Here are some early targets that are of interest. For the purposes of this article, I will assume your league uses $1000 FAAB. The newer names for each position are at the bottom of each positional listing. Please note that these names are not in order of preference, so look over the list carefully.
I’ve been saying all pre-season that Mayfield is underrated as a fantasy QB. I’m all in on him going for 4000+ passing yards and 25+ TDs. He had a rough game against Denver, but that should only ignite him further. FAAB: $20-25
Darnold is playing in a Dome with great receivers and an excellent play-calling head coach. 3500 yards and 25 touchdowns are not out of the question. He went in for an MRI after the Texans game, but he should be fine. FAAB: $20-25
Dave Canales made the switch to Dalton bumps up the fantasy value of Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, and the entire Panthers offense. FAAB: $10-15
He’s probably not available in most leagues, but he looks comfortable right now running the Jets offense. FAAB: $10-15
Bo Nix, Broncos
He looked terrific against Tampa, taking everything the defense allowed. He’s not going to throw for a ton of yards or passing TDs, but there is rushing upside. FAAB: $5-10
Malik Nabers is way better than advertised, and Jones is getting better protection from his OL than expected. FAAB: $3-5
He’s made a ton of mistakes, but the schedule has been brutal (it gets better in the second half), and DeAndre Hopkins is finally healthy. FAAB: $3-5
Justin Herbert is barely walking, and the Chargers have a BYE in Week 5, so it is likely that Heinicke will get the start in Week 4. The Chargers barely throw, and they are playing the Chiefs, so they only pick him up in a crisis. FAAB: $1
It’s only a matter of time before Jerrod Mayo pulls the plug on Jacoby Brissett and lets Maye learn on the job. FAAB: $1-3
Get him NOW! He’s the real deal and looks way more explosive than White. FAAB: $150-180
Allen is Hall’s backup, and if he’s available in leagues, you need to pick him up RIGHT NOW! He’s difficult to stop when he gets a head of steam going. FAAB: $100-125
Nix is going to dump the ball off to his running backs a ton, and McLaughlin is the best pass catcher in the group. FAAB: $20-25
He is the 3rd down and receiving back. Better in PPR formats than standard. He’s even been in on the goal line a few times, which is killing Zamir White’s value. FAAB: $30-35
Stevenson is still the RB1, but Gibson has made a claim for 5-10 touches per week. FAAB: $25-30
He hasn’t played a ton, but he’s shown some burst when he has. FAAB: $30-40
With CMC out, Guerendo is one Jordan Mason injury away from being the starter. A lot of my high-stakes friends were all in on him prior to the draft. FAAB: $40-50
He’s not much of a pass catcher, but I like him in standard and .5ppr formats. We might stick around longer than we thought if Nick Chubb is not rushed back. FAAB: $25-30
Looked pretty solid against Atlanta. Should be the RB1 until Pacheco returns. Kareem Hunt might be activated but I am not sure it affects Steele’s touches. FAAB: $80-100
Joe Mixon should be back next week. I am interested but won’t overpay. FAAB: $25-30
He looked like he had some juice running against the Bears. He’s definitely the handcuff for Jonathan Taylor, making him worth a few dollars. FAAB: $10-15 (an extra $10 if you have Taylor)
He will be relied upon when the Ravens are in the two-minute drill or garbage time situations. More of a BYE week flier than anything. FAAB: $25-30
With Marshawn Lloyd on the IR, he is the handcuff to Josh Jacobs. He scored his first TD against Tennessee, and LaFleur likes to rotate backs more than most coaches. FAAB: $15-20 (an extra $5 if you have Jacobs)
Badie led the Broncos in rushing but there is cause for pause. Firstly, Sean Payton loves to rotate his running backs, and secondly, Audric Estime is likely to win the job when he returns from IR. Bid cautiously. FAAB: $10-15
I loved him at the University of Washington, and he’s already worked his way into the starting lineup for Tampa. He will continue to shine. FAAB: $35-40
The Cowboys like Tolbert as their WR3. A lot of people overlook him, and that might be a big mistake if he were to have an injury to Lamb or Cooks. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him end the season as the Cowboys WR2. FAAB: $45-50
A.J. Brown has a bad hamstring, and DeVonta Smith might be out after taking a dirty hit against New Orleans. Dotson could be the WR1 this week against Tampa. FAAB: $35-40
He’s the WR3 for the Vikings, but there’s a chance that Addison could miss Week 4. FAAB: $15-20
It seems like Anthony Richardson prefers to throw to Pierce over Pittman. I wish I knew that in August during draft season. FAAB $10-15
Ray Ray is a shifty slot WR, and he could see some quick looks every game. Atlanta is in hurry-up offense mode. FAAB: $10-15
Carolina will be playing from behind most weeks, and they are trying to get him reps. Adam Thielen injured his hamstring against Las Vegas, so there is a great chance that Legette moves in the WR2 role FAAB: $20-25
Played more than expected against Arizona and should have a continued role with Nacua and Kupp out. FAAB: $40-50
I know he’s caught three TD passes, but he was SO WIDE OPEN each time. FAAB: $40-50
He knows Aaron Rodgers well from his days in Green Bay. He’s more of a DFS play than anything, but with BYE weeks coming up soon, he’s worth rostering. FAAB: $20-25
He’s looking more confident than he did last year. Could be a nice add in case McBride and/or Harrison should miss any time. FAAB: $45-55
He’s terrific in leagues that give points for return yardage, plus he’s often out there when Dallas is in garbage time. FAAB: $15-20
Recently signed by the Lions to be their WR3. He’s always had talent but can’t seem to stay healthy. Worth an extra buck if you have St. Brown or Jameson Williams. FAAB: $15-20
Adam Thielen looks like he is going to miss some time with a hamstring injury. Mingo might be less talented than Legette, but he will see a ton more snaps. FAAB: $5-10
He’s the Raiders big play guy. I liked him in best ball leagues, and if they are playing from behind, he has some seasonal value, too. FAAB: $5-10
He’s always had the talent, but he can’t seem to stay healthy. Lamar mentioned him numerous times in the off-season as one to watch, so there is some upside. FAAB: $30-35
Austin was tremendously talented at Memphis but suffered injuries early in his professional career and never really took off. He’s finally healthy and lining up in the slot for the Steelers. He had his first big game against the Chargers, so there is upside if Fields can continue to grow as a passer. FAAB: $25-35
He’s playing almost all the snaps as the starter. He was wide open for a TD, but Jones missed him (shocking, I know!). FAAB: $15-20
Kraft will likely not see a ton of receptions, but I think he could be used in the red zone due to his size and pass-catching ability. He’s the TE1 over Musgrave due to his exceptional blocking. FAAB: $10-15
With Tyler Higbee on the PUP, Parkinson is the TE1 for the Rams. FAAB: $20-25
Josh Allen’s road roommate. Kincaid dominated last season, but that was when Knox missed time. Allen always looks for him in the red zone. FAAB: $3-5
Kingsbury will get him the football until he inevitably misses time. FAAB: $5-10
Evan Engram injured his hamstring and has missed the last two games. The Jaguars are not playing well on offense so don’t overbid. FAAB: $5-10
After being way off the radar, he had seven receptions against Denver. He’s highly inconsistent but worth rostering in the right matchup. FAAB: $7-10
Sam LaPorta is dealing with a sprained ankle. If he misses Week 4, Wright is the biggest beneficiary. FAAB: $5-8
Has more value now that he is healthy and Dalton is the new QB. FAAB: $3-5
Darnold looked for him a few times versus Houston. He’s never going to be a high-target guy, but he could have 2-3 more TDs before Hockenson returns. Better in standard formats. FAAB: $3-5
The Rams are coming off a big win against San Francisco and have to travel to Chicago. The Bears are underrated and could get a few sacks and a pick this week. FAAB: $10-12
They have been like a bad roller coaster, but they play the Browns, who just let up eight sacks to the Giants. FAAB: $10-12
