Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings: Highlighting Best Plays at Each Position

Week 4 of the NFL season is usually when the contenders start to separate themselves from the pretenders both in real and fantasy terms. It may seem as though the season just started, but it is nearly a quarter of the way through, so it's starting to become apparent that certain players and teams are who they have shown themselves to be.

If your fantasy team has gotten off to a slow start, however, it isn't too late to turn things around. An 0-3 beginning may be tough to come back from, but it is far from impossible. Teams with a 1-2 record may be feeling a little nervous as well, but a win in Week 4 would alleviate some of those concerns.

It's never too early to get a leg up on the competition, so here is a look at the top 10 options for each position heading into your pivotal Week 4 fantasy matchup.

Quarterback

Tony Romo (DAL)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo hasn't exactly exploded out of the gates, but he continued his consistent start on Sunday by throwing for 210 yards and three scores in a blowout win over the St. Louis Rams.

Romo is averaging two touchdown tosses per game, and he has thrown just one interception, so perhaps the gunslinger has finally come of age. His matchup against St. Louis was a tantalizing one, but Romo may have an even better one in place this week.

The Cowboys will take on a San Diego Chargers team that has been picked apart through the air as they are allowing nearly 341 passing yards per game. The Bolts made Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker look like a franchise player in Week 3, so there is no telling what Romo might do. Look for the Cowboys to pass early and often on Sunday.

Running Back

Jamaal Charles (KC)

While Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles' yardage totals are somewhat modest through three weeks of the NFL season, the explosive runner seems poised to break out at any moment.

Charles has a touchdown in each of Kansas City's three contests, and he is coming off his best game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Charles rushed for 92 yards and added 80 more through the receiving game, so he has become an integral part of head coach Andy Reid's offense.

Charles must be licking his chops at the thought of facing the New York Giants in Week 4 as the current G-Men defense is a far cry from the one that won the Super Bowl just a couple years ago. The Carolina Panthers gashed New York on the ground in Week 3, and there is no doubt that Charles is far superior to DeAngelo Williams. With that in mind, expect some huge production from Charles this weekend.

Wide Receiver

Demaryius Thomas (DEN)

Chip Kelly's high-flying offensive system has made the Philadelphia Eagles an exciting team to watch, but he has been unable to cure the defensive woes that have held them back in recent years. Philly has allowed 323 passing yards per game through three weeks, which is a recipe for disaster as the Eagles travel to Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos.

Quarterback Peyton Manning has an impressive arsenal of weapons, and any of them could go off in Week 4.

The smart money is on Demaryius Thomas, though, as he is Manning's most explosive receiver. The Eagles have been burned by plenty of big plays, and Thomas makes big plays on a weekly basis. Even though he will have to share targets with guys like Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas, there should be plenty to go around against the Eagles.

The best part for Demaryius Thomas is that the Eagles won't be able to focus all of their defensive attention on him.

Tight End

Jimmy Graham (NO)

It's difficult to predict what is going to happen at the tight end position from week to week, but the one constant is the dominance of New Orleans Saints star Jimmy Graham. The former basketball player is head and shoulders above the rest of the field, and he has developed into quarterback Drew Brees' favorite target.

Graham already has four touchdowns this season, and he has more than 300 receiving yards over the past two weeks, so he is a cornerstone player for any fantasy team.

While it goes without saying that Graham should be in your lineup every week, he has a solid matchup ahead against the Miami Dolphins. Although the Dolphins sport a solid defense that has helped them to a 3-0 start, they are giving up 263 yards per game through the air.

Brees has thrown for 300 yards or better in eight consecutive games, which is one short of tying his own NFL record. Look for Brees and Graham to connect plenty on Monday night.

Defense/Special Teams

Indianapolis Colts

Although most viewed the Indianapolis Colts defense as little more than a plug-and-play option this season, the unit proved in Week 3 that it has some staying power. Indy shut down the seemingly high-powered San Francisco 49ers as the Niners scored just seven points at home.

Indy also performed admirably in the season's first two weeks against the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins, respectively, so the Colts defense is developing into a weekly starter.

The Colts couldn't ask for a better matchup in Week 4, though, as they will take on the moribund Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are the only team in the league averaging less than 10 points per game at 9.3, and they turn the ball over at will. Jacksonville is easily the NFL's worst team, and the Colts will have no problem taking advantage of them.

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