Fantasy Football Week 4: Michael Crabtree and 10 Toxic Players To Avoid
Week 4 of the fantasy football season is the year's first week to feature byes. This can make guys seem more appealing, even enhancing players who would be excellent regardless.
Every week, there are guys who you should stay away from. They might be talented players who have struggled, or even guys who have had successful seasons to this point. But, for Week 4, these guys are toxic; they'll guarantee you a loss if they're in your lineup.
Here's a list of the 10 most toxic players in fantasy football's Week 4. They're ranked by toxicity, and we explain why they could be tempting, and why you should just say no.
10. Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
1 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: With Visanthe Shiancoe, Tony Moeaki, Jason Witten and Kellen Clemens on bye, Celek looks like a tempting pick. He got some play last week, and perhaps that's a sign Vick's throwing to him.
Why You Should Know Better: Celek was the first option on just one of his four catches last week, and he put up just 42 yards. The Redskins rank eighth against opposing tight ends, and Vick still prefers to take off with the ball and run on short yardage downs.
Toxicity: 6 out of 10. Most people recognize that until Vick isn't the starter, Celek won't be a producer worth owning, otherwise he'd be higher.
9. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
2 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: When Carolina goes to the air, Smith is typically the intended target. He's still as talented as ever, and is fully capable of putting up huge games.
Why You Should Know Better: Did you watch Smith yelling at rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen last week? Carolina will throw 10-15 times, but the Saints can lock down the passing game. The only way Steve's getting yards is via reverse.
Toxicity: 6 of 10. Smith is capable of going off, but until his relationship with Clausen improves, he's not going to be more than a WR3.
8. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
3 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: Nicks has four touchdowns in three games so far this year. He's Eli's favorite red zone target, and the Giants have too many weapons for the Bears to cover them all.
Why You Should Know Better: You're making the assumption Eli gets time to find Nicks. He's currently the second or third checkdown option, and with the Bears' pass rush, Manning will be hitting the first option quite a bit this week.
Toxicity: 6.5 of 10. Nicks is talented, but he's going to struggle this week.
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7. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
4 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: Flacco looked like he may have snapped out of his early season funk against Cleveland last week. Pittsburgh lacks the cover corners of Cincinnati or New York, and Flacco can throw a fantastic deep ball.
Why You Should Know Better: The Steelers don't need great cover corners, because their pass rush is so incredible. They have ballhawkers up and down their starting defensive lineup, and Flacco hasn't shown he can do it against elite defenses yet.
Toxicity: 7 out of 10. Flacco has a chance for a decent game, but he's a high-risk, mid-reward play.
6. Brandon Jackson, RB, Green Bay Packers
5 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: Jackson was named the starting running back when Ryan Grant went down in Green Bay, and Detroit's defense stinks. In most weeks, he'd be a decent play, but in a bye week, he's even better, right?
Why You Should Know Better: Jackson is no longer the primary ball carrier in Green Bay, and he's not the one to own, either. Packers' fullback John Kuhn has looked like the more dominant back, and the Pack's not running much anyway.
Toxicity: 7 out of 10. Jackson's one of those sneaky killers. He should be better than he is.
5. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
6 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: The Steelers' best deep threat caught two long touchdown passes last week against a decent Tampa defense, and he's always capable of big games. In a bye week, he's a logical play.
Why You Should Know Better: Baltimore's defense is infinitely better than Tampa's. Don't expect to see Charlie Batch throwing the ball at all, least of all deep. Wallace is out of luck.
Toxicity: 7 of 10. Wallace won't get much against a formidable Ravens' secondary.
4. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
7 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: Stewart's a talented back in a rush-heavy system. New Orleans struggles against the run, so both back should excel.
Why You Should Know Better: For whatever reason, Carolina head coach John Fox hasn't used Stewart much in 2010, as the former Oregon Duck has struggled to make an impact
3. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
8 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: Manning is capable of putting up QB1 numbers. He throws for a ton of yards, and can find the open man in the end zone. With Tony Romo on bye, Manning could be a good play.
Why You Should Know Better: Manning has the talent, but his offensive line does not. The Giants cannot keep the defense off of Eli, and he ends up making poor decisions. He's thrown at least one pick per game in 2010, and the Bears' defense is formidable. It's going to be a long, long day for Eli.
Toxicity: 8.5 out of 10. Manning might win you a week, but he'll lose you your matchup this week.
2. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
9 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: Best has been one of the biggest fantasy stories of the early season. Four touchdowns in his first two games made him a must play for many people. Even when he doesn't get his yards, he seems to find the end zone.
Why You Should Know Better: Best has yet to break 100 rushing yards in a game, and was held to just 26 yards and no scores against the Vikings last week. The Packers' defense is just as good against the run as Minnesota's, and with Best's turf toe, don't expect anything from him this week.
Toxicity: 9 of 10. Best will doom your team this week.
1. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
10 of 10
Why He's So Tempting: Crabtree's got all the talent in the world. The second-year receiver can make something out of nothing, and he's going to be one of the NFL's best.
Why You Should Know Better: Crabtree has 8 fantasy points through three weeks, and has no chemistry with quarterback Alex Smith whatsoever. Maybe he'll get more looks with a new offensive coordinator this week. But don't trust him till he proves he can get it done.
Toxicity: 10 of 10. For all his upside, Crabtree hasn't produced yet. He has no business starting for you this week, but keep him on your bench.
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