• C.J. Stroud can have his first big sport of his sophomore season: After robust matchups during the last two weeks, Stroud will face the Jacksonville Jaguars at dwelling, who simply allowed Josh Allen to attain 30 fantasy factors towards them.
• Rome Odunze is the Chicago Bears extensive receiver with essentially the most upside in Week 4: While DJ Moore is seeing shorter targets, Odunze has a knack for coming down with huge performs. The Los Angeles Rams are permitting the second most yards per reception within the NFL to WRs this season.
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Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
Are you struggling to set your fantasy lineups? Maybe I might help… Below yow will discover my high fireplace (increase) and ice (bust) gamers at every place for Week 4. I additionally embody my sleeper of the week at every place in case you’re in a deeper league or in want of a alternative for an ice participant.
Don’t miss my Fire & Ice chart on the backside of this web page. There, I’ve listed out all of my fireplace, good, sleeper and ice performs for Week 4 of the 2024 fantasy soccer season.
Quarterbacks
Fire QB Start of the Week: C.J. Stroud (vs. JAX)
It has been a disappointing begin to his sophomore season for C.J. Stroud., who is barely averaging 14.3 fantasy factors per sport over the primary three weeks. He has had robust matchups in back-to-back weeks towards the Bears and Vikings, however he ought to have a a lot simpler time towards the Jaguars struggling protection.
The Jaguars are permitting the third most passing yards per sport within the NFL, and so they have zero defensive turnovers on the season. Josh Allen simply put up over 30 fantasy factors towards them, and he didn’t even play within the fourth quarter. The Jaguars merely do not need adequate defensive personnel to successfully cowl Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. Stroud is a top-five fantasy play this week.
Sleeper QB of the Week: Caleb Williams (vs. LAR)
The Bears run sport is so extremely unhealthy that Caleb Williams is being requested to go at an alarming fee for a rookie — Williams’ 118 go makes an attempt are second most within the NFL, behind solely Dak Prescott (122). He put up terrible fantasy performances over the primary two weeks however completed because the QB10 in Week 3 on the again of 52 go makes an attempt.
The Rams protection has now allowed a quarterback to attain 25 fantasy factors towards them in every of the final two weeks — each Kyler Murray and Brock Purdy threw for 3 touchdowns and nil interceptions towards them. It is probably going that Williams will nonetheless make some errant throws this Sunday, however I anticipate that he’ll end as a top-10 fantasy QB once more in Week 4.
Ice QB Start of the Week: Patrick Mahomes (vs. LAC)
Something that nobody appears to need to admit is that Patrick Mahomes has not been fantasy quarterback for a very long time. It has now been eight straight video games, relationship again to Week 13 of final season, that Mahomes has completed because the QB14 or worse on the week. He has not completed a high eight fantasy quarterback since Week 7, 2023 — nicely over 300 days in the past.
Mahomes is averaging 4.6 air yards per try, which is by far the bottom amongst all certified quarterbacks. Yet, the Chiefs are nonetheless profitable … So, I don’t anticipate something to vary anytime quickly, particularly towards a troublesome Chargers protection.
Running Backs
Fire RB Start of the Week: Najee Harris (at IND)
Both groups are projected to lean heavy on the run on this matchup. Najee Harris already has the sixth most dashing makes an attempt within the NFL this season, and now it appears to be like like Jaylen Warren is uncertain to play in Week 4 with a knee harm.
Harris has but to run for greater than 70 dashing yards or discover the top zone this season, however that ought to change in a juicy matchup towards the Colts. Over the primary two weeks of the season, the Colts had allowed 237 dashing yards per sport — then they bought fortunate and bought to face the Bears incompetent run offense.
There isn’t any purpose that Harris wont see 20 carries on this matchup and if he can rating a TD, he ought to comfortably end as a top-12 fantasy RB this week.
Sleeper RB of the Week: Chuba Hubbard (vs. CIN)
The Panthers offense has been saved by Andy Dalton whereas the group provides Bryce Young a while to sit down on the bench and take into consideration how horrible he has been. With a reliable quarterback below heart, Chuba Hubbard completed because the RB5 in Week 3, whereas placing up 114 yards on the bottom, plus 55 yards and landing by means of the air.
Hubbard will get a pleasant matchup towards the Bengals who allowed Rhondre Stevenson to attain 21.6 factors in Week 1, Isiah Pacheco to attain 16.1 factors in Week 2, and Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. to mix for twenty-four.4 factors in Week 3.
Ice RB Start of the Week: Josh Jacobs (vs. MIN)
Josh Jacobs is averaging simply 10.4 fantasy factors per sport this season, which ranks thirty first amongst operating backs, and he has but to hit 14 factors in a sport. Jacobs shouldn’t be solely struggling to attain fantasy factors, however he’s additionally beginning to lose taking part in time and workload to Emanuel Wilson, who was much more environment friendly than him in Week 3.
Unfortunately, the outlook solely will get extra bleak for Jacobs as he has to face the Vikings wonderful protection this weekend. Through three weeks, the Vikings have allowed the third fewest dashing yards per sport and yards per carry whereas solely permitting one dashing landing.
Most Jacobs’ fantasy managers will doubtless have to begin him this week however mood your expectations.
Wide Receivers
Fire WR Start of the Week: Rome Odonuze (vs. LAR)
As I discussed below Caleb Williams‘ part, the Bears are passing at an alarming fee, which is giving Odunze lots of alternatives — Odunze has run the third most routes within the NFL over the primary three weeks of the season, regardless of him coping with a decrease physique harm to begin the yr. In Week 3, Odunze was on the sector for almost 99% of offensive snaps and led the Bears with 11 targets, 112 receiving yards and scored a landing. His breakout ought to proceed this Sunday in an A-plus matchup.
The Rams have allowed a large receiver to have 120-plus receiving yards, one-plus landing and 25-plus fantasy factors towards them in every sport this season (Jameson Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jauan Jennings). The Rams are permitting the second most yards per reception within the NFL to WRs this season, whereas Odouze has been a giant play machine averaging 17.3 yards per reception, which ranks fifth within the NFL (min. 20 targets).
Sleeper WR Start of the Week: Michael Wilson (vs. WAS)
It was a quiet first couple of weeks for second-year extensive receiver Michael Wilson, who confirmed promise as a rookie, however he was way more concerned within the Cardinals offense in Week 3. Last Sunday, Wilson led the Cardinals with eight receptions and solely ran one fewer route and noticed one fewer goal than Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Commanders have allowed a league-high 52.1 fantasy factors per sport to the extensive receiver place this season. There is room for each Harrison and Wilson to eat on this matchup … particularly if Trey McBride misses the sport in concussion protocol.
Ice WR Start of the Week: Garrett Wilson vs. DEN
I assume it doesn’t actually matter who’s below heart for the Jets, Garrett Wilson is simply going to be caught being a median fantasy producer. Over the primary three weeks of the season with Aaron Rodgers, Wilson has completed because the WR29, 33 and 29. He has but to have greater than six receptions or 60 receiving yards in a sport this season, in truth, he has solely hit 80 receiving yards as soon as over his final 11 video games performed.
This week he’ll get a heavy dose of protection from Patrick Surtain II, who has achieved a improbable job at shutting down opposing WR1s this season. DK Metcalf, Mike Evans and George Pickens all scored fewer than six fantasy factors of their matchup towards the Broncos in 2024. It appears to be like like it is going to be one other underwhelming fantasy efficiency from Wilson this week.
Tight Ends
Fire TE Start of the Week: Dallas Goedert (at TB)
Not solely did Goedert present that he nonetheless has a excessive ceiling with a large sport in Week 3, however he will probably be a necessity as the highest goal for Jalen Hurts this weekend with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith each prone to be out. With the place being sparsely used throughout the NFL, there isn’t a tight finish that has an opportunity for extra targets than Goedert in Week 4
Sleeper TE of the Week: Tyler Conklin (vs. DEN)
Conklin completed because the fantasy TE4 in Week 3 with 5 receptions for 93 yards. He is persistently on the sector, taking part in 91.6% of the Jets offensive snaps this season and he has run the sixth most routes amongst all tight ends. With Garrett Wilson prone to get shadowed by Pat Surtain, Aaron Rodgers might want to go to his different playmakers.
Conklin isn’t an thrilling begin, however if you’re determined this week with a mess of accidents throughout the tight finish place, he’s a viable choice that may be discovered on waivers.
Ice TE Start of the Week: Mark Andrews (vs. BUF)
The disappearing act by Mark Andrews is actually astonishing this season. Not solely was he focused only one time in Week 3, however he was on the sector for less than 33% of the offensive snaps and ran simply six routes all sport lengthy.
Through three weeks, Andrews has eight targets, six receptions and simply 17.7 fantasy factors on the season. We all know what Andrews can do if he’s correctly utilized, however till we see his utilization improve, it’s onerous to belief him in your fantasy lineups.
Fire & Ice Fantasy Football Plays
Here, I categorize each related fantasy participant into 5 totally different buckets: (1) fireplace begins (greatest begins of the week); (2) thumbs up (good begins); (3) Risky gamers with upside (sleepers); (4) Ice begins (predicting unhealthy efficiency from good participant); (5) Stop (should sits).
Note: If a participant/protection shouldn’t be listed, I’m not contemplating beginning them in Week 4. I didn’t embody Cowboys/Giants gamers as they performed on Thursday evening.
Fire 🔥
- QB: Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, Jayden Daniels, C.J. Stroud, Joe Burrow
- RB: Saquon Barkley, Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson, Kyren Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jordan Mason, James Conner, Najee Harris
- WR: Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Rashee Rice, Ja’Marr Chase, Marvin Harrison Jr. Nico Collins, Malik Nabers, DK Metcalf, Rome Odunze
- TE: George Kittle (if he performs), Brock Bowers, Dallas Goedert
- DEF: Steelers, 49ers, Jets, Chiefs, Browns
Thumbs Up 👍
- QB: Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields
- RB: Derrick Henry, De’Von Achane, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, JK Dobbins, Aaron Jones, David Montgomery, Brian Robinson Jr., Zack Moss
- WR: Chris Godwin, DJ Moore, Tyreek Hill, Amari Cooper, Chris Olave, Mike Evans, Davante Adams, Brandon Aiyuk , Jauan Jennings, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, Tee Higgins, George Pickens, Stefon Diggs, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Brian Thomas Jr.
- TE: Sam LaPorta (if he performs), Cole Kmet, Travis Kelce, Dalton Kincaid, Kyle Pitts
- DEF: Vikings, Bears, Texans, Dolphins
Upside 📈
- QB: Baker Mayfield, Caleb Williams, Geno Smith, Deshaun Watson
- RB: Chuba Hubbard, Rachaad White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Carson Steele, Cam Akers, Tony Pollard, Zamir White, Braelon Allen, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jerome Ford
- WR: Jameson Williams, Rashid Shaheed, Christian Kirk, Khalil Shakir, Darnell Mooney, Zay Flowers, Michael Wilson, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell
- TE: Tyler Conklin, Pat Freiermuth, Mike Gesicki, Zach Ertz, Isaiah Likely, Noah Fant, Jonnu Smith
- DEF: Titans, Saints, Packers, Raiders
Ice 🥶
- QB: Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Derek Carr, Anthony Richardson, Andy Dalton, Trevor Lawrence
- RB: Travis Etienne, Josh Jacobs, Zach Charbonnet
- WR: Jaylen Waddle, Garrett Wilson, Drake London, Jayden Reed, Demarcus Robinson, Keenan Allen, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy
- TE: Mark Andrews, Hunter Henry
- DEF: Ravens, Bills, Seahawks
Stop 🚫
- QB: Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, Bo Nix
- RB: D’Andre Swift, Samaje Perine, Emanuel Wilson, Gus Edwards, Javonte Williams
- WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Courtland Sutton, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Watson, Xavier Worthy, Jakobi Meyers
- TE: Colby Parkinson, Tucker Kraft, Foster Moreau
- DEF: Colts, Eagles, Lions, Bengals, Broncos