Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 4 (2023)

Welcome back to another edition of fantasy football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em. In this series, we’re here to help you set your lineups and put yourself in a position to win your fantasy football matchups each week. With three weeks in the books, it’s time to take a look at Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season.

These players will be those “less-obvious” players that you’re on the fence about starting as your WR3 or Flex type of options. Nobody needs to tell you to start Justin Jefferson or Christian McCaffrey.

Week 4 Start ‘Em

Andy Dalton (QB)

Carolina Panthers vs. Minnesota Vikings

This, of course, depends on if Andy Dalton gets the stat over the injured Bryce Young for the second consecutive week. Dalton looked good against the Seahawks last week throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions. Minnesota has the second-highest D-Pac Score in the league at 9.68 and gives up nearly 24 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. I would not start Young if he’s healthy enough to play, but if Dalton is the starter in Carolina, I wouldn’t hesitate to start ’em.

Friendly reminder, this article will utilize our free tool, the D-Pac Score. For a refresher on what exactly this free fantasy football tool is, click here.

Brock Purdy (QB)

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals

If you want some safe production from your Week 4 quarterback, Brock Purdy is your man. He’s thrown multiple touchdowns in eight of nine regular-season games when he’s tossed at least 20 passes, including his only three-score game against this week’s visiting Cardinals. He’s also thrown for at least 220 yards in four of his last six regular season starts. With the Cardinals coming to town bringing their 20.09 fantasy points per game, Purdy is primed for another solid fantasy operation.

De’Von Achane (RB)

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

If you were one of the lucky ones to get De’Von Achane on the waiver wire this week, I would quickly insert him right into your starting lineup. Achane’s insane stat line of 203 yards rushing, two touchdowns, and another four receptions for 30 yards and two touchdowns, sat on the bench for two of my teams this week. After Week 1, where the Buffalo Bills defense gave up quite a few yards to Breece Hall, they have really stiffened up their run defense. However, they do show the tendency to give up the explosive run or two to the speedy backs.

Achane is one of the fastest running backs in the league and I would bet he breaks off one for a touchdown this week. Don’t be afraid to start ’em this week against a tough Bills defense.

Najee Harris (RB)

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans

We haven’t seen any explosiveness from Najee Harris yet in 2023, averaging just 3.97 YPC. Harris hasn’t had it easy as the three teams he has faced are allowing a combined 3.7 yards per carry. In Week 4, however, things look to change in a matchup with the Texans. Houston’s D-PAC Score of 9.89 is the third-best for opposing running backs and they’ve allowed seven rushing touchdowns this season with a score coming every 11.7 carries. Harris managers have been waiting for a matchup like this and they’re going to be very happy that it’s finally here.

Tee Higgins (WR)

Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans

I get it, my frustration level is starting to get very high with the Cincinnati offense. Burrow looks like he can’t throw it further than five yards, the offensive line is a turn style and this offense really isn’t made to go through Joe Mixon. However, if there is a game to come off the slide, this is it. The Tenessee defense is allowing a whopping 49 points to opposing wide receivers and allowed Amari Cooper to have a breakout game (7 catches, 116 yards, and 1 touchdown). Even Elijah Moore had a decent game logging 9 catches for 49 yards. Now is not the time to give up on Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, give them this week to be a producer in your lineup.

Michael Thomas (WR)

New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Michael Thomas isn’t the most prolific or explosive receiver on the Saints roster. With Chris Olave averaging 100.7 receiving yards per game and Rashid Shaheed averaging 16.9 yards per catch, Thomas falls under the radar. Going up against the Buccaneers this week should provide enough opportunity and value for you to happily place him into your starting lineup. The D-PAC Score of 17.14 is the most beneficial in the league for wide receivers and their tough D-PAC Score of 5.13 against running backs will make things difficult for the Saints’ running game, even with Alvin Kamara making his return. Thomas is a great flex candidate for your Week 4 matchups.

Luke Musgrave (TE)

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

As Jordan Love gets more comfortable in his jersey, Luke Musgrave’s targets continue to increase. Last week he saw the highest amount of targets so far this season with eight, hauling in six of them for 49 yards. Going forward, Musgrave’s usage should remain about the same, as a young quarterback’s best security blanket is a large tight end. The Packers are playing the Lions this week, who are also giving up nearly 20 points per game to opposing tight ends. With Christian Watson’s status still up in the air for Thursday night, I would trust Musgrave to produce.

Kyle Pitts (TE)

Atlanta Falcons @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Whether it’s in redraft or dynasty, Kyle Pitts’ managers have been unhappy with him. Even with his higher draft value, some fantasy players have already pivoted from him at tight end. What if I told you Pitts is going to be good, again, in Week 4 and score a touchdown? Atlanta doesn’t throw a lot, but Pitts is tied with the most targets and second in receptions. Now, facing the Jaguars this week, there is some serious promise. In the last two weeks, opposing tight ends have hauled in 10 catches and two scores against Jacksonville. Not only will Pitts have a good performance this week, he’s going to score at least once.

Week 4 Sit ‘Em

Sam Howell (QB)

Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles

Once again, Sean McDermott’s defense for the Buffalo Bills confused a young quarterback. Howell was sacked nine times and threw four interceptions last week against the Bills. The Philadelphia Eagles are allowing a league-high 26 points per game to opposing quarterbacks, but that’s not happening in this matchup. The Eagles run a very similar style of defense to the Bills, generating pressure from an uber-talented rotation of defensive linemen, and a swarming zone-based secondary. Howell might get a play or two, but I expect a similar stat line from Howell.

Dak Prescott (QB)

Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots

Even with a couple of blowouts under his belt, Dak Prescott hasn’t really shined in this young season. He is currently averaging 215.7 passing yards and one passing touchdown per game. Now set to face off with the Patriots, who are allowing the seventh-fewest yards per attempt (5.4) and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (10.38). With Tony Pollard averaging 104 total yards and four receptions per game, there’s not a lot of reason to let Prescott run the offense through the air. I see a lot of other options to start at quarterback this week. As far as Prescott goes, sit ’em this week.

Gus Edwards & Kenyan Drake (RBs)

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

With all the injuries to the Baltimore backfield (once again this year), it has looked like Gus Edwards is the clear-cut beneficiary of the touches seeing 10 and 11 touches in the last two weeks. However, with Kenyan Drake getting another week in the system, his usage should start to tick up a bit. With the split in carries, both of these backs are going to be very touchdown-dependent, which isn’t something you want to rely on. Not to mention the Cleveland defense has been stingy against the run, only allowing 12 points per game to opposing running backs and a second-lowest D-Pac Score of 3.6. Tough sledding in a limited timeshare is not a good idea for your starting running backs.

Aaron Jones & A.J. Dillon (RB)

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

With a Thursday night matchup upcoming and a DNP (did not practice) designation, Aaron Jones likely won’t be ready for Week 4. If Jones can’t go, A.J. Dillon will be the lead runner but he has been less than adequate with just 2.7 YPC on his 38 attempts. Unfortunately, Dillon also doesn’t factor much into the passing game even when Jones is absent.

Furthermore, the Lions have been a studly run defense in 2023, surrendering just 3.2 YPC and sporting the toughest D-PAC Score (2.23) against running backs. If you don’t need to start either of these backs, you shouldn’t. If you have to, I’m sorry.

Garrett Wilson (WR)

New York Jets vs. Kansas City Chiefs

This is so painful to write up, as the preseason high for Garrett Wilson was an average draft position of around 18. Now I am telling everyone to bench him. Wilson is an immense talent, whose value was to the moon with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. However, Zach Wilson is another story. With Wilson as the starting quarterback, Wilson is a highly touchdown-dependent player averaging four catches for 55 yards per game. Furthermore, the Jets play the Chiefs this week, in New Jersey. This year, they are giving up just shy of 27 points per game to wide receivers, which is just about the lowest in the league. You can try to trade Wilson at this point, but not too sure about starting.

Christian Kirk (WR)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons

Over the past two contests, Christian Kirk has been the best start among Jacksonville wide receivers with 15 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. This coming week, Atlanta brings a passing defense that is no joke. They’ve allowed a 58.3% completion percentage (fourth lowest in the NFL) and 510 receiving yards (fourth fewest) in the first three weeks.

Among the three lead pass catchers for Jacksonville, they each have accumulated 173 receiving yards. The kicker between the wide receivers is the yards per reception. Kirk is at 10.8 while Calvin Ridley is at 13.3. I’d still consider Ridley, but Kirk isn’t doing enough for me in a tough Week 4 battle.

David Njoku (TE)

Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens

As much as anyone, I’ve been on the David Njoku bandwagon. He’s got the talent to be an elite tight end, but his position in Cleveland doesn’t seem to take advantage of his skills. At best, he’s the fourth option in the passing game with just 10 receptions this season. In his last 10 games, he has surpassed 29 receiving yards in just three of those games. A matchup with Baltimore doesn’t bode well for tight ends, with only six total catches allowed to the position in 2023. Then there’s the second toughest D-PAC Score of 1.1 against tight ends, which puts a dagger in Njoku’s Week 4 potential.

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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