Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 4
SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.
For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 4 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 4 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
StartJoe Burrow, Bengalsvs. Jaguars
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe first overall pick has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback through three games thanks to a willingness to do whatever it takes to move the ball downfield, even at the expense of his well-being.
With the Bengals' offense averaging the second-most plays per game, Burrow also finds himself ranked second in passing attempts on the year. That kind of volume is exactly what fantasy managers are targeting.
In Week 4, he'll face a Jaguars team giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including six touchdown passes over their last two outings.
Don't be scared to start Burrow as a low-end QB1 this Sunday.
Boone's projection: 281 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 29 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Deshaun Watson vs. Vikings
- Jared Goff vs Giants
- Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Seahawks
at Bengals
James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport / GettyAs an undrafted free agent thrust into a starting role, Robinson has defied expectations and emerged as a borderline RB1 in all fantasy formats.
Entering Week 4, Robinson sits fifth among running backs in overall fantasy points - behind only Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, Dalvin Cook, and Ezekiel Elliott.
Seeing significant work as a runner and pass-catcher, the rookie is on pace for 229 carries, 1,120 rushing yards, 53 receptions, 688 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns. Those lofty numbers aren't likely to be maintained over a full 16-game schedule, but Robinson has shown he's capable of delivering as a reliable fantasy starter.
The Bengals offer a favorable game script for the Jags' rushing attack this week in what projects to be a close affair. Cincy has allowed five different ball carriers to crack double-digit fantasy points against them so far, with four of those backs amassing at least 85 yards from scrimmage.
Boone's projection: 73 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Other RBs to start
- David Johnson vs. Vikings
- Mike Davis vs. Cardinals
- Darrell Henderson vs. Giants
vs. Seahawks
Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyParker has yet to eclipse 70 yards in a single game this season, but that's about to change in a big way Sunday as the Dolphins welcome the Seahawks to the East Coast.
Seattle has permitted the most passing yards (1,292) in the league through three games, with the next closest team sitting over 200 yards behind them in the Falcons.
Almost every receiver who's lined up against the Seahawks has gone off. They've allowed six 100-yard games to the position, with 10 different wideouts posting over 65 yards.
Not listed on the injury report for the first time this season, Parker is poised to appear inside the top-10.
Boone's projection: 109 receiving yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- Tyler Boyd vs. Jaguars
- Brandin Cooks vs. Vikings
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Falcons
vs. Saints
Dave Reginek / Getty Images Sport / GettyHeading into the season, the Saints were thought to be a matchup to avoid for tight ends with veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins rejoining the team. Early in the campaign, that couldn't be further from the truth.
New Orleans' defense has been hit for the most fantasy points by opposing tight ends after three outings, and Hockenson is about to capitalize on that trend.
As Dwain McFarland of Establish the Run pointed out in his Utilization Report, the sophomore's routes reached a career high in Week 3 of 90% and he tied for the team lead with a 23% target share.
Though we've yet to see a truly massive stat line from Hockenson in 2020, it's coming soon ... possibly this week.
Boone's projection: 78 receiving yards, TD
Other TEs to start
- Mike Gesicki vs. Seahawks
- Dalton Schultz vs. Browns
- Robert Tonyan vs. Falcons
vs. Chargers
Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's been an up-and-down start for Brady in Tampa as he tries to build chemistry with his new teammates.
The future Hall of Famer has finished as the QB13, QB29, and QB8 in his three games in a Bucs uniform and will now likely be without Chris Godwin, Scotty Miller, and Leonard Fournette due to injuries.
His opponent, the Chargers, has held two of the three quarterbacks they've played to QB20 fantasy results or worse this season. The third was Patrick Mahomes, who they kept relatively in check as the QB7 in Week 2, but that performance also included 54 rushing yards from the MVP - something Brady can't create.
With Brady missing key weapons in a game with one of the lower projected point totals on the slate, you might want to look elsewhere for your fantasy starter this week.
Boone's projection: 237 passing yards, TD, INT, FUM
Other QBs to sit
- Carson Wentz at 49ers
- Daniel Jones at Rams
- Philip Rivers at Bears
vs. Ravens
G Fiume / Getty Images Sport / GettyAs promising as Gibson's development has been, we still need to temper our expectations for the rookie early in the season.
After seeing the field on 65% of Washington's snaps in Week 2, Gibson dropped back down to 40% last Sunday. However, the good news is he's clearly being treated as the lead ball carrier and has found the end zone in back-to-back weeks as a runner. The bad news is he's still a work in progress, and veteran J.D. McKissic continues to play a sizeable role in the offense.
Things won't get any easier against a Ravens defense giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The only touchdown Baltimore's allowed to the position was technically to a fullback when the Chiefs' Anthony Sherman caught a TD pass on Monday Night Football last week.
This will be tough sledding for Gibson, playing alongside a quarterback in Dwayne Haskins who's struggled in good matchups and is a risk to be benched at any moment.
Hopefully, you have another RB option to help you get through the growing pains with Gibson. It's not his time yet, but the rookie's day is coming.
Boone's projection: 39 rushing yards, 18 receiving yards
Other RBs to sit
- Adrian Peterson vs. Saints
- Joshua Kelley at Buccaneers
- Sony Michel at Chiefs
at Rams
Elsa / Getty Images Sport / GettyJalen Ramsey might not be the same shutdown corner he was with the Jaguars, but he's proven to be a problem for most receivers in his coverage this year.
The most recent example of that is Stefon Diggs, who had to battle all day long just to come away with a 4-49-1 stat line in Week 3.
Slayton will be in a similar position, needing a touchdown to pay off in fantasy. Since scoring twice in the opener, the sophomore wideout has been held to a stat line of 3-33-0 and 3-53-0. He's unlikely to do much better this week with Ramsey chasing him around all afternoon.
Treat him as a boom-or-bust WR3, with an emphasis on the bust side of that equation.
Boone's projection: 47 receiving yards
Other WRs to sit
- A.J. Green vs Jaguars
- T.Y. Hilton at Bears
- Sammy Watkins vs. Patriots
at Dolphins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyRecommending players to sit at tight end can be difficult since it's a one-off position (12 starters in most leagues) and the bar for quality options tends to be pretty clear.
Olsen isn't the worst choice for desperate fantasy managers, but you can likely do better.
The Dolphins have held every tight end they've faced under 30 yards in 2020 - a mark Olsen's only attained once since signing in Seattle.
The Seahawks likely won't need him to rack up points in Miami, so aim higher with your streamer selection.
Boone's projection: 28 receiving yards
Other TEs to sit
- Jared Cook at Lions
- Rob Gronkowski vs. Chargers
- Jack Doyle at Bears
Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / GettyInjuries to Parris Campbell and Michael Pittman Jr. have opened the door for Pascal (4% rostered) to serve as the Colts' No. 2 receiver for the foreseeable future. While he hasn't made much of an impact on the boxscores this season, Pascal topped 70 yards in four different contests a year ago and can put up big fantasy weeks with this newfound opportunity.
Anthony McFarland Jr., Steelers
Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / GettyMcFarland was a fourth-round pick who generated a ton of hype in the offseason as a potential replacement if James Conner suffered another injury. However, when Conner went down in the opener, it was Benny Snell Jr. who stepped in and performed well. Since then, Conner has returned to the lineup, and Snell faded to the background - allowing McFarland's playing time to rise. The rookie racked up 49 yards on seven touches in Week 3, providing a spark as the change-of-pace back. With the Steelers technically on bye, he's a sneaky add with major upside if/when Conner goes down again.
QuitCarson Wentz, Eagles
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBetter fantasy days will come for Wentz (72% rostered), but the offense is struggling to come together at the moment due to another wave of injuries. If that wasn't enough, they're about to embark on the most difficult three-game stretch on their schedule with the 49ers, Steelers, and Ravens on deck. You won't feel confident starting him in any of those matchups, so in single QB leagues it's time to find a replacement on the waiver wire and stream the position moving forward.
DeSean Jackson, Eagles
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyWentz isn't the only Eagle you can cut bait on. Jackson tends to be a volatile fantasy option even when things are going well, so it's even harder to trust him now that he's dealing with a hamstring injury that might keep him out in Week 4. Combine that with the offensive line woes, which have prevented Wentz from allowing plays to develop downfield, and you have more than enough reason to free up the roster spot. Grab one of the emerging rookie wideouts and don't look back.
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