We're starting to see who are some legitimate teams and players now.

By Martin Richardson

I tell you what, I don’t know what I’ve done to the Fantasy football gods, but to have a team that drafted: Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Ceedee Lamb and Terry McLaurin in one team, I must have really annoyed them. If anyone else gets injured, I don’t think I can cope. I just hope that I can catch a break with a waiver wire pick up of Tre Tucker. Apologies to any Raiders fans who will have every right to blame me if anything bad happens to their new stand out WR.

Now that we enter week 4, teams are beginning to show us their true colours as preseason leaves the rear-view mirror and Fantasy football players will either be bemoaning their luck (see above) or smug because they were the ones who drafted Emeka Egbuka or gambled right with a JK Dobbins pick up.

So, this week, let’s look at some of the surprises that have come about by the end of week 3 and if they can keep those performances coming.

 

DAVANTE ADAMS LOOKS LEGIT.

Embed from Getty Images

What a difference a year makes. Adams looks like a totally different player this season and Rams fans must be loving every moment of it. The dynamic between him and Puka Nacua has blossomed week on week and he could well be one of the best pickups in Fantasy as the weeks go on.

With 29 targets and 13 receptions already, where he has generated 213 yards and 2 touchdowns, Adams is certainly one who is a locked in WR2 for Fantasy players as those bye weeks come into play from week 5.

Now he does have a tough run in coming up, so this will be a true test of how legit he looks; and as the segment suggests, he will be one to watch against the likes the Ravens and the 49ers.

 

JUST HOW BAD WILL IT GET FOR THE BENGALS?

Embed from Getty Images

Week 3 bad is my answer.

I think it may just stay like this for as long as Joe Burrow is out. I think it is fair to say that no one expected the result against the Vikings, where they just capitulated. But what is the impact of this on Fantasy football? The Bengals have some key players that will have been high tariff picks in the draft and that performance probably has some people worried. With games coming up against Denver, Detroit and Green Bay, Bengals players could be in for rough ride if you’ve got them on your teams.

 

Starting with Chase Brown, last year’s waiver wire win, he has a wild stat to have players worried: he currently has -22 yards below expectation per PFF, which is a mind blowing statistic. He was so productive for the Bengals and Fantasy players last season, to have such a drop off tells me there is something going on with the team. With 10 carries for a mere 3 yards last week, Brown needs to get going otherwise he’s a drop or bench candidate.

Moving on to perhaps the number one pick in Fantasy football, Ja’Marr Chase, and his outlook going forward. He’s been very much a boom or bust player over three weeks, with 26 and 50 yards in weeks 1 and 3, but then over 160 yards and a touchdown in week 2 against Jacksonville. With those three games coming up, it’s going to a tough ask for Chase and his new QB Jake Browning to get going consistency with such difficult defenses. Whilst I am not saying that you need to bench a player of his quality, I think you’ll need to be very aware that he won’t be WR1 by the end of the season, given that he has less opportunities given Browning’s inconsistent arm.

This boom or bust idea is very much in play with Tee Higgins who has half the amount of points as Chase, and the same amount of touchdowns. With 14 targets over 3 games, there certainly is room for someone as talented as Higgins to have more involvement in a game. However, in such an inconsistent and struggling offense, it’s not a surprise that Higgins is sliding down to be a WR3 or even at best a flex option in some leagues.

LET’S LOOK AT THE LA CHARGERS:

KEENAN ALLEN AND QUENTIN JOHNSTON

I will hold my hands up here, I did not expect to see both Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston as top 10 WR in 2025. But that’s what makes Fantasy football and the NFL so good.

Focusing on Allen first, he has been great: 28 targets, 19 receptions and 3 touchdowns show just how productive he has been and probably will be for the foreseeable future. He has that connection with Herbert that was seemingly lacking last season once Allen departed for the Bears. With the sudden departure of Mike Williams retiring, Allen has more than filled hole left by that untimely retirement, and Fantasy players who picked up Allen, whether out of sentimentality or previous legacy seasons, must be delighted with how things have gone.

As for Quentin Johnston, well, the lad has finally learned how to catch the ball. Probably, after week 1, where he was the top waiver pick up, he has continued to play well. He’s not perfect, there are still some missed receptions, but with 24 targets and 14 receptions, just shy of 240 yards and 3 touchdowns, he’s a Fantasy football star in 2025.

For both of these, there is definitely a chance to extend these numbers, with games against the Giants, Commanders and Dolphins coming up, which is definitely a favourable situation all round.

LADD MCCONKEY

Embed from Getty Images

Given that the other two players have been a revelation, it’s not real surprise that someone has had a bit of a drop off. It’s just a shame that it is someone as good as Ladd McConkey. He was a rookie sensation and everyone probably aimed to draft him as a second round pick up. Given his talent, teams have perhaps been more aware of just how much he can hurt you (just ask the Falcons) but with 25 targets and 15 receptions, he is just being used differently as there is a more functioning offense in LA this year.

OMARION HAMPTON

First of all, I want to say this: I feel really sorry for Najee Harris. That injury is a horrible one and I hope he gets fit and is able to play ball again in the future.

It took until the injury for Hampton to show why he was a first-round pick for the Chargers. And I am not piling it on there. Hampton showcased how he will now be a dual threat for the Chargers in both the running and passing game, with 70 yards on the ground and nearly 60 in the air. He will no doubt continue to move up the Fantasy rankings as the weeks go on.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

5/5