News

1. Sep 28
   Fantasy football free agent pickups: Gordon leads options to replace Achane for Week 4 and beyond

   Each Monday, before the current NFL week ends, we will identify players worthy of your attention who are available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues. Things change quickly for player valuation and roles each week in the NFL, and free agency is a critical way to acquire players. We are here to help! Top pickup options at every position Looking for the top recommendation at each skill position? Look no further! Here are the players to target heading into Week 3, along with their current roster percentages and a recommendation of how much of your free agent budget (FAB) you should consider using for your bid.  Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks (rostered in 33.9%, 5% of your FAB) Darnold (glute) missed most of Week 1 and all of Week 2, but he sure looked healthy in Sunday's shootout against the Washington Commanders. Game score and a challenged run game dictated myriad passes, and Darnold completed 31 out of 45 attempts for a career-high 379 yards and four touchdowns. He also tossed a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. Immeasurably aided by dominating WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is off to one of the greatest starts ever, Darnold might match his success from last season, when he surpassed 4,000 passing yards, threw 25 TD passes and mattered in fantasy. The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Dolphins (1.1%, 12% FAB) Gordon, a second-year Oklahoma State product who averaged only 2.8 yards per his 70 carries last season, replaced an injured De'Von Achane (knee) during Week 3's action and scored 14.5 points. Gordon wasn't efficient, but getting 20 touches and scoring a touchdown often masks inefficiency. With Achane reportedly done for the season, Gordon is next up, although Jaylen Wright might have a role, too. Keenan Allen, WR, Colts (23.8%, 7% FAB) Allen, second among active players in receptions behind Travis Kelce, was one of three Indianapolis Colts to earn at least nine targets Sunday, but he was the one who scored the team's touchdown. In addition, teammates WR Josh Downs and TE Tyler Warren are already rostered in most leagues. Allen is not, but with Alec Pierce (heel) on IR, he now has opportunity. Allen isn't close to the threat he was as recently as 2023, but he did catch 81 passes for last season's Chargers (for only 777 yards), so perhaps he can do that again. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Jets (33.5%, 10% FAB) Sadiq, selected 16th in the draft out of Oregon, scored a short rushing TD in Week 1, but he totaled only six targets and 38 receiving yards through two weeks, failing to excite potential investors. They might be excited now, after Sadiq caught seven passes for 105 yards and a 24-yard TD on Sunday. Sadiq is strong and fast and is a potential top-10 fantasy tight end if he gets the targets. He should from now on. Other quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (4.6%, 3% FAB): Brissett bounced back from a rough Week 2 by throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, and he rushed for another score. His three games haven't been consistent for fantasy purposes, but Brissett is worth a look for Week 4 against the New York Giants — and clearly in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions when the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers are on their bye. Plan ahead if you can. Geno Smith, Jets (7.1%, 1% FAB): Smith delivered his best game of the season, scoring 26.04 points in the team's Week 3 loss to the Lions — a team fantasy managers should target for offensive options. New York's Week 4 opponent, the Chicago Bears, has also struggled to defend the pass this season, making Smith an intriguing streamer. Marcus Mariota, Commanders (3.3%, 1% FAB): Mariota led the stunning win over the Seahawks with 20.42 points, aided by three TD passes. He might not be the starter in a month's time if Jayden Daniels (elbow) returns, but we can deal with that later. The Commanders and Colts meet Sunday morning in London. Deep-league options/streamers Michael Pe

   ESPN
2. Sep 28
   Hurst caught one of three targets for a 40-yard touchdown during Sunday's 23-16 loss to Minnesota.

   Hurst made the most of his one catch, notching his first career touchdown on a 40-yard deep ball from quarterback Baker Mayfield in the first quarter. The wide receiver has now caught six of 13 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown over the Bucs' first three regular-season games. Mayfield suffered a thumb injury in the fourth quarter and seems likely to miss action moving forward, so Hurst and the rest of Tampa Bay's offense may have a tough time getting into a rhythm with backup quarterback Jalon Daniels likely at the helm in Week 4 against the Packers.

   RotoWire via ESPN
3. Sep 21
   Hurst caught two passes (on seven targets) for 27 yards during the Buccaneers' 23-19 loss to the Browns on Sunday.

   Hurst was listed as a starter alongside Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka for Sunday's game, with Hurst playing 48 of 65 offensive snaps (73.8 percent). The rookie third-rounder caught passes of 21 and six yards from Baker Mayfield, though Hurst also was targeted on a ball that was intercepted by Myles Harden late in the first quarter. Hurst will take a 5-63-0 line (on 10 targets) into a Week 3 home tilt against the Vikings on Sept. 27.

   RotoWire via ESPN
4. Sep 14
   Hurst caught all three of his targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 33-27 loss to the Bengals.

   With Jalen McMillan (knee) inactive, Hurst played 75 percent of the offensive snaps against Cincinnati and ran 30 routes on Baker Mayfield's 36 dropbacks. Hurst's three targets were fifth on the team. McMillan's injury isn't expected to keep him out long, so Hurst will be competing for playing time once everyone is healthy. Hurst is merely someone to watch on the waiver wire in normal-sized redraft fantasy leagues.

   RotoWire via ESPN
5. Sep 10
   Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said Thursday that Hurst has continued to ascend week after week while adjusting well to the NFL, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

   Hurst is likely to begin his career in a depth role, though the rookie third-round pick out of Georgia State could see some involvement on offense out of the gate, especially if Jalen McMillan (knee) isn't cleared to face the Bengals in Week 1. McMillan practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, while Emeka Egbuka practiced fully after dealing with a recent toe injury. Egbuka and Chris Godwin figure to get most of the targets among Tampa Bay's wide receivers, though the 6-foot-3 Hurst showed the ability to stretch the field in college and may not need heavy volume to make an impact.

   RotoWire via ESPN

Injury reports

No injury reports this season.

League history

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