Here's Who to Drop, Swap, and Shop for Week 4

The first three weeks have resembled preseasons more than any regular NFL season, as teams have sought to build chemistry after massive roster changes and unexpected injuries.

If you're a fantasy owner, you're learning how to deal with changes on your own team. First-round picks Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams and Julio Jones were all sidelined in Week 3—and if you had Saquon Barkley, well, you had him.

With all of that in mind, here are some suggestions on who to drop from your roster, who you may want to swap on the trade block, and who you may want to shop in free agency.

Drop

Seahawks D/ST

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

In three weeks, the Seahawks offense has already had a historic season with an MVP-caliber Russell Wilson at his finest and D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett proving to be one of the best WR duos in the league.

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Meanwhile, the Seahawks defense is also breaking records, but it's for all the wrong reasons: this year's team is the first to allow more than 1,200 yards in three games, with an astounding 497 yards allowed per game.

For that reason alone, it's worth picking up another defense if you can, although pickings are honestly quite slim throughout the NFL. If Seattle can't get it together, it may be worth researching other D/ST options in the weeks to come.

Le'Veon Bell

NFL: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

You probably don't have him anymore, but if you do, it's time to let go.

Yes, I know it's Le'Veon Bell, the former fantasy first-rounder who earned enough points to let you coast into playoffs in the past.

But that was then, and this is now—and now doesn't look so great for Bell. He hasn't been the same since he took a gap year and joined the Jets, and he's sidelined on IR until at least Week 5. I know he's the starting RB for the Jets, but I don't think this is going to be a good season for the Jets. After all, the run game only works if you're ahead, and the Jets look like they'll be pummeled for the remainder of the season. But if you are going to let him go, you may as well trade him to someone in your league who's still willing to give him a shot, because there definitely is someone in your league who still thinks that.

Cam Akers

NFL: Los Angeles Rams Scrimmage Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Akers entered the season as the starting back for the LA Rams, but injuries and committees have changed things for him.

Akers has been sidelined since the beginning of Week 2 with a rib injury, and in his place, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson have stepped up. If you got Henderson over Brown, you've probably landed the more productive back, who managed 12 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, as well as two catches for 40 yards.

Even when Akers does return and inevitably gets some touches, Henderson has been too good to be shoved back down the depth chart.

If you have to make room, let go of Akers for now—whatever happens this season, he probably won't be the starting Rams back you thought he'd be.

Swap

Rob Gronkowski

NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The legendary tight end has barely made a dent in an improving Bucs offense—that is, until this week. After head coach Bruce Arians claimed that "we're not throwing it 50 times to the tight ends—that's what we have receivers for," Tom Brady sought to make opportunities for Gronkowski with seven targets and six receptions for 48 yards. Although you want any starting player to make at least 10 points in the game, consider the fact that Brady overthrew a wide-open Gronk in the end zone, which easily would have put Gronk around 15 fantasy points in most leagues.

His snap percentage went up to 93 percent in Week 3, meaning that Gronk is likely to be more involved in the passing game.

However, considering his first two weeks, it's still possible that Arians doesn't want to air it out to the tight end. If you're feeling uncertain about Gronk in the weeks to come, or you're nervous about his split usage with O.J. Howard, see if anyone in your league is interested in a trade for this TE2 with room to grow.

Jonnu Smith

Syndication: The Tennessean George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

I saw Jonnu Smith sitting on someone's bench in Week 3, which is a shameful waste, considering the Titans TE hauled in 5 of 8 targets for 61 yards… and two touchdowns. That's at least 20 fantasy points, depending on your league.

With A.J. Brown out, Jonnu is the star of the Titans passing game, and why not? Tight ends have proven to be capable receivers who can change the game, yet somehow, dependable Travis Kelce is never a first-round fantasy pick.

It's about time we stop overlooking TE production, which means that if you have Jonnu and don't need him, don't let him languish on your bench. He's good enough to score an RB2 or WR2 if you need one, and he may even rise in value in weeks to come. Trade him, or trade for him, just make sure he's on a roster. Tennessee's Week 4 game against the Steelers has been postponed, but Smith is a valuable target for the rest of 2020.

Emmanuel Sanders

NFL: Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders has been through significant change in the past year: from starting last year as a Bronco, to joining the Super Bowl contending 49ers, to joining the pass-happy Saints in New Orleans.

When cornerstone receiver Michael Thomas got injured in Week 1, it looked like Sanders might get more opportunities in his absence. That hasn't exactly been the case, as Drew Brees has opted for quick tosses to Alvin Kamara and a few lobs to Tre'Quan Smith rather than utilizing the veteran wide out.

With Thomas looking to return in Week 4, it could be time to see what you can get for Sanders now. He's by no means terrible and should definitely be rostered, but he's going to need to see more action if he wants to join a starting lineup. If you can package him along with someone else, it's certainly worth considering.

Shop

Justin Jefferson

NFL: Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Former LSU players have been faring decently so far in the NFL, as Joe Burrow has lost two close games with the Bengals and Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been stunning as the Chief's explosive new feature back. In Week 3, the Vikings WR3 finally had his moment to shine as he hauled in 7 of 9 targets for 175 yards and a touchdown.

Clearly a replacement for Stefon Diggs, Jefferson is quickly carving out a role on the Vikings offense that is expected to expand in the weeks to come. Let's just hope you're not like me and you dropped him right before Week 3, only to spend a third of your fantasy budget to get him back in Week 4—he's just that worth it.

Sammy Watkins

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs have been, well, the Chiefs, and while Patrick Mahomes likes to spread it around, there should be enough for Watkins that warrants a pickup.

Watkins saw the most snaps on Monday with 65 out of 75, meaning he's expected to be on the field for the remainder of the season. Ignoring a poor Week 2 performance in which Watkins was injured halfway through, he's put up decent numbers with 7 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, and 7 of 8 targets for 62 yards in Week 3.

Watkins is clearly getting snaps and targets, and again, considering the Chiefs offense, he stands to get several receptions and maybe a touchdown most weeks. For now, Watkins could be started as a flex, unless you'd like to wait a week to see if he produces once again.

Ross Dwelley

NFL: San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

George Kittle was the fantasy TE breakout star last year—but this year, things haven't been looking great at the 49ers TE spot. Kittle has been sidelined with a knee injury, and now his replacement, Jordan Reed, is on IR.

While Kittle could start practicing again on Wednesday, for now, Ross Dwelley looks to be his replacement.

With the uncertainty of the Kittle situation, Dwelley is worth picking up for now. He's a start if Kittle is out in Week 4, and if Kittle isn't up to task this week, he may be worth stashing for more work in Week 5.