Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Smart Sleepers to Exploit and Lineup Advice

For one more week, fantasy football managers won't need to worry about players being on byes. All 32 NFL teams will be in action again in Week 4, which will feature a Thursday night matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants, 13 Sunday contests and another pair of Monday night games.

But some fantasy rosters have been depleted by injuries and underperforming players. So managers have been on the look for reinforcements or sleepers who can bolster a lineup.

With more key decisions to be made, here's some early start/sit advice for the upcoming Week 4 action.

Start 'Em: Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants

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CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) eludes Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) as he runs after making a catch during first quarter of the National Football League game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Early in his first season with the Giants, Devin Singletary is emerging as a key member of their offense. The 27-year-old running back has gotten at least 14 touches in each of his first three games, and he recorded 16 carries and four catches during the Giants' Week 3 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Singletary is also finding the end zone, as he's scored a rushing touchdown each of the past two weeks. His Week 3 performance marked his first time clearing the century mark for New York, as he totaled 65 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards.

The Giants' ground game should have success in Week 4, when they face the NFC East rival Cowboys, who are allowing an NFL-high 185.7 rushing yards per game. So lock Singletary into fantasy lineups on Thursday (and make sure not to put him in a flex spot to leave maximum flexibility for the rest of the week).

Sit 'Em: Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Running Back Rachaad White (1) carries the ball during the game between the Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 22, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Some fantasy managers were high on Rachaad White going into his third NFL season, but the 25-year-old running back's production has waned over the first three weeks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' campaign. He's averaging 2.1 yards per carry, having rushed for only 66 yards on 31 attempts.

In a Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, White had six carries for 17 yards and five catches for 18 yards. So perhaps he still has some value in points-per-reception formats. However, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Monday that rookie running back Bucky Irving has earned more snaps moving forward.

As Irving's stock rises, White's stock is dropping. It will probably be best to leave White out of fantasy lineups in Week 4, when the Bucs host the Philadelphia Eagles. At this point, he can't be trusted by managers, especially with a timeshare potentially beginning.

Start 'Em: Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Diontae Johnson #5 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball as Jack Jones #18 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

A quarterback change for the Carolina Panthers appears to have boosted Diontae Johnson's fantasy value. The 28-year-old wide receiver put up much bigger numbers in Week 3, when Andy Dalton replaced Bryce Young as Carolina's starting QB.

After recording only five catches for 34 yards over the first two weeks of the season, Johnson had eight receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Not only that, but Johnson received a season-high 14 targets.

Dalton should be looking for Johnson a lot again in Week 4, when Carolina will likely need to pass a good bit to keep up with the Cincinnati Bengals. That makes Johnson a must-start fantasy receiver for the time being.

Sit 'Em: Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 19: Allen Lazard #10 of the New York Jets signals as he lines up during an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Allen Lazard's rapport with Aaron Rodgers has gotten the 28-year-old New York Jets wide receiver off to a strong start this season. He has already scored three touchdowns over three games, with his best performance coming Week 1 vs. the San Francisco 49ers (six catches for 89 yards and two scores).

But Lazard's targets have dropped every week so far, which led to him notching only three catches for 48 yards in Week 3 against the New England Patriots. There's also a good chance that Rodgers will begin to throw a lot more to top wide receiver Garrett Wilson as the two continue to develop a connection.

The Jets' passing attack has a challenging Week 4 matchup vs. the Denver Broncos, who rank third best in the league in passing yards allowed per game (133.3). Because of that, leave Lazard on the bench and look for wide receivers with better opportunities this week.