Breakout or Fakeout Week 4: Rookie TE in Elite Company
Three weeks of the season are in the books, and we’ve reached the final edition of this version of the article. Next week we’ll transition into cut’em or keep ’em to help with tough roster decisions.
Breakouts
Sam LaPorta, TE (DET)
Admittedly, he should have made this article sooner, but LaPorta made the list this week. Rookie tight ends don’t typically produce at this level early on, but the Lions TE is shattering the mold.
He hauled in eight of 11 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown, finishing as the TE1 in Week 3. On the year, he is TE2 in total points and TE3 in points per game.
LaPorta is a must-start player at the position with a guaranteed role moving forward in one of the most prolific passing offenses in the NFL.
Jameson Williams will return from a suspension in Week 7, but that likely won’t hurt the rookie’s workload.
Zack Moss, RB (IND)
Moss isn’t the most fun player to have on a fantasy roster, but he continues to get it done. He is coming off a second straight game of dominating running back touches. He had 30 carries for 122 yards. He caught three passes for 23 yards and a touchdown.
The Colts’ tailback finished as RB 5 on the week. He finished as RB 10 in his first start of the season in Week 2. He’s had 10 games in his career with at least 14 touches and scored at least 12 ppr points in eight of them.
When he’s gotten the work, he has delivered. Jonathan Taylor’s return looms, but managers have at least one more start from Moss and maybe more if Taylor gets traded.
Fakeouts
Donald Parham, TE (LAC)
One obvious choice for a fantasy performance that may have fantasy managers fooled is Parham. The Chargers tight end finished as the TE 5 with a line of 2-4-2.
That is more of an indictment of the position, but Parham is not someone to buy into. He played a little over half of the snaps and was targeted twice on 17 routes run.
Gerald Everett is the tight end atop the depth chart, and the Chargers have too many other weapons to rely on Parham.
Embed from Getty ImagesJerick McKinnon, RB (KC)
McKinnon played the fewest snaps with the fewest touches out of all three Chiefs’ running backs in Sunday’s blowout win over the Bears.
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
As a result, he had three catches for 17 yards and two touchdowns.
His touches have been minimal all season, and I don’t expect that to change moving forward, barring injury.
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
