Before getting to my random thoughts, I wanted to address trades. I get a lot of trade questions at this point of the season. I’m fine with making a trade at any point of the season but just be careful early in the year. Trust your draft picks. You made them for a reason. Don’t give up on a player too early. It can come back to bite you. Sure, there are some players you can see aren’t going to pan out, but some of these guys can get it going and produce big once again. Just keep that in mind before pulling the trigger on those early-season trade offers.

Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .

I could not be more impressed with the Bills offense right now. Joe Brady is putting on a master class on how to call plays. He is keeping defenses guessing with a great mix of the pass and run. The Bills might be lacking some elite talent at receiver but that isn’t holding them back at all. And Josh Allen is doing a much better job of limiting turnovers, which helps even more. I had questions about this offense coming into the season, but that isn’t the case anymore. This is a scary, scary team.

Patrick Mahomes now has three straight games to start the season without reaching 20 fantasy points. He is playing just fine but just fine isn’t helping fantasy teams. You just expect better from Mahomes, but this offense isn’t clicking just yet. They have plenty of time to get it going but their next two games against the Chargers and Saints aren’t the best matchups. It could be more of the same for Mahomes the next few weeks.

Look for rookie Bucky Irving to start and get more and more chances going forward. Rachaad White has been terrible running the ball his first three games while Irving is making plays. I would not be surprised if White moves to a more pass-catching role while Irving gets the early-down work. Irving is a fantasy player on the rise.

I’m looking for Terry McLaurin to really start taking off. He was a dud the first two games but showed signs of life last week, hitting the 100-yard mark. As Jayden Daniels gets more and more comfortable, this will help McLaurin. Daniels is a special player and seems to be getting on the same page with McLaurin. I like McLaurin for a big finish to the season.

The tight end position continues to be a tough one. I really thought it was turning the corner this year with a lot more viable No. 1 tight ends. Instead, it has been all over the map. One player goes off one week and disappears the next. And it is little used players that are scoring big as well, causing even more confusion. Guys like Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews are really killing fantasy owners. You can’t trade these guys because they will get you nothing and you don’t want to release them because you used a high-draft pick on them. For now, I hold tight and give them a few more weeks. I believe more in Kelce than Andrews at this point, though. Andrews isn’t seeing the field, which is a big concern with him. You have to think he is battling some sort of injury.

How about those Panthers? Wow, what a difference a competent quarterback makes for an offense. The Panthers have some weapons offensively, so I don’t think it was a fluke with Andy Dalton at the helm. Dalton really gives this offense a lift. He helps all offensive players, especially Diontae Johnson. I’m excited about his prospects going forward with Dalton looking his way often.

It is exciting seeing these rookie quarterbacks making strides. These guys really struggled to start the season but seem to be making adjustments and are getting better in a hurry. I thought Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams and Bo Nix all played solid games last week, especially Daniels. These guys are going to be some top-notch fantasy options sooner than later. The future is bright at the quarterback position.

News and Notes: The Chiefs signed running back Kareem Hunt to their active roster on Tuesday. Hunt could play a role in the game immediately with the team thin at the running back position. . . . .Chargers safety Derwin James was suspended a game for repeated violations of playing rules aimed at protecting player health and safety. This is a huge loss for the Chargers as they face the high-powered Chiefs this weekend.

HOT PLAYS

Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals. Murray looks back to his old self this season, another year removed from his torn ACL. His numbers haven’t been off the charts, though. He has two of three games with fewer than 20 fantasy points. The good news is he has touchdowns all three games and just one interception. He is playing good football and capable of the huge game any given week. We like his chances for a big game this week against the Commanders. Washington allows the most fantasy points to quarterbacks and ranks 31st against the pass, allowing 255.7-passing yards per game.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Texans. Diggs had a season-high 10 receptions for 94 yards on 12 targets last week. He was the focal point of the passing game with Nico Collins a little banged up. Diggs is off to a good start with his new team, having 20-plus fantasy points two of three games. It could be more of the same for Diggs this week against the Jaguars, a team that allows the eighth most fantasy points to receivers.

Devin Singletary, RB, Giants. Singletary had a season-high 108 total yards last week and found the end zone for the second straight game. He has 15-plus fantasy points two straight. His rushing numbers aren’t off the charts but consistent. Singletary is getting a lot of weekly touches, having at least 14 total touches every game. He is the top back in an offense that is showing some signs of life. He is setup for a good showing this week against the Cowboys, a team that has struggled to stop the run this year. Dallas allows the most fantasy points to running backs.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills. Kincaid showed some signs of life last week, finding the end zone for the first time this season. He had a season-high five targets and finished with three receptions for 41 yards. Kincaid has seven receptions his last two games. He still hasn’t had that big game yet but we think it comes this week. He has a favorable matchup in a game that Bills might have to throw to have success offensively. They get a Ravens team dead last against the pass, allowing 291.7-passing yards per game. Baltimore also is rough against the tight end, allowing the second most fantasy points to tight ends.

Kyren Williams, RB, Rams. There were some owners worried about taking Williams this season, feeling his price was too high considering he had some question marks. Well, he is making all those owners pay. William is a must start for fantasy owners, having touchdowns every game this season. He has at least 14 fantasy points every game and is coming off a huge three-touchdown performance. Williams should keep it up this week against the Bears, a team much better against the pass than the run. Chicago allows the eighth most fantasy points to running backs and 121.7-rushing yards per game.

COLD PLAYS 

Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts. Richardson has been one of the bigger fantasy disappointments after three games. He is really struggling with his accuracy, leading to a lot of missed throws. And he isn’t even making a ton of plays with his legs, having fewer than 40-rushing yards two straight games. Richardson has less than 15 fantasy points each of those last two games. Things won’t get any easier for Richardson this week against the Steelers. Pittsburgh allows the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and just 158.3-passing yards per game. We would stay away from Richardson in Week 4.

Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets. Wilson found the end zone last week but had five receptions for just 33 yards on nine targets. He has less than 65 yards all three games this year. He is getting targets and catches but his yardage totals aren’t helping fantasy teams. It could be more of the same this week against the Broncos. Shutdown corner Patrick Surtain has done a great job against the opposing No. 1 receiver all year long. The Broncos as a team allow the fewest fantasy points to receivers. It is tough to bench Wilson, but you might want to at least consider it if you have some viable options on the bench.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Chargers. Dobbins has emerged as the go-to back in the Chargers offense. He has double-digit carries every game. He started the season with two straight 100-yard showings. He came back down to earth last week, though, against a good Steelers defense. Dobbins ran 15 times for just 44 yards. He could have another rough showing this week against the Chiefs. Kansas City has been stout against the rush, allowing the third fewest fantasy points to running backs. The Chiefs give up just 113.7-rushing yards per game.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Titans. Ridley had a game to forget last week, catching just a pass for nine yards. He had a huge game in Week 2 but just four catches for 59 yards his other two games. He could be hit or miss much of the year in an offense struggling to find consistency because of the erratic play of quarterback Will Levis. Ridley gets shutdown corner Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins in Week 4. Miami allows the third fewest fantasy points to receivers. Ridley could struggle once again in this one.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers. Jacobs played just 52 percent of the snaps last week, his lowest total of the season. The Packers did get a big lead, so he was rested late. But either way, he saw his usage dip while Emanuel Wilson played well with his chances. Jacobs ran 14 times for just 43 yards. The big issue with Jacobs right now is a lack of work in the passing game, catching just three passes on the season. This really hurts his fantasy floor. He is yet to top 15 fantasy points in a game despite getting a lot of work. Jacobs might have another disappointing showing this week against the Vikings. Minnesota is second against the run, allowing just 71.3-rushing yards per game.

SLEEPERS

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks. Lockett is hit or miss at this stage of his career, but always capable of that huge game. He has five or more catches two of three games. His yardage numbers aren’t great but that can change this week against the Lions. This game should be a shootout, so get as many players involved as you can. Detroit continues to struggle against the pass and allow the second most fantasy points to receivers.

Jerome Ford, RB, Browns. Ford saw his usage go down in Week 2, losing out on a lot of snaps to D’Onta Foreman. That wasn’t the case last week, though. Ford played 79 percent of the snaps, which was a season high for him. Ford has not been great in a starting role this year but his numbers have been decent. He has double-digit fantasy points two of three games. Look for the Browns to run often this week against a leaky Raiders rush defense. This bodes well for Ford, getting a team that allows the third most fantasy points to running backs.

Caleb Williams, QB, Bears. Williams showed some signs of life last week, playing his best game as a pro. He threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns, scoring 20-plus fantasy points for the first time. He also threw for more than 200 yards for the first time in his career. The Bears can’t run the ball, so Williams should continue to get plenty of chances to air it out. He has attempted 89 passes his last two games. If he throws that much this week against the Rams, Williams could post big numbers. The Rams allow the second most fantasy points to quarterbacks and rank 29th overall against the pass.

Calvin Austin, WR, Steelers. Austin played a season high 54 percent of the snaps last week and made the most of it. He had four receptions for 95 yards on five targets. He had just two catches his first two games before that showing. Look for Austin to continue to get more work going forward, especially with Van Jefferson doing little with his chances. Austin could leap frog him on the depth chart. Austin is a sneaky play this week against the Colts, a team that allows the fourth most fantasy points to receivers.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans. Spears is taking a backseat to Tony Pollard more than most thought, but is getting his weekly chances. He has four receptions two of three games and hit double-digit fantasy points last week for the first time this season. Spears has played at least 33 percent of the snaps every game. He has played near 40 percent of the snaps for the season. Spears could have his best game of the season this week against the Dolphins. Miami allows the fifth most fantasy points to running backs.

High/Low Scoring Games

Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.

High Scoring Games: Bengals/Panthers, Eagles/Bucs, Commanders/Cardinals, Bills/Ravens, Seahawks/Lions.

Low Scoring Games: Broncos/Jets, Steelers/Colts, Patriots/49ers, Browns/Raiders, Titans/Dolphins.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.