Scott Engel is in his 12th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day and lineup rankings on RotoBaller.com
We have witnessed some outstanding fantasy football performances from rookies in the first three weeks of the season. Miami running back De'Von Achane was the major headliner in Week 3, and he is featured here, with recommendations on how to best approach acquiring him off the waiver wire.
Several other notable first-year players are included in this week's Fantasy Insider, as we want to help you pinpoint the next dazzling performance or elevation in fantasy status of impactful new contributors. As for Zach Charbonnet and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, remain patient, and we should see satisfying fantasy outings in the near future.Analysis leans to Point-Per-Reception (PPR) formats and players are listed in order of preference for lineup picks or waiver priority. Start recommendations are provided to help you make the best calls when faced with close lineup decisions.
Running Backs
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Josh Jacobs
The Raiders' RB should deliver his best fantasy football performance of the season so far. Las Vegas will want to control the clock as much as possible against the potent Chargers, and Jacobs will be the key to such a game plan. The Chargers rank 21st in rushing yards allowed to running backs after three weeks.
In Week 3, Jacobs totaled 80 scrimmage yards on 20 touches, and he should be busy again. Some fantasy players may consider reserving him, especially in 10-team leagues, but Jacobs should remain in lineups for this matchup. He rushed for 144 yards and a TD in his last meeting with the Chargers.
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Zack Moss
The former Buffalo Bill has found his place as the current lead RB for the Colts. He rushed for 122 yards and caught a 17-yard TD pass in a win at Baltimore in Week 3. He also rushed for 88 yards and a TD in the previous game.
In the 2022 regular season finale, Moss rushed for 114 yards and a TD, and he totaled 65-plus yards on the ground in each of the final four games of the campaign. He should be locked into lineups for those who can use him as a good fill-in RB2 or flex option. The Rams rank 16th in rushing yards allowed to RBs, a rather neutral fantasy matchup that points to at least respectable production from Moss.
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Roschon Johnson
The Bears' rookie may be ready to make his first fantasy splash this week. Johnson has been surrounded by positive local buzz in Chicago since the summer, and now he might get the opportunity to show more of what he can do in an appealing matchup.
Denver has allowed the most rushing yards and TDs (seven) to opposing RBs so far this season. Establishing the run behind Johnson can help the Bears execute a balanced offensive attack as they seek the first win of the 2023 season.
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Jaylen Warren
The Steelers RB has a draw this week against a Houston defense that ranks 28th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. A versatile sparkplug, Warren may start to emerge as a guy worthy of more regular fantasy consideration with a quality outing. He can certainly inject some additional life into the Pittsburgh offense.
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De'Von Achane
The Miami rookie, who was listed in the Seahawks Fantasy Insider preseason 2023 rundown of sleepers, exploded onto the scene with a 51.3-point fantasy performance in Week 3. He rushed for 203 yards and totaled four TDs fromscrimmage in the Dolphins' win over the Broncos.
If you play in a league with a Free Agent Budget, you will likely have to spend 75-plus percent of the available FAAB to have a chance of landing Achane. I am fine with parting with that much, as he can be a difference-making RB, and such an upside performer does not become available often throughout the season. Simply plan to save some of the budget for forward-looking or fill-in pickups the rest of the way.
In leagues that use waiver priorities, you won't have an opportunity to claim Achane if not slotted first. In leagues that allow trading for waiver adds, making an offer to get into position to take Achane should be a consideration. He is a dual threat speedster who plays in an ideal offense for his skill set.
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Jerick McKinnon
The veteran is the pass-catching specialist in the Kansas City committee, and he caught two TD passes in Week 3. McKinnon had nine TD catches last season, so you know what he can provide when needed in PPR formats.
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Ezekiel Elliott
There is not much other than Achane on the waiver wire in terms of instant impact fantasy RBs this week. If Roschon Johnson is available, he should be the next priority pickup. After those two are gone, you can still find some quality adds for depth, such as the former Cowboys star, who actually faces his former team in Week 4. Elliott rushed for 80 yards on 16 carries last week and he may be a decent plug-in option for the fantasy matchups ahead, when we have to find bye week options.
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Elijah Mitchell
This waiver recommendation is a reminder to roster the top NFL backups of your best fantasy RBs. We have already seen a significant wave of RB injuries that has led to guys like Jerome Ford becoming viable pickups. Mitchell is the next in line behind Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco, and he and RBs such as Dallas' Rico Dowdle are must-adds for those who roster McCaffery and Dallas' Tony Pollard.
Wide Receivers
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Tyler Lockett
Many savvy fantasy players will always keep Lockett in their fantasy football lineups, but sometimes people with "loaded" rosters or in 10-team leagues will have some tight lineup decisions involving him. In most cases, you should lean to keeping Lockett active. The Giants rank 16th in FFPG allowed to WRs. The matchup does not indicate that Lockett won't have his usual fantasy upside, and New York ranks 28th in rushing defense. Another strong rushing performance will set up Geno Smith for play-action strikes to Lockett.
As noted by Pro Football Focus, Smith leads the NFL with 369 yards off play-action passes. If you aren't considering reserving Lockett, then just take this fantasy lineup pick as a reminder that you made a good move when drafting Lockett, and fantasy rewards are coming again this week.
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Tutu Atwell
The third-year Ram has been targeted eight-plus times in each of his first three games of the 2023 season. He totaled 196 yards in the first two weeks and caught a TD pass in Week 3. Some fantasy players may still be faced with close lineup calls involving Atwell and players they may have drafted before adding him as an early-season waiver pickup.
Continue to roll with Atwell in Week 4. The Colts rank 26th in FFPG allowed to WRs, and Matthew Stafford should be able to locate the slippery 23-year-old often enough to provide another good fantasy line.
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Nico Collins
Tank Dell has been supplying some early-season highlights in a rejuvenated Houston passing game. He deserves all the fantasy accolades being received, yet Dell may also start to draw more defensive attention, too. C.J. Stroud can respond by making this a Collins week against the Steelers, who rank 26th in FFPG allowed to WRs.
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Jerry Jeudy
Jeudy made his season debut last week and caught five passes for 81 yards. Expect an even better outing against Chicago's 30th-ranked pass defense this week.
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Tank Dell
Like Atwell, the exciting Texan is showing that no one should doubt 165-pound WRs anymore. Dell is averaging 16.7 yards per reception and has two TD catches in his first three NFL games. Houston now has enough respectable receiving ammo, so defenses cannot heavily focus on one pass-catcher. Dell will be headed for more upside performances in the weeks ahead.
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Adam Thielen
At 33 years old, the former Minnesota WR is defying the statistical expectations of fantasy players. He has caught TD passes in two consecutive games with 18 receptions on 23 targets in those outings. Thielen had 145 receiving yards in Week 3 and faces his former team next. The Vikings rank 30th in FFPG allowed to WRs.
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Quentin Johnston
Joshua Palmer, who caught a TD pass last week, is also a viable add with Mike Williams (knee) out for the season. Johnston was drafted in the first round by the Chargers in 2023 and has the potential to eventually gain fantasy WR3 consideration.
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Marvin Mims Jr.
The first-year Denver speedster is averaging an amazing 27.9 yards per reception over his first three pro games. The Broncos will continue to launch the deep ball enough times per week to keep Mims involved as a rising playmaking threat. He will deliver some spike statistical performances that can mark Mims as a nifty streamer.
Quarterbacks
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C.J. Stroud
The Houston QB has looked poised and sharp in his first three NFL games. He has passed for 280 and 384 yards in his past two games, with two TDs in each week. Stroud is fourth in the NFL with 121 attempts. In his fourth NFL game, he faces the Steelers, who rank 22nd in the NFL in passing defense.
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Jameis Winston
If you play in a superflex league, which allows for a second QB to be started at another flex position, then Winston is a top add for Week 4. He is an established aggressive passer and the New Orleans WR corps is well-stocked with playmakers.
Tight Ends
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Dalton Kincaid
We are all expecting a shootout between the Bills and Dolphins. Miami ranks 25th in FFPG allowed to TEs, so Kincaid may come through with his first impressive fantasy performance in Week 4.
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Luke Musgrave
The Packers' rookie had eight targets in Week 3, and he takes on a Dteroit defense that allows the most FFPG to TEs. You should pick up Musgrave before he posts fantasy numbers that will lead to him becoming a hotter waiver wire target next week.
Week 4 Defenses To Stream
Chiefs (vs. Jets), Seahawks (vs. Giants), Bengals (vs. Titans). For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Day during the 2023 fantasy football season.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' 37-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 24, 2023. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers
Two hours before kickoff, the Seahawks briefly meet in the locker room before heading to the field for early warmups.
Tight end Noah Fant laughs with teammates on the field.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks focuses.
Defensive linemen huddle after their early warmups.
Tight end Noah Fant catches passes in the end zone during early warmups.
Receiver Jake Bobo acknowledges fans chanting his name as he heads to the locker room after early warmups.
Safety Julian Love, an avid golfer, greets tour professional Tony Finau on the field before the game. Finau is close friends with Seahawks assistant coach Will Tukuafu and attended the game with members of his family.
This 12 was clearly in the Super Bowl spirit on the day the organization celebrated the 10th anniversary of the team that won Super Bowl XLVIII.
Seahawks legend Steven Hauschka greets fans in the Tunnel Club near the home locker room.
Seahawks legend Breno Giacomini holds aloft the Super Bowl trophy as he and teammates from the Super Bowl XLVIII winning team enter the field during pregame.
Seahawks running backs DeeJay Dallas and Kenneth Walker III on the field during pregame warmups.
Running backs DeeJay Dallas and Kenneth Walker III check out Seahawks mascot Taima during pregame.
Seahawks players and coaches Quandre Diggs, O'Brien Schofield, Tre Brown, Julian Love and Clint Hurtt greet teammates entering the field for pregame warmups.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks greets coaches and teammates as they return to the locker room after pregame warmups.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan carries the 12 flag as he leads the team onto the field.
Seahawks captains Geno Smith, Bobby Wagner and Quandre Diggs head to midfield for the pregame coin toss.
DeeJay Dallas celebrates after making a play on special teams.
Seattle's Boye Mafe tries to strip the ball as he sacks Carolina quarterback Andy Dalton.
Seattle's offense goes to work.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf stiff-arms a defender on a long gain.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith fires a pass over the middle.
Kicker Jason Myers converts one of his five field goals on the afternoon.
Seahawks legend Sidney Rice joins other members of the Super Bowl XLVIII team including Golden Tate (left) in acknowleging current players during a break in the action.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith looks for a crossing receiver.
The signature arches of Lumen Field are reflected in the Super Bowl trophy during halftime.
Members of the Super Bowl XLVIII winning team walk onto the field at halftime to be recognized. In front is receiver Jermaine Kearse.
Former Seahawks punter and fan favorite Jon Ryan soaks in a standing ovation given to the Super Bowl XLVIII champs during a halftime ceremony.
Former Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin during halftime ceremonies that recognized the Super Bowl XLVIII champs.
Seahawks legend K.J. Wright addresses the 12s during a halftime ceremony recognizing the ten-year anniversary of Super Bowl XLVIII.
Players and coaches from the Super Bowl XLVIII team pose for a photo at the conclusion of a halftime ceremony honoring the tenth anniverary of their victory.
Seahawks safety Julian Love bats down a pass.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III takes to the air at the end of a run.
The 12s brought energy and noise reminiscent of the crowds from the Legion of Boom days, resulting in multpile false start penalties against the Panthers.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III leaps over a would-be defender.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III celebrates with teammates after his second touchdown of the game.
Seahawks head coach celebrates with safety Jamal Adams, who is scheduled to return to action in Week 4.
Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed celebrates a sack with a nod to former Seahawk Michael Bennett's sack dance.
Seaahawks head coach Pete Carroll reacts after a fourth down stop by his defense.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet sends a Panthers defender flying near the end zone.
Seahawks rookie receiver Jake Bobo makes his first touchdown catch on a pass from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Pete Carroll congratulates receiver Jake Bobo on his first NFL touchdown in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Boye Mafe of the Seahawks chats with Panthers receiver Adam Thielen.
In the victorious Seahawks locker room, running backs Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet and DeeJay Dallas pose for a photo in front of their lockers.
Head coach Pete Carroll smiles as he talks to the media about the impact of the 12s on the game.
