By: Jake Weiner
The Swish
Well, that was a crazy week in fantasy football. The 49ers demolished the Cowboys, the Giants got destroyed by the Dolphins, the Eagles remain undefeated, and much more. Justin Jefferson has gone down for four weeks by being placed on the IR, and Jonathan Taylor was barely used in his debut. Be sure to check out the rest of the article to ensure you know who you should start and sit for this upcoming week in fantasy football.
WHAT TO SEE IN THIS ARTICLE:
Starts and Sits
3 Per Position
Week 4 Points Rankings
Top 20 QB, Top 20 RB, Top 20 WR, Top 12 TE
Waiver Wire
Top 3 Targets Per Position
DEBRIEF ON PRIOR BLOG POST
Reflection on last week's blog post
STARTS AND SITS
(3 per position)
QUARTERBACK
STARTS:
1. JOSH DOBBS
MATCHUP: ARIZONA @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
SLEEPER PROJ: 3.48
OUR PROJ: 22.3
REASONING:
This is the perfect matchup for Dobbs. The Rams' defense has been average this season, and Dobbs has proved to be a very reliable start in shootout high-offense games. He demolished the Cowboys and Giants and even put up 23 points versus the 49ers. Keep a lookout for a big game from the Cardinals quarterback.
2. DESMOND RIDDER
MATCHUP: WASHINGTON @ ATLANTA
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.7
OUR PROJ: 22.3
REASONING:
This matchup is perfect for Ridder. The Commanders have been bad versus quarterbacks in fantasy this year, and Ridder has performed well versus defenses that could be more efficient. The Commanders have a good pass rush but are often beaten over the top, so Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Jonnu Smith could all have big games. Start Ridder.
3. GENO SMITH
MATCHUP: SEATTLE @ CINCINNATI
SLEEPER PROJ: 14.94
OUR PROJ: 21.2
REASONING:
Although battling with a finger injury, Smith is expected to be good to go for this upcoming matchup versus the Bengals. I think this match will be a shoot, and Smith will find Metcalf and Lockett for a couple of touchdowns. The Bengals' secondary is average, and they have yet to play great versus quarterbacks in fantasy football thus far in this fantasy season. If I were you, I would plug Smith right into the lineup.
SITS:
1. DESHAUN WATSON
MATCHUP: SAN FRANCISCO @ CLEVELAND
SLEEPER PROJ: 17.85
OUR PROJ: 14.3
REASONING:
This is just the wrong matchup for Deshaun. He has proven he is still a good quarterback, but this could be a blowout not in Clevelands’ favor. The 49ers' defense is unbelievable, and the devastating pass rush could demolish the Browns and Watson. Bench him.
2. RUSSELL WILSON
MATCHUP: DENVER @ KANSAS CITY
SLEEPER PROJ: 15.71
OUR PROJ: 12
REASONING:
It's not the right matchup for Russ. The Chiefs might have a mediocre defense, but something goes well when you play in Arrowhead. The Chiefs could win this game by thirty-plus points and make Russ look like the quarterback we saw last year, not the one from this year.
3. JARED GOFF
MATCHUP: DETROIT @ TAMPA BAY
SLEEPER PROJ: 16.35
OUR PROJ: 14/15
REASONING:
Just a bad matchup. Tampa has proven they are still a good team without Tom Brady, and the Bucs' defense has been excellent this season. Playing at Raymond James is tough, and Goff could have a down game. Feel free to bench him.
RUNNING BACK
STARTS:
1. ALEXANDER MATTISON
MATCHUP: MINNESOTA @ CHICAGO
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.03
OUR PROJ: 20.2
REASONING:
Chicago has a terrrible run defense. Period. If Mattison can live up to his pre-season hype of finally being the every down back in Minnesota and prove why he is better than Cam Akers, this week is the time to do so.
2. ISIAH PACHECO
MATCHUP: DENVER vs KANSAS CITY
SLEEPER PROJ: 10.31
OUR PROJ: 17.3
REASONING:
It is Pacheco season. He has scored in three consecutive weeks, and a home blowout versus Denver should mean another big week for Pacheco, so watch the endzone because Pacheco will be living there.
3. JAMES COOK
MATCHUP: NEW YORK GIANTS @ BUFFALO
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.84
OUR PROJ: 17.2
REASONING:
I love the Giants with all my heart, but we are in a severe struggle. We have failed to stop the run in the past three weeks and struggle when playing high-scoring teams like the 49ers, Cowboys, Dolphins, and now the Bills. Good luck stopping James Cook to Wink Martindale.
SITS:
1. BRIAN ROBINSON
MATCHUP: WASHINGTON @ ATLANTA
SLEEPER PROJ: 9.17
OUR PROJ: 8
REASONING:
We loved B-Rob, but Atlantas’ run defense is insane. He has struggled lately when not getting into the end zone, and Sam Howell is starting to get into a groove with his throwing confidence and play-calling. Do not be too confident about Brian Robinson.
2. DAMEON PIERCE
MATCHUP: NEW ORLEANS @ HOUSTON
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.47
OUR PROJ: 8/9
REASONING:
It's just different from last year. CJ Stroud likes to run himself and throw the ball, and the Texans' offensive line cannot protect Pierce. Bench him.
3. JONATHAN TAYLOR
MATCHUP: INDIANAPOLIS @ JACKSONVILLE
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.18
OUR PROJ: 10/11
REASONING:
Taylor is still rehabbing, maybe on a snap count, and Zack Moss has been balling out. The Jags have a good run defense, and since Taylor is not a power back and Moss is, they will likely be splitting time for now, at least for this week. Be careful.
WIDE RECEIVER
STARTS:
1. JORDAN ADDISON
MATCHUP: MINNESOTA vs CHICAGO
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.39
OUR PROJ: 21.4
REASONING:
Explosion. Addison will explode this week. Without Jefferson for four weeks and Kirk Cousins loves to throw the ball, Addison will at least get eight targets, at least 70+ yards, and hopefully a touchdown. Watch him go off this week.
2. GABE DAVIS
MATCHUP: NEW YORK GIANTS @ BUFFALO
SLEEPER PROJ: 11.79
OUR PROJ: 17.3
REASONING:
I do not care that the Bills have a running quarterback and Stefon Diggs; Gabe Davis has still been that guy. He is a high-end receiver two on an NFL team and a great flex start in fantasy football, especially in PPR. Remember to start him this week versus a struggling Giants defense and secondary. If receiver twos like Jaylen Waddle and Ronnie Bell, when he filled in for Brandon Aiyuk, can find the end zone versus the Giants, so can Davis.
3. ADAM THIELEN
MATCHUP: CAROLINA @ MIAMI
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.03
OUR PROJ: 16.5
REASONING:
This man is a PPR machine. Bryce Young has found his number one option, despite losing week after week, but that does not take away from the fact that Adam Thielen has been the top 12 wide out in PPR fantasy football this season. Start him.
SITS:
1. BRANDON AIYUK
MATCHUP: SAN FRANCISCO @ CLEVELAND
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.68
OUR PROJ: 8.3
REASONING:
I do not see Aiyuk having a big week versus the Browns' insane secondary. He will have to get past Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit, which does not look likely to happen. He is still battling a rib injury, and despite being cleared, he might not be at total usage.
2. MARQUISE BROWN
MATCHUP: ARIZONA @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.45
OUR PROJ: 8
REASONING:
Hollywood may be a PPR monster this season, but the Rams have surprisingly not been a terrible team, and their pass rush and secondary are both big reasons for that. Coach McVay has coached up his defense despite losing Jalen Ramsey, and number one receivers have been locked up when playing the Rams. Bench Hollywood.
3. TERRY McLAURIN
MATCHUP: WASHINGTON @ ATLANTA
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.5
OUR PROJ: 10.1
REASONING:
It's a terrible matchup for Terry. The Falcons’ secondary has been one of the best in the game, and AJ Terrell might not even let McLaurin obtain 5+ points. I would not be comfortable with starting Scary Terry this week.
TIGHT END
STARTS:
1. NOAH FANT
MATCHUP: SEATTLE @ CINCINNATI
SLEEPER PROJ: 5.32
OUR PROJ: 12-15
REASONING:
Do not sleep on Noah Fant. For some reason, Geno Smith likes the big, bruising tight end, and despite having three excellent wide outs to throw two, Smith has thrown Fant a lot this season. He is a big red zone target, and the Bengals have suffered versus the tight end this season.
2. LOGAN THOMAS
MATCHUP: WASHINGTON @ ATLANTA
SLEEPER PROJ: 8.4
OUR PROJ: 11-16
REASONING:
Another tight end to not sleep on is Logan Thomas. He is one of the main red zone targets in Washington, and the Falcons linebacker core has suffered when having to guard the tight end. Start Thomas.
3. ZACH ERTZ
MATCHUP: ARIZONA @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
SLEEPER PROJ: 8.94
OUR PROJ: 10-16
REASONING:
Zach Ertz might be old, but he is still a versatile tight end. Quarterback Josh Dobbs loves Ertz and has become one of Dobbs's main red zone targets. Look out for a big week from the Cardinals’ tight end.
SITS:
1. DARREN WALLER
MATCHUP: NEW YORK GIANTS vs BUFFALO
SLEEPER PROJ: 9.85
OUR PROJ: 0-6
REASONING:
This hurts. Waller has been on and off this season for the Giants and even had a good week versus the Dolphins, but he is battling an injury, is inconsistent, and the Bills might shut out the Giants this week. Bench Waller.
2. DALTON SCHULTZ
MATCHUP: NEW ORLEANS @ HOUSTON
SLEEPER PROJ: 7.6
OUR PROJ: 5
REASONING:
Dalton is a touchdown merchant, and without scoring, he is pretty useless in fantasy. This could be a low-scoring game or a Texans blowout where Schultz is barely used.
3. DAVID NJOKU
MATCHUP: SAN FRANCISCO @ CLEVELAND
SLEEPER PROJ: 7.88
OUR PROJ: 0-5
REASONING:
Another tight end is battling an injury, but there is no upside in this case. Njoku had high hopes going into this season but is yet to prove he can be a reliable fantasy start. He has an odd injury in face burns and will either play with a snap count or not. Just play it safe and bench him.
Week 4 Points Rankings
QB:
JOSH ALLEN VS NEW YORK GIANTS
PATRICK MAHOMES VS DENVER
GENO SMITH @ CINCINNATTI
JUSTIN HERBERT VS DALLAS
TUA TAGOVAILOA VS CAROLINA
DESMOND RIDDER VS WASHINGTON
LAMAR JACKSON @ TENNESSEE
JOE BURROW VS SEATTLE
JOSH DOBBS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
KIRK COUSINS @ CHICAGO
JALEN HURTS @ NEW YORK JETS
DAK PRESCOTT @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
SAM HOWELL @ ATLANTA
JUSTIN FIELDS VS MINNESOTA
CJ STROUD @ ATLANTA
BROCK PURDY @ CLEVELAND
TREVOR LAWRENCE VS INDIANAPOLIS
JARED GOFF @ TAMOA BAY
DAK PRESCOTT @ SAN FRANCISCO
DESHAUN WATSON VS SAN FRANCISCO
RB:
**N/A AUSTIN EKELER** (MIGHT NOT PLAY // COULD BE ON SNAP COUNT)
JOSH JACOBS VS NEW ENGLAND
KENNETH WALKER @ CINCINATTI
BIJAN ROBINSON VS WASHINGTON
ISIAH PACHECO VS DENVER
ALVIN KAMARA @ HOUSTON
CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY @ CLEVELAND
D’ANDRE SWIFT @ NEW YORK JETS
JAMES COOK VS NEW YORK GIANTS
ALEXANDER MATTISON @ CHICAGO
KYREN WILLIAMS VS ARIZONA
TONY POLLARD @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
BREECE HALL VS PHILADELPHIA
TRAVIS ETIENNE VS INDIANAPOLIS
ZACK MOSS VS JACKSONVILLE
DERRICK HENRY VS BALTIMORE
ISAIAH PACHECO @ MINNESOTA
JONATHAN TAYLOR VS JACKSONVILLE
DAVID MONTGOMERY @ TAMPA BAY
RACHAAD WHITE VS DETROIT
BRIAN ROBINSON @ ATLANTA
WR:
STEFON DIGGS VS NEW YORK GIANTS
TYREEK HILL VS CAROLINA
JORDAN ADDISON @ CHICAGO
COOPER KUPP VS ARIZONA
DAVANTE ADAMS VS NEW ORLEANS
JAYLEN WADDLE VS CAROLINA
JA’MARR CHASE VS SEATTLE
GABE DAVIS VS NEW YORK GIANTS
KEENAN ALLEN VS DALLAS
ADAM THIELEN @ MIAMI
AMON-RA ST. BROWN @ TAMPA BAY
PUKA NACUA VS ARIZONA
DEVONTA SMITH @ NEW YORK JETS
CHRIS OLAVE @ HOUSTON
DJ MOORE VS MINNESOTA
AJ BROWN @ NEW YORK JETS
CEEDEE LAMB @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
TEE HIGGINS VS SEATTLE
DEEBO SAMUEL @ CLEVELAND
NICO COLLINS VS NEW ORLEANS
TE:
TRAVIS KELCE VS DENVER
MARK ANDREWS @ TENNESSEE
NOAH FANT @ CINCINATTI
TJ HOCKENSON @ CHICAGO
LOGAN THOMAS @ ATLANTA
ZACH ERTZ @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
KYLE PITTS VS WASHINGTON
GEORGE KITTLE @ CLEVELAND
EVAN ENGRAM VS INDIANAPOLIS
DALLAS GOEDERT @ NEW YORK JETS
WAIVER WIRE TARGETS
QB:
SAM HOWELL || QUARTERBACK || WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
JOSHUA DOBBS || QUARTERBACK || ARIZONA CARDINALS
GARDNER MINSHEW || QUARTERBACK || INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
RB:
JALEEL McLAUGHLIN || RUNNING BACK || DENVER BRONCOS
JEFF WILSON || RUNNING BACK || MIAMI DOLPHINS
RONNIE RIVERS || RUNNING BACK || LOS ANGELES RAMS
WR:
KJ OSBORN || WIDE RECEIVER || MINNESOTA VIKINGS
TANK DELL || WIDE RECEIVER || HOUSTON TEXANS
MICHAEL WILSON || WIDE RECEIVER || ARIZONA CARDINALS
TE:
JONNU SMITH || TIGHT END || ATLANTA FALCONS
NOAH FANT || TIGHT END || SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
ZACHE ERTZ || TIGHT END || ARIZONA CARDINALS
DEBRIEF ON WEEK 5 BLOG POST
HITS:
SAM HOWELL (START) || QB || WASHINGTON COMMANDERS || REAL PROJ: 14.25 || OUR PROJ: 21.3 || POINTS: 26.42
DE’VON A’CHANE (START) || RB || MIAMI DOLPHINS || REAL PROJ: 12.84 || OUR PROJ: 17.2 || POINTS: 21.5
DJ MOORE (START) || WR || CHICAGO BEARS || REAL PROJ: 13.2 || OUR PROJ: 18.5 || POINTS: 49
BRANDON AIYUK (SIT) || WR || SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS || REAL PROJ: 13.25 || OUR PROJ: 10.1 || POINTS: 9.8
MISSES:
BROCK PURDY (SIT) || QB || SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS || REAL PROJ: 16.35 || OUR PROJ: 15.5 || POINTS: 26.08
BRIAN ROBINSON (START) || RB || WASHINGTON COMMANDERS || REAL PROJ: 10.31 || OUR PROJ: 17.3 || POINTS: 8.3
ROMEO DOUBS (START) || WR || GREEN BAY PACKERS || REAL PROJ: 9.84 || OUR PROJ: 16.5 || POINTS: 1.4
COLE KMET (SIT) || TE || CHICAGO BEARS || REAL PROJ: 7.39 || OUR PROJ: 5.25 || POINTS: 15.2
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