EXPECT HOPKINS TO BOUNCE-BACK THIS WEEK
Week 4 fantasy football rankings
Sep 26, 2019, 1:52 pm
EXPECT HOPKINS TO BOUNCE-BACK THIS WEEK
There were some big injuries in Week 3, so let's take a look at how that impacts this week's ranks. These are my early ranks and I will update them later in the week. Make sure you check the injury report on Sunday for players that have missed practice. Keep in mind, these are PPR rankings, and don't forget to set your lineup for Thursday Night Football. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up on Twitter. Be sure to check out my show MoneyLine with Jerry Bo on ESPN 97.5FM. We're on every Sunday from 10-noon, and we'll talk a lot of fantasy football and NFL gambling getting you ready for kickoff every Sunday.
1 Patrick Mahomes
2 Lamar Jackson
3 Russell Wilson
4 Dak Prescott
5 Aaron Rodgers
6 Philip Rivers
7 Deshaun Watson
8 Kyler Murray
9 Jared Goff
10 Matt Ryan
11 Carson Wentz
12 Tom Brady
13 Daniel Jones
14 Matthew Stafford
15 Jameis Winston
16 Jacoby Brissett
17 Andy Dalton
18 Baker Mayfield
19 Josh Allen
20 Case Keenum
1 Christian McCaffrey
2 Alvin Kamara
3 Ezekiel Elliott
4 Austin Ekeler
5 Mark Ingram
6 Nick Chubb
7 Dalvin Cook
8 James Conner
9 Marlon Mack
10 David Johnson
11 Derrick Henry
12 Leonard Fournette
13 Joe Mixon
14 Josh Jacobs
15 Todd Gurley
16 Chris Carson
17 LeSean McCoy
18 Kerryon Johnson
19 Phillip Lindsay
20 Devonta Freeman
21 David Montgomery
22 Wayne Gallman
23 Aaron Jones
24 James White
25 Chris Thompson
26 Darrel Williams
27 Justin Jackson Out
28 Adrian Peterson
29 Royce Freeman
30 Carlos Hyde
31 Miles Sanders
32 Rex Burkhead
33 Tarik Cohen
34 Peyton Barber
35 Kenyan Drake
36 Jamaal Williams
Photo via:Dallascowboys.com
1 Julio Jones
2 Keenan Allen
3 Davante Adams
4 DeAndre Hopkins
5 Amari Cooper
6 Sammy Watkins
7 Cooper Kupp
8 Tyler Lockett
9 Michael Thomas
10 Odell Beckham
11 Larry Fitzgerald
12 Brandin Cooks
13 Julian Edelman
14 JuJu Smith-Schuster
15 Mike Evans
16 Tyler Boyd
17 Kenny Golladay
18 Terry McLaurin *Out
19 Marquise Brown
20 Robert Woods
21 Sterling Shepard
22 Adam Thielen
23 Chris Godwin
24 Christian Kirk
25 Calvin Ridley
26 D.J. Moore
27 Marquez Valdes-Scantling
28 Demarcus Robinson
29 Tyrell Williams
30 Mecole Hardman
31 Josh Gordon
32 Emmanuel Sanders
33 Marvin Jones
34 Phillip Dorsett
35 Mike Williams
36 D.J. Chark
37 Allen Robinson
38 Curtis Samuel
39 Alshon Jeffery
40 DK Metcalf
1 Travis Kelce
2 Zach Ertz
3 Evan Engram
4 Greg Olsen
5 Darren Waller
6 Delanie Walker
7 Mark Andrews
8 Austin Hooper
9 T.J. Hockenson
10 Will Dissly
11 O.J. Howard
12 Jason Witten
13 Jared Cook
14 Eric Ebron
15 Jimmy Graham
1 Chargers
2 Rams
3 Bears
4 Patriots
5 Vikings
6 Jaguars
7 Ravens
8 Packers
9 Texans
10 Cowboys
11 Steelers
12 Colts
13 Seahawks
14 Broncos
15 Bengals
1 Justin Tucker
2 Greg Zuerlein
3 Stephen Gostkowski
4 Harrison Butker
5 Ka'imi Fairbairn
6 Joey Slye
7 Will Lutz
8 Mason Crosby
9 Zane Gonzalez
10 Matt Bryant
11 Jason Myers
12 Jake Elliott
13 Matt Prater
14 Brett Maher
15 Dustin Hopkins
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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