The following players were selected at varying stages of 2017 fantasy drafts, and so far, their performance has ranged from adequate to slightly disappointing. However, they're all on the verge of breaking out, and you should target them now while their values are lowest.
Keep in mind these aren't going to be easy gets - buying low isn't a matter of offending your fellow fantasy manager by trying to get a struggling top pick in exchange for the guy you just picked up off the waiver wire.
After their big Week 4 performances, though, they'll likely be unattainable in any sort of fantasy trade.
Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins
A consensus first-round pick in all 12-team league formats, Ajayi's not alone as an underperformer at his ADP. While he started the year with a 122-yard rushing game against the Los Angeles Chargers, he was dismal in the Week 3 debacle against the New York Jets.
Ajayi's touchdown drought should end against the New Orleans Saints, who are allowing 4.6 yards per rushing attempt, with two touchdowns allowed on the ground. Expect the Dolphins to give the ball to the London-born Ajayi regularly as they try to control the clock and limit quarterback Jay Cutler's duties in a potential shootout against Drew Brees' offense.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers
The Panthers are finding more and more ways to get McCaffrey involved in the offense. They played a lot of two-back set in Week 3, though McCaffrey finished the game with 69 percent of offensive snaps played compared to Jonathan Stewart's 44 percent, according to Football Outsiders.
The game ended with McCaffrey's place cemented in the passing game after he hauled in nine receptions for 101 yards. The Patriots have allowed seven receptions and 84.3 receiving yards per game to running backs, while ranking 25th in rushing yards allowed.
Paul Richardson, WR, Seahawks
Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin is considered a game-time decision due to a groin injury, vaulting Richardson up the depth chart should he ultimately be ruled out.
Richardson's still available in the majority of leagues despite scoring touchdowns in consecutive weeks and receiving seven targets in two of three games. Though he's caught just eight of his 19 targets, that's largely the fault of an offensive line permitting far too much pressure on quarterback Russell Wilson. The Colts have allowed a league-worst 20 pass plays of at least 20 yards, increasing the chances that Wilson connects on his desperation throws Sunday.
Eric Decker, WR, Titans
Decker's being dropped en masse as consistent usage is offering only modest fantasy returns. He's caught 10 of his 18 targets on the season, but has yet to top 50 yards in a single game or score a touchdown.
With Corey Davis sidelined again for Week 4, Decker is likely to see a floor of five targets as the No. 2 option to Rishard Matthews. The Texans rank just 25th in Football Outsiders' DVOA against No. 2 receivers, while allowing 6.4 targets and 46.7 yards per game.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
Kupp burst onto the fantasy scene with 76 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut in Week 1, but he's been held to five receptions and 50 receiving yards over the two games since.
The sure-handed rookie remains behind both Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods in Jared Goff's pecking order, but he won't need heavy usage to take advantage of a Cowboys defense tied for the fourth-most plays of 20-plus yards allowed this season.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
