Fantasy Footnotes: Steelers stars face questions; Randle, Freeman want more
Every gameday during the regular season, theScore's fantasy editors recap the most important news and notes from around the league.
Steelers stars face questions
There aren't many players in the NFL who can suffer an injury with more wide-ranging fantasy implications than Ben Roethlisberger.
The longtime Steelers starter is a locked-in fantasy QB1 in an offense that includes a high-end WR1 in Antonio Brown, a high-end RB1 in Le'Veon Bell, a high-upside WR3 in Martavis Bryant, and a trusty TE1 in Heath Miller.
It goes without saying that the fantasy prospects of all of the above are in jeopardy after Roethlisberger was carted off Sunday with a knee injury that's expected to sideline him for at least four weeks.
Michael Vick entered the game in relief of Roethlisberger but wasn't asked to do much more than protect the lead. Once (briefly) a fantasy superstar, Vick is now a volatile player as likely to produce big mistakes as big plays.
Should Roethlisberger miss extended time, Brown's value could take the biggest hit. He and Roethlisberger have a near-cosmic connection that has produced a streak of 35 straight games with at least five catches and 50 receiving yards for the wideout. That streak's in jeopardy with Vick behind center.
Bell's value could also take a hit, though it may be offset by the Steelers leaning on their rushing attack more than usual with Roethlisberger out. Bell was sharp in his first game back from suspension Sunday and appears poised to reward fantasy owners who spent an early first-round draft pick on him.
As for Bryant (who returns from suspension in Week 5) and Miller, it remains to be seen whether Vick can be effective enough to support multiple pass-catchers with fantasy value.
Randle, Freeman push for featured roles
Forget the idea that the Dallas Cowboys' backfield is a timeshare. Forget the idea that Christine Michael will rise from the bottom of the depth chart to claim a workhorse role.
The starting running back job belongs to Joseph Randle.
Despite the Cowboys' lack of talent at every other offensive skill position, Randle exploded for over 100 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of the team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Randle looked shifty and powerful on his runs, though there's no denying that running behind the NFL's best offensive line shines a very flattering light on him.
With Tony Romo out at least seven more weeks, the Cowboys will continue leaning hard on their rushing attack. That means plenty more opportunities for Randle, and perhaps several more afternoons as fruitful as Sunday's.
On the other side of the ball Sunday was Falcons tailback Devonta Freeman. With Tevin Coleman nursing a rib injury that could hold him out a few more weeks, Freeman had his best game as a pro.
Don't expect 141 yards and three touchdowns from Freeman every week (or perhaps ever again), but his success indicates the Falcons' Kyle Shanahan-led rushing attack is for real.
It's also a strong indication that fantasy analysts who wrote off Freeman as little more than a third-down back underestimated him.
As long as Coleman's sidelined, and perhaps after he gets back, Freeman's in the conversation as an upside RB2.
Patriots backfield lacks clarity
In the first half of the New England Patriots' 51-17 slaughter of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dion Lewis appeared to be the Patriots' clear-cut feature back.
The shifty Lewis, who was out of football last season, had six touches and a touchdown before LeGarrette Blount even sniffed the ball.
Then the game got out of hand, so Blount took over his old role as the Patriots' hammer back and looked right at home.
Three second-half Blount touchdowns later (all from one yard out), and suddenly the Patriots' backfield is very murky for fantasy purposes.
Did Blount fight his way out of the doghouse and earn a significant role in the offense moving forward? Or did he simply benefit from the increased opportunities that came in a blowout?
The unfortunate answer for fantasy owners is we don't know and likely won't all season. There's no coach in football more fickle when it comes to distributing running back touches than Bill Belichick.
For now, Lewis appears to be the best bet for fantasy value, but his upside is capped by the likelihood he won't get goal-line touches. Blount remains a high-variance player best used in weeks when the Patriots are expected to blow their opponents out.
Notable Fantasy Lines
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
315 yards passing, 2 TDs, 33 yards rushing, TD
No weapons, no problem. Newton produced a second straight three-touchdown week. Imagine what he could do if he had real receivers.
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
383 yards passing, 3 TDs, INT, 12 yards rushing, TD, FUM
Fantasy owners are forgiven for expecting a trademark Dalton dud, but he's rolling right now.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
126 yards rushing, 2 TDs
He looks like himself again, which is bad news for defenses everywhere.
Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons
141 yards rushing, 52 yards receiving, 3 TDs
Freeman looked better than he ever has. As long as Tevin Coleman remains sidelined, Freeman is an RB2 with some upside.
Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals
110 yards rushing, 40 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Don't get too excited. Andre Ellington will be back soon.
Chris Ivory, RB, Jets
0 carries
Ivory was announced as active, but didn't play a snap. Not cool, Jets.
Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
62 yards rushing, 70 yards receiving, TD
Bell looked very sharp in his first game back from suspension.
A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
227 yards, 2 TDs
Green didn't just produce a win for his fantasy owners with this performance, he saved the Bengals. Both of his touchdowns came late in the fourth quarter.
Steve Smith, WR, Ravens
186 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Another vintage performance. Smith says this is his last season, but he clearly has a lot left in the tank.
Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
164 yards receiving, 2 TDs
He can't be stopped.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
134 yards receiving, 2 TDs
His renaissance is for real.
Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders
134 yards receiving, FUM
He's a budding superstar.
Andre Johnson, WR, Colts
0 catches
Andrew Luck didn't even seem to look his way. It might be over for Johnson.
Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers
134 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Olsen is clearly Cam Newton's preferred target.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals
0 catches
Eifert owners are advised not to watch his overturned touchdown grab. What constitutes a catch in the NFL is less clear than ever.
Injury Ward
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
The Steelers are reportedly hopeful that Roethlisberger's ACL remains intact. Considering how bad the replays look, a torn MCL and a four-to-six-week absence could be a best-case scenario.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks
Lynch was a game-time decision with a calf injury and was late to the field after reportedly getting his back worked on in the locker room, but it was a hamstring injury that forced him out early in the third quarter. So, yes, he's banged up.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills
Watkins was ruled out with a calf injury after making a catch. The Bills' big lead at the time could have pushed his coaches to play it safe.
Breshad Perriman, WR, Ravens
Perriman reportedly tweaked his knee during warmups. He wasn't expected to play this week, but this could set back his debut another few weeks.
Waiver Wire Targets
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
Scoop him up if you play in a league where he's available. At least until he plays in prime time, he's a viable QB1.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
Carr gets the woeful Bears in Week 4. He's a strong add for owners who plan to stream quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger's absence.
Michael Vick, QB, Steelers
Not a bad option, but don't expect the kind of stats he put up earlier in his career.
Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons
Ride the hot hand until Tevin Coleman returns.
Ryan Mathews, RB, Eagles
Don't overbid. DeMarco Murray will likely play next week.
Kenny Britt, WR, Rams
He's worth a look in deeper leagues.