Fantasy Football Week 4: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

As if fantasy managers didn't already have enough problems.

While injuries continue to mount and many early-round fantasy players fail to meet expectations, we've been thrown yet another curveball. As Erik Bacharach reported for the Tennessean, the Tennessee Titans canceled all in-person team activities until at least Saturday and the NFL postponed Sunday's game between them and the Pittsburgh Steelers after five team personnel and three players for the Titans tested positive for COVID-19.

The hope was that the game will be played either Monday or Tuesday. But after more positive tests, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports reported that the game has been postponed indefinitely.

No Derrick Henry in Week 4. Or JuJu Smith-Schuster.

This development (and the cancellation of this week's in-person activities for the Minnesota Vikings, who hosted Tennessee in Week 3) adds that much more uncertainty to fantasy lineups this week. And if your squad has come out of the gate slow, another loss could create a Houston Texans-esque hole that will be hard to escape.

To help fantasy managers with lineup dilemmas in both season-long and daily leagues, I have once again gone through questions on the Bleacher Report app that should help folks set lineups that will get (or keep) their teams on the winning track.

So whether it's combing through the cream of the crop at running back or sorting through the scrap heap for a flex option, let's get to work.

An Offer You Can Refuse

From the Bleacher Report App

We've reached a dangerous junction in the fantasy football season: panic time.

Granted, three weeks into the 2020 season, Joe Mixon of the Cincinnati Bengals has admittedly been a significant disappointment. Drafted in the first round in more than a few leagues, he hasn't yet had 100 total yards in a game. Or found the end zone. He's 36th in point-per-reception (PPR) points among running backs.

That is…not great.

However, this really shouldn't be a huge shock. Mixon has developed a reputation as something of a slow starter. Last year, he ranked 32nd among running backs in PPR points after the first eight weeks of the season.

He finished the season 13th and posted over 1,400 total yards.

Now isn't the time to be trading Mixon. At least not for 40 cents on the dollar. And that's what this deal is.

Todd Gurley II of the Atlanta Falcons has more fantasy points than Mixon at the moment. But he's also barely averaging four yards per carry and has all of three receptions. Leonard Fournette of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be the best running back on the team's roster, but to date, he hasn't been able to supplant Ronald Jones II as the lead back.

The odds of Mixon turning things around are better than either of the others making this trade worthwhile.

The start/sit end of this is easy: Jerick McKinnon of the San Francisco 49ers is nicked up, Raheem Mostert could be back this week, and the Niners play a Philadelphia Eagles team allowing 3.7 yards per carry to running backs.

Keep Mixon and roll him out against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Call: Joe Mixon (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800)

A Nice Problem to Have

From the Bleacher Report App

OK, now I'm jealous. Given the sad state of the running back position in most of my leagues, this is a problem I very much wish I had.

That the first spot here goes to an undrafted rookie free agent no one had heard of six weeks ago rather speaks to just how weird 2020 has been. But James Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars has earned the spot.

In each of the last two weeks, he has sailed past 100 total yards. He found the end zone twice last week. He is averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season. And in Week 4, the Jaguars face a Cincinnati Bengals team that's giving up over 180 yards per game on the ground.

That leaves one spot for two players: Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts and Kenyan Drake of the Arizona Cardinals.

Taylor has been the more productive to date from a fantasy standpoint—he ranks 15th in PPR points among running backs thanks to 261 total yards and a pair of touchdowns.

But while Drake hasn't quite lived up to last year's second-half breakout over the first few weeks of the season, he has a much better matchup. The Carolina Panthers rank 21st in run defense and have given up the second-most fantasy points to running backs this year.

It's a relatively close call, but Drake gets the nod in spot No. 2.

The Call: James Robinson (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500), Kenyan Drake (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000)

Two and Two and One for You

From the Bleacher Report App

If there's a bright side here, at least the options you're picking from are mostly solid. As we'll see in just a minute, that's not always the case.

At running back, one of the spots has to go to budding fantasy superstar James Robinson for reasons we've already discussed. Assuming things play out as expected in Week 4, this will be the last time fantasy managers ask about the rookie.

Moving forward, he'll be an every-week start.

The second running back spot belongs to Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders. The second-year pro doesn't have as favorable a matchup as Melvin Gordon III of the Denver Broncos, but he's the focal point of the Raiders offense, and as Darrell Henderson Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams showed last week, the Buffalo Bills can be had on the ground.

At wide receiver, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints is eyeing a return to the field this week against the Detroit Lions. Assuming he plays, he's nearly impossible to sit, although a full practice session this week would go a long way toward alleviating concerns that he might be on a snap count.

Kenny Golladay made his return from injury last week against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring a touchdown. But while Odell Beckham Jr. of the Cleveland Browns gets a Dallas Cowboys secondary that was just immolated by the Seattle Seahawks, Golladay draws a Saints team allowing the sixth-fewest PPR points to wide receivers.

The flex spot goes to Gordon. The Denver offense is a mess right now, but the New York Jets are even worse. New York is 24th in run defense and giving up the fifth-most PPR points to running backs in 2020.

The Call: James Robinson (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500), Josh Jacobs (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800), Michael Thomas (DraftKings DFS Value: $7,600), Odell Beckham Jr. (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800), Melvin Gordon IiI (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,900)

The Flex Spot Blues

From the Bleacher Report App

See? Told you that not everyone's options are as palatable as that last bunch. But we've got to play the hand we're dealt. So, let's get to shuffling.

N'Keal Harry of the New England Patriots is a relatively easy "no." Partly, it's a matter of his modest stats: 15 catches for 145 yards in three games this season. And partly, it's a matter of a rotten fantasy matchup with a Kansas City Chiefs team that ranks dead last in points allowed to wide receivers this season.

Unfortunately, DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles hasn't been any better this season with 10 catches for 121 yards on a reeling team. The San Francisco 49ers are a better wide receiver matchup than the Chiefs, but they still rank in the bottom half of the league.

That leaves Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant.

The Broncos have been chewed to pieces by injuries, including the loss of starting quarterback Drew Lock. But with Courtland Sutton out for the year, Fant is essentially the No. 1 receiver in Denver ahead of a Thursday night matchup with a New York Jets team that is terrible defensively in just about every way imaginable.

The Call: Noah Fant (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800)

Making the Best of a Bad Situation

From the Bleacher Report App

This is where a great many fantasy managers are at given all the injuries that have already swept through the fantasy landscape—never mind the postponement of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Tennessee Titans game and the potential havoc it could create.

Leonard Fournette of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked to be taking the lead in the backfield after topping 100 rushing yards two weeks ago. But in Week 3, he had just nine touches (compared to 15 for Ronald Jones II) and all of 22 total yards.

Anthony Miller of the Chicago Bears found the end zone last week for the second time, but the young wide receiver had just two catches and five targets in the game. With Kenny Golladay back for the Detroit Lions, Marvin Jones Jr. saw his target share drop; he had just three looks in the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Pass and pass.

With James White back on the practice field after rejoining the New England Patriots, he appears on track to reclaim his role as his team's passing-down back. Jamison Crowder of the New York Jets is also reportedly set to make his return in Week 4 after missing time with a hamstring injury.

When last we saw Crowder on the field, he caught seven passes for 115 yards and a score in the season opener.

White and Crowder are the top two of this admittedly uninspiring array of options.

The Call: James White (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200), Jamison Crowder (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200) 

Wide Receiver Woes

From the Bleacher Report App

It's been a rough season for many fantasy managers at the wide receiver position. Between the injuries that hit the top end of the ranks and the big names who have underperformed, many teams are already in scramble mode.

Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers had something of a coming-out party last week against the New York Giants, catching five passes for 70 yards. The Philadelphia Eagles have been good to wide receivers this year, allowing the 10th-most PPR points to the position. But Aiyuk is still a rookie wideout catching passes from a backup quarterback.

Were this a normal week, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings could be an interesting option, especially after he went off against the Tennessee Titans last week. But the Vikings will play the Houston Texans on Sunday without the advantage of much practice after the team canceled in-person activities due to Tennessee's COVID-19 outbreak.

T.Y. Hilton of the Indianapolis Colts and DJ Moore of the Carolina Panthers haven't lived up to their draft slots in 2020. Hilton has just 10 catches for 133 yards, and Moore has been outperformed by new teammate Robby Anderson. Neither has a good Week 4 matchup, playing against the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals, respectively.

But they are the most proven commodities of this bunch, and Minnesota's chaotic week makes Jefferson too risky for this writer's tastes.

The Call: T.Y. Hilton (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300), D.J. Moore (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600)

Sleeper Time!

From the Bleacher Report App

OK, this is at least a little better.

In most weeks, this would be a relatively easy call. Terry McLaurin of the Washington Football Team is the unquestioned No. 1 wideout in the nation's capital. And as the Kansas City Chiefs showed last week, the Baltimore Ravens' pass defense is good but not impenetrable.

But the Ravens got carved up by Patrick Mahomes. And with all due respect to Dwayne Haskins Jr., he ain't Patrick Mahomes. Washington also lacks a secondary target to draw bracket coverage away from McLaurin.

The lack of targets Marvin Jones Jr. of the Detroit Lions received last week has already been mentioned. So has the New Orleans Saints' stinginess to receivers from a fantasy perspective.

That brings us to second-year pro Preston Williams of the Miami Dolphins, who has all of five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown this year—numbers that do not inspire a ton of confidence.

And yet, Williams is the play here.

The reason has a lot less to do with him than with who the Dolphins are playing. The Seattle Seahawks are a good team with a great passing game. But the pass defense is bad. Really bad. Historically bad.

Over the first three weeks of the 2020 campaign, the Seahawks have allowed 1,292 passing yards and the most fantasy points to wide receivers by a wide margin.

Williams will have more fantasy points Sunday than he has to date this season.

Book it.

The Call: Preston Williams (DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500)

Running Back Roundup

From the Bleacher Report App

For starters, we might as well address the health of Chris Carson of the Seattle Seahawks. The good news is that he didn't tear any ligaments when his knee was rolled up on a questionable play against the Dallas Cowboys last week.

The bad news is that Carson's knee is sprained, and he's unlikely to play against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. That sets up Carlos Hyde as Seattle's lead back against a team that just allowed 129 total yards and two scores to James Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Assuming Carson is out, Hyde gets one of the two spots here.

Myles Gaskin of the Dolphins and Mark Ingram II of the Baltimore Ravens each have some Week 4 appeal.

But Ingram is splitting work with rookie J.K. Dobbins, Gaskin isn't getting any short-yardage or goal-line work with the Dolphins, and both have matchups with teams that rank outside the top 20 in fantasy points allowed to running backs this year—the Washington Football Team (No. 21) for Ingram and the Seahawks (No. 27) for Gaskin. 

Placing much faith in the Denver Broncos offense is enough to give a fantasy manager indigestion, but Melvin Gordon III will see a featured-back workload against a New York Jets defense that is allowing over 130 yards per game on the ground.

The Call: Melvin Gordon III (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,900), Carlos Hyde (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300)

DraftKings DFS Question of the Week

From the Bleacher Report App

Well look at the big spender!

Actually, there's something to be said for investing in an elite running back as part of your DFS lineup. It's much easier to find less pricey options with upside at wide receiver.

And make no mistake: These are the elites. Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints, Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys and Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings are the three costliest running backs at DraftKings who are expected to play in Week 4.

Purely from a penny-pinching perspective, Cook is the guy to go with. At $7,600, he's the least expensive of the three. He also has the best matchup since the Houston Texans are fourth in fantasy points allowed to running backs this season.

But the Vikings' lack of practice time this week is just concerning enough to bump him from consideration.

Elliott is out, too. As great as he is, he has easily the worst matchup of the bunch, going up against the Cleveland Browns, who are surrendering the ninth-fewest points to backs in 2020.

That leaves Kamara, who is off to a ridiculous start in 2020. Not only is he the top running back in fantasy by a massive margin through three weeks, but as John Sigler pointed out at Saints Wire, only the great Marshall Faulk in 2000 opened the season with a hotter three-game stretch.

With 27 catches for 285 yards and three touchdowns through the air, Kamara would be fourth among wide receivers in PPR points this year.

Throw in a top-10 matchup against the Detroit Lions and you have the makings of another massive day for Kamara in Week 4.

The Call: Alvin Kamara (DraftKings DFS Value: $8,000)

Rapid Fire

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Now it's time to run the two-minute drill and bang out some more app questions with all due speed and quickness.

Rapid-fire mode. Here we go.

JKThompson is looking for some wide receiver help: "[Julian] Edelman, [Brandin] Cooks, Hunter Renfrow? Need 2."

Given how lethal the Kansas City Chiefs offense looked in Week 3, the New England Patriots will probably be passing the ball more than normal out of necessity, so Julian Edelman (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700) is a solid play. Hunter Renfrow of the Las Vegas Raiders is an OK PPR play, but Brandin Cooks (DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500) of the Houston Texans gets a Minnesota Vikings secondary allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.

For ChyTy, it's a quarterback quandary: "Dak Prescott or Josh Allen Week 4?"

Is this a humblebrag? In many fantasy scoring systems, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Josh Allen (DraftKings DFS Value: $7,300) of the Buffalo Bills are two of the top three quarterbacks this season. Prescott has the better matchup against the Cleveland Browns, but Allen is just too hot to sit. Honestly, the smart play here is to shop one of these quarterbacks and get an upgrade at another position.

adoe needs some flex help: "[Allen] Lazard or [Michael] Gallup in the flex? Half-point PPR."

Allen Lazard of the Green Bay Packers had a huge game against the New Orleans Saints, but the return of Davante Adams on Monday night could decimate his target share. Michael Gallup (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200) of the Cowboys was mostly invisible before last week, but with luck, his game against the Seattle Seahawks was more than just a fluke. It's close, but Gallup is the play.

Time for some tight end help for Bobby_Rosseau: "Pick one standard. [Zach] Ertz or [Noah] Fant?"

Zach Ertz (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300) of the Philadephia Eagles has been disappointing this year. Noah Fant of the Denver Broncos has not. But with Dallas Goedert out and the Eagles all kinds of banged up at wide receiver, Ertz should see a ton of targets Sunday in San Francisco. He also doesn't have the issues at quarterback that Fant does in Denver.

timfry has some, um, issues at quarterback: "[Nick] Foles or [Baker] Mayfield?"

Is none of the above a possibility? Nick Foles of the Chicago Bears played pretty well after taking over for Mitchell Trubisky last week against the Atlanta Falcons, but he has a tough Week 4 matchup against an Indianapolis Colts team leading the NFL in total defense. Baker Mayfield (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800) of the Cleveland Browns, on the other hand, gets a Dallas Cowboys team surrendering the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Shea091 is deciding between a couple of Week 4 surprise stars at running back: "Mike Davis or Darrell Henderson?"

Both Darrell Henderson Jr. (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800) of the Los Angeles Rams and Mike Davis of the Carolina Panthers came up big a week ago, posting at least 90 total yards and a touchdown apiece. But Henderson has the slightly better Week 4 matchup. He faces a New York Giants team that has given up the 10th-most PPR points to running backs.

Finally, JJX322 wants help picking a defense for Week 4: "Start San Francisco 49ers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers?"

The 49ers looked good last week against the New York Giants despite the injuries that have ravaged the defense, and the Philadelphia Eagles have struggled mightily on offense. But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (DraftKings DFS Value: $3,400) get a rookie quarterback (Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers) making his first road start Sunday, and over the past two weeks, they have quietly been one of fantasy's best defenses.

DFS player salaries courtesy of DraftKings. Fantasy scoring data courtesy of FFToday. Fantasy points against data courtesy of My Fantasy League.

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year.