Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 4: Breaking Down Best and Worst Skill Position Plays

Heading into Week 4 of the 2013 fantasy football season, it's been a relatively unpredictable campaign thus far, as a number of perennial studs have struggled mightily out of the gates during the first three weeks of the schedule. 

But it's still early, and there's more than enough time for these guys to bounce back, especially for those with favorable Week 4 matchups. 

So far, we've seen 2012 fantasy stars like Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick and Arian Foster put forth very disappointing efforts, but at least one of them is due for a big improvement in Week 4. 

Heading into a full slate of intriguing tilts this weekend, here's a look at the guys at each skill position you should plan on starting, as well as others that should be left on the bench if possible. 

Ryan Tannehill

After having lead Miami to three straight victories to start the season, Ryan Tannehill has quickly established himself as one of the game's most promising young quarterbacks, even if his statistics aren't quite elite yet. 

But with Tannehill and the Dolphins set to take on Drew Brees and the Saints on Monday Night Football, owners of the former Texas A&M star should seriously consider other options at quarterback. 

That's because Rob Ryan's defense has been dynamite so far this season, allowing under 300 yards per game through the first three weeks of the season. 

In addition, New Orleans has been particularly good at limiting opposing offenses' effectiveness through the air, so if you have other options under center, Tannehill may be worth sitting for Week 4. 

Robert Griffin III

Yeah, we know. RG3 has been maddeningly inconsistent during Washington's three losses to start 2013, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't expect the former Heisman Trophy winner to bounce back to a certain degree in Week 4. 

As the Redskins head to Oakland to take on the Raiders, Griffin will have the perfect opportunity to bounce back against a very average opponent, even if the Black and Silver have enjoyed some success defensively so far. 

But Griffin finally showed glimpses of his trademark speed against the Lions, and if not for a couple of key drops, he would've put together a much more impressive Week 3 showing for his owners. 

With each additional week RG3 gets to reacclimatize himself with Kyle Shanahan's apparently evolving offense, the 2012 Pro Bowl selection will undoubtedly get better, so look for him to have his first legitimately impressive performance against Oakland this Sunday. 

Trent Richardson

After rushing for a touchdown and a relatively paltry 35 yards, Indy's recent backfield acquisition has to be considered a must-start in Week 4. 

That's what happens when the Jacksonville Jaguars are next up on the schedule. 

In Richardson, the Colts have a legitimate No. 1 back, and up against an opponent that's given up more than 370 yards of total offense a game, one has to think that the former No. 3 overall pick is a lock to put up solid numbers against a weak defense. 

If the Colts go up by a couple of scores early, expect Chuck Pagano to pound the ball on the ground in order to save Andrew Luck, and if that's the case, Richardson's bound to have a big day. 

Arian Foster

As a three-time All-Pro back, there aren't many times that Arian Foster isn't a surefire starter for his fantasy owners, but the former Tennessee star hasn't looked like himself yet this season.

Part of that is due to Ben Tate's emergence, while some of it remains a mystery, as Foster's simply not getting as much done as we're accustomed to with the ball in his hands. 

And this week, with the Texans set to take on the league's stingiest defense on the road against Seattle, this isn't the time to continue to place your team's fortunes on the back of a struggling Foster. 

Jimmy Graham

With Jimmy Graham's Saints due to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, owners of the big tight end have to be licking their chops. 

So far, Graham has been absolutely unstoppable (outside of his 45-yard Week 1 showing) and has been good for 134 yards or more in each of his last two games. 

The former Miami Hurricane has become Brees' most consistent target, and against the league's 21st-ranked defense, Graham's got the potential to steal this week for those with him in the lineup. 

David Wilson

After a trio of overwhelmingly disappointing performances, the New York Giants offense can't get much worse than their 38-0 whitewashing at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. 

But that doesn't mean that No. 1 back David Wilson is worth a start in Week 4, because things won't be getting any easier when the G-Men are slated to battle against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. 

With the Chiefs tied for ninth in the league as far as yards allowed go, Wilson (just 75 yards rushing on the season) isn't worth taking a chance on now. 

Tom Coughlin clearly doesn't trust the running game much, so against a quality opponent in Kansas City, don't count on that changing now. 

Dez Bryant

No, Week 3 wasn't kind to Dez Bryant's fantasy owners, as the Oklahoma State product managed just 38 yards through the air, though he did add a touchdown.

That being said, Bryant is a logical bet to rebound in Week 4, as the Cowboys take on the Chargers in San Diego. 

With one of the league's worst pass defenses, the Chargers will have a lot of trouble handling the immensely gifted receiver, and Bryant will make up for his weak performance against the Rams with a 100-yard outing.