Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 4: Underachievers That Deserve a Spot in Lineups

Fantasy football is often a game of managing failure. Doing your research so you don't leave a breakthrough player on the bench is vital. Resisting the urge to panic and sell a good player after a poor week is also key. 

And knowing when to give up on an underachieving player and when to give them another shot can often define a season. 

Here, I've taken a look at five players who came into this season with big expectations and to this point have done nothing but disappoint. Are they worth starting today? Will they be worth starting again?

Let's find out.     

David Wilson, RB, New York Giants

Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs, allowing 11.7 points to opposing running backs in ESPN standard-scoring leagues.

Analysis: Let's be honest—you can't trust David Wilson just yet. Heck, you might not be able to trust him at all this season, though I think at some point he'll become a productive fantasy running back.

Still, the fact that he has just 25 carries after three games is worrisome, as is the fact that Week 3's 39 rushing yards were a season high. Yes, he did have a touchdown called back last week, but for the time being, wait and see if Wilson can turn things around.

Verdict: Sit

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Matchup: Atlanta Falcons, allowing 19.7 points to opposing quarterbacks in ESPN standard-scoring leagues.

Analysis: If you were being realistic about Tom Brady's prospects this year, you always expected a slight decline. You don't lose Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez—or start the year minus Rob Gronkowski—without missing a beat, even if you are a player of Brady's caliber. Add in Danny Amendola's injury, and you have a recipe for disaster.

But Brady is getting onto the same page with his rookie wideouts, and in the Patriots' offense he's always a threat to put up big points. Keep him in those lineups.

Verdict: Start

Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots

Matchup: Atlanta Falcons, allowing 13.0 points to opposing running backs in ESPN standard-scoring leagues.

Analysis: In Week 1, Shane Vereen had a solid fantasy outing. In Week 3, it was Brandon Bolden. When will we see a breakthrough from Stevan Ridley? Probably not in Week 4.

The Falcons are tough against the run, and in a game that could end up being a shootout—and with a muddled New England backfield—Ridley looks like the forgotten man. In deeper leagues, he could be worth a speculative look, but for now he's a buy-low candidate and a player to leave on your bench.

Verdict: Sit

Mike Wallace, WR, Miami Dolphins

Matchup: New Orleans Saints, allowing 14.7 points to opposing wide receivers in ESPN standard-scoring leagues.

Analysis: Mike Wallace is looking like a player who will be one of fantasy's biggest boom-or-bust starts all season long. He caught nine passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, but in the other two games this season, he has just three receptions for 37 yards. Worse, he's fourth on the Dolphins in receptions and tied for second in targets.

Oh, and the Saints have been pretty solid against the pass this season, at least from a fantasy perspective. If you really need him at your flex, he can be started. But if you have other options, exercise them.

Verdict: Sit

Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons

Matchup: New England Patriots, allowing 1.3 points to opposing tight ends in ESPN standard-scoring leagues.

Analysis: Yes, the matchup looks terrible, though the Patriots have yet to face an opponent with a truly threatening tight end, so don't over-think this one. Tony Gonzalez has started slowly, with just 11 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown, putting him at 19th on the tight end rankings in standard-scoring leagues.

Yes, his age might be catching up with him slightly, but he's still Atlanta's best weapon in the red zone when Matt Ryan takes to the air inside the 20, and Roddy White's injury issues make Gonzalez an important part of this offense. Don't panic over him just yet. 

Verdict: Start

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