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Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers
| Start pct. | 35% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Vikings |
| BetMGM line | Packers -2.5 |
| BetMGM total | 43.5 |
| BetAlytics projection | 4.5 rec, 49.6 rec yards, 0.32 TDs |
Credit to Malik Willis. Fueled by revenge against Tennessee, the Packers quarterback greatly exceeded expectations. In EPA per play terms, he has performed at a top-10 level. That’s pretty exceptional considering he was largely perceived to be rotting refuse for fantasy purposes only weeks ago.
Despite Willis’ 25.4 fantasy point explosion in Week 3 against his former employer, Reed has had mostly pedestrian numbers without Jordan Love. Over the last two weeks sans the Green Bay incumbent under center, he totaled only eight targets, six receptions and 59 receiving yards. If not for his 56 yards rushing, Reed would've been a complete afterthought.
As a result, the once widely started wide receiver has been relegated to wasting away on fantasy benches. However, with Love expected back at the controls in Week 4, it’s time to give Reed a proper promotion. Start the man with supreme confidence.
Minnesota is one of two teams (Tennessee is the other) that has yet to allow a wide receiver touchdown, and it ranks No. 5 in dropback EPA defense. From a 10,000-foot view, it's an undesirable matchup. However, zoom in and the potential is fully realized.
With Reed playing 65.1% of his snaps in the slot, his primary dance partner is projected to be SCB Byron Murphy. On 128 coverage snaps, Murphy has surrendered a 72.7 catch percentage, 207 yards (second-most among all qualifying DBs), one touchdown and a 117.4 passer rating. Reed — who ranks top-10 in total YAC (67), yards per route run (3.77), yards per target (14.1), yards per reception (19.7) and average yards of separation per target (3.13) — is in a prime spot.
Raise a New Glarus or three. With Love back, Reed will earn the Spotted Cow in multiple ways.
Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 78 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 18 rushing yards, 18.1 fantasy points
Week 4 Bonus Flames
Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
| Start pct. | 51% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Panthers |
Not a living soul on this planet had a Joe Burrow-led Bengals club beginning the season 0-3. If you were the one, I’m sure you also possess evidence proving all the alien secrets inside Area 51. Entering Week 4 winless, Cincinnati living in the NFL’s basement — and not Carolina — is rather stunning. In the feline fracas, though, victory numero uno is likely to be acquired. Yes, crank all of the Andy Dalton REVENGE GAME narratives, but the freshly reinstalled Higgins could thwart any such notion. Shaking off the rust last Monday against Washington, he played 41 snaps, attracted six targets and caught three passes for 39 yards. Now officially back in the mix, he’s in an excellent position to make a fantasy mark against the Panthers, who are an underwhelming No. 25 in pass EPA defense with the 12th-most fantasy points allowed to WRs. Most promising, Higgins’ projected assignment, CB Mike Jackson, has surrendered the most receptions (18) and the third-most yards (206) among DBs. Tee off.
Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 56 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.6 fantasy points
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers
| Start pct. | 31% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Colts |
MUUUUUUTH! Well-traveled Pittsburgh fans who make the five-hour drive to Indianapolis will inevitably bellow bass tones when their beloved weapon makes a grab. Tight end is currently a fantasy wasteland. Week-to-week woeful production from noteworthy names — I’m talking directly to you, Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews — has managers debating the once unthinkable. Let the CEO of #TeamHuevos offer an assist: Bench your brand name for a lesser known until further notice. It's time. Freiermuth is a third-tier TE worth the audition, especially against the Colts. Indy ranks No. 22 in dropback EPA D and has yielded the seventh-most fantasy points to TEs. Freiermuth, who is No. 1 in catchable target rate and No. 7 in fantasy points per target (1.83) at the position, is likely to tally his first double-digit effort of the season.
Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 45 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 12.5 fantasy points
Season record: 4-6