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Quarterback
Start of the Week: Kyler Murray (v WAS)
The revamped Detroit defense presented problems for Murray and the Cardinals last week, but Washington should be a much easier challenge for a potential shootout versus No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. Based on the rushing upside Murray has shown so far this year with five carries in every game for yardage totals of 57, 59, and 45, he gets boosted as a top-three option at quarterback for this week at home whether or not Trey McBride (concussion) is able to get cleared.
Start: Justin Fields (@ IND)
Fields has yet to be unleashed as a runner, but I’m confident it’ll come eventually considering his history of rushing success. Last week, we did see Fields dart for a five-yard touchdown on the ground, and Indianapolis had problems with the dual-threat ability of Malik Willis a couple of weeks ago as he rushed six times for 41 yards. If he’s available in your league, I think Fields can be picked up and immediately started as a top-ten quarterback.
Start: Geno Smith (@ DET)
The Seahawks were expected to be a more pass-happy offense under Ryan Grubb, and that’s been even more emphasized with Kenneth Walker III (oblique) out of the lineup. Despite some bad interception luck, Smith is completing 74.8% of his passes this season, and he should break out with a multi-touchdown game soon in an attack with DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett. Geno is a borderline QB1/QB2 on Monday night.
Start: Caleb Williams (v LAR)
Although Williams was able to throw for 363 yards and two touchdowns (with two interceptions) last week, the Chicago offense has continued to struggle, so many might be hesitant about playing the No. 1 overall pick. That said, Los Angeles has really struggled in coverage with the fourth-most passing yards per game allowed (248.7) and a 7:1 touchdown-interception ratio through three weeks, and Williams—who can also do damage on the ground—should have better luck in a favorable matchup at home.
Sit of the Week: Jared Goff (v SEA)
The Lions established the run early last week after they aired it out too much in the loss to Tampa Bay, and it led to Goff throwing just 23 times (compared to 55 pass attempts in Week 2). Being back at home will help, but Seattle’s league-best pass defense in terms of yards per game (132.3) and yards per attempt (4.7) allowed won’t suddenly have Detroit chucking the ball around, so look for them to play through David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs—putting Goff outside the top 15 for this week.
Sit: Aaron Rodgers (v DEN)
Rodgers appears completely rounded back into form based on last Thursday night’s win, and there was even more production left on the field with a few chunk plays not connecting. Denver will be a challenge, though, as Pat Surtain II will likely shadow Garrett Wilson, and Riley Moss has stepped up to create an excellent cornerback trio with Surtain and Ja’Quan McMillian. Furthermore, the Broncos have completed turned things around defensively compared to last year’s matchup (a 31-21 win for the Jets), and I’d anticipate them putting a lid on the big plays for Rodgers.
Sit: Trevor Lawrence (@ HOU)
Jacksonville has been a mess through three games, and it’s led to regression for Lawrence—who has completed just 52.8% of his passes for 186.7 yards per game while absorbing 11 sacks. Dating back to last season, Lawrence has 11 touchdowns and 11 turnovers over his past eight games, and Houston will be focused after getting dominated by the Vikings in Week 3. I hope things get fixed eventually, but Lawrence is barely a low-end QB2 at this point.
Sit: Anthony Richardson (v PIT)
The pure upside of Richardson keeps him in play as a top-12 option, but Pittsburgh is a matchup to avoid with the fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks—and the floor is low if Indy’s starter doesn’t produce as a runner (as we saw last week). It’s fair to wonder if Richardson has missed too much time to reach his full potential as a passer, and the Colts will probably play through Jonathan Taylor if possible with six interceptions through three games for Richardson.
Running Back
Start of the Week: David Montgomery (v SEA)
As stated, the Lions got away from the run in Week 2, but Montgomery has been great to begin the season—going for yardage totals of 93, 70, and 122 with a touchdown in every game. A renewed focus on establishing the run last week resulted in 26 touches for Montgomery, and Seattle’s elite pass defense should mean a heavy dose of the running game on Monday night. Get Montgomery in lineups as a high-end RB2.
Start: J.K. Dobbins (v KC)
Dobbins didn’t find much success on the ground last week against a stout Pittsburgh front, but it’s very encouraging that he handled 18 touches and is still averaging 7.4 yards per carry on the year. After 131+ rushing yards in back-to-back games to open 2024, Dobbins has a much better outlook than he did a week ago with Kansas City being a middle-of-the-road run defense, and Jim Harbaugh will want to establish the run with Justin Herbert (ankle) out or limited. Also, the Chiefs not being as explosive as expected increases the likelihood of a positive game script.
Start: Devin Singletary (v DAL)
A couple of lost fumbles for Singletary so far this year opens the door for Tyrone Tracy Jr. to see more work, but I don’t see the Giants going away from a guy they gave a three-year contract to this early—and the Cowboys have the NFL’s worst run defense with a whopping 185.7 rushing yards per game allowed. Dallas has also allowed an NFL-high eight rushing scores, and New York will want balance to keep the pressure off Daniel Jones and the offensive line. Singletary is boosted as a low-end RB2/FLEX option on Thursday night.
Start: Brian Robinson Jr. (@ ARI)
If you have Robinson, you’re almost certainly starting him, but he’s another NFC East back that gets a boost for this week—making him an RB1/RB2 option with Austin Ekeler (concussion) likely out. Even with Ekeler in the lineup, Robinson has seen a solid eight targets through three games, and he’s gone for fantasy-point totals of 16.4, 14.1, and 10.2. I’d fully expect Robinson to push for 20+ touches and comfortably reach double-digit fantasy points with a higher ceiling and floor in Week 4.
Sit of the Week: Rachaad White (v PHI)
White has averaged just 2.1 yards per carry this season, and the matchup versus a Philadelphia defense that showed much better against the run last week (and is extremely tough to run on with Jordan Davis on the field) probably won’t get him on track. Plus, comments by Todd Bowles about rookie Bucky Irving (6.2 yards per carry) earning more work is another strike against White, so you’re banking on a short touchdown and/or production in the passing game. We have White as the overall RB29 with Irving right behind him.
Sit: Zamir White (v CLE)
The Raiders getting blown out by Carolina prevented White from being featured, but it’s fair to wonder if that will ever happen despite comments by Antonio Pierce about the throwback runner being the lead back and needing help from the offensive line. Last week, the biggest concern was Alexander Mattison entering the game to convert a two-yard touchdown, and it’s tough to recommend White as a start if he doesn’t get receiving work or goal-line carries. Bench him if you can for now, particularly against a fierce Cleveland front this weekend.
Sit: Jerome Ford (@ LV)
Ford retook the lead back status as hoped in Week 3—but he was bottled up with ten carries for 37 yards and saved by receiving production (three receptions for 33 yards). On paper, the Raiders are a tremendous matchup as a bottom-five run defense so far this season, but I would be surprised if they weren’t prepared to stop the run after being embarrassed last week, and D’Onta Foreman being back in the lead role is very possible as Cleveland searches for answers on offense.
Sit: D’Andre Swift (v LAR)
The start of Swift’s tenure in Chicago has not at all gone according to plan, as he’s averaging a miniscule 1.8 yards per carry and 2.7 yards per touch—forcing the Bears to give more work to Roschon Johnson last week, which he turned into 12 touches for 62 yards. Los Angeles has struggling to defend both through the air and on the ground to maybe get Swift going in a cupcake matchup, but his play and the struggles for Chicago’s offensive line makes him a low-floor FLEX.
Wide Receiver
Start of the Week: Chris Godwin (v PHI)
Godwin has gone for lines of 8/83/1, 7/117/1, and 6/53/1 through three games, and now he gets a matchup versus a Philadelphia defense that is most vulnerable in the slot—making him a strong WR1 for Week 4. Of course, those with Godwin shouldn’t need to be told to start him, but he remains severely undervalued by the industry, including as the No. 13 wide receiver in FanDuel pricing on Sunday (even with CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DK Metcalf, and Tyreek Hill not included).
Start: DJ Moore (v LAR)
Perhaps the eight-catch, 78-yard performance for Moore last week isn’t that impressive considering the number of pass attempts for Caleb Williams (52), but it was a step in the right direction ahead of a matchup with a Rams defense that ranks last in passing yards per attempt (9.8) and yards per reception (13.6) allowed. Rome Odunze is also a recommended start this week after a breakout showing, but Moore is a top-12 option that can have success attacking vertically with Tre’Davious White struggling in his return from a torn Achilles.
Start: Jauan Jennings (v NE)
Jennings going for a monster 11/175/3 line last week was enough to make him the overall WR2 on the season, and he should again be set for a featured role with Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) doubtful and George Kittle (hamstring) up in the air. Chemistry with Brock Purdy has been clear for the past two seasons, and Jennings finally getting a chance to show what he can do in Kyle Shanahan’s offense makes him a legitimate WR2 with Brandon Aiyuk set to draw coverage from Christian Gonzalez.
Start: Jahan Dotson (@ TB)
Dotson isn’t ranked too highly because he’s been quiet through three games and doesn’t yet seem to be a priority for Philadelphia, but A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) might both be out—and Dotson was up to 88% of the snaps played in Week 3. If the Eagles can’t successfully run everything through Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert, I’d expect Dotson will see increased opportunities, including hopefully as a downfield threat. He’s worth considering as an upside FLEX.
Others: Rome Odunze (v LAR), Jerry Jeudy (@ LV)
Sit of the Week: Michael Pittman Jr. (v PIT)
Pittman has been limited to 11 receptions for 88 scoreless yards so far this season, and now he gets a matchup versus shutdown cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and a Pittsburgh defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards per game in the league (158.3). The best hope would be for the Steelers to not use Porter in shadow coverage because the Colts also have Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce (who has two receptions of 40+ yards in three games), but even so, the passing attack isn’t operating at a high enough level to feel good about Pittman in lineups.
Sit: Jameson Williams (v SEA)
This isn’t an overreaction to one quiet game for Williams (one reception for nine yards), as he will remain a featured player for Detroit’s offense and is the style of player that could have a sub-par performance if unable to connect on a chunk gain. That said, the Seahawks are extremely tough with Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen at cornerback, so Williams should be downgraded as more of a boom-or-bust WR3 based on the matchup.
Sit: Jaylen Waddle (v TEN)
Waddle’s steadiness is a very underrated part of his game, but the ceiling takes a major hit with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) out of the lineup, and the Dolphins will likely try playing through De’Von Achane after throwing the ball too much last week. Even if Tyler Huntley—who has had success in the league—starts in place of Skylar Thompson (chest) on Monday night, Waddle could disappoint again with Tennessee having a top-five pass defense through three weeks.
Sit: Davante Adams (v CLE)
The Raiders failed to capitalize on the momentum of their comeback win over the Ravens in Week 2, and now Gardner Minshew II is firmly on the hot seat with the possibility a quarterback change being openly discussed before sticking with the veteran. Basically, Adams has now had one huge half and been quiet for the other ten quarters this season, and the offensive structure doesn’t appear to be there to overcome Cleveland’s cornerback trio like Malik Nabers did last week. Adams barely cracks the top 20 in our Week 4 rankings.
Others: Brandon Aiyuk (v NE), Courtland Sutton (@ NYJ)
Tight End
Start: of the Week: Travis Kelce (@ LAC)
Kelce being here for probably the first time ever shows the concern about his production so far (eight receptions for 69 scoreless yards), but Los Angeles will be without star safety Derwin James Jr. (suspension)—and the four-time First-team All-Pro has absolutely destroyed the Chargers in recent matchups with lines of 9/90/1, 7/104, 10/191/2, 5/51, 6/1153/ and 12/179/1 since 2020. Also, it’s easy to imagine Kelce going off just when he starts making comments about not caring about stats.
Start: Colby Parkinson (@ CHI)
An expanded role over the past two games with Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) down hasn’t quite come to fruition for Parkinson, but Week 2 was a throw-out-the-tape game for the entire team, while last week was a difficult draw versus San Francisco (and he still saw five targets). Now, a matchup versus a Chicago defense that allowed the sixth-most receptions to tight ends last year could allow Parkinson to have a breakout performance, and maybe we’ll see him be a factor in scoring territory.
Start: Elijah Higgins (v WAS)
If Trey McBride doesn’t pass the concussion protocol before Sunday (which is unlikely based on the past couple of years), Higgins will be the top tight end for Arizona—and he’s already been a factor for them with between 32% and 55% of the snaps played in all three games. Washington might be better attacked on the perimeter, but Higgins is a good athlete that could present problems, and he’s worth a dart throw at a troublesome position.
Sit of the Week: Dalton Schultz (v JAX)
Houston adding Stefon Diggs and having the former All-Pro often work the middle of the field has largely made Schultz an afterthought—as he’s been limited to yardage totals of 16, 21, and 11 with no touchdowns so far this season. The positive is that Schultz at least sees heavy snaps and should have a good game eventually, but it might not come against a Jacksonville defense that has limited him to four receptions (on nine targets) for 26 scoreless yards in three career meetings.
Sit: Hunter Henry (@ SF)
Henry has been inconsistent with yardage totals of 18 and nine sandwiching his 8/109 performance in Week 2, and the Patriots are simply difficult to trust this season due to a sub-par offensive line and lack of offensive juice. The Niners being stingy versus opposing tight ends makes Henry an option to avoid, as they have allowed just 2.3 fantasy points per game to the position—continuing a trend from previous seasons.
Sit: Luke Musgrave (v MIN)
I’m not giving up on Musgrave’s talent from a long-term perspective at a position that can take time to develop, but he’s been limited to two receptions for nine yards and zero touchdowns this year—working clearly behind Tucker Kraft. The hopeful return of Jordan Love (knee) isn’t enough to make him an option to have confidence in, so Musgrave is more of a dynasty stash at this point.