Every Monday of the NFL regular season we look at breakout performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success. We will rank these performances from 1-5 based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy teams.
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Fantasy Football Heat Index
Quarterback
Stats: 26-of-37, 319 passing yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions
Position Rank (pre-MNF): QB5 (24.56 points)
Analysis: In Carolina, former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has been benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. It’s only been one game, but that’s looking like the correct decision at the moment. In his first start of the season, Dalton had 300+ passing yards and three touchdown tosses. He led Carolina to a 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He’s the current QB5 on the week.
Moving forward, you have to feel better about this Panthers offense. Even if Dalton isn’t a consistent fantasy starter in 1-QB formats, his presence is a positive for players like Chuba Hubbard and Diontae Johnson. Carolina’s upcoming schedule (Bengals, Bears, Falcons, Commanders, Broncos) will only help.
Heat Index: 1
Running Back
Stats: Nine rush attempts, 70 rushing yards, three receptions, 14 receiving yards
Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB18 (9.9 points)
Analysis: With each passing week, it’s becoming clear rookie Bucky Irving is the best running back on the Tampa Bay roster. It’s only a matter of time before his workload confirms that.
That’s no disrespect meant toward starting running back Rachaad White. He’s an electric weapon in the passing game, but that isn’t translating between the tackles. Irving (6.2 yards per carry) has been more efficient than White (2.1 yards per carry) and he has significantly more rushing yards (154-66) on fewer rush attempts.
Irving has always been considered an elite-level handcuff, but not many expected the rookie to have standalone value this early into his career. It’s time to adjust the ranks. Irving is here to stay and is a viable consideration when making fantasy start sit decisions.
Heat Index: 4
Wide Receiver
Stats: 11 receptions, 175 receiving yards, three touchdowns
Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR1 (41 points)
Analysis: With stars Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle sidelined with injuries, 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings was pushed into a more prominent role in Week 3. He responded with the greatest fantasy performance of his life.
That’s not hyperbole, either. Jennings set single-game career-highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Rams. He scored 41 fantasy points and is the overwhelming WR1 on the week. That smashes his previous career-high (24.4 fantasy points) set in Week 18 of the 2021 season.
He’s likely already rostered in most fantasy leagues, however, Jennings will be a popular waiver wire pickup where available. You can’t expect this kind of performance very often (or ever again), but Jennings needs to be rostered in the short term.
Heat Index: 3
Tight End
Stats: 10 receptions, 97 receiving yards, one touchdown
Position Rank (pre-MNF): TE2 (20.7 points)
Analysis: It took a few weeks, but Cole Kmet is re-emerging as the No. 1 TE in Chicago. After sharing work with Gerald Everett earlier this season, Kmet had significantly more snaps (73-30), routes run (40-16) and targets (11-1) than Everett in Week 3. He caught 10 of his 11 targets for 97 yards and a touchdown.
While this usage will take a hit once Keenan Allen returns, Kmet is an intriguing option for TE-needy fantasy managers. He’ll need to stack a few more good outings before you can trust him as your TE1, but Kmet is worth a speculative add in most formats.
Heat Index: 3
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