Fantasy
10/2/22
24 min read
Josh Larky's Week 4 Fantasy Rankings
Below you’ll find my Week 4 fantasy rankings for PPR/Half-PPR leagues. Included are my Top-32 QB Rankings, Top-45 RB Rankings, Top-57 WR Rankings, and Top-25 TE Rankings.
For each player, you can view their ranking, matchup, and implied team total, according to Vegas. For example, the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars have a Vegas game total of 48, with the Eagles favored by 6.5 points (27.25 points implied for the Eagles, 20.75 points implied for the Jaguars). Seeing the implied point totals can help you understand which games are projected to be the highest scoring.
xPPR (expected PPR points) is a new stat added to my Week 4 Fantasy Rankings. Think of this as each player's average expected fantasy points per game based on their underlying usage.
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Top-32 Quarterbacks
Rank | Name | Pos | Team | Opp | Team Total | xPPR |
1 | Josh Allen | QB | BUF | BAL | 27.5 | 25.8 |
2 | Lamar Jackson | QB | BAL | BUF | 24 | 27.8 |
3 | Jalen Hurts | QB | PHI | JAX | 27.25 | 26 |
4 | Kyler Murray | QB | ARI | CAR | 21 | 20.2 |
5 | Patrick Mahomes | QB | KC | TB | 23.5 | 20 |
6 | Justin Herbert | QB | LAC | HOU | 24.5 | 17.8 |
7 | Joe Burrow | QB | CIN | MIA | 25.25 | 19.9 |
8 | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | MIA | CIN | 21.75 | 17.6 |
9 | Tom Brady | QB | TB | KC | 21.5 | 14 |
10 | Matthew Stafford | QB | LA | SF | 19.75 | 15.5 |
11 | Kirk Cousins | QB | MIN | NO | 23.25 | 16.6 |
12 | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JAX | PHI | 20.75 | 19.2 |
13 | Russell Wilson | QB | DEN | LV | 21.5 | 13.6 |
14 | Marcus Mariota | QB | ATL | CLE | 24 | 17.3 |
15 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | GB | NE | 25.5 | 13.9 |
16 | Derek Carr | QB | LV | DEN | 24 | 16.7 |
17 | Carson Wentz | QB | WAS | DAL | 19.5 | 19.2 |
18 | Jimmy Garoppolo | QB | SF | LA | 22.25 | 13.4 |
19 | Geno Smith | QB | SEA | DET | 22.5 | 14.9 |
20 | Mitchell Trubisky | QB | PIT | NYJ | 21.75 | 14 |
21 | Baker Mayfield | QB | CAR | ARI | 23 | 13.1 |
22 | Daniel Jones | QB | NYG | CHI | 21 | 15.2 |
23 | Matt Ryan | QB | IND | TEN | 23 | 15.2 |
24 | Ryan Tannehill | QB | TEN | IND | 19.5 | 14.4 |
25 | Jared Goff | QB | DET | SEA | 27.5 | 16.8 |
26 | Andy Dalton | QB | NO | MIN | 20.25 | - |
27 | Justin Fields | QB | CHI | NYG | 18 | 11 |
28 | Jacoby Brissett | QB | CLE | ATL | 25.5 | 16.5 |
29 | Davis Mills | QB | HOU | LAC | 20 | 12.7 |
30 | Zach Wilson | QB | NYJ | PIT | 18.75 | - |
31 | Cooper Rush | QB | DAL | WAS | 23 | 9.7 |
32 | Brian Hoyer | QB | NE | GB | 15 | - |
- There is now a Big-3 at the quarterback position, as Lamar Jackson (34.8 fantasy points per game), Josh Allen (30.0), and Jalen Hurts (28.8) all have at least 5.4 more points per game than any other QB.
- Kyler Murray has struggled early, but faces a Carolina Panthers team that is highly beatable. Carolina held Jacoby Brissett and Daniel Jones to under 200 passing yards each, before getting cooked in Week 3 by Jameis Winston to the tune of 353 yards. This is a must-win game for Arizona, and the Panthers also allowed Daniel Jones to run 10 times in Week 2. Murray could have a huge game on the ground and through the air. I have some concerns with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert this week.
- The Buccaneers are allowing nine points per game to opposing teams, despite facing three competent offenses in the Cowboys (3), Saints (10), and Packers (14). While I expect Patrick Mahomes to orchestrate multiple touchdown drives and score more than nine points, I am at least mildly concerned with this overall game environment; Vegas agrees, as this has a middling 45-point over/under. Mahomes has feasted against zone coverage this year (8.8 yards per attempt), and the Buccaneers rank sixth in the NFL in zone-coverage usage (Sports Info Solutions).
- Justin Herbert will not have Keenan Allen once again, and now the Chargers face a Texans team allowing only 208 passing yards per game. Fortunately, the Texans racked up that nifty stat by playing Justin Fields last week. Matt Ryan put up 352 yards against them in Week 1, and Herbert is averaging over 300 passing yards per game this season. His ranking at six is more of a reflection on the state of the QB position, than on Herbert being set up for elite numbers in Week 4.
- I have Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa ranked as if Tua will suit up for this Thursday night contest. The Bengals defense has yet to be tested by a competent QB (they've faced Mitch Trubisky, Cooper Rush, and Joe Flacco), and the Dolphins have allowed the eighth most yards per pass attempt among NFL defenses. This game has potential to shoot out, and while the Bengals offensive line has struggled, the Dolphins have the fourth lowest pressure rate in the entire NFL (stats courtesy of The Edge, our flagship tool). It's free, by the way.
- Tom Brady has looked uncomfortable all season, but this is a get-right matchup against the Chiefs. Mahomes should be able to put up points against the Buccaneers, and Mike Evans returns from his 1-game suspension. A caveat: Brady's No. 9 overall ranking this week has more to do with a lack of solid QB options than the expectation that he puts up over 20 fantasy points. If you are concerned about floor only, I'd drop Brady below Trevor Lawrence in my rankings.
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- Trevor Lawrence and this Jaguars offense are the real deal. After the Chargers contained both Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes, Lawrence lit them up for 262 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. While the Eagles have a strong defense, I want to bet on a young Jacksonville offense that looks more comfortable with each passing week. The switch from Urban Meyer to Doug Pederson cannot be overstated.
- Marcus Mariota has emerged as a high-floor fantasy option. He has at least six rush attempts and 15 fantasy points in each game. Despite a soft opening schedule for the Browns (Baker Mayfield, Trubisky, and Flacco), they're only a middle-of-the-road defense based on yards allowed and yards per play. This game opened with the third-highest Vegas game total on the slate (49.5), and Mariota is a nice QB streamer this week for those in need.
- Jared Goff will be without Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, and D'Andre Swift in this contest, and is no longer a streamable QB for Week 4.
- Andy Dalton heads to London to take on a middling Vikings secondary. While he'll be without Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry should both be active for this game, along with Alvin Kamara. I expect a heavy dose of the pass game if the Saints want to win this one, so Dalton is ranked like he'll cross the 35 pass attempts threshold.
- Zach Wilson is expected to make his return in Week 4. The Jets with Joe Flacco were averaging over 50 pass attempts per game, and that almost certainly declines precipitously this week. A young QB coming off a major knee injury is unlikely to be tasked with 50 or more drop backs, as they'll want to be careful with their franchise signal-caller. Wilson showed little promise as a rookie, but is being air-dropped into what has been a functional offense with strong skill talent surrounding him. The floor is dangerously low, but Wilson has a chance to take a solid leap forward this year.
Top-45 Running Backs
Rank | Name | Pos | Team | Opp | Team Total | xPPR |
1 | Saquon Barkley | RB | NYG | CHI | 21.00 | 19.3 |
2 | Jonathan Taylor | RB | IND | TEN | 23.00 | 18.5 |
3 | Christian McCaffrey | RB | CAR | ARI | 23.00 | 15 |
4 | Leonard Fournette | RB | TB | KC | 21.50 | 16.7 |
5 | Nick Chubb | RB | CLE | ATL | 25.50 | 15.2 |
6 | Joe Mixon | RB | CIN | MIA | 25.25 | 19.6 |
7 | Dalvin Cook | RB | MIN | NO | 23.25 | 12.8 |
8 | Austin Ekeler | RB | LAC | HOU | 24.50 | 14.7 |
9 | Jamaal Williams | RB | DET | SEA | 27.50 | 13.6 |
10 | Khalil Herbert | RB | CHI | NYG | 18.00 | 11.5 |
11 | Derrick Henry | RB | TEN | IND | 19.50 | 12.5 |
12 | James Robinson | RB | JAX | PHI | 20.75 | 18.3 |
13 | James Conner | RB | ARI | CAR | 21.00 | 14.8 |
14 | Najee Harris | RB | PIT | NYJ | 21.75 | 14 |
15 | Antonio Gibson | RB | WAS | DAL | 19.50 | 15.8 |
16 | Aaron Jones | RB | GB | NE | 25.50 | 12.2 |
17 | Cordarrelle Patterson | RB | ATL | CLE | 24.00 | 13.4 |
18 | Miles Sanders | RB | PHI | JAX | 27.25 | 12.2 |
19 | Kareem Hunt | RB | CLE | ATL | 25.50 | 13.4 |
20 | Jeff Wilson | RB | SF | LA | 22.25 | 11.1 |
21 | Josh Jacobs | RB | LV | DEN | 24.00 | 11.9 |
22 | Javonte Williams | RB | DEN | LV | 21.50 | 17.1 |
23 | Breece Hall | RB | NYJ | PIT | 18.75 | 14 |
24 | Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | NE | GB | 15.00 | 10.2 |
25 | Dameon Pierce | RB | HOU | LAC | 20.00 | 12.8 |
26 | AJ Dillon | RB | GB | NE | 25.50 | 12.9 |
27 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | KC | TB | 23.50 | 10.6 |
28 | Ezekiel Elliott | RB | DAL | WAS | 23.00 | 9.4 |
29 | Cam Akers | RB | LA | SF | 19.75 | 8 |
30 | Devin Singletary | RB | BUF | BAL | 27.50 | 13.5 |
31 | Tony Pollard | RB | DAL | WAS | 23.00 | 9.6 |
32 | Melvin Gordon | RB | DEN | LV | 21.50 | 12 |
33 | Damien Harris | RB | NE | GB | 15.00 | 12.9 |
34 | J.K. Dobbins | RB | BAL | BUF | 24.00 | 7.4 |
35 | Travis Etienne | RB | JAX | PHI | 20.75 | 11 |
36 | Darrell Henderson | RB | LA | SF | 19.75 | 7 |
37 | Michael Carter | RB | NYJ | PIT | 18.75 | 11.8 |
38 | Chase Edmonds | RB | MIA | CIN | 21.75 | 8.4 |
39 | Raheem Mostert | RB | MIA | CIN | 21.75 | 5.7 |
40 | Rashaad Penny | RB | SEA | DET | 22.50 | 7.8 |
41 | Jerick McKinnon | RB | KC | TB | 23.50 | 6.9 |
42 | Nyheim Hines | RB | IND | TEN | 23.00 | 8.6 |
43 | J.D. McKissic | RB | WAS | DAL | 19.50 | 9.4 |
44 | Craig Reynolds | RB | DET | SEA | 27.50 | 3.3 |
45 | Kenneth Walker | RB | SEA | DET | 22.50 | 6.5 |
- Saquon Barkley is playing the best football of his life. The Bears have allowed the sixth most rushing yards through three games at a hefty 4.9 yards per carry for RBs. On Monday night against Dallas, Saquon handled 14 of 15 RB touches and ran 37 of 40 RB routes, catching four passes for 45 yards. He has the best role among RBs in all of fantasy football, and there is no game script that won't benefit him in this matchup against Chicago.
- Leonard Fournette handled 100% of the RB workload in Week 3, after shouldering 24 of 26 RB carries the week prior. He also is averaging four targets per game. Despite six red zone opportunities (two at the goal line), he has no TDs through three weeks. That will change soon with his usage, and even if the Buccaneers go down early to the Chiefs, Fournette's pass-catching role should bail out fantasy managers. Trailing against Green Bay in Week 3, Fournette racked up six targets, catching five for 35 yards.
- I struggle to rank Nick Chubb any higher than RB5, even though he is the current RB2. He handled only two of the seven RB red zone carries in Week 3, and only one of the three goal line carries. Kareem Hunt saw the lone red zone target in Week 3. Chubb is the best pure runner in the NFL, and the Browns should be able to run the football all game. Chubb will get you 20 carries, but he is dependent on finding the end zone to truly help you win your fantasy matchup. Kareem Hunt's aggressive ranking this week reflects how the red zone offense flows through both back in Cleveland. Despite being the "backup," Hunt now has 11 red zone carries on the season, and is averaging three receptions per game.
- Joe Mixon was banged up in Week 3, but should be good to go in Week 4 against Miami on Thursday Night Football. Potentially a function of the Bengals' offensive line woes, Mixon has been targeted frequently despite Samaje Perine playing on third downs. Mixon is second among RBs with 20 targets through three games, and has five goal line rush attempts on the season. His first TD will come shortly, and the underlying usage is strong. Concerns over his Week 3 injury and the quick turnaround to Thursday night are keeping Mixon in the mid-range RB1 conversation this week.
- Dalvin Cook was a full practice participant on Thursday, alleviating any concern that he may miss time due to the shoulder injury. The Saints have played well against RBs through three games, but Cook's volume should more than offset that concern.
- Austin Ekeler has been crowded out by Sony Michel and Josh Kelley when the Chargers run the ball near the end zone. His fantasy value comes through his involvement through the air, as he leads all RBs with 21 targets on the season. Houston has struggled mightily against RBs this year, but that's not really Ekeler's game. Some are calling this a smash spot due to Houston's poor run defense, but Ekeler's usage doesn't match this type of game environment all that well.
- Jamaal Williams already leads the NFL with four rushing TDs, and saw 20 carries in Week 3. With D'Andre Swift now on the mend, Williams should also take on some of Swift's 22 routes and four targets from Week 3. Williams is a volume play, who is an adequate enough receiver to beat Seattle in all areas of the field and in all game scripts.
- Khalil Herbert just ran for 157 yards and two TDs in Week 3 despite David Montgomery starting - and then promptly getting injured - in that contest. Herbert is solid in all facets, and the run-heavy Bears offense should get Herbert about 20 touches, most on the ground. The Giants are allowing 5.6 yards per carry against RBs, and Herbert should feast on the ground in this matchup. His overall ranking is slightly suppressed due to a lackluster Bears offense and little target upside due to the conservative nature of the Chicago pass attack.
- Derrick Henry finally had a strong fantasy performance in Week 3, totaling 20-85-1 on the ground to go along with a surprising five catches for 58 yards on six targets. Unfortunately, Henry does not get a second date with the Raiders' run defense; instead, he faces the Colts, who are allowing 2.5 yards per carry to RBs, lowest in the NFL.
- James Robinson continues to rise in the rankings, he is simply undeniable. Fully healthy after the achilles rupture, Robinson was fed 17 carries in Week 3 after 23 in Week 2. He is also running a similar number of routes to Travis Etienne per game. The matchup with the Eagles is difficult, but this Jaguars offense is well-rounded and hard to stop. Etienne is once again ranked aggressively, as his breakaway speed has led to several near-misses with TDs. Etienne may also be more heavily utilized in this contest, as the Jaguars are expected to trail the Eagles in this one.
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- Najee Harris' tumble down my rankings has no end in sight. In Week 3, he ceded two of five red zone carries to backup Jaylen Warren. Without elite volume, Najee Harris is becoming a glorified grinder back on a stinky offense, and has limited upside each week.
- For the second week in a row, Miles Sanders out-touched all other PHI RBs by a wide margin on the ground, while also running the most routes on the team. Averaging 15 carries and two targets per game on an elite offense puts Miles Sanders firmly in RB2 territory each week.
- Breece Hall is ready to explode, if Zach Wilson can be at least semi-competent in his return in Week 4. Hall is second among RBs with 20 targets through three weeks, and out-snapped Michael Carter for the first time in Week 3. It is only a matter of time before Hall is significantly out-touching Carter each week, and his elite speed makes him a threat to score on any play.
- Rhamondre Stevenson would be ranked significantly higher after his Week 3 performance, but the Mac Jones high ankle sprain means the uninspiring Brian Hoyer will be under center in Week 4. The Patriots' 15 point team total is the lowest of the week as a result.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been out-snapped by Jerick McKinnon in all three games, and has gotten by on elite receiving efficiency and touchdowns. The Buccaneers run defense should cause problems for CEH on the ground, and I don't want to continue to bank on a 100% catch rate, while also converting 20% of his targets into touchdowns.
- Cam Akers was tasked with 12 of 16 RB carries in Week 3, and received all three red zone carries in that contest. Darrell Henderson was the pass-catching back, and Akers did fumble at the end of Week 3, but all indications are that he will keep the starting role. The Rams offense is multiple notches below last year's version, but there is still value in dominating the carries on an above average offense.
- Devin Singletary is clearly the Bills coaching staff's favorite RB, by a wide margin. In a close game against Miami, Singletary dominated the snaps, and was targeted 11 times in that matchup. The Ravens game in Week 4 should be another back-and-forth, competitive affair, and I expect his usage to fall somewhere between Weeks 1-2 and Week 3. My estimate would be eight carries and five targets, which carries fantasy value in the elite Buffalo offense.
- In his second game back, JK Dobbins meets a Bills team allowing 2.7 yards per carry, second lowest in the NFL. Dobbins will be a strong candidate to find the end zone each week due to the Ravens offense, but this is not the game environment to expect much.
- While the Detroit Lions matchup is tasty on paper (they've allowed six rushing TDs to back through three games, most in the NFL), the Seahawks three-pronged attack makes it tough to find the fantasy points. Rashaad Penny primarily handles early down work, though rookie Kenneth Walker mixes in. On third downs, it's either Travis Homer or DeeJay Dallas. I don't see a clear path to any of these RBs topping 15 fantasy points, and won't be starting Penny or Walker on any fantasy rosters this week.
"Who *should* I have drafted instead of Rashaad Penny?"
"He was the only potential workhorse going in that area of fantasy drafts"
This video will hopefully make you a sharper drafter going forward pic.twitter.com/Qm9PdSJRog
— Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) September 26, 2022
Top-57 Wide Receivers
Rank | Name | Pos | Team | Opp | Team Total | xPPR |
1 | Stefon Diggs | WR | BUF | BAL | 27.50 | 23 |
2 | Cooper Kupp | WR | LA | SF | 19.75 | 20.1 |
3 | Justin Jefferson | WR | MIN | NO | 23.25 | 17.3 |
4 | Davante Adams | WR | LV | DEN | 24.00 | 20.6 |
5 | Ja'Marr Chase | WR | CIN | MIA | 25.25 | 21 |
6 | Tyreek Hill | WR | MIA | CIN | 21.75 | 12.9 |
7 | A.J. Brown | WR | PHI | JAX | 27.25 | 16.5 |
8 | Jaylen Waddle | WR | MIA | CIN | 21.75 | 16.6 |
9 | Marquise Brown | WR | ARI | CAR | 21.00 | 16.1 |
10 | Courtland Sutton | WR | DEN | LV | 21.50 | 16.7 |
11 | Michael Pittman | WR | IND | TEN | 23.00 | 16.6 |
12 | CeeDee Lamb | WR | DAL | WAS | 23.00 | 16.8 |
13 | Tee Higgins | WR | CIN | MIA | 25.25 | 11.7 |
14 | Mike Williams | WR | LAC | HOU | 24.50 | 11.9 |
15 | Christian Kirk | WR | JAX | PHI | 20.75 | 14.9 |
16 | Diontae Johnson | WR | PIT | NYJ | 21.75 | 14.8 |
17 | Mike Evans | WR | TB | KC | 21.50 | 10.2 |
18 | Amari Cooper | WR | CLE | ATL | 25.50 | 14.6 |
19 | Chris Olave | WR | NO | MIN | 20.25 | 14.7 |
20 | DK Metcalf | WR | SEA | DET | 22.50 | 13.1 |
21 | Deebo Samuel | WR | SF | LA | 22.25 | 14.1 |
22 | Drake London | WR | ATL | CLE | 24.00 | 14.5 |
23 | DeVonta Smith | WR | PHI | JAX | 27.25 | 16.1 |
24 | Brandin Cooks | WR | HOU | LAC | 20.00 | 14.3 |
25 | Elijah Moore | WR | NYJ | PIT | 18.75 | 12.2 |
26 | Curtis Samuel | WR | WAS | DAL | 19.50 | 16.3 |
27 | Juju Smith-Schuster | WR | KC | TB | 23.50 | 9.7 |
28 | Romeo Doubs | WR | GB | NE | 25.50 | 9.3 |
29 | Gabe Davis | WR | BUF | BAL | 27.50 | 9.7 |
30 | D.J. Moore | WR | CAR | ARI | 23.00 | 10.7 |
31 | Jerry Jeudy | WR | DEN | LV | 21.50 | 9.6 |
32 | Josh Palmer | WR | LAC | HOU | 24.50 | 11.1 |
33 | Garrett Wilson | WR | NYJ | PIT | 18.75 | 19.2 |
34 | Terry McLaurin | WR | WAS | DAL | 19.50 | 12.5 |
35 | Tyler Lockett | WR | SEA | DET | 22.50 | 11.4 |
36 | Adam Thielen | WR | MIN | NO | 23.25 | 12.1 |
37 | DeVante Parker | WR | NE | GB | 15.00 | 12.8 |
38 | Rashod Bateman | WR | BAL | BUF | 24.00 | 9.6 |
39 | Josh Reynolds | WR | DET | SEA | 27.50 | 10 |
40 | Allen Robinson | WR | LA | SF | 19.75 | 9 |
41 | Russell Gage | WR | TB | KC | 21.50 | 10.7 |
42 | Treylon Burks | WR | TEN | IND | 19.50 | 8.2 |
43 | Jarvis Landry | WR | NO | MIN | 20.25 | 10.4 |
44 | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | SF | LA | 22.25 | 10.2 |
45 | Tyler Boyd | WR | CIN | MIA | 25.25 | 8.3 |
46 | Allen Lazard | WR | GB | NE | 25.50 | 10.4 |
47 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | WR | KC | TB | 23.50 | 9.6 |
48 | Julio Jones | WR | TB | KC | 21.50 | 10.3 |
49 | Mack Hollins | WR | LV | DEN | 24.00 | 13.6 |
50 | Robbie Anderson | WR | CAR | ARI | 23.00 | 8.9 |
51 | Richie James | WR | NYG | CHI | 21.00 | 9.1 |
52 | Jahan Dotson | WR | WAS | DAL | 19.50 | 12 |
53 | Marvin Jones | WR | JAX | PHI | 20.75 | 10.3 |
54 | Corey Davis | WR | NYJ | PIT | 18.75 | 12.3 |
55 | Darnell Mooney | WR | CHI | NYG | 18.00 | 6.7 |
56 | Alec Pierce | WR | IND | TEN | 23.00 | 8.8 |
57 | Rondale Moore | WR | ARI | CAR | 21.00 | - |
- Stefon Diggs is the current fantasy WR1, and now faces a Baltimore Ravens secondary that has allowed nearly 200 more yards to WRs (842, compared to 667 for the second place Rams) than any other team. Diggs is the no brainer WR1 for Week 4.
- Ja'Marr Chase is in for a huge game. Jordan Vanek, our Head of DFS, breaks down coverage schemes and Dolphins blitzing tendencies to help explain why.
- Marquise Brown quietly has the fourth most targets in the NFL. He has back-to-back games with at least 11 targets, and most recently caught 14 of 17 targets for 140 yards in Week 3. Carolina has some talent in the secondary, but the volume and growing connection with Kyler Murray are undeniable.
- The Washington Commanders have given up the third most receiving yards to opposing wideouts, and have also allowed the third highest passing yards per attempt to opposing QBs. CeeDee Lamb has an outrageous 37% target share on the season, and should be the focal point once again of a surprisingly competent Dallas passing attack led by Cooper Rush. Lamb has at least 75 receiving yards in both Cooper Rush starts.
- Mike Williams will once again be pressed into a high-volume role with Keenan Allen OUT in Week 4. He's averaging eight targets per game this year without Allen, and has 109 or more air yards in both contests. Josh Palmer is also ranked aggressively, and for good reason. The past two weeks without Allen, Palmer has at least eight targets in both affairs. One game, he had two end zone targets, the other game featured a 99 yard performance. Expect a big game from Palmer against Houston.
- Diontae Johnson has double digit targets in all three games this year - only CeeDee Lamb has accomplished the same feat. Diontae has suffered heavily from Trubisky's erratic play, and has only one combined red zone/end zone target on the season because of all the Steelers' stalled offensive drives.
- Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry are both unlikely to play in Week 4. Chris Olave is ranked aggressively, as he should see a target vacuum in Week 4, and was already coming off back-to-back games with 13 targets and at least 164 air yards in each contest.
- The Detroit Lions play the most man coverage in the entire NFL. DK Metcalf has done well against man coverage, historically, utilizing his massive frame. While Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has played lock-down coverage this year - and most recently shut down Justin Jefferson in Week 3 - Metcalf's size and physicality makes this a mismatch that tilts in Seattle's favor.
- The 49ers offense is not functional, and they just lost star tackle Trent Williams to a high ankle sprain. I have downgraded Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as a result, since fewer downfield passes are likely to be completed, and more sacks will likely be taken by Jimmy Garoppolo. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk were already both outside the Top-36 WRs in fantasy points per game, and I worry about the floors/ceilings of both Deebo/Aiyuk against the Rams.
- Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson were downgraded when Zach Wilson was announced as the likely Week 4 starter. The Jets have allowed Joe Flacco to drop back roughly 55 times per game, an NFL-record through three games. With Wilson returning from a serious knee injury, I doubt they continue their pass-happy ways until he gets more comfortable. Expect more emphasis on the running game, and a drop in target volume for both Moore and Wilson.
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- Romeo Doubs broke out in Week 3, catching all eight of his targets for 73 yards and a TD. Allen Lazard has yet to reach eight catches in a NFL game, as Doubs flashed target-earning potential that has been sorely lacking in Green Bay this season. He's ranked aggressively because this team needs a receiver to step up. Doubs also led this team in targets in Week 1.
- Josh Reynolds should be peppered with targets against a porous Seahawks secondary, as D'Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and DJ Chark have all been ruled out of this contest.
- While warning bells are blaring, Allen Robinson can still be flexed, and should not be dropped in fantasy. While he was disappointing in Week 3 - only 23 yards on five targets - because the Rams threw so little that game, Robinson actually had a 20% target share in the contest, his highest of the 2022 season.
- Treylon Burks is coming off his worst performance of the season, totaling only 13 receiving yards in Week 3, after at least 47 in both games prior. However, his route participation has ticked up each week, going from 38% to 77% to 96%. He is now a full-time player on a team that has been relying on 30-year-old Robert Woods, who is coming off an ACL tear and no longer looks like a Pro Bowl-caliber wideout.
- With Zay Jones now ruled OUT due to injury, Marvin Jones becomes a desperation flex play. The weather looks rough (windy and rainy), but Marvin is just good enough of a WR to likely see a target increase with Zay's absence.
- After a Week 1 concussion, Alec Pierce returned in Week 3, and commanded five targets (on only 20 routes), catching three for 61 yards. He is a big play threat and the second round rookie is a player to monitor moving forward. If his routes increase in Week 4, he likely will have flex value down the line. It is clear that Parris Campbell is not a starting-caliber WR, after only eight targets and 47 total yards through three games.
Top-25 Tight Ends
Rank | Name | Pos | Team | Opp | Team Total | xPPR |
1 | Travis Kelce | TE | KC | TB | 23.50 | 15.2 |
2 | Mark Andrews | TE | BAL | BUF | 24.00 | 18.5 |
3 | Darren Waller | TE | LV | DEN | 24.00 | 13.2 |
4 | Kyle Pitts | TE | ATL | CLE | 24.00 | 10.5 |
5 | Zach Ertz | TE | ARI | CAR | 21.00 | 13.9 |
6 | George Kittle | TE | SF | LA | 22.25 | 8.3 |
7 | T.J. Hockenson | TE | DET | SEA | 27.50 | 9.6 |
8 | Dallas Goedert | TE | PHI | JAX | 27.25 | 6.9 |
9 | Dalton Schultz | TE | DAL | WAS | 23.00 | 8.7 |
10 | Gerald Everett | TE | LAC | HOU | 24.50 | 10.1 |
11 | Tyler Conklin | TE | NYJ | PIT | 18.75 | 10.4 |
12 | Tyler Higbee | TE | LA | SF | 19.75 | 11.3 |
13 | David Njoku | TE | CLE | ATL | 25.50 | 9.5 |
14 | Irv Smith | TE | MIN | NO | 23.25 | 11.4 |
15 | Pat Freiermuth | TE | PIT | NYJ | 21.75 | 11.2 |
16 | Logan Thomas | TE | WAS | DAL | 19.50 | 8.4 |
17 | Dawson Knox | TE | BUF | BAL | 27.50 | 5.3 |
18 | Evan Engram | TE | JAX | PHI | 20.75 | 7.7 |
19 | Robert Tonyan | TE | GB | NE | 25.50 | 7.2 |
20 | Juwan Johnson | TE | NO | MIN | 20.25 | 10.8 |
21 | Hayden Hurst | TE | CIN | MIA | 25.25 | 8.6 |
22 | Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | DEN | LV | 21.50 | 5.8 |
23 | Cole Kmet | TE | CHI | NYG | 18.00 | 6.2 |
24 | Daniel Bellinger | TE | NYG | CHI | 21.00 | 4.5 |
25 | Mike Gesicki | TE | MIA | CIN | 21.75 | 4.4 |
- I still have Travis Kelce ahead of Mark Andrews, even though Andrews is the current TE1. Lamar Jackson is playing out of his mind, but Patrick Mahomes has a far better track record. Also, JK Dobbins is only getting healthier, and I still have some concerns about overall pass volume when he's back and fully healthy - he played about half the snaps in Week 3, so I wouldn't be surprised if he is a full-go in Week 4. I do not have a strong take, this is just a lean. So if you want to rank Andrews ahead of Kelce I will push back minimally.
- Zach Ertz now has back-to-back games of double digit targets and appears fully recovered from his preseason injury. He is the clear No. 2 pass game option behind Marquise Brown, and is closer to Darren Waller and Kyle Pitts than to George Kittle directly below him.
- TJ Hockenson has been largely disappointing through three games, failing to reach 40 yards in any contest. However, Amon-Ra St. Brown, D'Andre Swift, and DJ Chark have all been ruled OUT in Week 4. Jared Goff will try to connect with Josh Reynolds in the intermediate/deep areas of the field, but TJ Hockenson is now the only proven weapon close to the line of scrimmage on passing downs. Expect a healthy amount of targets in Week 4 against Seattle.
- Dalton Schultz is expected to return from his PCL injury in Week 4, but he may be slightly limited. I am wary of an already limited TE, athletically, who now has a lingering knee injury, so I'd lean towards Hockenson and Dallas Goedert in Week 4 instead.
- Tyler Conklin is the overall TE3, with at least seven targets in every game. However, like with the NYJ WRs, a switch to Zach Wilson downgrades the pass-catchers due to expected volume, and Conklin will struggle to command seven targets in Week 4 unless his target share greatly increases.
- David Njoku now has back-to-back games with at least two red zone targets. After reeling in three of five targets for 32 yards in Week 2, Njoku had a monster game, hauling in nine of ten targets for 89 yards and a score. The Falcons (his Week 4 opponent) have allowed the fourth most yards to TEs through three games, despite facing the Saints, Rams, and Seahawks, none of whom have an elite TE.
- Irv Smith now has back-to-back games with at least six targets, and one of those was a red zone target in each game, too.
- Pat Freiermuth and Logan Thomas are both high floor, low ceiling options for Week 4.
- Robert Tonyan led the team in targets in Week 1, then had seven targets in Week 3. The Green Bay passing game is wide open, and while Tonyan has never been a high target share guy previously, I would only expect Romeo Doubs to out-target him each week. He is an interesting upside stash.
- Juwan Johnson has an outside chance to the No. 2 pass game option behind Chris Olave in Week 4, and would be an uninspiring streamer candidate if both Thomas/Landry cannot go due to injury.
These Week 4 fantasy rankings will be updated throughout the week. Make sure to check this post each day this week as the news hits.
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