Most fantasy players can agree that the most difficult part of managing your fantasy team is optimizing your lineup each week. When setting your lineup, it’s essential to take into account injuries, matchups, and probable game scripts. Here’s a look into my top starts and sits for Week 4.
Quarterbacks
Must Start:
Eli Manning (NYG v NO): Last week, Eli had only 4 incompletions against the Houston Texans, going 25-29 for 297 yards. In Week 4, the Giants take on a Saints defense that allowed 374 yards passing and 5 touchdowns to Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons last week. This game has one of the highest over/unders of the week at 50, making Eli a safe bet for a few touchdowns.
Honorable Mentions:
Philip Rivers (LAC v SF)
Baker Mayfield (CLE @ OAK)
Andrew Luck (IND v HOU)
Andy Dalton (CIN @ ATL)
Sleepers:
Joe Flacco (BAL @ PIT)
Ryan Tannehill (MIA @ NE)
Must Sit:
Ryan Fitzpatrick (TB @ CHI): This one is tough, but he can’t keep this up, right? With Jameis Winston returning from suspension this week, Fitz will be on a short leash against the Bears outstanding defense. If he gets off to a bad start, you have to wonder if they will keep him in the game or if they will try and see if Winston has any “magic” in him.
Dak Prescott (DAL v DET)
Marcus Mariota (TEN v PHI)
Josh Rosen (ARI v SEA)
Josh Allen (BUF @ GB)
Running Backs
Must Start:
Chris Carson (SEA @ ARI): The Seahawks did not shy away from giving Carson the ball last week against the Cowboys, when he ran 32 times. With these carries, Carson was able to rush for 102 yards and a touchdown, adding 2 catches for 22 yards. While Seattle’s rushing ranks only 27th in the NFL with 251 yards, the Cardinals are the 29th ranked rushing defense, allowing 394 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns through 3 games. In a game where the Seahawks might actually be playing from ahead, look for Carson to get another large workload.
Honorable Mentions:
James White (NE v MIA)
Gio Bernard (CIN @ ATL)
Marshawn Lynch (OAK v CLE)
Lamar Miller (HOU @ IND)
Sleepers:
Sony Michel (NE v MIA)
Wendell Smallwood (PHI @ TEN)
Must Sit:
Jay Ajayi (PHI @ TEN): Ajayi missed last week’s game against the Colts with a back injury and is questionable for Week 4 against the Titans’ tough run defense. Through three weeks, the Titans have yet to allow a rushing touchdown. Keep an eye on Ajayi’s practice reps throughout the week, but at this point he is looking like too big of a risk if you can avoid starting him.
Jamaal Williams (GB v BUF)
Peyton Barber (TB @ CHI)
Marlon Mack (IND v HOU)
Derrick Henry (TEN v PHI)
Wide Receiver
Must Start:
Mike Williams (LAC v SF): Mike Williams is off to a great start to the 2018 season after the Chargers selected him seventh overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Last week, he had just 4 catches but managed to gain 81 yards and catch 2 touchdowns against the Rams. This week, the Chargers take on the 49ers who have allowed 6th most (863) receiving yards while also allowing the 3rd most passing touchdowns (8) through 3 weeks.
Honorable Mentions:
Calvin Ridley (ATL v CIN)
Tyler Boyd (CIN @ ATL)
Sterling Shepard (NYG v NO)
John Brown (BAL @ PIT)
Sleepers:
Christian Kirk (ARI v SEA)
Michael Crabtree (BAL @ PIT)
Must Sit:
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI v SEA): Last week against the Bears, Fitz only had 2 catches on 2 targets for 9 yards. He is dealing with a Hamstring injury, but that’s the least of his worries with another new quarterback in Josh Rosen throwing to him. As of Wednesday this week, Fitz has not been practicing. His limited time to develop chemistry with Rosen will likely lower his Week 4 production, if he’s active.
Robby Anderson (NYJ @ JAX)
Marquise Goodwin (SF @ LAC)
Quincy Enunwa (NYJ @ JAX)
John Ross (CIN @ ATL)
Tight End
Must Start:
George Kittle (SF @ LAC): Yes, this is a tough one with Jimmy Garoppolo out for the year with an ACL injury. However, Kittle was college teammates with C.J. Beathard at Iowa, so I’m looking for Kittle to be targeted early and often. With reliable tight ends extremely difficult to find on a week-to-week basis, Kittle should make for a low-floor option based solely on volume.
Honorable Mentions:
Rhett Ellison (NYG v NO)
David Njoku (CLE @ OAK)
Austin Hooper (ATL v CIN)
Sleepers:
Eric Ebron (IND v HOU)
Dallas Goedert (PHI @ TEN)
Must Sit:
Vance McDonald (PIT v BAL): Even after McDonald stiff armed Chris Conte to IR, I wouldn’t consider him a starter just yet on a team with several talented targets including Jesse James. If C.J Mosley is back for the Ravens in Week 4 after he missed last week’s game against the Broncos, both Pittsburgh tight ends will have a tough matchup. With no guarantees on which Pittsburgh tight end will receive a greater share of the targets, this is a situation that is best to avoid.
Charles Clay (BUF @ GB)
Jared Cook (OAK v CLE)
Thank you for reading and be sure to follow me on Twitter for more fantasy football advice throughout the week @LonskiWilliam
