Week 4 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Eli Manning and 4 Players You Must Start

Fantasy team need a boost? There are some great matchups this week you can take advantage of if you know the facts. Week 4 has some gems and what should be some no-brainer starts. 

These are five players to might not normally consider playing, but that I beg you reconsider. Everyone of them has excellent matchups, or is entering must start territory every week. If you've lost your last fantasy matchup, this is the chance for you to come back and make your opponent the laughingstock of the league. 

Eli Manning

I must admit, I've had very little faith in Eli Manning as of late, so much so that I benched him for Rex Grossman (and got burned) this past week. That won't be happening this week. 

Part of the reason I've been so down on Manning is the loss of safety blankets Steve Smith and Kevin Boss. I think those fears were legitimate for the first couple of weeks, but the emergence of Victor Cruz is not something one can ignore. He looked great against an incredible Eagles secondary. 

The Giants play the Cardinals this weekend, the same Cardinals that let Cam Newton shatter the rookie single-game passing record and that have let up the seventh most fantasy points to QBs this year. With the return of Mario Manningham likely for this weekend, Eli Manning is looking great. 

Fred Jackson

One of the most underrated running backs in the league over the past few years, Fred Jackson is finally getting the respect he deserves. 

Jackson is currently tied for the third-most points amongst running backs with Ray Rice at 57 points, or an average of 19 points per game. He'll play a Cincinnati team this weekend that has been over performing. Last year Jackson put up 116 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals, and you should expect a similar performance this week. 

Jackson looks like a top 10 back this year. Stevie Johnson and David Nelson certainly give him some more running room. 

Jimmy Graham

With Marques Colston still questionable and Drew Brees playing as well as ever, Jimmy Graham will continue to shine. 

Graham had eight targets against the Texans for four receptions, 100 yards and a touchdown. The Texans aren't exactly slouches against tight ends either, yielding the 18th most points in the league to them. 

The Saints get a cushy matchup against the Jaguars this week. The Jags have been terrible defending tight ends, giving up the fourth-most fantasy points of any team. Start Graham and you will get Antonio Gates-like production this week. 

Darren Sproles

Unless you're absolutely stacked at RB you should be starting Darren Sproles in your flex every week. 

He's the guy they always imagined Reggie Bush would be. He's gotten at least a couple of runs every week, and has at least six receptions in every game he's played. His big play potential is not something you can ignore. 

He's the kind of guy that should absolutely tear up a subpar Jacksonville defense. I'm all in on Saints players this week, I can't imagine New Orleans putting up less than 30 on the Jags. 

Sproles had nine targets last week. That shouldn't drop, and combined with the few rushing attempts per game it makes him a player that will always give you consistent production, something that I'm sure you would like at your flex position. 

Denarius Moore

The Raiders continue to draft guys with speed, speed and more speed. They were bound to find one that could catch the ball eventually. 

It's only a matter of time before Moore finds himself with a starting job on the Raiders offense. Darrius Heyward-Bey continues to look like a bust, and Jacoby Ford is still struggling with injury. The Raiders face New England at home this week, and if you haven't noticed they aren't exactly the best defense in the league. 

Moore also has two carries, one apiece in his last two games, each of which has gone for over 20 yards. I don't think that's something you should discount as a fluke, he's clearly a great player to give the ball on an end around. 

The Patriots are giving up the most points of any team against wide receivers. Take advantage of this matchup and start Denarius Moore. You won't regret it.