NFL

Coming off a zero-snap affair against the Rams, Mitchell was predictably more involved on the short week. That included both before and after the 49ers went into closeout mode. He still got out-touched 23-14 by Christian McCaffrey. CMC is dominating all the snaps and touches that matter in this elite offense. Mitchell has strong contingency value, but he has no standalone fantasy relevance heading into Week 4 vs. Arizona.

With Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) sidelined, Jennings quite literally split snaps with seventh-round rookie Ronnie Bell. Pro Football Focus charted both wideouts as receiving 31 reps. It was Bell who found the end zone on a 1-on-1 dime from Brock Purdy. With Aiyuk likely to return for Week 4 against the Cardinals, Jennings and Bell will have trouble finding the stat sheet.

It was an awful outcome for a receiver who was the Giants’ most explosive and productive pass catcher on extremely limited work in Week 2. Pro Football Focus charted Hyatt as playing only 16 snaps in Santa Clara. Coach Brian Daboll clearly believes the third-rounder is only capable of being a package player for the time being. With Wan’Dale Robinson returning to the fold this evening, the Giants’ receiver rotation has only gotten deeper. Hyatt isn’t worth a bench stash in 12-team leagues.

Slayton has essentially had the same game all three weeks of 2023. The G-Men are unwilling to increase his volume, while Slayton hasn’t forced the issue with enough big plays. With New York’s receiver corps something of an endless, bottomless rotation right now — one that just got back Wan’Dale Robinson — Slayton feels miles from WR5 relevance ahead of Week 4 against the Seahawks.

Pro Football Focus charted Robinson as playing only 11 snaps, but he was targeted on each of his first four routes. That shows a clear commitment to getting him the ball. With Parris Campbell continuing to look like one of the least explosive receivers in football, it is easy to see why the Giants tried to force the issue with his backup. Robinson might not remain Campbell’s slot No. 2 for long, but his stamina and fitness remain a question after his quick recovery from last November’s torn ACL. There’s no reason yet to put out the PPR call for the Giants’ second-year wideout.

Campbell led the Giants in catches while tying for the team lead in targets, but he continued to provide pathetically little production. The ex-Colt is now averaging 4.3 yards per grab through his first 11 catches as a Giant. That would be horrendous for a running back, to say nothing of a receiver. It’s probably as much about the offensive environment as Campbell’s skills, but Campbell has at no point looked explosive since he finally stayed healthy beginning last season. With Wan’Dale Robinson back from his torn ACL and contributing four catches this evening, Campbell’s PPR volume could quickly dry up.

Matt Breida dominated the Giants’ backfield snaps in Saquon Barkley’s absence, but Brightwell tied him in touches and out-produced him 36-18. Neither back, of course, covered themselves in glory on an awful offensive night for the Giants against a dominant defense. Week 4 opponent Seattle is far more permissive on the ground, but there isn’t a FLEX case to be made for Brightwell in 12-team leagues for that one.

It was the definition of “saved his fantasy night with a touchdown.” Pro Football Focus charted Breida as dominating the Giants’ backfield snaps, but he wasn’t able to cobble together touch volume since the G-Men spent the entire evening playing from behind, frequently by two scores. He also got out-gained 36-18 by Gary Brightwell despite the No. 2 back also handling just six touches. With Saquon Barkley finally admitting before the game he is battling a high-ankle sprain, it is probably going to be these two backs again for Week 4 against the Seahawks, but it could be Brightwell who gets a chance to operate as the 1A the second time around. Breida can’t be trusted as a FLEX even in what should be better game script against a softer opponent.

It was by far Kittle’s best effort of the young season, one where his physical dominance was on full display after the catch. Most importantly, he looked 100 percent healthy after being left off this week’s injury report. Kittle’s nine looks were undoubtedly partly a product of Brandon Aiyuk missing the game with a shoulder injury, but it was a needed reminder of his ability to stuff the box score in a way few tight ends can right now. The Cardinals are a plus Week 4 matchup.

It was a night to forget for the Giants’ No. 1 pass catcher, who was being treated more like a traditional wideout than seam stretcher by coach Brian Daboll. It resulted in some unfortunate lowlights, including a fourth quarter pick where Waller let the ball bounce off his hands into the air. In Waller’s defense, it wasn’t a particularly high-upside decision from Daniel Jones. Danny Dimes and Waller also failed earlier in the half to connect on a would-be first down conversion after Waller didn’t properly calibrate a jump. Off to a slow Big Apple start — 12 catches for 132 scoreless yards — Waller at least has 11 days to rest up for a potential Week 4 springboard matchup with the Seahawks.