Welcome to my weekly “DomiNaters” article! This season, I am taking the Week 3 breakouts from the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positions and breaking down their performance. I will also look ahead to their matchups for the upcoming week to determine if they will “DomiNate” or “DetoNate” in your fantasy football lineups.
All stats are based on .5 PPR format.
For help getting ready for NFL Week 4, check out our Week 4 Waiver Wire Recommendations and our Week 4 FAAB Guide.
Week 3 Breakouts
#2 QB: Daniel Jones (34.24 FPTS)
Giants fan rejoiced on Sunday as Daniel Jones not only got the start over Eli Manning, but he got their first win of the year as well. They needed Tampa Bay’s kicker to miss a 34-yard kick in the closing seconds to do it, but a win is a win. Jones had his hand (and his feet) in all 4 touchdowns scored for the Giants. He threw for 2 TDs and ran another 2 in for a score. This is encouraging news for a franchise who had little hope for the 2019 season. If Daniel Jones can keep this ship afloat it will validate the 6th overall pick spent on him. Especially, if he can do so with Saquon Barkley expected to miss extended time with a high ankle sprain.
For now, let’s all take a breath. They are still the Giants who are now missing their best player for the foreseeable future.
Week 4 ruling: The good news for Daniel Jones is the Giants find themselves at home in Week 4 against the other bottom of the barrel NFC East team, the Washington Redskins. I imagine this game to have plenty of passing yards between Case Keenum and Daniel Jones. If you are hurting at QB or need to stream, Daniel Jones should DomiNate for a second week in a row.
#3 RB: Phillip Lindsay (27 FPTS)
Phillip Lindsay had fantasy owners worried after the first 2 weeks. Before Week 3, Lindsay had 79 total rushing yards, 53 total receiving yards, and ZERO touchdowns. Those who kept the faith and stuck with their early-round fantasy draft pick were rewarded on Sunday. Phillip Lindsay doubled his all-purpose yard totals from Weeks 1 and 2 against the Green Bay Packers. He ran for 81 yards and 2 TDs and added another 49 yards through the air.
Let this be a lesson to everyone not to freak out after just 2 weeks of football. Trust your process and don’t be so quick to sell your stud players after a couple of bad games.
Week 4 ruling: Phillip Lindsay will be at home against the Jaguars who have allowed the 8th fewest fantasy points to RBs. I’m cautiously optimistic given the matchup and unfortunately believe he’s more likely to DetoNate in Week 4.
#1 WR: Mike Evans (41 FPTS)
After a slow start to the 2019 season, Mike Evans showed why he’s considered to be an elite wide receiver. Evans put up the type of game that won your fantasy weeks. IF, of course, you didn’t bench him. To reiterate my point earlier, do not allow the first 2 weeks of the season (or any 2 weeks for that matter) to discourage you enough to bench any of your early-round draft picks. If you did bench Evans, you left 40+ points off your Week 4 point total. Catching 8 of 15 targets for 190 yards and 3 TDs will do that.
I won’t typically mention “stud” players in this article series but I included Mike Evans to drive home the point to stick with the top guys you drafted and it will more than likely pay off.
Week 4 ruling: Mike Evans will have an uphill battle in Week 4 against the Rams defense who have allowed the 3rd fewest fantasy points to WRs. The good news for Evans is the Buccaneers will have to throw a ton to keep up with the potent Rams offense. This will lead Evans to DomiNate target share in Week 4.
#4 TE: Darren Waller (20.6 FPTS)
Oakland Raiders’ tight end, Darren Waller was the only TE in Week 4 to have double-digit targets. He was also 1 of only 2 TEs to have over 100 receiving yards (Evan Engram was the other). Waller finished the week with 13 catches on 14 targets for 134 yards. He should be owned in 100% of leagues as he has been one of the most consistent options at the position to begin the season. He has caught 26 of his 29 targets on the season for 267 receiving yards. The only thing holding him back from being mentioned in the “elite” category is touchdowns. Darren Waller has yet to score a touchdown in the first 3 weeks of 2019.
Week 4 ruling: Although he hasn’t scored yet, Waller has a valuable target share in Oakland. With volume, comes opportunity and I believe he will get scoring opportunities in Week 4. Look for Darren Waller to DomiNate against the Colts’ defense who have allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to TEs this season.
Which Week 3 breakouts are you ready to put your trust into? Let Nate know in the comments below.
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