Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 4: Who to Start and Sit This Week

Three weeks of the fantasy football season are in the books, giving us a much better idea of which early-season trends are worth buying into.

Usage is becoming clearer, but matchups still matter when deciding between similarly ranked players. Week 4 offers several spots worth targeting, along with a handful of players who could have a tougher time producing.

Which players should be in your fantasy football lineup this week, and who belongs on the bench?

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Week 4 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice

Fantasy Football Starts for Week 4

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young has earned his way into the streaming conversation, and Week 4 presents an excellent matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Young enters the week leading the NFL with 939 passing yards while throwing seven touchdowns through the Carolina Panthers‘ first three games. He's coming off a 291-yard performance against Cleveland despite finishing with only one passing score.

Detroit's defense has been extremely friendly to fantasy quarterbacks. Through three games, the Lions have surrendered 979 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns, with opposing QBs averaging 30.0 standard fantasy points per game versus Detroit. Both marks highlight just how favorable this spot can be for Young.

With Detroit's offense capable of forcing Carolina into an aggressive game script, Young carries an appealing combination of matchup and passing volume for Week 4.

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones hasn't exactly lit up the fantasy scoreboard through three weeks, but this is a matchup where I'm willing to trust him.

Jones has completed 66.3% of his passes while throwing for 611 yards and three touchdowns across his first three starts this season. He's attempted at least 31 passes in each game, including 36 attempts for 235 yards against Houston last week.

Now he gets one of the best quarterback matchups on the Week 4 slate.

The Washington Commanders have allowed 861 passing yards and an NFL-high 11 passing touchdowns through three games. Opposing quarterbacks have averaged 27.4 standard fantasy points per game against the Commanders.

Jones' rushing hasn't been a major part of his fantasy production so far, but the matchup alone gives him considerable streaming appeal in Week 4.

Isaiah Likely, TE, New York Giants

Isaiah Likely's Week 3 box score wasn't exciting, but I'm willing to go back to him against the Arizona Cardinals.

Likely has already accumulated 23 targets through three games, catching 15 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He saw eight targets in Week 1 and 10 in Week 2 before dipping to five targets last week.

That kind of involvement is valuable at a volatile tight end position, and the matchup helps.

Arizona has allowed 16 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns to tight ends through three weeks. Opposing TEs have averaged 17.6 PPR points per game against the Cardinals, the fourth-highest figure in the league through Week 3.

After a quiet game in Week 3, Likely is a solid bounce-back candidate versus Arizona.

Fantasy Football Sits for Week 4

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Tony Pollard continues to receive enough work to keep him on fantasy rosters, but I don't love him as a Week 4 starter against the Baltimore Ravens.

Pollard has handled 38 carries for 173 yards through three games, good for 4.6 yards per attempt. He's also caught 6 of 7 targets, but he has yet to score a touchdown this season.

The biggest concern is the Tennessee Titans‘ offense. The Titans rank 30th in scoring and 31st in total yardage through three weeks, which limits Pollard's opportunities for touchdowns and sustained drives.

Baltimore hasn't been completely impenetrable against running backs, but the Ravens have held the position to 15.9 standard fantasy points per game.

Pollard remains usable if you're thin at running back, but his scoring environment and matchup make him someone I'd rather bench when comparable FLEX alternatives are available.

Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Tre Tucker has produced some encouraging moments early in the season, but the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t the matchup where I want to chase them.

Tucker has averaged 5.0 targets, 3.7 receptions and 63.0 receiving yards through his first three games. Those numbers aren't bad, but the volume leaves little margin for error if the big plays don't hit. Plus, with Brock Bowers back, Tucker drops to the clear number-two pass-game piece for the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chiefs have been brutal on opposing receivers. Wideouts have averaged just 115 receiving yards as an entire position group against Kansas City through three weeks, and the Chiefs have yet to surrender a touchdown to a wide receiver.

Tucker is an interesting bench stash, but there are better Week 4 FLEX options.

Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton‘s name carries some fantasy value, but the early-season usage and production haven't been what managers hoped for.

Through three games, Sutton is averaging just 5.3 targets, 2.7 receptions and 27.3 receiving yards per contest, and he has yet to score a touchdown.

Now the Denver Broncos travel to face the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers have limited opposing WRs to 17.4 standard fantasy points per game as a position group through the opening three weeks, and Sutton's current volume makes it difficult to trust him in a mediocre matchup.

Sutton still has enough talent to produce on limited opportunities, but until his usage improves or Denver’s offense makes a jump, he's more of a touchdown-dependent FLEX than an automatic fantasy starter.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit FAQ

Who should I start in fantasy football this week?

The best starts are typically players with strong recent usage, favorable matchups and a reliable path to touches or targets. Matchup-specific factors and changes in workload should also be considered before setting your lineup.

Who should I sit in fantasy football this week?

Players can be worth sitting when they face difficult matchups, have seen their role decrease or carry significant risk due to injuries or inconsistent usage. Even proven players can be matchup-based sits in a given week.

How do you decide who to start or sit in fantasy football?

Start/sit decisions should account for a player's expected volume, recent production, matchup, offensive role and game environment. Comparing those factors against your other lineup options can help determine which player offers the best combination of floor and upside.

Should I start a player with a difficult matchup?

It depends. A difficult matchup can lower a player's expected production, but high-volume players can still deliver strong fantasy performances regardless of the matchup. The player's role and expected opportunity should usually carry more weight than matchup alone. Another huge factor is whether or not you have quality alternatives on your roster.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.