The Highs

While some of last years top players stumbled, others carried fantasy teams with dominant, statement-making performances. Here are five players who left no doubt they belong in your starting lineup.

Jonathan Taylor (RB, Colts)

Jonathan Taylor has been on the field for nearly every snap, only coming out when the Colts have the game well in hand. Over the first three weeks, he’s handled 68 touches, piling up 431 total yards and four touchdowns. The Colts have a lot of momentum going into week 4 and should expect to run the offense through their top playmaker. He may be the best running back in the league for this season!

Omarion Hampton (RB, Chargers)

With Najee Harris sidelined for the season after tearing his Achilles in Week 3 against Denver, Omarion Hampton is stepping into the lead role for the Chargers. The rookie wasted no time making an impact, putting up 129 scrimmage yards and his first career rushing touchdown once Harris exited. A 2025 first-round pick, Hampton looks like a natural fit in Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme and shouldn’t face much competition for touches from Hassan Haskins or Kimani Vidal. He now draws a favorable Week 4 matchup against a Giants defense that ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed per game this season—setting the stage for a potential breakout performance.

Puka Nacua (WR, Rams)

Puka Nacua will look to build on his big Week 3 showing as the Rams take on the Colts in Week 4. The second-year wideout hauled in 11 passes for 112 yards against Philadelphia, his second double-digit reception game in two out of three games. Nacua has been remarkably efficient to start the season, converting 29 of 35 targets into catches which is a sign that he is by far the top target in the LA offense. Indianapolis has been average against opposing receivers, allowing a 65% catch rate and three touchdowns so far, though they’ve limited wideouts to just 5.97 yards per target.

Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)

The 49ers will once again lean heavily on Christian McCaffrey when they meet the Jaguars in Week 4. Last Sunday against Arizona, he piled up 140 yards on 27 touches—17 on the ground and 10 through the air—while helping San Francisco edge out a win without Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder) under center. Even if Purdy is back this week, McCaffrey’s workload should remain secure, particularly with George Kittle (hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) ruled out and Jauan Jennings (shoulder/ankle) uncertain. Rarely in his career has McCaffrey looked this strong without any lingering health concerns, which makes his current form especially impressive.

James Cook (RB, Bills)

If not for Jonathan Taylor’s dominance, James Cook would be the clear headline of the fantasy season. Through three weeks, he’s piled up four touchdowns and topped 102 scrimmage yards in every game, flashing both big-play explosiveness and reliable goal-line usage in one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. Once written off during his contract dispute, Cook has silenced doubters and now sits as the RB3 overall, tied with Taylor for the league lead in touchdowns. While his scoring pace may not be sustainable, the Saints aren’t the likeliest team to end his streak after allowing Kenneth Walker to find the end zone twice last week despite holding him in check on a per-carry basis. Add in the constant threat of Josh Allen, and defenses have a near-impossible task trying to contain Buffalo’s run game. Cook’s latest outing — 108 rushing yards at 5.7 yards per carry plus a touchdown — only reinforces his case as a locked-in RB1 and one of the hottest players in fantasy heading into Week 4.