Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em – Week 4

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Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Geno Smith, Seahawks

Geno Smith has had a few solid fantasy performances over the last few weeks scoring 17 points in Week 1 and 18 in Week 2. He had a tough outing against the 49ers, but what quarterback hasn’t? He faces a Lions defense this week that is giving up just over 18 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and is in the top 10 highest Defensive Points Against Consistency (D-PAC) in our Consistency Score. Start Smith this week. 

Kirk Cousins, Vikings

Aside from Marshon Lattimore, the Saints aren’t really a shutdown defense. They look like it on paper, but they’ve only faced Marcus Mariota, Baker Mayfield, and Tom Brady who had no one to throw to after Mike Evans was ejected. Kirk Cousins has been very successful in his career against the Saints, averaging 324 passing yards, three passing scores and a completion percentage of 71.9 with just one total interception in four career games. Don’t get cute. Start Cousins this week against the Saints.

Sit ‘Em

Carson Wentz, Commanders

Similar to Geno Smith, Carson Wentz has been solid so far this season as a fantasy quarterback. He’s been averaging over 25 points per game and fifth-highest Consistency Score in the league at 11.17. The Cowboys defense is good though, only allowing 12.62 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Wentz comes a bit back down to earth this week. 

Derek Carr, Raiders

As a long-time member of the Derek Carr fan club, it’s unfortunate that I’m listing him here. Simply, the Broncos’ defense is tough as they have allowed only 36 points all season. As well, the opposing quarterbacks have averaged just 194.3 passing yards per game to this point. This week’s matchup between these two division rivals will be a low-scoring affair that isn’t likely to produce a lot of fantasy relevance. I’d lean towards sitting Carr this week.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris are going to be heavily utilized for the foreseeable future in New England. With Mac Jones nursing a high ankle sprain, it’ll be some time before the sophomore signal caller returns to action. Both running backs will likely see an uptick in touches, but Stevenson and his 4.97 yards per touch get the extra nod as the teams’ pass catcher. I expect him to be targeted more frequently in Brian Hoyer’s stint under center.

Javonte Williams, Broncos

The Raiders have been awful against the run this year, giving up nearly 30 points per game to running backs and a league-worst D-PAC Score. Javonte Williams, and the Broncos running game, have been steadily improving over the past few games. We know Williams is in a time share with Melvin Gordon, but everything is pointing in the right direction for him to have a big game this week and should be started.

Sit ‘Em

Joe Mixon, Bengals

This is a seriously risky play here, but I just have a feeling. Joe Mixon has been a plodding back this year, averaging a career-worst 2.8 YPC and not scoring a single touchdown. Nursing a sore ankle that took him out of the game last week, Mixon faces the Week 4 media darling Miami Dolphins this week who are only allowing 14 points per game to running backs. I am expecting some tough sledding this week for Mixon and might sit him if you have better options.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs

This is a case of “too many cooks in the kitchen,” as four different running backs took carries in Week 3. On top of that, Edwards-Helaire ran seven times for zero yards. That’s completely unacceptable for any runner, especially from the starter in a powerful offense. Couple that with the 2.8 yards on 24 carries allowed by Tampa Bay last week, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Treylon Burks, Titans

Rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks has seen an increase in playing time each week of this young season. In recent years, receivers like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase also saw a significant rise in snaps in the early weeks as they became accustomed to the NFL level. Burks’ 14.4 yards per reception is also encouraging, especially against a Colts’ defense that has allowed 13.8 yards per catch to their opposition’s WR1 in the first three games of 2022. Burks will make for a wonderful Flex or WR3 play in Week 4 as someone you should start this week.

Gabe Davis, Bills

Gabe Davis missed Week 2 due to an ankle injury and was not 100% last week against Miami, but still was on the field for 96% of offensive snaps. The Baltimore Ravens are giving up a ton of yards through the air and allowing 48 points per game to wide receivers. Look for Josh Allen to bounce back in a big way this week, and Davis to be a big beneficiary.

Sit ‘Em

DeVante Parker, Patriots

This week’s fool’s gold is DeVante Parker against the Packers. He had a big game last week with Jakobi Meyers being out, having 5 receptions on 10 targets for 156 yards. This week they play the Packers who are only giving up 33 points per game to opposing wide receivers. It also is up in the air if Jones plays this week, after looking to be in a lot of pain last week. Sit Parker this week against Green Bay.

Mike Williams, Chargers

With the absence of Keenan Allen for another week, we were expecting more than one 15 yard catch from Mike Williams this past weekend. Especially with six targets. It seems that Allen shall be returning to the field in Week 4, thus putting a cap on Williams’ potential. Even the positive matchup against Houston doesn’t do much for me as the Chargers could shut down their passing game in the second half, having obtained a comfortable lead. 

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Tyler Conklin, Jets

Averaging eight targets and six catches per game, Tyler Conklin not only needs to be on fantasy rosters, but he needs to be in your starting lineups. Only Mark Andrews (31) and Zach Ertz (25) have seen more targets through Week 3. With the first capable pass-catching tight end in years, the Jets would be crazy to cut his usage, regardless of the quarterback. He’s probably not going to win you weeks, but Conklin will keep you from losing them.

Mike Gesicki, Dolphins

In a very stacked wide receiver room, Mike Gesicki has not seen a ton of targets this season so far with his season high coming two weeks ago and that was only four. Facing the Bengals this week who are giving up 19 points per game to tight ends, I see that target count tick up quite a bit. It’s been very hard to figure out tight ends this year, but I think this is a no-brainer. 

Sit ‘Em

Tyler Higbee, Rams

I’ve been high on Tyler Higbee all season. Matthew Stafford has been targeting him a ton, and he has been delivering. Last week he saw his target share drop significantly, and this week they play division rival 49ers who have been lights out against tight ends only giving up six points per game. Sit Higbee this week.

George Kittle, 49ers

The Rams have been as dominant against tight ends as anyone this season, allowing just 7.7 yards on nine catches to Dawson Knox, Zach Ertz, and Kyle Pitts. If you’re thinking a touchdown might save his day, think again as he has scored just twice in eight career games against the Rams. This may be a risky call, but I think the numbers back up my claim.

Don’t forget to hit us up on Twitter with any of your lineup questions. You can find Benjamin @FFRabbitDad and Brendan @OBryanBren. If you have a question, we will give you some guidance. After all, we want you to win!

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