In an effort to aid you in your lineup-setting endeavors, I’ll be providing a weekly glimpse into my rankings; meaning, I’ll be highlighting players I like or dislike more compared to the expert consensus rankings as listed on FantasyPros.com or who I simply like or dislike for that given week. My ranking at the time of the writing will be alongside the player’s name. Needless to say, that ranking could change as the week progresses.
Bear in mind that I start this writing earlier in the week, so Expert Consensus Rankings will likely be different by the time of publication. These cannot be held against me – only used for credit.
While I do acknowledge that kickers are people too, neither they nor D/STs will be included.
Finally, these cannot be held against me – only used to give credit when credit is due.
As always, feel free to reach me on Twitter for any queries before the slate and I’ll try to get back to you.
*Note that half PPR scoring applies.
Week 4 Likes
GB vs. ATL (Monday night) – QB6
Rodgers continues to impress. While Russell Wilson, Josh Allen and the like hog league-wide praise, Rodgers has led the Packers to a 3-0 record, throwing nine touchdowns to zero interceptions. And oh yeah, he now has the pleasure of facing the league’s worst fantasy defense. The underappreciated Rodgers is a Top 5 Week 4 play in my book.
CIN vs. JAC – QB10
The 2020 No. 1 overall pick has thrown an astonishing 105 passes in his last two contests. In fact, he is the only rookie since 1950 to attempt at least 140 passes through the first three games of the season. Unfortunately, he is also on pace to be sacked 74 times; that would be the second most since 1970. Better days are ahead, though. Burrow draws one of his better matchups of the year in what is expected to be a close, high-scoring affair.
AZ @ CAR – RB6
It’s time. It’s time for the Kenyan Drake break out. We thought it was last week, but we were a week too early. The opportunities have been there; the production hasn’t. In three games thus far he’s averaged 19.6 touches – tied for the 6th most at the position. Be patient – at least for another week. If he falters again then maybe you can look to sell.
JAC @ CIN – RB9
Talk about zero to hero. Robinson was undrafted coming out of Illinois State – an FCS school at which he ran for 1,899 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2019. He played with the proverbial chip on his shoulder last Thursday en route to 129 total yards and two touchdowns. I’m starting JRob over guys like Devin Singletary and Melvin Gordon, maybe even Joe Mixon.
HOU vs. MIN – WR21
I know, I know. Will Fuller is the biggest injury risk on a week-to-week basis. We can’t ignore the matchup, though. Minnesota’s pass defense is one of the worst in the sport. The hope is that Deshaun Watson and company take out their anger from an 0-3 start on the lacking Norwegian squad. As Watson’s top target, I’m willing to start Fuller as a WR2.
MIA vs. SEA – WR22
Parker’s ranking is one that could lower a few spots before the weekend slate. However, he is Miami’s top receiving threat and the Seahawks have been historically porous defending the wide receiver position through three meetings. As such, his ceiling is in the WR2 range.
DAL vs. CLE – TE12
Don’t look now, but Schultz is suddenly the TE11 on the year. He has taken over admirably for Blake Jarwin and is lucky to be in this high-octane offense. We must now view him as a weekly consideration for our starting lineups, especially on Sunday versus the lowly Browns.
DET vs. NO – TE6
Some thought the return of Kenny Golladay might curb Hockensen’s upside, but he actually saw a season-high seven targets in Week 3 – tied with Babytron for most on the team. Hock’s solid day could have been much better if his backup, Jesse James, hadn’t vultured a touchdown.
The passing attack will benefit from what is shaping up to be a high-flying, back-and-forth barn burner with the Saints. Vegas projects this game to be the second-highest scoring of the week. Hockensen represents an elite play at the position.
Week 4 Dislikes
PHI @ SF – QB24
Anyone else feeling Jalen Hurts vibes yet? Yes, injuries to the supporting cast have undoubtedly impacted Wentz. Even so, Wentz has not played his position well. He’s tied for the league-lead with six interceptions and has to be tired of leaving the pocket and hitting the ground. This isn’t the most conducive matchup for a rebound either. Wentz is well outside of QB1 territory for me.
LAC @ TB – QB25
Listen, Justin Herbert has played admirably in his first two career starts at the professional level. In fact, he’s one of three rookie quarterbacks ever to throw for over 600 yards in his first two career starts. That being said, I think that streak reaches a cessation here.
Tampa Bay by and large remains an underrated defensive unit. They hold the fourth-best spot in fantasy points per game surrendered to quarterbacks at a clip of 18.1. Look elsewhere for your signal-caller.
BAL @ WAS – RB26
What a letdown of a matchup that was on Monday night, uh? Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were impressive – that includes the defense. Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram and the collective offense were utterly stymied.
Ingram was limited to 30 yards on seven attempts while missing on his one target. With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in the fold, Ingram is tough to view even as an RB2. Call me crazy, but if Chris Carson is out for Seattle, I’d seriously consider starting Carlos Hyde over Ingram.
TB vs. LAC – RB29
This is still Ronald Jones’ backfield after all. Fournette’s 16 touches for 116 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2 were – at least for the time being – fool’s gold. Jones paced Tampa Bay backs last week with 15 touches and was targeted four times.
Making matters worse, LeSean McCoy is being given a role in the passing game – a cruel reality with which we must live. The point is we can’t start Fournette in any format, much less against one of the two defenses that have yet to yield a rushing touchdown to running backs. Of course, he’s an especially easy fade if he’s sidelined. He didn’t practice Wednesday with an ankle injury.
IND @ CHI – WR29
I’m done. He can go off this game if he wants to, but I’m done giving Hilton second and third and fourth chances to redeem himself. I know the game script dictated a run-heavy game plan from the Colts last week, but Hilton was only targeted three times even with Michael Pittman hurting. Will I still be willing to deploy him as a flex? Probably. I just don’t trust Philip Rivers and I don’t trust Hilton. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, my expectations for Eugene are henceforth abated.
NYG @ LAR – WR47
I am staying away from all Giants right now, except Darius Slayton and Evan Engram as possible flexes. The Giants travel literally across the entire country to face a Rams defense that will be playing angry after underperforming in a hard-to-swallow loss to the Bills.
LAR vs. NYG – TE8
Higbee’s encore to his three-touchdown performance in Week 2 came in the form of two targets in Week 3. He caught both targets for 40 yards, but the Rams focused on their effective running game while targeting Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Expect more of the same this weekend.
LAC @ TB – TE9
I do like Henry’s fantasy prospects more with Herbert at the helm. Nevertheless, the Buccaneer’s defense is not one with which to be trifled. They are one of nine teams who have yet to let an opposing tight end find the end zone. Temper expectations for Henry.
Zach hails from the bustling metropolis of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Three things Zach enjoys are football, food and water. Three things Zach doesn’t enjoy are kale, mushrooms and the company of those who enjoy either (except hobbits). Zach is a life-long Broncos fan and has been playing fantasy football longer than he hasn’t. He had top-five finishes in FantasyPros’ 2016 NFL DFAC competition and the 2016 SFB480.
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