Players to Avoid in Fantasy Football this Weekend
Josh Frey
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This week we’re going in a bit of a different direction with the last-minute fantasy football advice. Normally, I go through the waiver list and pick out a few players to add to the roster prior to the weekend’s action. This time around, I’ll be picking out stars that may be due for underwhelming performances.
Saquon Barkley
The 0-3 Giants have not had a very successful start to the 2021 season, and part of that has to do with how little impact Saquon Barkley has been able to have. Last week against Atlanta, he finally broke a double-digit output with 15.1. However, he is still yet to reach 100 yards from scrimmage in a game and has just one touchdown.
This week doesn’t look to be any better for Barkley. For week 4, the Giants head to New Orleans for the Saints first actual home game with a packed house since January 2020. The crowd will be raucous in the Superdome, and the defense will be plenty motivated.
Even without the crowds, the Saints have had the third best run defense to this point in the season and have forced seven turnovers through three games. A stout defensive front plus the potential for turnovers will likely make it difficult for Barkley to find any sort of rhythm.
Dak Prescott
Unlike Barkley, Dak Prescott has gotten off to a solid start in terms of production. Week 2 wasn’t great against the Chargers, but sandwiching that off day there have been two outputs of 20+ points. However, that weak performance came against an LA Chargers defense that has been unexpectedly good.
Again, Prescott and the Cowboys find themselves playing a team that has been surprisingly exceptional to begin the year: the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has allowed the third fewest fantasy points to QBs this season, and they have yet to give up 300 total yards in a game this season. If a streaming option (such as Kirk Cousins) is available, it may be worth leaving Prescott on the bench this weekend.
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Brandin Cooks
For the Houston Texans, there has been very little to be excited about in 2021. Brandin Cooks has been the one bright spot as he has torn defenses apart early in the year. However, his production may be about to halt, at least for one week.
With Tyrod Taylor out, Davis Mills has not looked great in his stead. Going up against a good defense in Buffalo, who have given up the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and the third fewest passing yards overall, it may be a rough week for Mills, and in essence, Cooks. It’s for the best to find a different option at wide receiver this week.