Week 4 Preview + Trade Targets

Week 4 is here and things are starting to take shape, but that doesn’t mean you can take your eye off the road. We’re going to take you through what to look out for in offenses around the league as lineups change and performances inform… Let’s hit the Detour.

-- Dynasty Detour Ryan

🔮 Traffic Forecast

At this point we’re starting to get an idea for what a lot of teams around the league are going to give us, but a few still remain question marks. Here are the situations and individuals that will have my attention tomorrow and this weekend.

⚫️ Falcons Dead In The Air?

Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons offense struggled so mightily that the second year signal caller didn’t even see the fourth quarter before Kirk Cousins stepped in to see out the 27-0 deficit. Let’s be clear, though, this was not a benching. Penix played very poorly but this was a move to protect the core of this offense, and other offensive starters were pulled too a drive later. That doesn’t mean this game wasn’t concerning. Penix has been inaccurate all season (2nd-lowest accuracy rating on throws 10+ yards downfield) but last week especially we saw him seemingly mistiming throws and missing spots up and down the field.

Some of the throws are simply on Penix, but for some of them you have to wonder. The Falcons fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard very quickly after returning from Carolina, and with that in mind, perhaps things aren’t exactly what they seem. Take the ball thrown outside of London as he broke towards a defender, or when Penix on multiple occasions threw at guys that hadn’t even broke yet. What seems like inconsistency around Penix’s delivery may be contributed to by incorrect decisions on option routes or receivers breaking out of routes late. The corps, Darnell Mooney especially, also struggled with drops. I’ll be watching this week’s Falcons/Commanders contest with the following in mind ⬇️ 

How does Atlanta’s first drive look, and what does it tell us?

Does Penix improve upon his mechanics, and does it translate to more completions?

Does Atlanta’s passing attack become less aggressive?

Obviously a division rival putting belt to ass and firing an assistant coach isn’t enough to change everything overnight, but Atlanta’s first possession will clue us in to the scripted concepts they wanted to ensure were incorporated in this matchup and potentially weeks beyond. Pay close attention to what the Falcons do in this one, and how Penix looks with what they call for him. All his throws are officially under the microscope, both risky and routine.

1️⃣ Individuals

With many other situations settling out, here are the individual players I’m lasering in on with something to prove…

• Jaxson Dart - Like most of the population, I’ll definitely be checking out Dart’s debut. I don’t need to see 300 yards or three scores, but checking the boxes that lit up red or yellow on his scouting reports (reading complex coverages, processing, mature decision making) against a strong Chargers defense would be cause for an immediate bump.

   

• Woody Marks - The Titans have allowed a staggering 145 rush yards per game, as well as 6 rush TDs so far as well. Marks’ snap percentage doubled from Week 2 to Week 3 (27% to 48%) along with a double in rushes (3 to 6) and targets (1 to 2). I’m aware these numbers aren’t staggering, but I’m paying a super close eye to see just how much usage he gets in a game the Texans will very much want to gash their division rivals on the ground.

   

• Bill Croskey-Merritt - As the resident Bill denier on staff, I’ve found his start to this season unimpressive, and I take real issue with Jeremy McNichols seeing his highest snap count of the season, as well as Chris Rodriguez getting a 38% snap share straight off the practice squad (Bill had 40%). His knee injury is nothing serious, and shouldn’t stop him from improving substantially in either his touches or productivity. Otherwise I’m ready to call this experiment a failure.

Many of the biggest names in rookie drafts this year have had either very hot or very cold starts as well and definitely warrant some monitoring to see if they continue, but Tom will be getting into that below (though I will say I’m still a Loveland truther).

-- Dynasty Detour Ryan

📝  3 Players to Trade For

With 3 weeks in the books, here are 3 players to target before their value spikes… 🚀

1️⃣ TreVeyon Henderson | RB NE

• Performance: 11 carries, 28 yards | 3 receptions, 19 yards | 7.7 PPR points

• The Why: Things haven’t quite broke TreVeyon’s way after an explosive preseason, which opens up a nice window to buy. After Stevenson & Gibson combined for 3 fumbles, it seems like Henderson has elevated to RB1, leading the team in carries in Week 3.

• Who should be buying: Rebuilding or middle of the pack teams

• What I’m giving up: Zay Flowers, Kyren Williams, or a 2026 Early to Mid 1st

   

2️⃣ Rashee Rice | WR KC

• Performance: Suspended 🚓 

• The Why: The Chiefs offense has sputtered to a 1-2 start, and it’s clear Mahomes misses his number 1 WR. The suspension crushed Rice’s value, but in Dynasty we can look at the bigger picture. Once he’s back, Mahomes will be targeting him early and often. Go buy yourself a top 12 weekly WR.

• Who should be buying: Contenders or rebuilders preparing for 2026

• What I’m giving up: Marvin Harrison or a 2026 Early to Mid 1st

   

3️⃣ Blake Corum | RB LAR

• Performance: 8 carries, 53 yards

• The Why: After a slow start to his career, Corum has FLASHED ⚡️ in recent weeks, averaging 7 YPC on the season. An injury to Kyren would make Corum a league winner, but with the way he’s running the Rams will have a tough time keeping him off the field. As a reminder, the Rams have could move on from Kyren as early as 2027 with no dead cap 👀.

• Who should be buying: Kyren Williams owners, rebuilding teams

• What I’m giving up: Late 2nd to early 3rd, Isiah Pacheco, or Kayshon Boutte

-- Dynasty Detour Tom

We’re officially in the swing of things, so be sure you follow us for all the must see events and reactions of every week. Follow us @dynastydetour on Instagram and X/Twitter to get our reactions and opinions in between write-ups, as well as email us with any questions at [email protected]. See you out on the road 🚘️.