The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast

JJ Zachariason loves Jacoby Brissett as a quarterback streamer this week; the Cardinals face the Lions at home in a game with a 53.5-point total, and Detroit ranks third-best for adjusted fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks with the fourth-worst pass defense in EPA per dropback allowed, creating a favorable environment for Brissett.

JJ Zachariason cautions that adding Tyreek Hill off waivers this week may result in a delayed timeline before he becomes usable in fantasy lineups, despite acknowledging Hill's historical outlier status in the NFL and the Chiefs' potential need for his services if healthy.

JJ Zachariason recommends buying Matthew Stafford, noting it's not typical for him to trade for a quarterback. The insight is cut off but indicates a positive stance on Stafford's value.

Has been pretty good when healthy this year but has not been very healthy. Re-aggravated a shoulder injury in Week 4 and has now dropped out of two games early. His injury status is a key factor in determining whether Keon Coleman becomes a viable fantasy asset.

Becomes a really interesting add if DJ Moore misses time due to his shoulder injury. After Moore left Sunday's game against the Patriots, Coleman saw a target on 35% of his routes run and finished with 5 catches, 103 yards, and a touchdown. With Moore on the field this season, Coleman averaged just 1.31 yards per route run and 13.9% targets per route run; when Moore was off the field, those numbers jumped to 3.62 yards per route run and 23.4% targets per route run. JJ Zachariason emphasizes leaning into these numbers as a waiver wire add.

Scored 18 PPR points in Week 4 but JJ Zachariason recommends selling despite the performance. Gordon had a 60% snap share, 50% rush share, and 45% route share—decent but not elite usage layered on top of Miami's historically bad offense (just 4 offensive touchdowns in 4 games). Expected fantasy points model pegged Gordon for only 6.9 expected PPR points in Week 4; he outpaced that due to a 53-yard run and 12-yard rushing touchdown. This kind of usage in this offense won't sustain scoring opportunities despite Miami's favorable upcoming schedule.

Was third in Cincinnati in route share in Week 4. Miami has been an even better matchup for tight ends than for wide receivers, as evidenced by T.J. Hawkinson's performance last week. Gesicki is a viable waiver wire add for Week 5.

Led the Bengals with a 93% route share in Week 4 and caught 7 of 9 targets for 82 yards. Cincinnati faces Miami this week, which has surrendered the second-highest yards per route run to wide receivers. If Higgins gets additional work, he should deliver strong numbers.

Mike Gesicki is mentioned as an add recommendation in week 5, though specific context or reasoning is not provided in the available transcript excerpt.

Higgins suffered a groin injury late in week 4 against the Jaguars; timeline for return is unknown, creating opportunity for Dante Myers to see increased role in the Bengals passing attack.

Chase suffered a concussion against the Jaguars in week 4; timeline for return is unknown, creating opportunity for Dante Myers to see increased role in the Bengals passing attack.

Love's usage declined sharply in week 4 after encouraging week 3 performance; snap share dropped from 63% to 46%, rush share from 78% to 54%, and route share from 36% to 21%. Tyler Algier benefited, scoring 12.9 PPR points and maintaining a 66% third-down snap rate versus Love's 32%, with head coach Mike LaFleur confirming Algier as the third-down and hurry-up back for pass protection purposes.

Despite a rough week 4 (13% target share, 2 PPR points vs. Cincinnati), JJ Zachariason remains bullish on Parker Washington. Washington is top 20 in route share this season and above average in the percentage of routes run with 2 or fewer receivers on field—an environment that drives hyper-targeting and efficiency. Zachariason's expected PPR points model still ranks Washington as a top 15 wide receiver, suggesting the week 4 dud was an outlier.

With Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (sports hernia/IR) both sidelined, Will Shipley becomes the primary Eagles running back for week 5. He's been used primarily in a pass-catching role this season, which aligns with his prospect profile, though he's been mixed in on early-down work. JJ Zachariason calls him 'definitely the guy that you want off the waiver wire this week' and notes he could be a PPR scammer despite a tough Jacksonville matchup.

Tank Bigsby suffered a sports hernia injury requiring surgery and is headed to IR, eliminating him from week 5 consideration and leaving Will Shipley as the primary Eagles running back.

Saquon Barkley left week 4's game after just four snaps with a hamstring injury, creating uncertainty for week 5 and opening the door for backup running backs to see increased opportunity.

JJ Zachariason advises against dropping Kenyon Sadiq after week 4, noting that the Jets offense will shift when injured players return and the current performance doesn't warrant panic.

JJ Zachariason advises not being overly nervous about Garrett Wilson after a quiet week 4 performance, noting that sometimes weird things happen in football and the offense will shift when injured players return.

Allen handled every running back rush for the Jets on Sunday despite limited fantasy output; he posted a 67% route share and 13% target share. JJ Zachariason notes these peripherals across a normal 60-65 play game would generate significantly better fantasy production, and advises against dropping him despite the weak week 4 performance.

Allen handled every running back rush for the Jets in Week 4 against the Bears, posting a 67% route share and 13% target share. However, the Jets offense ran only 32 plays—the second-lowest mark since 2016 compared to their 65+ average in the first three weeks. Across a normal 60-65 play game, Allen's peripherals should translate to meaningful fantasy production.

Wilson was shut down in Week 4 against the Bears, but the Jets offense ran only 32 plays—the second-lowest mark since 2016 compared to their 65+ average in the first three weeks. JJ Zachariason emphasizes that no player can thrive in such a low-volume offense, and Wilson's poor performance should not be viewed as a talent or role issue but rather a team-level problem that will likely normalize.

Sadiq tied Garrett Wilson for the team lead with four targets and posted a 27% target share in Week 4 against the Bears, but the Jets offense was historically bad, running only 32 plays—the second-lowest mark since 2016 compared to their 65+ average in the first three weeks. JJ Zachariason notes that Sadiq and Geno Smith couldn't get on the same page, but when play volume normalizes, his rate stats should translate to more production.

Wilson posted a 68% rush share and 20% target share in Week 4 against the Chargers, scoring 27 PPR points and outperforming expected points by roughly 11.5 points. His route share was only 31%, lower than George Helani's, but with Jadarian Price on IR and Zach Charbonnet recovering from ACL injury, Wilson should see the most touches in the backfield short-term. Joe Mixon's involvement is uncertain, making Wilson a short-term add before other running backs return or Mixon gets heavily involved.

Falcons-Saints matchup has significant uncertainty around what Penix's offense will look like; JJ Zachariason highlights this as a key fantasy-relevant game with much up in the air about the Falcons' offensive scheme.

Christian Gonzalez's injury opens up opportunities for Coleman to be a very deep sleeper; should be able to play despite being banged up.

Is the current handcuff to Javante Williams in Denver's backfield.

Gets Cincinnati next week, which is a good matchup; JJ Zachariason notes interest in how Miami's offense distributes targets without Devon Agholor.

Has been a significant factor in the Steelers tight end usage, limiting opportunities for Pat Freiermuth.

Scored last night but is not getting as good usage as desired because Darnell Washington has been a factor in the Steelers offense; does get Indianapolis next week.

Gets Vegas in Week 5, which is a good matchup for tight ends.

Out for the season with hip surgery; not a viable handcuff option despite being on IR. JJ Zachariason clarifies he will not be back in Week 5 as a Dallas handcuff.

Had a long touchdown called back due to illegal formation/motion penalty; JJ Zachariason notes these types of penalties hurt fantasy value when they negate scoring plays.

Luther Burden is expected to see shorter, seven-yard average depth of target looks similar to what the Bears ran last week against the Jets. The Jets allow a bottom-five average depth of target, which should facilitate more short-range targets to Burden and other slot receivers in this game environment.

Justin Jefferson was not at practice and is not 100% healthy heading into the Vikings-Dolphins matchup. This injury status is relevant context for elevated target share expectations for other Vikings receivers like T.J. Hockenson.

JJ Zachariason is a few spots higher on T.J. Hockenson this week. Hockenson has a 19% target share and 70.5% route share on the season. With Justin Jefferson banged up and Miami's pass rush ranked as really bad, the Vikings may use Hockenson as an extra receiver rather than for blocking. Miami allows bottom-five adjusted points to tight ends (third in PPR points per target allowed, first in yards per route run allowed), making this a favorable matchup.

JJ Zachariason is 13 spots higher than consensus on Khalif Raymond this week. Raymond has a 23% target share on the season and operates as a middle-of-field player with a lower average depth of target. The Jets allow a bottom-five average depth of target, which should lead to more short looks to Raymond and other slot receivers. Zachariason ranks him around 41-42, still higher than consensus.

JJ Zachariason ranks Jacoby Brissett four spots ahead of consensus for the week; he likes the matchup against the Giants, who have a bottom-two pressure rate, are top-ten in adjusted points allowed to QBs, and sixth in fantasy points per drop back allowed; Arizona's implied total is 23.5 points; Zachariason would not be shocked if Brissett ends up as QB1 this week.

JJ Zachariason notes Pollard has had a better year than expected to start the season; JJ Zachariason Graziano expressed wanting more Tony Pollard in fantasy football discussions, suggesting upside relative to current narrative around the Titans.

Tony Pollard has had a better year to start the season than JJ Zachariason expected; Graziano expressed wanting more Tony Pollard in fantasy football discussions, suggesting upside beyond current market expectations.

Kenneth Walker is ranked among the three best running backs in football; JJ Zachariason groups him with CMC and Jameer as elite tier backs.