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Welcome to the Week 4 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.
"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
- There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
- For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
- We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for how to put the best fantasy football lineups on "the field" for your critical fourth game with tips on starts and sits this week.
📋 LINEUP TIPS: Fantasy Week 4 sleepers | Fantasy Week 4 Busts
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must-start Week 4 QBs
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NO)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at TB)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at KC)
- Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. PHI)
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders (if he returns, at ATL)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at NYG)
- Caleb Williams, Bears (at LV)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. BAL)
Strong Week 4 QB starts
9. Justin Fields, Jets (if he returns, at MIA): If Fields (concussion) remains sidelined, you can also consider streaming Tyrod Taylor (especially for superflex/2QB) in prime time because the Dolphins' defense is so giving overall. But Fields can return to smash with his legs and arms a la Daniel Jones in Week 1.
10. Jordan Love, Packers (at DAL): The Cowboys got Russell Wilson and Caleb Williams right in a big way. Their pass defense stinks, so Love should love to rip them downfield to his various healthy weapons.
11. Drake Maye, Patriots (vs. CAR): The Panthers pitching a shutout against the Falcons gives some pause, but he's at home and can compile enough here with Bryce Young and Carolina's offense posing a bit of a scoring challenge.
12. Brock Purdy, 49ers (if he returns, vs. JAX): You can also consider streaming Mac Jones in a revenge game but Purdy can still get the job done with whoever's healthy on the field with him for a 250 and 2.
13. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. CLE): Goff wasn't bad in Baltimore, but he saw most of the TDs go to his running backs. The Browns are tougher vs. the run and worse vs. the pass on the road, so he'll go back to delivering pleasing numbers at home.
14. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. CIN): Nix has been whiffing early with mistakes and general poor play but the Bengals' defense at home can fix a lot of Nix's issues.
15. Carson Wentz, Vikings (vs. PIT): If you're still hurting at QB or needing to live the stream, you could consider Wentz operating with top receivers against an overrated Steelers' overall defense in Dublin.
DFS QB Week 4 pick
Caleb Williams, Bears (at LV, $5,800 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Williams can stay hot dealing in Vegas against a Raiders' defense that's doing its typical fall-apart vs. the pass with his arm, weapons and legs now that Ben Johnson's offense is unlocked and he's locked in.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 4 QB plays
16. Daniel Jones, Colts (at LAR): He kind of underwhelmed with the running game going off in Tennessee and the Rams have been tough on QB scoring save for Hurts.
17. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. IND): On the flip side, the Colts' defense is playing well and this feels like a grounded, grindy game.
18. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. SEA): He's off with receivers not named McBride and he isn't running enough to deliver in a dysfunctional offense.
19. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (at MIN): This is very risky in Dublin because the Vikings' defense is making a lot more big plays vs. the pass than the little ones it is giving up.
20. Bryce Young, Panthers (at NE): Young is still young and will a better QB at home in general, but he's become more in play as someone to think about every week.
21. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. GB): You can run on the Packers but with CeeDee Lamb iffy you can't feel good doing this after the Bears clunker.
22. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at SF): The 49ers are still tough defensively minus Joey Bosa because of going back to a superior team scheme, so no.
📈 Click for our full set of fantasy football weekly rankings.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must-start Week 4 RBs
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at LAR)
- James Cook, Bills (vs. NO)
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles (at TB)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. JAX)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. CLE)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. WAS)
- Derrick Henry, Ravens (at KC)
- Josh Jacobs, Packers (at DAL)
- Jordan Mason, Vikings (vs. PIT)
- Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at NYG)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at MIA)
- De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. IND)
- Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (vs. PHI)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at SF)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at ARI)
- Tony Pollard, Titans (at HOU)
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at NE)
- Trey Benson, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. GB)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at BUF)
- Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. MIN)
- JK Dobbins, Broncos (vs. CIN)
Strong Week 4 RB starts
24. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. CHI): He's been disappointing but the Bears are getting gashed in a lot of areas and he should run to his best game yet at home.
25. Chase Brown, Bengals (at DEN): Don't give up on him, either, as the Broncos have proved to be rather vulnerable overall vs. running backs early.
26. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (at DET): The rookie hasn't taken long to assert himself in a weak backfield otherwise and can power through to like 70 yards and a score.
27. Cam Skattebo, Giants (vs. LAC): He should get more chances to run and catch and the Chargers are showing a few leaks against the run.
28. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (vs. CAR): It would be shocking if they didn't let the rookie looser with fumbling issues elsewhere and you can still run on the Panthers despite the Falcons' result.
29. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (vs. BAL): He isn't efficient but the Ravens are giving up scores in bunches to back and he can hit paydirt to be at least a sneaky FLEX for a second straight game.
DFS RB Week 4 Picks
James Cook, Bills (vs. NO, $7,100 on DraftKings, $8,500 on FanDuel): Cook is ranked high after two massive games in the span of five days in Weeks 2 and 3. Buffalo should bulldoze the Saints as huge favorites at home and Cook can score at least twice to pay off big time.
Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at NYG, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,000 on FanDuel): Najee Harris' season-ending injury was well-timed for Hampton coming alive against the Broncos and now he gets the smash the weak Giants as a clear rookie workhorse.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 4 plays
30. David Montgomery, Lions (vs. CLE): It might be hard to sit Monty based on your roster and how he just smashed the Ravens on Monday night, but the Browns' run defense is a much different story.
31. D'Andre Swift, Bears (at LV): He still isn't looking good despite the offense revving up so remain uneasy about playing him.
32. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (at ATL): The crowd in Washington is still happening with Austin Ekeler down and the Falcons seem to have at least been respectable against the run.
33. Rhamdondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. CAR): He might have fumbled away the key opportunities over Henderson for good.
34. Nick Chubb, Texans (vs. TEN): The matchup might say yes but it's a touchdown or bust for a low-scoring team.
35. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. BAL): He just isn't the same runner post injury and Hunt is headed to head the backfield soon with rookie Breshard Smith.
👮 PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts
Fantasy Football Week 4 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 4 WRs
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. CLE)
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. TEN)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. IND)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (at ARI)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. PIT)
- Malik Nabers, Giants (vs. LAC)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (at MIA)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (if he plays, vs. GB)
- Rome Odunze, Bears (vs. LV)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at DEN)
- Davante Adams, Rams (vs. IND)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at TB)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at NE)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (at KC)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. CIN)
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. DEN)
- Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (vs. PHI)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
- Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (vs. JAX)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at ATL)
- George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. GB)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. DEN)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. PHI)
- DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. MIN)
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at ATL)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
- Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. CHI)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at TB)
- Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. CLE)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at DEN)
Strong WR Week 4 starts
31. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (at SF): He's getting a little closer to getting on track in the new offense and the 49ers' secondary can oblige in the second half.
32. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (at NYG): The Giants give up a ton of big pass plays on top of the running game working against them so look for a play-action deep TD from Herbert.
33. Tre Tucker, Raiders (vs. CHI): So much for the buzzy rookies bheind Meyers; Tucker has been the guy otherwise for Geno Smith.
34. Elic Ayomanor, Titans (at HOU): He's the only playable Titan in the passing game with his rookie red zone work.
35. Tyquan Thornton, Chiefs (vs. BAL): He's become the guy Mahomes trusts mos on shot plays with Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice out and the Ravens give up shots.
36. Tory Horton, Seahawks (at ARI): He's buzzing as a dynamic rookie to help JSN with Cooper Kupp faded.
37. Matthew Golden, Packers (at DAL): He got more juice as a big-play threat against the Browns and will be good for a long TD from Love down the road from Love Field.
38. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at LAR): The Rams' corners can be had and Jones will need to throw to him and the tight end often.
DFS WR Week 4 picks
Rome Odunze, Bears (at LV, $6,300 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel): Odunze has been the man as expected for Johnson and Williams and the Raiders have no one who can cover him well.
Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (vs. JAX, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel): Pearsall is also getting it done as as second-year first-rounder, taking over as the clear No. 1 when needed because of veteran injury issues.
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. CHI, $5,400 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel): This is a bit of a note that one can stream Geno Smith if needed with Meyers and Tucker, but Meyers can be a tough slot nuisance for the Bears' secondary.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 4 WR plays
39. Drake London, Falcons (vs. WAS): You gotta not love the Drake with his QB concerns and straight-up lack of execution in a sputtering passing game.
40. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (vs. SEA): He is just not playing well, plauged by drops and the Seahawks are playing lights-out pass defense at the moment.
41. DJ Moore, Bears (at LV): This kind of goes for him and Luther Burden III as their usage and targets will be a lot more inconsistent than Odunze.
42. Jerry Jeudy, Browns (at DET): Joe Flacco has been terrible throwing anything past five yards so this goes for him and Cedric Tillman despite an OK matchup.
43. Chris Olave, Saints (at BUF): The matchup stinks with Spencer Rattler throwing too short, so Rashid Shaheed is also a massive risk in this game.
44. Calvin Ridley, Titans (at HOU): Ridley isn't getting the needed looks from up-and-down Cam Ward to get it done.
45. Travis Hunter, Jaguars (at SF): They haven't figured out how to use him best and he's not producing yet.
46. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots (vs. CAR): This kind of stands now for him and Stefon Diggs with tight end, as expected, being the go-to spot for Maye.
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Fantasy Football Week 4 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must-start Week 4 TEs
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- Brock Bowers, Raiders (vs. CHI)
- Tucker Kraft, Packers (at DAL)
- Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. NO)
- Tyler Warren, Colts (at LAR)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. CLE)
Stronger Week 4 TE starts
7. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. BAL): He was the squeakiest of wheels in Andy Reid's ear last week so he'll get greased in a fine matchup in a monumental early home game in the AFC playoff race.
8. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. GB): He's back to hogging targets so it would be nice if he also could find the end zone once in a while.
9. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. CAR): He's on a heater and the Panthers can struggling covering tight ends of his well-rounded ilk.
10. Mark Andrews, Ravens (at KC): He's back in a big way for Jackson and he'll be up to task to keep it up vs. Kelce.
11. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. PIT): He needs to get going here with Wentz.
12. Evan Engram, Broncos (vs. CIN): Here's taking a shot that the matchup will wake up his usage with Nix.
DFS TE Week 4 pick
Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. NO, $4,500 on DraftKings, $5,600 on FanDuel): The first-rounder from 2023 is finally living up to expectations as a key field-stretching and red zone target and the Saints are easy pickings with that kind of coverage so far.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 4 starts
13. Juwan Johnson, Saints (at BUF): The Bills' back seven coverage has been strong on the position again.
14. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at WAS): He's tough to trust vs. their coverage after the Carolina clunker.
15. Zach Ertz, Commanders (at ATL): The Falcons have done well to contain tight ends with their linebacker and safety talent.
16. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at TB): He scored on a big play last week but did little else so it's more bust than boom.
17. Jonnu Smith, Steelers (vs. MIN): He did OK in a favorable spot but not good enough to want to go there for Dublin.
18. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (at SF): The 49ers tend to do great work on tight ends with Fred Warner and others.
📰 LAST WEEK’S RECAP: What happened in fantasy Week 3 | Week 3 Injuries
Fantasy Football Week 4: Defense/special teams best starts
- Buffalo Bills (vs. NO)
- Detroit Lions (vs. CLE)
- Denver Broncos (vs. CIN)
- Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. PIT)
- Los Angeles Chargers (at NYG)
- Green Bay Packers (at DAL)
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- Washington Commanders (at ATL)
- Seattle Seahawks (at ARI)
- San Francisco 49ers (vs. JAX)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. MIN)
- New England Patriots (vs. CAR)
- Carolina Panthers (at NE)
DFS Week 4 D/ST pick
Tennessee Titans (at HOU, $2,300 on DraftKings, $3,500 on FanDuel): This is a bargain-basement play to get some sacks and maybe a turnover or two in a lower-scoring game.
🎙️MORE FANTASY TIPS: Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly fantasy football analysis five days a week by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.