTTB
📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/BaCMKZrNHr— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
Current team reports state that Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to miss a couple of weeks at most, with a possibility of not missing anytime at all. Garoppolo still has the starting gig on lock for the 49ers, but after this performance, Lance is worth a stash in all formats.
Running Back
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers: 21.1 PPR fantasy points (RB6)
Week 4 Statistics: 80% snap share, 15 rush, 62 yards, 1 TD, 7 targets, 6 receptions, 29 yards
Week 4 PFF Grade: 76.7
Najee Harris had his most efficient game of the season in week 4, setting new career highs in rushing yards, average yards per carry, and PFF grade. Harris finally found the end zone from the ground as well, punching in the first rushing touchdown of his career on a goal line leap. His snap share decreased from the 95-plus-percent we started to get used to, but Harris’ involvement in the offense was unaffected.
Despite his efficiency, Harris was mostly contained by the Packers defense. His longest run of the day went for 11 yards. Coming into the game, Harris averaged over three forced missed tackles per game. In week 4, he forced zero. Regardless, Harris will consistently get his. With no signs of a loss in volume, he is a must-start on a weekly basis in all formats.
Running Back
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles: 20.9 PPR fantasy points (RB7)
Week 4 Statistics: 39% snap share, 3 rush, 31 yards, 1 TD, 6 targets, 6 receptions, 58 yards
Week 4 PFF Grade: 90.0
Talk about efficiency… Kenneth Gainwell had nine touches in week 4 and still finished as overall RB7 in PPR formats. Gainwell was involved from start to finish, tallying four red zone touches throughout the game, including a seven-yard rushing score. Starting running back Miles Sanders only out-touched Gainwell by one, but was far less efficient.
🔸 Miles Sanders:
Rush: 37/169/0
Rec: 11/105/0
Avg Sanp% per game: 64%
Points (PPR): 40.4
Ranking: RB32🔹 Kenneth Gainwell:
Rush: 19/84/2
Rec: 13/114/0
Avg Snap% per game: 35%
Points (PPR): 46.8
Ranking: RB24pic.twitter.com/XdmoOzUU2N— Matt FF Dynasty 🏈 (@MattFFDynasty) October 4, 2021
Remember what I said about Gainwell in the passing game? Head coach Nick Sirianni loves to utilize the kid in no huddle offense and passing formations, which was plentiful against the high-octane Chiefs. Gainwell saw a career-high in targets in week 4, which will be difficult to match if the opposing offense isn’t putting up 42 points. He’s a matchup-dependent play, as Gainwell looks to have a stranglehold on the pass down work in this backfield. Better opposing offenses means better opportunity for the Eagles rookie.
Wide Receiver
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles: 19.2 PPR fantasy points (WR12)
Week 4 Statistics: 92% snap share, 10 targets, 7 receptions, 122 yards, 17.3 aDoT, 2.35 Y/RR
Week 4 PFF Grade: 74.2
The second Eagles player to make this list, DeVonta Smith lit the Chiefs defense on fire in week 4. After getting bullied by Trevon Diggs last week, the former Heisman standout played like a true alpha against the Chiefs. Of his seven receptions, six went for first downs. To add, Smith set a new career high in yards after catch per reception (YAC/Rec) with 5.3.
This DeVonta Smith route, catch, and toe-drag.
Art.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/s94ZsYHETf
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) October 3, 2021
This marks the second straight week we’ve seen Smith account for a 90-plus-percent snap share. He is the unquestioned number one guy in this offense, carrying the Eagles’ ability to keep up with high-scoring offenses on his shoulders. Week 4 marked his first of many double-digit-target games to come.
Wide Receiver
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants: 13.9 PPR fantasy points (WR12)
Week 4 Statistics: 78% snap share, 8 targets, 6 receptions, 78 yards, 8.5 aDoT, 2.23 Y/RR
Week 4 PFF Grade: 63.4
Kadarius Toney’s five forced missed tackles led all wide receivers in week 4, two ahead of the next highest receiver (Tyreek Hill). His movement in the open field was stunning. Even more impressive, the Florida rookie added a route running element worthy of full time consideration from the Giants coaching staff moving forward. His quick releases and speed cuts created immediate separation, allowing him to consistently pick up yards after the catch, finishing with 8.5 YAC/Rec. Bottom of screen:
Kadarius Toney. Yards creator. Definitely worth PPR consideration for however long Sterling Shepard is out. pic.twitter.com/HErqElM87z
— #AskFFT (@daverichard) October 4, 2021
Toney’s week 4 average depth of target skyrocketed from his previous high of 2.3 the week prior. With injuries to Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, Toney was the next man up by default. Hopefully this performance cements Kadarius Toney into a more expanded role in the offense, but don’t be frustratingly surprised if Slayton is still ahead of Toney on the depth chart when he returns from injury, regardless of how elite of an athlete Toney is.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: 9.0 PPR fantasy points (TE18)
Week 4 Statistics: 72% snap share, 9 targets, 4 receptions, 50 yards, 10.3 aDoT, 1.43 Y/RR
Week 4 PFF Grade: 65.7
Kyle Pitts makes the Week 4 Stud list almost by default, as rookie tight ends aren’t expected to make an impact in their first season. Kyle Pitts ranks top-10 amongst tight ends in nearly all of Player Profiler’s opportunity metrics, which include targets (6th), routes run (3rd), red zone targets (2nd), and air yards (6th).
As we know, volume is king in fantasy football. Pitts however, has yet to make the most of his volume. Kyle Pitts saw a new career high in targets in week 4, but ended the game with a 44.4-percent catch rate. Pitts will be working from behind in breaking the fantasy ‘bust’ label, currently ranking as the PPR overall TE19 headed into week 5.
Super Flex
Zach Wilson, New York Jets: 18.68 fantasy points (QB18)
Week 4 Statistics: 21/34 (61.8%), 297 yards, 8.7 YPA, 2 TDs, 1 Int, 10.2 aDoT, 2 rush, 1 yard
Week 4 PFF Grade: 71.3
Someone call Las Vegas (the casinos, not the Raiders), because Zach Wilson was dealing in week 4. After a horrendous first few weeks, Zach Wilson exhibited the supreme talent in his fourth start, giving his team their first win on the 2021 season. Skepticism should remain, as Wilson won’t always be able to create and convert out of the pocket as consistently as he did this past week.
Wilson’s best attribute is his deep ball, which was on full display against the Titans in week 4. Wilson had some jaw-dropping deep dimes, rolling out of the pocket on a few plays to buy time for his receivers to get way downfield. Week 4 marked the first time Wilson’s completion percentage hit above 58-percent this season, gaining a new career-high in yards per attempt (YPA) to go along with it.
It took a few weeks but #Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson made some throws on Sunday that reminded up why he was the No. 2 overall pick. Check out these dimes… pic.twitter.com/Z5w3f6BkTl
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 4, 2021
Week 5 Stud Predictions:
QB: Trey Lance (@ ARZ)
RB: Najee Harris (vs. DEN)
RB: Elijah Mitchell (@ ARZ)
WR: Ja’Marr Chase (vs. GB)
WR: DeVonta Smith (@ CAR)
TE: Kyle Pitts (vs. NYJ)
SF: Trevor Lawrence (vs. TEN)
