Put it in Print: Week 4 Predictions

If you're going to say it, why not put it in print. Here is a snapshot of what's going on in my head heading into week 4.

Bruce Gradkowski - QB Oakland
Even with two ailing WRs (Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey), I like Gradkowski better than Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning and Kyle Orton in week 4. Oakland faces Houston this week, which has given up a ton of passing yards in the first three weeks. If Murphy and Heyward-Bey are on the field Sunday, look for a 275+ yard, 2 TD afternoon for Gradkowski.

Jahvid Best - RB Detroit
Everyone is wondering if Best is for real. Through 3 weeks, he has 5 TDs and leads the Lions in rushing and receiving yards. Despite those numbers, Best is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. Until the Lions start passing the ball with some consistency, consider Best a player a RB2 or flex player -- at best.

Matt Forte - RB Chicago
If Forte was on my roster, I would sell him high right now. Forte is currently a top 10 RB in most leagues, but his stats are deceptive. Forte has 3 TDs this year including an 89 yarder against Detroit. Take a closer at Forte’s stats and you’ll notice he’s only averaging 2.8 yards per carry. Don’t expect Forte to stay in the top 10 RB list the entire year. Sell now.

Fred Taylor - RB New England
A toe injury will keep Taylor out of the line-up Sunday and this might be the last time we mention Taylor’s name. BenJarvus Green-Ellis will likely get the start and if he performs well look for him to remain New England’s feature back. If BGE runs wild in Miami on Monday night, it might be time to dump Taylor all together.

Brandon Lloyd - WR Denver
In three games this year, Lloyd has two 100+ yard games. He’s clearly the Broncos best deep threat and I expect him lead Denver in receiving yards this year. With Eddie Royal and Jabar Gaffney working the underneath routes, Lloyd and Demaryius Thomas will stretch the field. With the rookie Thomas still learning, the veteran Lloyd is Orton’s favorite deep target

Greg Jennings - WR Green Bay
It has been a couple frustrating years for fantasy football owners who drafted Jennings in the early rounds. In 2008, he managed 4 TDs and last year just 2 TDs. This year, he’s already scored twice but has only 10 catches. Jennings plays in an offense where QB Aaron Rodgers spreads the ball around to several different receivers. I’m not suggesting benching Jennings, but he’s a WR that will continue to frustrate his owners. He has a tendency to disappear during games. Look for him to be solid this week against the Lions, but going forward, be prepared to endure several weeks where he barely cracks the 50 yard receiving mark.

Malcom Floyd - WR San Diego
I was all ready to name Legedu Naanee the best WR in San Diego, that was before I watched a complete Chargers game. Floyd is clearly the better of the two WRs and looks to be on pace for a solid season. With Vincent Jackson still holding out, Floyd has emerged as Philip River’s favorite WR target. Floyd is coming off back-to-back games of nearly 100 yards and a TD. Considering the number of red zone targets Floyd gets each game, he should be looked at as solid WR2, and maybe even a fringe WR1.

Ryan Mathews - RB San Diego
Mathews has been slow to get going for the Chargers, but when he’s played, he’s looked like the real deal. The problem for Mathews has been two fold, fumbles and injury. In the two games he has played in, the rookie fumbled in both and hurt his ankle. After missing week 3, Mathews looks ready to play in week 4 and should be a good start against the Arizona Cardinals. Don’t sell Mathews yet, he’s just getting started.

Jeremy Maclin - WR Philadelphia
A lot of fantasy football owners are wondering if Maclin can keep up his torrid TD pace. After 3 weeks, Maclin has already matched his TD output from the two previous years (2010: 4 TDs, 2009: 4 TDs, 2008: 4 TDs). Maclin is like Greg Jennings, he has big play potential, but doesn’t tally a lot of yards. While there will be frustrating weeks for Maclin owners, I like him as an every week starter.