DFS: Week 4 Rookie Power Rankings
Here's a look at the rookie power rankings heading into Week 4:
Running Back
1. Melvin Gordon, Chargers (vs. Browns)
Week 4 is trending in the right direction for a breakout performance by Gordon.
The San Diego Chargers return to the West Coast after a disastrous two-game road trip, and they opened as seven-and-half point favorites against the Cleveland Browns. With the Chargers projected to score around 28 points, Gordon should have plenty of opportunities to put this one away in the second half.
The Browns are allowing a league-worst 158.3 rushing yards per game, giving Gordon one of the highest ceilings for the week among all running backs.
2. Karlos Williams, Bills (vs. Giants)
Williams' standing will depend on the availability of LeSean McCoy, but he'll have value either way.
Things aren't looking good for the veteran, as he continues to sit out practices, and should McCoy be ruled out for Sunday, Williams will represent Week 4's top value play.
Williams had a career high 12 carries and 110 rushing yards in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, with a lot of his work coming with the game already out of reach.
The undrafted rookie could put his claim on more touches for the remainder of the season with a full workload - including a handful of touches in the passing game.
3. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars (at Colts)
Yeldon played his fewest total offensive snaps in Week 3, matching his 63% from Week 1 after peaking at a whopping 85% in Week 2. To be fair to Yeldon, the Jaguars were once again on the wrong side of a blowout, eliminating his workload and potential production in the early going.
Las Vegas is back on board the Andrew Luck/Indianapolis Colts bandwagon, with the Jaguars entering as nine-point underdogs. The Colts have allowed the 12th-most rushing yards through three weeks, giving Yeldon some hope if the Jags can stay in it.
4. Duke Johnson Jr., Browns (at Chargers)
Johnson Jr. has outsnapped teammate Isaiah Crowell in consecutive weeks, but he has accumulated just 22 touches to Crowell's 25 in that span.
Crowell has been able to hold onto his job by being semi-effective on the ground, while Johnson Jr. gets most of his work as the pass-catching/blocking back. With the Browns expected to trail for much of this game, Crowell could be forced to the sidelines early on, giving Johnson Jr. the chance to make an impact.
5. David Johnson, Cardinals (vs. Rams)
After scoring a rushing touchdown and a special teams touchdown in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, Johnson received just 10 touches in Week 3, as veteran Chris Johnson was able to pile up 150 total yards for the first time since November of 2013.
The Rams held their own against the Pittsburgh Steelers' rushing attack in Week 3, after getting gashed by the Washington Redskins in Week 2. D. Johnson's workload will need to become a little more consistent before he'll be worthy of a regular spot in lineups.
6. Ameer Abdullah, Lions (at Seahawks)
Abdullah's explosive 2.9 yards per carry against the Denver Broncos during Sunday Night Football was nearly five times more effective than the 0.6 YPC racked up by veteran Joique Bell.
Abdullah did outsnap Bell, but it was the veteran who found the end zone. Mid-tier pricing is too much to be paying for Abdullah at this point.
7. Matt Jones, Redskins (vs. Eagles)
Coming off a monster game, in which Jones racked up 146 total yards and two touchdowns, it was Chris Thompson who led the Washington Redskins backfield in snaps in Week 3.
The Eagles rank in the middle of the pack in terms of rushing yards allowed this season, but their 3.1 yards allowed per attempt is the best in the league.
Wide Receiver
1. Amari Cooper, Raiders (at Bears)
Somewhat quietly, Cooper is on a blistering pace to open his NFL career, as his 290 receiving yards is the fourth-best total for a rookie receiver through three games.
The Bears are tied with the Seattle Seahawks for the fewest passing attempts against through three weeks. A tighter game against the Raiders should see that number rise, giving Cooper plenty of work once again.
2. Ty Montgomery, Packers (at 49ers)
WR Davante Adams has already been ruled out of Week 4, opening the door for Montgomery to see a lot of work as the WR3 in Aaron Rodgers' offense, just six days after scoring the first touchdown of his career.
That touchdown came in the red zone, giving even more promise for Montgomery's Week 4 prospects.
The Packers are favored to score four touchdowns for the second consecutive week, and Rodgers has no problem spreading the ball - and the glory - around.
3. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. Lions)
Lockett played 24 of a possible 35 offensive snaps in Week 3. Although his only fantasy production from the week was a kick-return touchdown, he was also targeted once in the back of the end zone, but the ball was thrown just over his head.
Lockett is the most talented wide receiver on the Seahawks' roster, and as he continues to build chemistry with QB Russell Wilson, his production will become a little more reliable than the two return touchdowns he has scored through three weeks.
4. Phillip Dorsett, Colts (vs. Jaguars)
Dorsett leads the Colts in average length of reception, and he trails T.Y. Hilton by just one play of 20-plus yards, despite having 10 fewer receptions.
He has started to close the gap on Andre Johnson just three games into the season, and if the Colts remain unable to put teams away, Dorsett should stay on the field as a big-play threat.