Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4

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Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4

Week 4 is right around the corner which means it is time for another round of my fantasy football sleepers. However, before we get into this week’s picks, let’s take a look back at the latest injuries from around the league in case you roster any of the injured players on your fantasy football team and need to use one of my sleepers as a pivot in your Week 4 lineup.

• Bills RB Zach Moss (toe) did not play last week but is practicing on a limited basis heading into Week 4
• 49ers RB Raheem Mostert (knee) did not play last week and has yet to return to practice
• 49ers RB Jerick McKinnon (ribs) sustained a minor injury to his ribs in Week 3 but is practicing through the injury
• Packers RB Davante Adams (hamstring) returned to practice on Thursday
• Washington WR Steven Sims (toe) did not practice Thursday
• Washington WR Terry McLaurin (thigh) popped up on the injury report with a minor thigh injury
• Eagles WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring) has yet to practice this week
• Falcons WR Russell Gage (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday
• Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) participated in the team’s walkthrough at Thursday’s practice
• Bills WR John Brown (calf) practiced on Thursday
• Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) did not practice on Thursday
• Cardinals WR Christian Kirk (groin) did not play last week and was limited in Wednesday’s practice
• Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) did not practice on Thursday
• The Browns do not believe RB Kareem Hunt’s (groin) injury is serious
• Seahawks RB Chris Carson (knee) participated in a limited practice on Wednesday
• Seahawks RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder0 practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday
• The Steelers versus Titans game has been postponed until later in the season due to Tennessee’s COVID-19 outbreak

The following is a recap of the players from my Fantasy Football Sleepers article last week, you can read that here.

Fantasy Sleepers Week 3: Full-Disclosure

Player	Position	PPR Rank	PPR Points
Ryan Tannehill	QB	QB24	12.74
Mitchell Trubisky	QB	QB26	12.62
Jerick McKinnon	RB	RB14	16.7
Joshua Kelley	RB	RB49	5.2
Darrell Henderson	RB	RB11	19.0
Darius Slayton	WR	WR68	6.3
Corey Davis	WR	WR40	11.9
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	WR	WR112	1.5
Logan Thomas	TE	TE26	7.1
Drew Sample	TE	TE55	1.1

Looking for winning DFS advice? My co-host at the FF Faceoff Podcast, Mike Hauff, has you covered with his weekly Gridiron 3x: Top Projected Draft Kings Plays for Week 4 column found exclusively at Gridiron Experts. You can read that here.

QB Fantasy Sleepers Week 4

Jared Goff

ESPN Start-Percentage: 13.6

If you listen to me on the FF Faceoff Podcast, then you’ve heard me say that Jared Goff would be one of the biggest values at the QB position in 2020 as I believed he would vastly out-perform his ADP. Through three games, Goff has backed up my statement. He is the QB10 in FPPG (19.9). Goff isn’t doing it alone, however. He is the No. 3 QB in terms of supporting cast efficiency (+20.77). Goff is also the No, 8 QB in yards passing, the No. 1 QB in yards per attempt (9.6), the No. 4 QB in adjusted yards per attempt (9.3), and the No. 6 QB in fantasy points per dropback (0.56). The fact that Goff is only being started in 13.6-percent of leagues at ESPN this week is a travesty. One of the most efficient QBs in the league, Goff’s bounceback from an erratic 2019 has a lot to do with the fact that the Rams can effectively run the ball again sans Todd Gurley, mostly due to the long-awaited emergence of Darrell Henderson, last year’s third-round pick, who has put up north of 100 total yards and a TD in each of the past two games.

Now, Goff will get a Giants defense that can most-certainly be exposed. While they are only surrendering the ninth-fewest FPPG to QBs (18.3), the Giants have yet to face an offense as prolific as the Rams’. Sure, Pittsburgh’s offense is pretty good, but they aren’t led by mastermind Sean McVay nor are they loaded with depth and firepower at their skill-positions like Los Angeles is. The Giants have also faced Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Mullins. Without Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert, and George Kittle, Mullins still managed to throw for 343 yards passing with a TD. Goff is going to light the Giants up at home, much like he did in their last meeting in 2017 in which the fourth-year signal-caller went for 311 yards passing and four scores. Sure, a lot has changed in three years since their last matchup, but the Rams’ personnel is very much the same outside of the running back and New York’s defense is still non-existent. Giggy-up buttercup. All-in on Goff in Week 4.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

ESPN Start-Percentage: 7.7

Ryan Fitzpatrick should be started in all leagues this week. While he is only seated as the QB22 in FPPG (16.7), Fitzpatrick has put up back-to-back weeks with at least 22.3 fantasy points and QB1 finishes. This, following a disappointing dud ion the season opener at the Patriots. Getting Seattle in Week 4, Fitzpatrick is in line to make it three straight games as a QB1. Why? Well, not only is the Miami offense — and the team as a whole — coming together, but his arsenal of weapons that include DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, Mike Gesicki, and his stable of running backs are all healthy. If that isn’t enough, Fitzpatrick is getting a Seahawks defense that just plain has not shown up in 2020.

While the Seattle defense steps up against enemy running backs, they are null-in-void against the pass. In fact, they are currently allowing the second-most fantasy points to the quarterback position (30.0) and the most to wide receivers (47.9). Breaking it down, the worst QB performance against this Seattle secondary was Cam newton’s Week 2 in which he finished as the QB2 with 34.6 fantasy points on a 397/1/1 QB stat line adding 47 yards and a pair of TDs on the ground. If that isn’t bad enough, Seattle’s stud safety, Jamal Adams, is dealing with a groin injury that could limit him or force him to sit out. Going out on a limb, I’m starting Fitzpatrick over most in Week 4 excluding the fantasy football’s elite and matchup-proof QBs.

RB Fantasy Sleepers Week 4

Antonio Gibson

ESPN Start-Percentage: 24.3

I don’t love Antonio Gibson this week because of his matchup with the Ravens, but he should be busy. Not only could Washington elect to pound the rock in an attempt to keep Lamar Jackson and company off the field, but once Baltimore’s offense gets going, Washington will be in garbage-time mode, which means Gibson will be active as a receiver. While Washington uses all three of their backs (Gibson, Peyton Barber, J.D. McKissic), Gibson has led the team in touches in each of the past two games after the plodding Peyton Barber was the guy in the season opener. Gibson has drawn at least 12 touches in consecutive games and as a result, returned at least 12.2 PPR points with one RB2 finish (last week).

While the Ravens are surrendering the fourth-fewest FPPG to enemy backs (12.6), they’ve given up double-digit PPR-point outings to both Kareem Hunt in Week 1 and to Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Week 3, who are both versatile pass-catching backs on their respective teams similar to Gibson. I don’t see Gibson going off this week, but I don’t think he will bust either, especially if he is involved as a receiver. Gibson is an upside Flex option who should bring a respectable 10-point Floor in PPR.

Jeffery Wilson

ESPN Start-Percentage: 14.9

Oh, Mr. Wilson (in my best Dennis the Menace voice). While Jerick McKinnon (ribs) has a better shot of playing than Raheem Mostert (knee), I still like Wilson’s opportunity in Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles. Amidst Wilson sharing the spotlight with McKinnon in last week’s trouncing of the Giants, the former finished as the RB10 (2139) on 69 total yards and two TDs off of 15 touches (three receptions) while the latter ended Week 3 as the RB14 (16.7) off of 77 total yards with a score on 17 touches (three receptions). As per usual, 49ers’ backs get enough opportunity for more than one to be fantasy-relevant on a weekly basis.

In Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles, Wilson will oppose a defense allowing the 18th-most FPPG to enemy RBs (18.4). While the Philly defense has been better than expected against the run, they really haven’t been challenged outside of in Week 2 against the Rams — Philadelphia played the Washington Football Team in Week 1 and the Bengals in Week 3, two underwhelming rushing attacks through the early portion of 2020. Facing the Rams in Week 2, Darrell Henderson had his breakout game going for 121 total yards with a TD. San Francisco’s ground attack should get going early and often on Sunday, especially considering nick Mullins will be under center for the second straight game. HC Kyle Shanahan will want to protect his young and inexperienced QB by employing his backs on the ground to open up the play-action pass. Wilson is an upside Flex option with an RB2 ceiling if he scores in Week 4. In the three games in which he received at least eight carries in his two-year career, Wilson has finished as an RB2 or better all three times while totaling six touchdowns in those matchups.

Chase Edmonds

ESPN Start-Percentage: 1.9

Between the postponed Titans versus Steelers game due to COVID-19 as well as all of the injuries at the running back position, I am going to dig deep here and go off my gut-feeling on Chase Edmonds this week. While Edmonds had a solid game in the season opener in which he totaled 45 yards and a TD on nine touches against the 49ers, Edmonds has not had a fantasy-relevant outing since, drawing fewer than six touches in the last two games.

However, facing the Panthers on Sunday, I believe Edmonds could find himself a late score assuming the Cardinals bounce back from a surprising Week 3 loss to the Lions and dominate this game. In that scenario, Edmonds could be used as the primary back in the second half in order to give Kenyan Drake a rest while preserving his body and health for the long run. Carolina’s defense is surrendering the second-most FPPG (32.2) to the RB position including seven TDs in three games to open 2020. Remember, if you have superior options at running back, disregard this blurb. But if you are in dire need of a spot start and Edmonds is on your bench or waiver wire, I’d pick him up on my hunch. This is a dart-throw with upside, not a guarantee. Sometimes, though, you need to take a shot.

WR Fantasy Sleepers Week 4

Hunter Renfrow

ESPN Start-Percentage: 11.8

The Raiders’ wide receiver room is decimated by injury to their top guys. Both rookies, Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards are out, which means Hunter Renfrow is on track for another productive outing. While Renfrow was not very involved in the first two games, he had his 2020 break out in last week’s loss to New England, finished Week 3 as the WR15 with 20.4 fantasy points on a 6/84/1 stat line on nine targets. Renfrow also played in 66.7-percent of the snaps while running 27 routes against the patriots, both season-highs.

Getting the Bills in Week 4, Renfrow could finish as a WR2 or better for the second straight week. Not only are the Bills giving up the 10th-most FPPG to WRs (26.2), but they were gashed by the slot receiver in each of the first three games to open the season. primary slots Jamison Crowder, Isaiah Ford, and Cooper Kupp all went for at least 12 PPR (Ford) points against Buffalo including two games of at least 20 (Crowder and Kupp). Assuming the red-hot Bills build a lead, Renfrow could be leaned on in garbage time.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

ESPN Start-Percentage: 7.1

I liked Marquez Valdes-Scantling last week against the Saints, but he could not get going (1/5/0 line on four targets) even with Davante Adams out. And although Adams is still dealing with his hamstring injury and has missed practice earlier in the week, he returned for a limited session on Thursday which means he is trending in the right direction to play on Sunday. While the Packers may get their top receiver back, they also lost some depth at the WR2 spot. Allen Lazard underwent core-muscle surgery this week and is deemed out indefinitely. With Lazard sidelined and the possibility of Admas playing with limitations, Valdes-Scantling is set to be the WR1 or at worst the WR2 for Sunday’s enticing matchup against Atlanta.

The Falcons’ defense is just plain lousy. Not only are they allowing the third-most FPPG to WRs (32.0), but the Falcons’ defense has also given up a 47/736/3 line on 72 targets to enemy wideouts to start the year. Fire-up Valdes-Scantling as the Atlanta secondary has given up at least 92 yards or a TD to opposing WR2s in each of the past three games. In a terrific matchup plus opportunity in his favor with Lazard out, I’m buying into the MVS bounce-back in Week 4.

Greg Ward

ESPN Start-Percentage: 3.4

The Eagles could be facing a shootout or playing within a negative game-script in their upcoming matchup with the Rams, which means their pass-catchers left standing will be busy. With WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf), WR John Hightower (illness), WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), and WR Alshon Jeffery (foot) all drawing DNP practice designations on Thursday, Greg Ward was the only Philly receiver healthy enough to practice. While others will be healthy on Sunday, Ward is the Eagles wideout I’d trust for fantasy in Week 4.

While Ward did not show up in Week 2, he led the Eagles in receiving in Week 1 and in Week 3. Let’s clarify, while ad led the Eagles in receiving in the season oper, he only managed a 5/31/0 line on seven targets. In last week’s tie with the Bengals, however, Ward had an outstanding game, finishing with an 8/72/1 line on a season-high 11 targets. He also played in an 86.7-percent of the team’s offensive snaps and ran 45 routes. Both also season-bests.

While Ward’s matchup against the 49ers isn’t the greatest one, he should once again be Philadelphia’s top wideout, even if it is by default. On top of all their injuries at receiver, stud TE2 Dallas Goedert is also out with his ankle injury. Facing a 49ers defense surrendering the fourth-fewest FPPG (17.35) to enemy wideouts, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ward out together another quality fantasy performance. While San Francisco shut down Giants receivers last week, they’ve given up at least six receptions for 75 yards or a TD to three different receivers in the first two games. I like Ward as a solid Flex option with WR2 upside if he scores in Week 4.

TE Fantasy Sleepers Week 4

Dalton Schultz

ESPN Start-Percentage: 13.0

Entering his third week as the Dallas TE1, Dalton Schultz is poised for his breakout game. While he coming off of a down Week 3 against Seattle in which he finished as the TE18 with 8.8 fantasy points (4/48/0 on six targets), the second-year tight end did finish as the TE7 (21.8) back in Week 2 with a 9/88/1 line on 10 targets against Atlanta. In those aforementioned games started, Schultz played in at least 70-percent of the snaps while running a minimum of 35 routes. Schultz, who is the TE7 in targets with 20 (6.7 per game), the TE8 in routes run (95), and the TE4 in slot-percentage (38.1), will look to get back on track and in the TE1 conversation in Sunday’s afternoon matchup against the Browns.

Cleveland’s secondary has been banged-up, and it shows as they are allowing the fourth-most FPPG to TEs (12.0). In the past three games to open 2020, Cleveland’s defense has given up 47.9-percent more fantasy points to the TE position than the 13.0 league average on a combined 22/139/3 line on 31 targets. Schultz is a top 10 tight end in receptions (fifth), yards receiving (ninth), and yards after catch (fifth). He will add to his totals in Week 4 and could put together his most-productive outing of the young season.

Robert Tonyan

ESPN Start-Percentage: 1.2

Start Robert Tonyan. Who? With Jace Sternberger looking like a bust and rookie Josiah Deguara in line to miss his third-consecutive game with a shin injury, Tonyan has been the tight end to covet from Green Bay. A converted wideout, Tonyan has the versatility to line up all over the formation and the size to dominate in the end zone. And following two straight games with a touchdown, including a 5/50/1 line on five targets in last week’s win over the Saints, it appears that the fourth-year UDFA is finally earning the trust of Aaron Rodgers.

In Week 4, Tonyan will enter a terrific matchup against the Falcons, whose defense has yielded the second-most FPPG (15.3) to TEs. What’s more, enemy tight ends have collected 27 receptions for 238 yards and four TDs on 31 targets in the first three games to open 2020 while allowing a TD to the position in all three contests. I’m buying into Tonyan’s scoring upside as well as the matchup in Week 4.

 

Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4