Fantasy Football Week 4 Market Share Report: Here Comes Dez Bryant
Red-Zone Market Shares
1. Ameer Abdullah Gets a Crack at Goal-Line Work
There are two big, legitimate gripes with Ameer Abdullah as a fantasy asset. First, Theo Riddick is there to siphon away passing-game usage. Second, Abdullah doesn't get much work near the goal line. Both of those factors became a bit less clear in Week 4.
The big one for Abdullah was the goal-line work. Even though Zach Zenner was active (and playing in his home state as a team captain), Abdullah was the guy who got a carry on the three-yard line. And he cashed it in for a touchdown.
On top of that, Abdullah had four targets, two more than Riddick had in the game. Abdullah even missed almost the entire fourth quarter due to a minor ankle injury, though he said he could have returned. Abdullah has three targets in three of four games this year, so he's much more than a non-factor in the passing game.
There are still limitations with Abdullah, namely the presence of Riddick and Dwayne Washington once the latter returns from his injury. But Abdullah has at least 17 opportunities in each of the first four games, and he has performed well enough to justify more high-leverage looks. His stock appears to be on the rise.
2. Mike Evans Is Worth His Lofty Price
We've been talking about Dez Bryant's tough schedule for a while now. Quietly, Mike Evans has been facing some similarly tough opponents, and his usage has also been tremendous.
Evans ranks second among wide receivers with a 45.45% target market share in the red zone, averaging 1.7 targets per game there. He also has 29.36% of their overall targets and a third of the deep balls. And his schedule is about to lighten up.
On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the New England Patriots, who have allowed at least 300 yards and 2 touchdowns to every quarterback who has faced them this year. Five different players have topped 80 receiving yards against them, and none of those guys have a market share on par with Evans. It could get nuts.
Evans' price is $8,900 on the Thursday to Monday slate on FanDuel, which is a huge toll to pay. But with his usage -- and in that matchup -- he's worth it. You may want to give DeSean Jackson a sniff as a tournament pivot, but overall, Evans is an elite option this week and going forward.