It’s another tough week for fantasy football owners, as the start ’em, sit ’em decisions just don’t get any easier. Will Baker Mayfield continue to struggle? Can Daniel Jones keep it going? Should Saquon Barkley injury-replacement Wayne Gallman be started? Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer is here to help with Week 4 lineup advice and NFL DFS picks.
Always always, injuries will have a big say in the final value of some of the players listed below, so make sure to keep an eye on updates for LeSean McCoy, T.Y. Hilton, Damien Williams, and Devin Singletary, among others. For more start-or-sit advice and all the latest fantasy football news and updates, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 4 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at DET), Deshaun Watson, Texans (vs. CAR), Carson Wentz, Eagles (at GB), Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at ARI), Tom Brady, Patriots (at BUF), Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. CLE)
Stronger starts
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. PHI). OK, he’s been majorly disappointing as a highly drafted QB1 through Week 3, but that’s what happens when Green Bay’s defense shuts down shaky offenses and its offense randomly runs for multiple scores. Now there’s Carson Wentz on the other side to create a passing duel while Rodgers operates against a bad secondary in Lambeau on Thursday.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at NO). He’s just outside the regular-week considerations because of a tougher second-half slate, but he should continue to smash a favorable opening schedule against the Saints’ overmatched pass defense on Sunday night.
Philip Rivers, Chargers (at MIA). He’s playing the Dolphins and should be able to do whatever he wants throwing like Lamar Jackson, Tom Brady and Dak Prescott all did before him.
Jared Goff, Rams (vs. TB). He’s back at home and is capable of shredding the Bucs, given they will key on stopping the run first.
Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. SEA). The Seahawks’ defense is mostly mediocre, and he should have his best game yet trading big pass plays and calculated runs with Wilson.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. WAS). They trusted him to throw a ton without Saquon Barkley, and his arm and legs can go to work on the Redskins’ defense well with high volume.
DFS bargains
Case Keenum, Redskins (at NYG, $4,900 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel). The results aren’t always pretty, but he’s a gunslinger for a team with two good downfield receivers and a limited running game facing a team that can’t cover either.
Kyle Allen, Panthers (at HOU, $5,200 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel). The Texans’ pass rush can disrupt him a little, but they can’t cover all of his diverse weapons while the Panthers try to keep up with Deshaun Watson. This also is another “home” away game back where he played in college after doing well as a native Arizonan last week.
Deep streamers
Jacoby Brissett, Colts (vs. OAK), Matthew Stafford, Lions (vs. KC)
WEEK 4: Waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade values | Snap counts
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Matt Ryan, Falcons (vs. TEN). The Titans’ pass defense gave up only limited returns to Minshew, Brissett and Mayfield, and it matches up well overall with Atlanta’s passing game.
Baker Mayfield, Browns (at BAL). The Ravens’ defense isn’t all that anymore and has given up some passing numbers to Kyle Murray and Patrick Mahomes, but it’s hard to trust Mayfield because he simply isn’t playing well.
Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NE). The Patriots have yet to allow an offensive touchdown and have a pass defense that can pressure Allen and take away his downfield shots. There are plenty of better options this week.
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers (at LAR). Winston used the Giants at home to explode last week, but he’s back on the road facing the swarm of Aaron Donald and the coverage of Aqib Tailb. That screams to be one of his mistake-filled disappointments.
Andy Dalton, Bengals (at PIT). This is a trap, too. The volume is nice for Dalton, but the desperate Steelers’ defense will overachieve with their pass rush and secondary with the extra Monday night emotion.
Mason Rudolph, Steelers (vs. CIN). He was saved by two big plays by his receivers last week and didn’t look good overall. Pittsburgh should overcorrect with a heavy dose of the running game against a reeling Cincy front.
Deep traps
Derek Carr, Raiders (at IND), Gardner Minshew, Jaguars (at DEN)
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Running backs
Regular starts
Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. DAL), Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (at HOU), Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (at NO), David Johnson, Cardinals (vs. SEA), Le’Veon Bell, Jets (bye), Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at CHI), Todd Gurley, Rams (vs. TB), Nick Chubb, Browns (at BAL), Joe Mixon, Bengals (at PIT), Kerryon Johnson, Lions (vs. KC), Leonard Fournette, Jaguars (at DEN), Derrick Henry, Titans (at ATL), Marlon Mack, Colts (vs. OAK), Mark Ingram, Ravens (vs. CLE), Chris Carson, Seahawks (at ARI), Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at MIA)
Stronger starts
Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at IND). They want to get him more involved in the passing game in a contest they will likely trail, and the Colts have been leaky with their run defense early, too.
James Conner, Steelers (vs. CIN). He rebounds at home against a Bengals’ run defense that wilted against the 49ers and Bills in consecutive weeks.
LeSean McCoy, Chiefs (at DET). If he plays through the ankle injury, he should be in there for you. Should Shady miss the game, pivot to Darrel Williams, assuming Damien Williams is out again.
Miles Sanders, Eagles (at GB). The rookie got it going with his rushing and receiving juice on the Lions, and the Packers are much stronger against the pass than run.
James White, Patriots (at BUF). With Julian Edelman banged up, the Bills’ defense is good at covering the downfield pass and solid against the power run, so this feels like a busy week for White from Brady.
Carlos Hyde, Texans (vs. CAR). He’s looked very good again as a power back, and the Panthers are vulnerable to backs in the red zone.
Frank Gore, Bills (vs. NE). The Patriots will be more concerned with taking away Allen’s running and deep balls, so should Devin Singletary miss again, Gore can scratch out 80-90 scrimmage yards.
Justin Jackson, Chargers (at MIA). The Dolphins are bad enough to give up production to supplemental backs (see Gus Edwards and Tony Pollard).
DFS bargains
Chris Thompson, Redskins (at NYG, $4,500 on DraftKings, $5,300 on FanDuel). He’s a Jay Gruden favorite, Keenum is getting him the ball everywhere, and they’re trusting him with some key carries, too. The Giants just made the Bucs’ committee look good, too.
Kenyan Drake, Dolphins (vs. LAC, $4,200 on DraftKings, $5,300 on FanDuel). What the? Yep, we do love the Drake this week as a tournament play because he will get good volume against a Chargers defense that has all-around trouble with backs, and he should score a garbage TD instead of fumbling this week.
WEEK 4 DFS LINEUPS:
DK cash | DK GPP | FD cash | FD GPP | Y! cash | Y! GPP
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Devonta Freeman, Falcons (vs. TEN). Freeman looked better pounding out the yardage on the Colts, but even with Ito Smith concussed, it’s hard to trust him at home against a stout Titans’ run defense.
David Montgomery, Bears (vs. MIN). His touches and snaps are solid now, but the Vikings aren’t the easiest spot for backs, especially with Mitchell Trubisky going back to struggling.
Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman, Broncos (vs. JAX). They did excellent damage together against the Packers, but the Jaguars are stingier against the run, and this should be one of the week’s lowest-scoring games.
Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. PHI). He lucked out with two short TDs while being out-touched by Jamaal Williams last week, and the Eagles have proved to be futile to run against much. He also has a new injury to his shoulder.
Sony Michel, Patriots (at BUF). Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden aren’t going away, but lead-blocking fullback James Develin has for the rest of the season with a neck injury. As we mentioned above, this is a White-type game.
Ronald Jones, Buccaneers (at LAR). He looked good last week, and the Rams have some holes against the run. But that means Peyton Barber could very well be the lead dog for the Bucs.
Wayne Gallman, Giants (at WAS). The Redskins actually are built well to stop the run, forcing high volume from Jones.
Adrian Peterson, Redskins (at NYG). You’re hoping he will somehow fall forward into the end zone for his production, and that’s not good enough.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (vs. CAR), Davante Adams, Packers (vs. PHI), Julio Jones, Falcons (vs. TEN), Michael Thomas, Saints (vs. DAL), Odell Beckham Jr., Browns (at BAL), Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at LAR), JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers (vs. CIN), Amari Cooper, Cowboys (at NO), Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, Vikings (at CHI), Julian Edelman, Patriots (at MIA), Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. MIA), Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at ARI), Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. TB), Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at PIT), T.Y. Hilton, Colts (if he plays, vs OAK), Kenny Golladay, Lions (vs. KC), Terry McLaurin, Redskins (at NYG)
Stronger starts
Sammy Watkins, Chiefs (at DET). It’s bound to come back around to him for big production, and Darius Slay is hurting. Stay exposed to Mahomes with him, Demarcus Robinson, and Mecole Hardman.
Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk, Cardinals (vs. SEA). They are almost becoming regulars given Murray is getting the ball to them with volume.
D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, Panthers (at HOU). They are almost becoming regulars given Allen is now accurately getting the ball to them.
Marvin Jones, Lions (vs. KC). He will stay hot to help Kenny Golladay against the Chiefs’ secondary.
Mike Williams, Chargers (at MIA). We should hope he finally gets going against this defense after a monster game from Keenan Allen.
Tyrell Williams, Raiders (at IND). He’s their go-to wideout, and garbage-time production should be in the works late.
Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos (vs. JAX). He can avoid the tough matchups of the Jaguars’ cornerbacks unlike Courtland Sutton, and he tends to be a much better producer at home.
Jarvis Landry, Browns (at BAL). The Ravens are weak in covering the slot without Tavon Young, and he should get busy again in this offense to help Mayfield.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (vs. PHI). He’s looking good as the outside No. 2 and can keep it up against the Eagles’ secondary.
DFS Bargains
Sterling Shepard, Giants (vs. WAS, $5,800 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel). He’s rolling as Jones’ go-to guy and comes in at a nice price against a woeful secondary.
Paul Richardson, Redskins (at NYG, $3,700 on DraftKings, $4,700 on FanDuel). He’s super cheap as a tournament play, as the Giants have struggled to cover guys like him outside, and he just came through for Keenum vs. the Bears.
Parris Campbell, Colts (vs. OAK, $4,900 on DraftKings, $5,600 on FanDuel). He’s a tournament special, as he figures to be the most likely recevier to break out for a big game in their committee to potentially replace Hilton (quad) this week.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Calvin Ridley, Falcons (vs. TEN). He disappeared from the game plan against the Colts, and that could happen again here against a defense that’s weaker in the slot and vs. the tight end.
Allen Robinson, Bears (vs. MIN). He didn’t do anything against Xavier Rhodes last season.
Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor, Eagles (at GB). The Packers are working shutdown style with Jaire Alexander and also can take away the slot.
Josh Gordon, Patriots (at BUF). He’s bound to get Tre’Davious White, and the Patriots won’t force the issue downfield.
John Brown, Bills (vs. NE). He’s bound to get Stephon Gilmore in the same game.
Will Fuller, Texans (vs. CAR). The Panthers’ cornerbacks are starting to ball out as expected.
DJ Chark, Jaguars (at DEN). He will see most of Chris Harris Jr.
Marquise Brown, Ravens (vs. CLE). He could see a healthy Denzel Ward return to slow him down this week.
John Ross, Bengals (at PIT). The Steelers should be focused on taking away the big play from Dalton.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
Regular starts
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at DET), George Kittle, 49ers (bye), Zach Ertz, Eagles (at GB), Evan Engram, Giants (vs. WAS), Delanie Walker, Titans (at ATL), Greg Olsen, Panthers (at HOU).
Stronger starts
Darren Waller, Raiders (at IND). He’s locked in with Carr, and the Colts don’t have Malik Hooker in coverage.
Austin Hooper, Falcons (vs. TEN). He can have a similar involvement as he did in his big game against the Colts.
T.J. Hockenson, Lions (vs. KC). He is getting chances to do work, and they should turn back into production in a more favorable matchup this week, a la Week 1.
Jared Cook, Saints (vs. DAL). This would seem like a great time to get him going against Jeff Heath.
Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle, Colts (vs. OAK). Should Hilton sit, they should get some more love, especially in the red zone.
Vernon Davis, Redskins (at NYG). This game is a bonanza for all main pass-catchers involved.
DFS Bargain
Will Dissly, Seahawks (at ARI, $3,600 on DraftKings, $5,400 on FanDuel). The Cardinals are getting destroyed by tight ends all over the field through the end zone. Dissly has been good all over the field through the end zone. Boom.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers (at LAR). He’ll go back to being irrelevant against this defense.
Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. CLE). The Browns let Walker walk over them for TDs in Week 1 but have been solid against the tight end otherwise.
Jason Witten, Cowboys (at NO). The Saints will go back to not allowing much to a tight end.
Jimmy Graham, Packers (vs. PHI). You can’t possibly go here trying to chase Week 1 on Thursday night.
Jordan Akins, Texans (vs. CAR). He’s talented, but don’t chase his random big game in a tough matchup.
Dawson Knox, Bills (vs. NE). He can be a big factor at some point, but not here.
WEEK 4 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Defenses
Regular starts
Bears (vs. MIN), Patriots (at BUF)
Stronger starts
Chargers (at MIA), Rams (vs. TB), Vikings (at CHI), Jaguars (at DEN), Texans (vs. CAR), Ravens (vs. CLE), Steelers (vs. CIN)
DFS Bargains
Titans (at ATL, $2,600 on DraftKings, $3,500 on FanDuel), Broncos (vs. JAX, $2,900 on DraftKings, $4,100 on FanDuel)
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Cowboys (at NO), Bills (vs. NE), Packers (vs. PHI), Colts (vs. OAK), Seahawks (at ARI), Falcons (vs. TEN), Chiefs (at DET)
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