Buy-low candidates

Matthew Stafford (QB, Lions): A week ago, Kenny Golladay made the buy-low list as he was nearing to make his debut for the Detroit Lions this season. Golladay would record six catches for 57 yards and a touchdown in his first game of the season on Sunday versus the Arizona Cardinals.

While Golladay’s price has now gone up, a buy-low candidate for the Lions is now the man throwing him passes. Matthew Stafford has typically been a stellar fantasy football performer in his career, but he’s failed to score 20+ fantasy points yet this season. Before his season-ending back injury last year, Stafford averaged 20.8 points per game (fourth-most among QBs).

However, with Golladay back, Stafford and Detroit’s passing attack should see vast improvements moving forward. Not to mention, Stafford faces teams in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points allowed to QBs in seven of the next eight games.

Ryan Tannehill (QB, Titans): When fantasy football drafts were being conducted, people were wary of selecting Ryan Tannehill. Some were concerned with whether or not Tannehill could pick back up from where he left off in 2019.

Early in the 2020 season, it appears that Tannehill has found his groove with the Tennessee Titans once again. Through the first three weeks, the veteran signal-caller has averaged 19.8 fantasy points, which is the 13th most among QBs so far this season.

The one area where Tannehill has seen a decline in is his air yards per attempt, going from 9.6 air yards per attempt in 2019 (third-best in the NFL) to eight air yards per attempt so far in 2020 (14th most in the NFL). But with A.J. Brown set to return to the Titans soon, Tannehill could see his numbers drastically improve in the coming weeks.

Joe Mixon (RB, Bengals): Yes, I know I’ve had Joe Mixon on the buy-low list every single week and he’s yet to pay dividends this season. In his first three games with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, Mixon has totaled only 157 scrimmage yards and has failed to find the end zone thus far.

Nevertheless, as Joe Burrow continues to show improvement under center, teams are going to have to adjust their gameplans to slow him down. Taking that into account, Mixon should see clearer running lanes in the rushing attack.

Plus, he should see more targets in the passing game moving forward, especially with Cincinnati’s offensive line struggling. Getting the ball out of Burrow’s hands quicker could be Zac Taylor’s solution to the team’s lack of protection, resulting in more receptions for the dual-threat back.

David Montgomery (RB, Bears): One of the biggest developments in Week 3 was the Chicago Bears deciding to bench Mitchell Trubisky in favor of Nick Foles. Once Foles came into the game, the Bears had more energy on offense and overcame a 26-10 deficit in the second half.

While the insertion of Foles under center helps Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Jimmy Graham, David Montgomery also receives a boost in the offense. With Chicago’s passing offense being more aggressive with Foles, Montgomery could have better looks on the ground.

Also, with the season-ending knee injury to Tarik Cohen, Montgomery will likely see an expanded workload for the rest of the season — even if Cordarrelle Patterson gets more touches. The third-round pick of the Bears in 2019 has garnered 43 of Chicago’s 72 carries for RBs, while also catching six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown so far this season.

D.J. Chark (WR, Jaguars): Taking advantage of wide receivers that are nearing a return from injury can be a fruitful tactic in fantasy football. Among the wide receivers that are nearing a return, D.J. Chark of the Jacksonville Jaguars is one to possibly make some offers for this week.

Chark was unable to suit up for the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 versus the Miami Dolphins. Jacksonville’s breakout wide receiver from a season ago suffered a chest injury in Week 2 and was only able to practice in a limited fashion leading up to the game.

Amid his absence, the Jaguars’ offense sputtered through the air and his presence as a vertical threat was sorely missed. When he does return, expect him to be Gardner Minshew’s go-to option in the passing attack on a team that should be behind in plenty of games.