Fantasy Football Saturday Mailbag for Week 4

How is it Week 4 already? Welcome back to the weekly mailbag series where I take a handful of selected questions from The Fantasy Footballers’ Discord server and give you my thoughts each and every Saturday morning throughout the season. The Ballers’ Discord is home to the biggest and best online fantasy football community in the world, and is your go-to if you’re looking to talk about all things fantasy football. Head over today and get involved with thousands of members across dozens of dedicated channels for start/sit questions, trade advice, and waiver wire insights, as well as exclusive areas which are only available to members of the Footclan.

Week 3 is in the books and after almost a month of football, a number of rookies are starting to settle very nicely into their new lives as NFL pros. Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr, Bucky Irving, and Jayden Daniels all dominated fantasy headlines after their performances last week, as well as the continuing injury crisis plaguing the league in the early portion of the 2024 season. As always, we have a great mixture of questions for you this week – waiver pick-ups, trades, start/sits…and lots more. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in…

Question #1 – Waiver Wire

Who would you rather roster as a non-[insurance policy] for the rest of season – Bucky Irving or Rico Dowdle? – McBridezilla

Answer: For me, the answer here is in the question – if I can only roster one of these backs on my team – and I don’t own Rachaad White or Ezekiel Elliott – it’s the one who isn’t an insurance policy at all…and that’s Mr. Rich Smooth, Rico Suave himself – the Cowboys’ Rico Dowdle. Through three weeks, Dowdle has led the Dallas backfield in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and yards per carry – outpacing Old Man Zeke in every category on the ground apart from touchdowns (a singular score in Week 1 when he fell over the line in Cleveland). The Dallas offense isn’t exactly firing on all cylinders right now, however, they still rank top-10 in the league in terms of points scored, averaging 24.3 PPG over their first four contests…and as we all know, rostering the lead back for a high scoring team usually equates to fantasy gold. This is not an anti-Bucky take by any means – the rookie’s role in Tampa Bay should continue to grow in the coming weeks, with Head Coach Todd Bowles publicly stating Irving has “earned more snaps moving forward” – but this is still Rachaad White’s backfield. With the third-year rusher continuing to see almost 70% of the running back targets from Baker Mayfield, White will remain the RB1 on this team (for fantasy purposes at least) for the foreseeable future. Irving and Dowdle should be rostered in all formats, so if you have the opportunity, why not pick up both? If Highlander rules apply and there can be only one – give me the guy who is already ahead of a diminishing rusher, and not just behind.

Question #2 – Trade Advice

Hey Ballers, I’m 1-2 & could use players/wins now! Would you trade away CMC straight-up for Jordan Mason? (The Mason owner is 3-0) – suave

Answer: Absolutely – thank you for your question suave.

Ok, kidding aside, there’s a bit to unpack here, so let’s take a look at why it may be the right call for you to trade away Christian McCaffrey (who you probably spent a top-three draft pick on) for waiver-wire wonder Jordan Mason, just three weeks into the season. As CMC managers know oh so painfully well, last year’s undisputed RB1 for fantasy has yet to see the field in 2024, suffering from calf tightness as well as Achilles tendonitis – the combination of which has seen him land on injured reserve, confirming his absence until at least Week 6 when the 49ers travel to divisional rivals Seattle. If I could gaze into my crystal ball and have a cast-iron guarantee McCaffrey would return for that clash in early October, then there’s no way I’m trading him – but with all signs pointing to the 28-year old set for a prolonged stint on the sidelines (some saying at late as Week 10) – it may be time to start considering his future on your roster. In CMC’s absence, Jordan Mason sits as the overall RB12 in fantasy over the opening three weeks – leading the league in attempts (67), with his 324 rushing yards behind only Saquon Barkley (351). As long as McCaffrey is out, Mason looks to be at worst, a low-RB1 for fantasy – so if the manager who currently has him in your league is willing to part with him, and you’re in need of a top-12 option at running back…I’m making that trade. Clicking accept on any trade offer that involves losing CMC is going to be tough – after all, having the best running back in the league on your roster for the playoffs is a huge advantage…but only if you make it there in the first place.

Question #3 – Start/Sit

Eyooooo Ballers! Do you consider a Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase stack an every week start? – joshsolo11

Answer: What is it with the Bengals and September matchups? Since entering the league in 2020, Joe Burrow is a combined 6-10-1 when playing in the ninth month of the year, with three of those 10 defeats coming this season alone…woof. Thankfully, as fantasy managers, we don’t need Cincinnati to actually win games to provide value for our rosters – as highlighted by Joe Cool’s QB11 finish in the Week 2 defeat at the Chiefs, and his impressive QB3 showing last time out as the Bengals fell 38-33 at home to Washington. Burrow should be a top-10 option at quarterback for the remainder of the season – between now and the Bengals’ Week 12 bye, Joey B and co. get to face the Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders who are very generous to opposing QBs, as well as the most pass-funnel defense in the league at this time – the Baltimore Ravens…twice. Ja’Marr Chase is in your lineup every single week without question, and unless you’re somehow holding on to Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts, it’s unlikely you’ll be benching Burrow anytime soon…continue to roll out this stack with confidence – better days are on the horizon for Joe and Ja’Marr.

Question #4a & 4b – Trade Advice – Miami Special

Hey fellas, in a 12-team Full-PPR Re-Draft league, would you rather have Tyreek Hill or Malik Nabers rest of season? – s4herrell

Sadly-diddly-hi, Ballstars! What’s the lowest trade offer you would take for Jaylen Waddle right now? – The Trade Vulture

Answer: There were so many Miami Dolphins-related trade questions this week, and as a very sad Tyreek Hill manager in my main League of Record, I am right there in the trenches with you Footclan. We’re going to focus on what to do with the Fins’ wide receivers, but let’s address De’Von Achane for just a second…he’ll be absolutely fine. Sure, the speedy sophomore back failed to find the end zone for the first time this year against the Seahawks last Sunday, but his 74% snap share was a season-high, and his involvement in the passing game will ensure a relatively high floor regardless of game script. Hold your nerve, he’s still an RB1 moving forward.

The same level of confidence cannot be instilled into Miami’s pass catchers, unfortunately, with huge question marks surrounding the fantasy values of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle entering Week 4. In the 24-3 defeat in Seattle, with Skylar Thompson, and later Tim Boyle under center, the Dolphins managed a meager 186 yards passing despite being at least two touchdowns behind for three quarters of the game. Hill ended his day catching three of five targets for 40 yards, with Waddle corralling four of five targets for 26 yards, finishing as the WR58 & WR68 on the week – time to panic.

There is a glimmer of hope with the murmurings that recently acquired Pro Bowl QB Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley will get the start on Monday at home to the Titans, but until Tua returns (and that’s if Tua returns) – Hill is no more than a mid-range WR2, with Waddle languishing as a WR3/4. I am personally holding on to Hill and would only move him for another top-10 option at the position – which I consider Nabers to be within – so I would make that particular trade. As far as Waddle is concerned, if I could flip him for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Calvin Ridley, or package trade for George Pickens…I would be over the moon.

Question #5 – Dynasty Strategy

Hey Ballers! At what point in a dynasty league do you decide to go in or out on the season? – dragon9

Answer: This one is easy for me – I am in every single season until I mathematically cannot win a title – it’s as simple as that. Too many fantasy managers fall into the trap of focusing long-term in dynasty formats, and while planning for the future is a huge component of any dynasty league, sometimes it can detract your attention from the season at hand and prevent you from ever winning a championship. If you know at the time of your league’s trade deadline that you are going to fail in making the playoffs, and have some aging assets that may assist others who are pushing for a title, only then am I considering making moves to set me up for the following year. The lure of rookie picks can be very enticing, but for every DeVonta Smith (2021 – WR2) and Kenneth Walker III (2022 – RB2), there’s a Treylon Burks (2022 – WR2) and Trey Sermon (2021 – RB2), so be mindful of the true value of future picks in comparison to known assets that you may be tempted to sell – all that glitters isn’t gold in the world of dynasty.

Question #6 – Season-Long Strategy (Playoff Primer)

Hey Boys – with the defensive data starting to solidify, can you give any teams with great fantasy playoff schedules? – Freckle Foot

Answer: It’s never too early to start making plans for the playoffs, and I admire your confidence in looking so far into the future Freckle Foot. We may only be three weeks into the season, but already patterns are starting to emerge that can help provide a competitive edge for fantasy football managers. As a Footclan member, you can make use of The Fantasy Footballers’ Strength of Schedule Report to get an up-to-the-minute picture of how each team’s upcoming matchups rank in terms of difficulty at each position. The SOS Report allows you to select rankings by individual weeks, or a customizable period of time…ideal for planning bye-week moves well ahead of schedule, as well as getting prepared for those all-important playoffs later in the year.

As things stand right now, the New Orleans Saints look to have a very favorable stretch in Weeks 15-17 at the QB, RB, and WR positions, while the Atlanta Falcons square off against the two worst passing defenses in the league throughout the playoffs…*please remind me to put in a trade offer for Drake London during Atlanta’s Week 12 bye..thank you Footclan.

Question #7 – Waiver Wire

Mark Andrews was dropped in my league – should I drop Cole Kmet to pick him up? – Buffalo Chicken Dip

Answer: It really does highlight the state of the tight end position that this is a legitimate question to be asking only three weeks into the season. The downfall of Mark Andrews in the Ravens’ opening matchups has been captivating to witness – drafted as the TE4 in drafts, with an ADP in the back of the fourth round, Andrews’ stat line of six receptions for 65 yards is more akin to what we would expect on a mediocre week…not the cumulative total over three full games. Narratives can be spun as to why the seventh-year veteran may be underperforming, whether it be the emergence of Isaiah Likely in the season opener at Kansas City, the blow-out victory over the Cowboys last weekend effectively game-scripting out the Baltimore passing game, or even the motoring incident that kept Andrews out of practice back in mid-August. The truth is, does anyone really know what is going on with Lamar Jackson’s favorite weapon, and would it stop me from grabbing him off of waivers were he to land there…the answer to both of these questions is no. Andrews is too much of an elite talent to simply disappear into obscurity, and certainly far too valuable to be lingering on the waiver wire. If you can grab him to stash on your bench (there’s a sentence I never thought I’d ever write), then he’s a must-add…if you’re picking him up to play him against Buffalo in place of Kmet, strap yourself in for another bumpy ride…but it will get better, right?

Question #8 – The Fantasy Footballers Podcast (Bonus Question)

The voice used in the Ring of Honor drop sounded exactly like the voice used in all other Ballers’ drops…but when that was playing, Jason looked as if he didn’t know what was happening. If that’s the case, is Jason really the voice behind the drops? – Puking sound white noise machine

Answer: If there is one thing that we have learned from over 1,650 episodes of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast, it is that Jason Moore is a master showman and one of the leading performers of his generation. This is a man who can not only lend his voice to the countless number of expertly crafted drops featured on the show, but also act at such a high level, that to the untrained eye, it looks as if he genuinely had no idea the drop even existed. If you want to see more of Jason’s EGOT-worthy performances, be sure to subscribe to The Fantasy Footballers Podcast YouTube Channel and watch the video versions of every show as they are released!