It's that time of the year. You can smell the pumpkin spice and pig skin in the air, and we are in the thick of the football season. It’s hard to believe we are already a quarter of the way through already, and it has sure been an interesting first few weeks. There have been a lot of busts from ‘safe plays’ and a lot of booms from players that went undrafted. The rest of the season is going to be simultaneously crazy and awesome! Let’s go get those lineups set for Week 4.
Starts
QB- Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (@LV)
Now this is a guy I didn’t think that would make this article at all. Well, at least the starting side. Surprisingly, Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson has been serviceable so far this year for fantasy purposes, as he hasn't been too hot or too cold. When we compare that to some other QBs right now it might be exactly what the doctor ordered. Watson is averaging just under 200 yards passing a game with 3 passing TDs and 4 turnovers. Additionally, his 85 rushing yards and rushing TD are the most intriguing part of his game. Coming up in Week 4, he goes up against the Las Vegas Raiders, and it truly makes him a must start this week. This is a defense who just let Carolina QB Andy Dalton throw for over 300 yards and a couple touchdowns. You might not like it, but if you’re looking for a quarterback, Deshaun Watson’s a great play this week.
RB- Devin Singletary, New York Giants (Dal)
Another player on another offense I thought I wouldn’t be touching this year is Giants RB Devin Singletary. So far he's looking to be a safe bet as a fantasy RB2, as over the first three games he has 42 carries for 197 yards and 2 TDs to go along with 9 catches for 58 yards. Those are some pretty good numbers from a player whose offense was supposed to be the worst in the league this year. For comparison, if we take those numbers and attach them to a guy like Titans RB Tony Pollard, we are talking high praise and a must start every week. The matchup this week is against Dallas, who seemingly cannot stop the run so far at all as they are allowing a league high 557 yards on the ground. Dump offs and a steady workload make Singletary a safe and solid start.
WR - Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (KC)
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston so far is turning out to be what I thought coming into the season, which is a player with a low target share but makes big plays. Johnson has just 11 catches in the first three games but they total 133 yards and 3 TDs. As a result, QB Justin Herbert will be looking his way again this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. This game will no doubt be a shoot out, as Kansas City has so far allowed the 3rd most passing yards on the season. The Chargers offense as a whole is still finding its footing but with the connection between Johnston and Herbert paired with a favorable matchup, Johnston should be a safe flex play this week. Make sure he's in your lineup.
TE- Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (LAR)
So far, it looks like it’s going to be another terrible year for the TE position, as every week it seems like 90% of TEs get less than 5 points in fantasy. To that end, I always say that when it comes to TEs, you either have to chase the targets or TDs. Well, Bears TE Cole Kmet has been getting those targets. After a one catch game to start the year, Kmet has pulled in his last 14 balls for 123 yards, and rookie QB Caleb Williams has looked to have found somewhat of a footing after a rocky start. While I don’t see Kmet getting 10 plus targets every game, with the trust obviously there I could definitely see 5-8 targets a game for the rest of the year. That’s all I need for a TE to be a safe bet. Get him in your lineups.
Defense - Miami Dolphins (Ten)
When it comes to both defenses and TEs, in my opinion both of them are pretty much in the same boat, as there are typically only a handful of must starts every week. To that end, I’m fully satisfied with streaming and playing the matchups. In Week 4, the matchup I’m looking is the Dolphins at home against Tennessee. To this point in the year, Miami has been middle of the pack from a defensive standpoint. Through the first 6 weeks, they are allowing 22 PPG and have totaled just 6 sacks with 2 INTs. However, this week should be their best performance to date, as the Titans offense is one of the worst in the league right now. In addition to averaging just 16 points per game, Tennessee has totaled just 260 yards a game to go along with a dismal 159 passing yards. Most likely game script will cause Tennessee to try to keep up with the fish, and that’s when turnovers will come into play. Miami will be a top ten unit this week.
Sits
QB- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (Sea)
Detroit QB Jared Goff is one of those QBs who is good in real life, but his game doesn't always translate well into fantasy. Even though he's 2-1 on the year with the Lions, from a fantasy perspective Goff is near the bottom of the QB pack. While he's still owned in over 50% of leagues, playing him this week would be a bad idea, as he's averaging just 241 yards per game to go along with 3 TDs and 4 INTs. Stats-wise Goff is not looking good and will look worse after this week, as he's currently matched up against a tough Seattle defense. Seattle isn't quite the legion of boom they once were, but they are playing some of the best defensive in the league right now, allowing just 132 yards passing and 14 PPG this season. A struggling QB against a fired up defense is a recipe for disaster.
RB- Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders ( Cle)
I know RB Zamir White owners will agree that Zamir is currently in the running for early season bust at the moment. Coming into the year, White had a pretty high ADP and a significant role as the clear RB1 in the Raiders offense. However, it hasn’t looked pretty. Through the first three games White has 32 carries for 102 yards and 5 catches for 16 yards. That breaks down to around 12 touches a game for less than 40 yards. For a guy that’s owned in about 90 percent of leagues, it’s not what you were hoping for. He's been so atrocious that right now the matchup doesn’t even matter. Be smart and keep White out of your lineup.
WR- Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (Pit)
Speaking of early season busts, here’s another prime candidate, Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. So far, Pittman has had a rough time connecting with QB Anthony Richardson. Three games in, his 11 catches for 88 yards is all he's been able to muster. As a guy that was taken in the top 30 of almost all fantasy drafts, things are not looking good. Even more concerning for Pittman is that the target share is there too, as he's received 20 targets through three games yet has under 100 yards to show for it. To add insult to injury, in Week 4 the Colts go up against the Steelers, who so far have allowed just 158 passing yards per game. Pittman might be one of your top guys but he needs to be on the bench.
TE- Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens ( Buffalo)
Back to back weeks on the sit list is never good, but of Baltimore TE Isaiah Likely, well-deserved. After his monster 9 catch, 100-yard Week 1 performance things haven't looked the same, and I assumed as much. He’s still owned in over 80 percent of leagues but that might change sooner rather than later, as he has just 3 catches for 30 yards combined in his last two games. He and fellow teammate Mark Andrews haven't looked too hot, with Andrews having just 6 catches for 65 yards on the year as well. Needless to say, it's hard to trust a tight end on this roster right now, especially the back up TE. Time to stop living in the past and keep Likely on the bench.
Defense- New York Giants ( Dal)
This seems like a trap, as the Giants defense has actually been one of the best looking units so far, allowing under 20 points a game and totaling 14 sacks. If you take those numbers and match them with any other team they would be promising, BUT....the G-Men are taking on the Cowboys this week on Thursday night. While the Cowboys themselves haven't looked great and some may feel this is a defensive sleeper pick, I think it’s a get right game for the Cowboys. After all, the great numbers put up by New York have come against the following three QBs: Minnesota QB Sam Darnold, Washington QB Jayden Daniels, and Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson.
As we head into Week 4 of the NFL season, the landscape of fantasy football continues to shift dramatically, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of the sport. The initial weeks have been a mix of surprises and disappointments, with some high-drafted players failing to meet expectations while previously overlooked options have emerged as valuable assets. This season has demonstrated the importance of adaptability in managing your fantasy roster. As we gear up for the next round of matchups, staying informed and ready to pivot will be crucial for success.
Now is the perfect time to reassess your lineup strategies. Whether you’re riding the wave of hot players like Deshaun Watson or facing tough decisions about underperformers like Michael Pittman Jr., making the right calls could significantly impact your team's trajectory. Keep an eye on matchups, player performances, and any late-breaking news to ensure you’re setting yourself up for the best possible outcomes each week. The journey is far from over, and with the right moves, you could find yourself on a winning streak that lasts the rest of the season.
