It’s hard to believe we are already up to Week 4. With all the injuries and wild performances, most fantasy managers have already faced some roster adversity. Our Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4 can help overcome some of that madness by digging deep to identify values.
Here are some of those unheralded players to consider starting in Week 4.
Quarterbacks
Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys) – It’s always going to be scary starting Cooper Rush, however, the matchup this week against the Commanders is tremendous. At the very least it should earn him consideration in SuperFlex leagues.
They haven’t been able to stop anyone through the air as they have the 27th-ranked pass defense and are allowing the fifth-most points to fantasy QBs. Dak Prescott will definitely be sidelined this week so Rush is worth a look on your waiver wire.
Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks) – Surprisingly, Smith hasn’t been terrible this year and currently sits as the QB19 in fantasy. He’s scored more fantasy points than Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and of course Russell Wilson through three weeks. This week he takes on the Lions who are allowing the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks
and just lost their best safety Tracy Walker for the year. Smith should ride D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to a big day in Detroit.
Running Backs
Craig Reynolds (Detroit Lions) – With D’Andre Swift sidelined, Jamaal Williams is the obvious replacement, and rightfully so. Nonetheless, Reynolds could see double-digit opportunities this week as well. This is a two-back system and we saw him get an increased workload in the second half last week once Swift went down. The matchup this week is nice too as the Seahawks are allowing the sixth-most yards to fantasy running backs.
Ken Walker III (Seattle Seahawks) – Yes, the matchup is outstanding for Walker this week. The Lions and their incompetent defense are allowing the most fantasy points to running backs. However, that’s not the only reason Walker appears on this list. Seattle lost their pass-catching back Travis Homer last week and this could open up a major opportunity for Walker to get more touches. He saw three carries and three targets this week. He has slowly been worked into the rushing attack coming off groin surgery. If he can also start getting upwards of five targets a week, he could see double-digit opportunities and hold value in a great matchup.
J.D. McKissic (Washington Commanders) – After Week 1 it looked like McKissic may be an afterthought in this offense, but that’s clearly not the case. He is the undisputed pass-catching back seeing 16 targets over the past two weeks including nine last week. The team loves to use him, especially when losing and there is a good chance they’re down this week against the Cowboys. Not only does McKissic have some upside, but he has a very safe floor in
PPR leagues if you’re looking for a flex option.
Alexander Mattison (Minnesota Vikings) – If Dalvin Cook is forced to sit out this week then this is a no-brainer. However, Mattison could be a sneaky good play even if Cook is active. In a shocking turn of events, Cook injured the shoulder he injures every year and could be out or limited this week. Even if Cook plays Mattison should see an
increased workload. There is also a possible scenario of Cook taking a hit and being knocked out of the game. We’ve seen Mattison thrive in this situation before and he’s a sneaky good flex option in Week 4.
Wide Receivers
Zay Jones (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Jones has had a major role in a Jags offense that has far exceeded expectations this season. He currently sits as the fantasy WR35 this season with 19 receptions of 24 targets for 173 yards and a TD. This week the Jags take on the Eagles. While the matchup isn’t good, it’s much worse for the team’s WR1 Christian Kirk as Darius Slay has been locking up the top guy. This could open up an opportunity for Jones to have another nice game.
Noah Brown (Dallas Cowboys) – Brown is a favorite target of Cooper Rush and you need to ride this duo out before it’s over. Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz also look like they may both be sidelined or limited once again. The
Commanders are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts and should get lit up in this one. This could be the last hoorah of Noah Brown so if you picked him up off waivers this is the week to play him.
Richie James Jr. (New York Giants) – The stars have aligned in this one for James to have a big day against the Bears. He is yet to see less than five targets in a game this season and this week it looks like the Giants may be without their top three wideouts in Wan’Dale Robinson, Kadarius Toney, and Sterling Shepard. Unless Kenny Golladay is resurrected from the fantasy graveyard, James should be the WR1 for the Giants. He could push double-digit targets in this one.
Devin Duvernay (Baltimore Ravens) – Even with injuries last week we saw the Bills scheme up a defense to slow down the Dolphins WR1 Tyreek Hill. Expect them to do the same thing this week with Rashod Bateman. However, Lamar Jackson is going to get the ball to someone and Duvernay has been extremely impressive this season. He has caught every pass thrown his way this season and despite missing about three-quarters of Week 2 has already found the end zone four times this year. The volume may not be there, but the efficiency has been and he’s a solid sleeper flex option this week.
Tight Ends
Robert Tonyan (Green Bay Packers) – Tonyan saw a season-high seven targets last week and has as favorable a matchup as possible this week. Not only are the Patriots allowing the third-most fantasy points to tight ends, but they are also allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. An increasing role and a defense that needs to be
attacked with the tight end sets up for a great day to start Tonyan.
Taysom Hill (New Orleans Saints) – This could be one of those days when you can take advantage of Hill’s positional designation. While Jamesis Winston plans to play Sunday, he has fractures in his back and isn’t practicing this week. There is a real chance we see Hill get a lot more reps as a quarterback. Combine that with his usual handful of carries and few targets, and Hill could be a nice option this week. If he’s on your waiver wire add him now and monitor the situation up until Sunday morning. You should know most information earlier than usual because they play in London this week.
