Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Week 4 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks

Week 4 is the last before the NFL bye weeks, but fantasy football lineup decisions are still plenty challenging. Thanks to disappointing players, mounting injury issues, and even some positive factors such as surprise breakouts, it’s getting harder to figure out the best starts and sits in a given week.

Here’s a look at “The Decider’s” Week 4 rankings and recommendations for season-long leagues, along with some DFS values to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller’s industry-leading “Who To Start?” tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.

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Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Must starts

Josh Allen, Bills (vs. MIA)
Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. WAS)
Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. LV)
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at BUF)
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at NYJ)
Joe Burrow, Bengals (at TEN)
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at CAR)
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at CLE)

Stronger starts

9. Russell Wilson, Broncos (at CHI)  Wilson is the overall QB9 in fantasy, and this week he gets the best defensive matchup possible on the road to put some solid numbers in what should amount to Denver’s first win.         

10. Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. ARI). Purdy got more passing volume than expected against the Giants, and that should play out again vs. the Cardinals’ limited pressure and secondary.

11. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. DET). The Lions’ defense has looked improved overall, but Love keeps producing even in tough matchups with injuries around him. Look for him to be revved up for starring in prime time.

12. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. ATL in London). T. Law might get a spark across the pond in a manageable matchup for all his weapons, and this is getting to become a familiar “home” game for him.

13. Geno Smith, Seahawks (at NYG). Smith has underwhelmed as QB15 so far, but some of that is tied to offensive line concerns and losing TDs to the running game. Smith puts some easy nice numbers here in a surprise shootout on Monday night.

14. Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. SEA). Jones will go back to ripping a shaky NFC West defense as he did in Week 2 with some good running and passing volume opposite Geno Smith.

15. Deshaun Watson, Browns (vs. BAL). Watson is coming off his best performance as a Brown, and the Ravens’ secondary has enough holes for more solid production with his downfield targets.

DFS picks

Joe Burrow, Bengals (at TEN, $6,500 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel). Burrow came through OK as a cheap play in Week 2, and recency bias might cause more to pivot off him. The Titans are an easy pick-apart spot.

Brock Purdy, 49es (vs. ARI, $5,900 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel). Purdy is another terrific value play as he can light up the Cardinals to stake San Francisco to a big lead.

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

16. Justin Fields, Bears (vs. DEN)  Fields is treading water at QB18, mostly not running enough to give him starting validation. If he can’t get it done against the Broncos’ defense, then really start to worry.       

17. Anthony Richardson, Colts (if he returns, vs. LAR). Richardson will go over Gardner Minshew should he clear concussion protocol, but the Rams’ defense has been stingy on QBs and can contain his running.

18. Jared Goff, Lions (at GB). Goff is always a bit risky out of his afternoon home comfort zone, and the Packers’ pass rush and coverage are their strengths.

19. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at IND). He’ll need to chuck a lot again, but it seems like a grind to get to multiple TDs with that yardage.

20. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. NE). He has not played well, and the Patriots can scheme to contain a compressed passing game.

21. Andy Dalton, Panthers (vs. MIN). This is a tempting matchup-based stream after his QB7 finish last week, but do so at your own major risk.

22. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. PIT). The Steelers’ defense can give up passing numbers, but the concern here is the pass rush going to town against a depleted offensive line.

WEEK 4 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts

Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Must starts

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. ARI)
Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. NE)
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (at NYG)
Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at LAC)
Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. ATL in London)
Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. JAX in London)
Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. DET)
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at BUF)
D’Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. WAS)
Javonte Williams, Broncos (at CHI)
Kyren Williams, Rams (at IND)
Zack Moss, Colts (vs. LAR)
Miles Sanders, Panthers (vs. MIN)
Najee Harris, Steelers (at HOU)
James Cook, Bills (vs. MIA)
Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. TB)
Joe Mixon, Bengals (at TEN)
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at GB)
James Conner, Cardinals (at SF)
Jerome Ford, Browns (vs. BAL)
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at DAL)

Stronger starts

22. Alexander Mattison, Vikings (at CAR). Mattison was motivated to have his best game vs. the Chargers with Cam Akers looming, and he steps into another positive spot on the road.

23. Dameon Pierce, Texans (vs. PIT). The Steelers can give up some long runs, and Pierce’s best value for now also comes in his scoring chances.

24. De’Von Achane, Dolphins (at BUF). He goes from last week’s overall RB1 in most leagues to having at least some flex appeal even in a tougher matchup.

25. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at PHI). Robinson will need to make his hay in the passing game and has a fair chance to score, too.

26. Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. CIN). Henry’s snap count vs. rookie backup Tyjae Spears isn’t inspiring, and neither is the offensive line. However, you gotta plan him and hope for the best, including a TD and a vintage long run, maybe on the same play.

27. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at HOU). The Steelers will work to get Najee Harris and Warren in the best possible matchup to cure their weak running game.

28 and 29. Khalil Herbert nd Roschon Johnson, Bears (vs. DEN). It’s not bad to take a shot on either after the Broncos got destroyed by the Dolphins 1-2 punch.

DFS Picks

Javonte Williams, Broncos (at CHI, $5,500 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel). Williams has averaged 16 opportunities a game so far, and this 0-3 team needs to get the running game well to help the defense. That happens against the porous Bears on the road.

D’Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. WAS, $5,700 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel). We’re becoming Swifties of a different kind, liking this Philly native who’s coming off two big-time prime-time games just in time to give us a boom on the main slate.

WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker starts

30. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at NYJ). Pacheco, a Rutgers product, returns to New Jersey but figures to have limited opportunities for production against a much tougher defense than the Bears.

31. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. NO). At this point, he should only be played in spots where he can get into the open field with a good chance to find the end zone. This matchup isn’t it.

32. Breece Hall, Jets (vs. KC). Hall remains frustrating because of fickle usage by an offensive staff that won’t unleash him to boost Zach Wilson.

33. Gus Edwards, Ravens (at CLE, if he plays). Edwards (concussion) is hurting along with Justice Hill (toe). The Browns’ run defense says avoid anyway.

34. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (at JAX). He needs a really cake rushing matchup to put up numbers with Bijan Robinson. This isn’t it.

35. Matt Breida, Giants (at SF). You hope for a TD again, but it’s tough to expect much.

36. Joshua Kelley, Chargers (vs. LV). Kelley is a good complement to Ausin Ekeler (ankle), but he’s a terrible starter.

37. Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles (vs. WAS). He’s getting decent touches alongside Swift, but you can’t start him right now.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers

Must starts

Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at CAR)
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (at TEN)
Davante Adams, Raiders (at LAC)
Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. MIA)
A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. WAS)
Tyreek HIll, Dolphins (at BUF)
Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. LV)
Chris Olave, Saints (vs.TB)
DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. WAS)
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at GB)
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. NE)
DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at NYG)
Puka Nacua, Rams (at IND)
Deebo Samuel, 49ers (if he plays, vs. ARI)
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (if he plays, vs. ARI)
Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. BAL)
Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. ATL in London)
Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (if he returns, at BUF)
Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. MIA)
Tee Higgins, Bengals (at TEN)
George Pickens, Steelers (at HOU)
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at NYG)
Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at NO)
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at CHI)
Michael Pittman Jr, Colts (vs. LAR)
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at CHI)

Stronger starts

27. Tank Dell, Texans (vs. PIT). Dude, you’re getting Dell in your lineup because it does compute, he can drive their defense batty with his versatility.

28. Adam Thielen, Panthers (vs. MIN). Thielen is feelin’ it again with Andy Dalton, and now gets a juicy revenge game vs. a weak secondary.

29. Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. ATL in London). The Falcons can be eaten up a bit in the slot.

30. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (AT LAC). The Chargers cannot cover wideouts well anywhere at the moment.

31. Tutu Atwell, Rams (at IND). He should dance to another fine big-play day against a lame Colts secondary.

32. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at PHI). He tends to do well in this matchup, even when getting Darius Slay.

33. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs.DET). Where art thou? Getting love from Love in the red zone.

34. Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. KC). It’s difficult to watch with that other Wilson at QB, but you need to keep playing this Wilson as a WR while hoping for a change.

35. Nico Collins, Texans (vs. PIT). He has the size and speed to burn Patrick Peterson a few times outside.

26. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at NO). The Saints are hard to throw on outside, and Godwin should see more short-area targets from Baker Mayfield.

37. Zay Flowers, Ravens (at CLE). Flowers needs more action from Jackson to give him better numbers, and you hope they can scheme him open away from Cleveland’s veteran corners.

DFS picks

Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. MIA, $5,900 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel). The Dolphins can give up big plays downfield away from Xavien Howard, and he’s on a heater with Josh Allen.

George Pickens, Steelers (at HOU, $5,400 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel). The Texans’ secondary is tricky, including former Steeler Steven Nelson, but Pickens should rev up more with Kenny Pickett gaining more confidence.

Puka Nacua, Rams (at IND, $6,700 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel). Nacua cooled off to the point he needed a late big play to be a solid WR3 in Cincy. He gets a much easier secondary matchup this week.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker starts

38. Marquise Brown, Cardinals (at SF). Brown keeps exceeding expectations early, but this is a tough draw for his downfield production. 

39. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at CAR). He’s a little hard to trust given his big-play dependency, and K.J. Osborne got the long score last week.

40. Michael Thomas, Saints (vs. TB). Here’s doubting Thomas doing enough damage with Jameis Winston.

41. DJ Moore, Bears (vs. DEN). Do you really trust the connection with Justin Fields with Patrick Surtain II awaiting?

42. Drake London, Falcons (at JAX). Tyson Campbell has his latest big shutdown assignment.

43. Elijah Moore, Browns (vs. BAL). No Moore, no Moore … no Moore.

44. DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. CIN). The IHOP is more inviting than D-Hop.

45. Jahan Dotson, Commanders (vs. PHI). Remember those preseason vibes with Sam Howell? Good times.

46. Josh Palmer, Chargers (vs. LV). Keenan Allen is going nuts again, but you’re dice-rolling on who provides the missing Mike Williams production. 

47. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (vs. LV). See Palmer, Josh.

48. Kendrick Bourne, Patriots (at DAL). You have an ultimatum not to start their wideouts for any kind of consistency.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Tight ends

Must starts

Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at NYJ)
T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at CAR)
George Kittle, 49ers (vs. NYG)
Sam LaPorta, Lions (at GB)
Darren Waller, Giants (vs. SEA)
Mark Andrews, Ravens (at CLE)
Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. ATL)

Stronger starts

8. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at HOU) “‘Muth” scored on a pretty pass from Kenny Pickett in Week 3, and he keeps it up vs. the Texans zone coverage.

9. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. WAS). Goedert has been just OK, but this calls for some more involvement at home.

10. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. JAX in London). The numbers still aren’t great, but he’s still doing enough to start at a weak position.

11 Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. NE). Dak is giving Ferguson as many looks as the wide receivers.

12. Hunter Henry, Patriots (at DAL). Pharaoh Brown became a thing last week. Henry will return to the end zone this week.`

13. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. MIA). The Dolphins’ defense will allow him his best rookie game yet.

14. Luke Musgrave, Packers (vs. DET). The Packers’ defense will allow him his best rookie game yet.

DFS pick

George Kittle, 49ers (vs. ARI, $5,100 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel). Kittle has.a strong history of making the Cards fold, and he makes for a sweet stack with Brock Purdy back at home, especially with Deebo Samuel (ribs) and Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) banged up.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker starts

15. David Njoku, Browns (vs. BAL). It’s been a no-go with his usage and target share with Deshaun Watson. 

16. Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. DEN) More like Cole Nyet when you’re playing with a bad passing QB, right?

17. Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. TB). He’s looking good … to stay on your bench.

18. Tyler Higbee, Rams (at IND). The Rams got a little more Higbee with it in Cincy but not enough to trust.

19. Hayden Hurst, Panthers (vs. MIN). He could get a short cheap TD, but that’s it.

20. Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. LV). Donald Parham Jr. is such a vulture.

21. Zach Ertz, Cardinals (at SF). Love Ertz? Not against Fred Warner and the Niners’ D.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Stronger starts

49ers (vs. ARI)
Chiefs (vs. NYJ)
Eagles (vs. WAS)
Cowboys (vs. NE)
Browns (vs. BAL)
Steelers (at HOU)

7. Saints (vs. TB). They should get some big plays vs. the pass against Baker Mayfield.

8. Bengals (at TEN). The Titans’ offensive line will give up sacks and put Ryan Tannehill in a tough spot.

9. Broncos (at CHI). They just gave up 70 points, but they weren’t playing the dysfunctional Bears last week.

10. Patriots (at DAL). The Patriots can make some key plays against Dak Prescott behind an ailing line.

11. Seahawks (at NYG). They can rack up a few sacks and force mistakes from Daniel Jones.

12. Buccaneers (at NO). They get their old friend Jameis Winston to attack.

DFS pick

Browns (vs. BAL, $2,800 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel). They are still a good deal and face a Ravens’ offense with injury issues along the offensive line. Hello, Myles Garrett.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

13. Ravens (at CLE). The Browns are starting to get clean around Deshaun Watson.

14. ills (vs. MIA). Not in this shootout.

15. Dolphins (at BUF). Not in that shootout, either.

16. Jets (at KC). Ground them vs. Patrick Mahomes.

17. Titans (vs. CIN). Joe Burrow picks them apart in his get-well game.

18. Jaguars (vs. ATL on London). It’s tempting, but you won’t get enough plays.

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