Start 'Em, Sit 'Em For Week 4 Fantasy Football Lineups: Bryce Young, Josh Downs & More

A “sit” is not always a must-bench. It means that player is a downgrade relative to their rest-of-season outlook and may be worth fading for a similarly ranked option in more favorable spots.

If you haven't read the Utilization Report yet, it is my weekly piece where I break down usage changes and trends for every team. I covered over 60 players for Week 4. Much of what you see here around Utilization comes from that piece, so go check it out for more juicy nuggets.

Quarterbacks To Start In Week 4 Fantasy Football

Bryce Young | Panthers

Some say that I am slow to adapt my rankings. I would say that it depends. But I am definitely slow to move players that have a long track record of not producing in fantasy.

But after three massive passing-yardage outings, plus an amazing Week 4 matchup against Detroit, I am moving Bryce Young up.

Young leads the NFL with 313 passing yards per game (YPG) and is tied for fourth in passing TDs per game at 2.33. Brad Idzik has taken over play-calling duties from Dave Canales, and the team has morphed into a pass-first offense. Carolina ranks second in Dropback Rate Over Expected (DBOE) at 10%.

The Lions have sanctioned the fourth-largest fantasy boost to opposing QBs at +3.6 in 2026. 

Looking purely at their passing boost, the Lions rank as the third-best matchup (+4.0). They have allowed 326 YPG, with a 50.7 YPG passing boost. Detroit has been torched for three TDs per game—a 1.1 boost. Geno Smith threw for 321 yards and 3 TDs in Week 3 on the Lions.

The Panthers have a solid team total of 23.2 in Freedman's NFL Game Model. My gut says that might be too low in a potential shootout.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 17.4
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 22
• Floor: 13.8

Young projects as the QB11 and is my QB11 in the rankings.

Week 4 Fantasy QB Upgrades

• Trevor Lawrence | Jaguars: Lawrence is the QB15 with 18.0 PPG, but blowout-winning game scripts have held his numbers in check. In a matchup against Cincinnati as a 2.5-point dog, Jacksonville should open up the passing attack. Lawrence UPGRADES to top-three status Week 4. He offers the fourth-highest Xfinity Best ceiling at 25.5 points.
   
• C.J. Stroud | Texans: Stroud only gets an upgrade if Nico Collins returns to the lineup. If that happens, we have a juicy matchup against a Cowboys defense that green-lights the No. 2 boost to signal callers at +6.3 PPG. Stroud is a mid-range QB2, but offers mid-range QB1 upside if Collins plays.
   
• Daniel Jones | Colts: Jones ranks as the QB34 in PPG (10.4), but he faces a passing-funnel defense in the Commanders. Washington has coughed up the No. 2 boost to QBs (+5.7 PPG) while holding RBs to a -0.4 boost. With three competent passing-game weapons in Josh Downs, Tyler Warren, and Keenan Allen, the Colts will stress Washington's defense. Jones UPGRADES to mid-range QB2 territory and offers low-end QB1 upside.

Sit This QB In Week 4 Fantasy Football

Justin Herbert | Chargers

You probably don't need me to tell you this. The Chargers offense is more dysfunctional than a family reunion. Herbert ranks 17th in passing yards per game with 209. He ranks 20th in passing TDs with one per contest.

The offensive line is in complete shambles. Like bad karaoke at the reunion, no one is on the same sheet of music, and the song choice (playcalling) seems tone-deaf (you can't hit that note!!!). The big me up front have licensed the fourth-highest pressure rate at 44%. 

And the drunk uncle is showing up to crash the party. The Seahawks are the sixth-hardest matchup for QBs, with a -2.3 PPG fantasy boost. Opponents are averaging only 152 yards per game (-52.1 boost). And Seattle pressures opponents on 40% of dropbacks (13th).

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 14.6
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 19.4
• Floor: 11.4

Herbert projects as a low-end QB2. He is my QB25.

Running Backs To Start In Week 4 Fantasy Football

Jaylen Warren | Steelers

The dual-threat RB has always offered massive upside, but operating as the lone option in the backfield depressed his overall output. In Week 3, we finally got to see the science experiment we have longed for.

Warren handled 91% of the snaps and delivered 20.6 points and a 91 Utilization Score. He bogarted 85% of rushing attempts and added a 13% target share, totaling 30 opportunities.

And it could have been an even bigger day. He had an 87-yard run called back for holding, and the turf monster got him on a 26-yard run later that drive that would have been a TD.

Warren has been highly efficient in 2026, which is a combustible combination when he gets a heavy workload.

• Yards per attempt: 5.7 (1st out of RBs with at least 30 attempts)
• 10+ yard attempts: 13.2% (7th)
• Yards after contact: 3.87 (4th)
• Misstated tackles forced: 32% (4th)
• Yards per route run (YPRR): 1.75 (5th)

The Browns have been the fifth-hardest matchup for RBs this season with a -2.8 PPG boost. But Warren's multifaceted role and electric playmaking ability make him a must-start in Week 4, assuming Rico Dowdle (toe) is out again.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 17.9
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 26.7
• Floor: 13.4

Warren is a top-10 RB play in Week 4 if Rico Dowdle is out. If Dowdle is active, he will downgrade to low-end RB2 territory.

Chuba Hubbard | Panthers

Hubbard took over an every-down workload in Week 3 with Jonathon Brooks on IR. The veteran RB totaled 19 attempts and 4 targets on an 84% snap share. He finished the game with 15.0 points and an 85 Utilization Score.

This season, Hubbard is averaging 4.5 YPC with 12% of his totes going for 10-plus yards. He hasn't been highly active in the passing game, but he is handling pass-down work. Last week he notched an elite 69% route share.

The Lions have been a pass-funnel defense, but they are not a defense against RBs. The key will be keeping the game close. Freedman has the Panthers as 3.8-point underdogs in the game model. So, Hubbard should get his opportunities and could have the opportunity to post a multi-TD game in a shootout environment.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 16.1
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 24.8
• Floor: 12.0

Hubbard is a low-end RB1 in the projection model and is my RB11.

Aaron Jones | Vikings

After nursing a knee injury during practice last week, reports indicated that Jones would see a reduced workload. But that didn't happen. Jones kept the same role he had from Week 2 and has now dominated the Minnesota backfield in consecutive outings with Jordan Mason on IR.

In two games without Mason, Jones has an 81% snap share, 83% attempt share, and a 14% target share on a 52% route participation rate.

Jones hasn't made a huge fantasy impact despite the larger role, but the Vikings defense is playing fantastic, helping fuel a 20-attempt-per-game average. His 12.4 PPG is far lower than historical comparisons with a similar Utilization Score (80). His comps averaged 15.5 PPG based on the last five years of data.

Minnesota has the eighth-highest team total in Freedman's model and they are 11.8-point favorites. That is a fantastic combination historically for RB1s. And the matchup this weekend is delicious. Miami concedes the fourth-largest boost to RB rooms at +3.5 PPG.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 13.8
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 21.8
• Floor: 10.1

Jones projects as a mid-range RB2 against the Dolphins. He is my RB18.

Week 4 RB Upgrades For Fantasy Starting Lineup Consideration

• Jeremiyah Love | Cardinals: Love surpassed Tyler Allgeier for the RB1 role in Week 3, scoring 21.9 points with a 91 Utilization Score. The No. 3 pick from the 2026 NFL Draft collected season highs in snaps (63%), attempts (78%), and routes (41%). Allgeier will remain involved, but if you are a Love manager, this is the game you were waiting for. Love UPGRADES to borderline RB1 status against a Giants defense that has powered the No. 2 fantasy boost to backfields (+4.0 PPG). 
   
• Cam Skattebo | Giants: Skattebo took a back seat to Devin Singletary on passing downs over the first two games. But the multi-threat RB regained the lead pass-down role in Week 3 with a 65% route share and a 19% target share. In that role, Skattebo averaged 19.1 points in six games as a rookie. He has handled 76% of the short-yardage snaps in 2026. Receiving + high-leverage scoring opportunities = fantasy goodness. Skattebo UPGRADES to RB14 against Arizona, who provides the fourth-best boost to RBs in the receiving game at +2.1.
   
• Braelon Allen | Jets: Breece Hall (quad) is not expected to play in Week 4. Last week, over the final two drives, Allen handled 100% of the snaps. Isaiah Davis was active, but the team chose Allen despite a shootout against the Lions. With a full week to prepare, Davis will probably be more involved against the Bears. But Davis is clearly behind Allen, who is the only other RB on the Jets with a touch in 2026. Allen is a low-end RB2 option against the Bears, who give up the 12th-largest boost to RBs (+0.9 PPG). 
   
• J.K. Dobbins | Broncos: Dobbins has handled 62% and 68% of the rushing attempts in his two healthy games this year. He isn't involved in the passing game, but he should average more than 11.7 attempts per game on that sort of workload. I was going to move Dobbins higher in the ranks, but there is some risk in Week 4 with the Broncos facing another potent offense in the 49ers. The Broncos are 0.8-point underdogs, so Freedman's model expects a close game. But a trailing game script could emerge if Brock Purdy stays red-hot. Dobbins UPGRADES to high-end RB3 status.
   
• Alvin Kamara | Saints: Travis Etienne won't play in Week 4 against the Falcons. Last week, Kamara took over the RB1 duties with Kendre Miller as the RB2 after Etienne exited. But the game flipped to a trailing script with the Saints turning the ball over four times in the second half, which may have contributed to Kamara's lead role. He is the team's best RB receiving threat after Etienne. I have moved Kamara up to RB26 but didn't want to get too crazy, given the uncertainty around the early-down workload. That could go to Miller. Kamara UPGRADES to high-end RB3 territory in against a tough RB defense. The Falcons are the eighth-toughest RB defense (-1.9 PPG).

RBs That Bombed In Week 4 That I Am Starting Again In Week 4

"'Cause I gotta have faith

I gotta have faith

Because I gotta have faith, faith

I got to have faith, faith, faith"

- George Michael

• Chase Brown | Bengals: Brown was my buy-low recommendation of the week in the Utilization Report. He has a big-time role on a good offense. Brown is a mid-range RB1 against the Jaguars in Week 4.
   
• Saquon Barkley | Eagles: Barkley looked incredible in Week 3, but the Eagles possessed the ball for only 23.5 minutes. That tanked the volume for everyone across the board. The matchup is tough. The Rams' high-powered offense could force Philadelphia into a trailing situation. Los Angeles is the third-hardest out for RBs this season with a -3.5 boost. Barkley DOWNGRADES to mid-range RB2 territory, but should be in most lineups.
   
• David Montgomery | Texans: Montgomery got fantasy managers hyped after a 28.9-point explosion in Week 1. But he has scored 4.4 and 6.8 points over the last two games. Houston has struggled to create running lanes for their backfield, ranking last in average yards before contact (0.59) on RB attempts. But this week they get a Cowboys defense that has granted the No. 1 fantasy boost to RB rooms at +4.2 PPG. Montgomery is a mid-range RB2.

RB Injury Watch For Week 4 In Fantasy Football

• Miami RBs | Dolphins: Jaylen Wright (foot/stinger) is day-to-day. If he doesn't play, Ollie Gordon gets a small boost in the rankings. But with a tough matchup against a Vikings defense that is the second-hardest matchup for RBs (-4.8), I don't see a scenario where I move Gordon inside my top-24 RBs. In that runout, he would be an RB3 option if you are desperate.

SICKO STARTS For RBs In Week 4 Fantasy

These players are for you, deeper-league SICKOS, in 14- to 16-team or 12-team leagues with 2-3 flex spots. These players are available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues and aren't in many starting lineups, but they offer a ray of light. You could get lucky.

• Kendre Miller | Saints: Kamara handled the majority of the work after Etienne (hamstring) left the game in Week 3, but Miller might still be the preferred early-down option. We can't know for sure because the Saints fell behind in the second half, which might have inflated Kamara's role. Miller is a low-end RB4, but could surprise as the RB1 for the Saints and hold value while Etienne is out. He is available in 95% of leagues.

Running Back I Am Considering Sitting In Week 4

Omarion Hampton | Chargers

Hampton is averaging 10.5 PPG with two performances outside the top 30 through three games. In Mike McDaniel's sputtering offense, he has been relegated to an early-down role, handling only a 25% route participation rate. On the season, Hampton has a lowly 3% target share.

This role makes him a TD-dependent RB2, rather than the high-end RB1 that drafters hoped for back in August. Don't get me wrong, TD-dependent RBs can help us win in fantasy, but they historically come from great teams that unlock a massive TD ceiling.

That isn't what we have, at least to this point, with the Chargers. They are averaging two red zone drives per game (28th) and rank 29th in scoring with 14.7 PPG. 

The Chargers own the fourth-lowest team total (17.55) as 7.1-point underdogs to the Seahawks in The Wet Blanket's model. 

That is a terrible combination, especially for an RB coming off their lowest snap share of the season. The team might be tinkering with their rotation to find more explosives with Keaton Mitchell.

Seattle is the fourth-hardest matchup for RBs in 2026 with a -3.2 fantasy boost. Hampton is in a rough spot in Week 4 with a median projection below 10 points in PPR. Gross.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 9.7
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 16.4
• Floor: 7

Hampton DOWNGRADES to borderline RB2 territory. He is benchable for players like Warren, Hubbard, Jones and Montgomery. (Editor's note: Keaton Mitchell was spotted in a walking boot on Wednesday. Monitor practice reports, as Hampton would UPGRADE if Mitchell begins trending towards missing Sunday's game).

Week 4 RB Downgrades I Am Sitting

• Tony Pollard | Titans: Pollard is averaging 8.5 PPG. And Tennessee is a 9.5-point underdog with a 17.2-point team total against the Ravens. Nope.
   
• Jadarian Price | Seahawks: Price lost the handle on the football and his playing time over the last two games. He finished those contests with 34% and 27% snap shares. The Seahawks are 7.1-point favorites over the Chargers, but the rookie could play less than 40% of the snaps. He is an avoid for me in Week 4.

Wide Receivers To Start In Week 4 Fantasy Football

Josh Downs | Colts

Alec Pierce left the Week 2 game in the first quarter. In that game and in Week 3, Downs has surged into a larger role. Over that span, he has a 30% target share with 111 air yards per game. He has averaged 13.5 PPG with an 81 Utilization Score.

Historically, WRs with a Utilization Score in this range have averaged 16.4 PPG. And Downs get manna from heaven in the form of the Commanders' defense in Week 4.

Washington has written a blank check to opposing WR rooms with a +4.1 fantasy boost (5th). The Colts boast the No. 6 team total in Freedman's model at 25.95. 

This feels like a massive breakout spot for Downs. 

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 14.3
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 21.4
• Floor: 10.7

Downs is a mid-range WR2 this week and should be in almost all fantasy lineups.

Stefon Diggs | Commanders

Diggs is averaging 14.8 PPG, making fantasy managers who snared him later in drafts very happy. Last week, his box score took a dip with only 7.3 points. But, his underlying Utilization improved.

The veteran WR saw a season-high route participation rate at 77% and had a 24% target share.

Diggs was a sell-high candidate ahead of Week 3, but if his playing time holds, he has a chance to sustain the season as a strong WR3 option in fantasy. In Week 4, he faces a Colts secondary surrendering the No. 1 boost to WRs at +5.4.

And they have been particularly weak against slot WRs, where Diggs aligns on 63% of snaps. Indianapolis has boosted slot WRs by +6.0 PPG. Their best defender, Sauce Gardner, plays on the outside. He has only been targeted on 6% of coverage snaps. 

The Colts utilize man coverage on 28% of plays (9th), and Gardner often travels with the opponent's No. 1 WR in Lou Anarumo's scheme. That is Terry McLaurin in this case. We could see targets funneled inside to Diggs at a heavy rate.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 11.5
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 17.9
• Floor: 8.4

Diggs projects as a mid-range WR3. He is my WR28. 

WR Upgrades For Fantasy Lineups In Week 4

• Michael Wilson | Cardinals: Wilson boomed with 25.9 points in Week 3. And it was really just a matter of time. He is playing a very favorable role in Mike LaFleur's scheme as a moveable chess piece who rarely leaves the field. Wilson has a 97% route share, a 26% target share, and a 77 Utilization Score for the season. His historical comps have averaged 15.2 PPG. He projects for 12.9 with an Xfinity Best ceiling of 19.5 against the Giants in Week 4. Wilson is a high-end WR3, and Zain's WR Score also likes him the rest of the way! 
   
• Luther Burden | Bears: Burden played his largest role of the season against the Eagles on Monday Night. His 77% route share was up from 71%, and he led the team with a 33% target share. In an offense running on time with Case Keenum under center, many of the concepts that have already been there came to life for the Year 2 WR. The Jets have held opposing RBs down, but much of that has been volume-induced. They are middle of the pack against the pass with a -0.02 EPA per play and rank 21st in pass success rate (47%) per Sumer Sports. Burden UPGRADES to mid-range WR3 territory. 
   
• Keenan Allen | Colts: Allen scored 18.3 points in a tough matchup against the Texans. With Pierce out of the lineup, this passing attack is highly concentrated around Downs, Allen, and Tyler Warren. The Commanders boost opposing WR units by 4.1 PPG—the fifth-best matchup for WRs. Allen is a low-end WR3 who can start in deeper leagues.

WRs That Bombed In Week 4 That I Am Starting Again In Week 4

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm keeping the faith …
- Billy Joel

• Tetairoa McMillan | Panthers: McMillan has reached a 25% target share in two of three games, and Bryce Young is averaging 313 yards per game. Now isn't the time to second-guess McMillan in our lineups. Especially against the Lions, who provide the No. 4 boost to the WR corps (+4.4 PPG). McMillan is locked in as a WR2 with WR1 upside.
   
• Jaylen Waddle | Broncos: Waddle only totaled 6.4 points in Week 3 and has now disappointed in 2 of 3 games. But the underlying Utilization remained strong in Week 3 with a 25% target share and 37% air yards share. I am firing him up as a WR2 against the 49ers in a game with big boom upside.
   
• Malik Nabers | Giants: Nabers is averaging 7.2 PPG. He isn't old self yet, but has a solid target share of 24%. And this week he won't be battling the wind and rain. Nabers is a low-end WR2 with WR1 upside against the Cardinals.

WR Injury Watch For Week 4 In Fantasy Football

• Nico Collins | Texans: Collins (hamstring) returned to practice on Wednesday. If he gets in a full session by Friday, he will climb into high-end WR2 territory against the Cowboys. If completely healthy, Collins would be a top-six WR in this matchup.
   
• Puka Nacua | Rams: It sounds like Nacua (groin/hip) could be a game-time decision. The tilt against the Eagles is in the early window, so we will have plenty of backup options to choose from. If Nacua plays, he is a mid-range WR2 with top-three upside if fully healthy. If Nacua is out, Davante Adams UPGRADES to low-end WR1 status despite a tough matchup (-2.7 PPG boost) against Philadelphia.
• Justin Jefferson | Vikings: Jefferson (ankle) is day-to-day and did not practice on Wednesday. Miami has been a run-funnel defense thanks to massive trailing game scripts, but Jefferson could do damage early.  If he gets in a full practice by Friday, Jefferson is a mid-range WR2 against the Dolphins. If Jefferson is out, Jordan Addison gets a big bump. Addison logged 38% target share with 175 air yards in a more versatile role with Jefferson leaving the game early last week. Addison UPGRADES to the low-end WR2 tier if Jefferson can't suit up. 
   
• Mike Evans | 49ers: Evans (ribs) did not practice on Wednesday after getting knocked out of the Week 3 contest with a big hit to his midsection. If Evans plays, he will have a tough matchup against the Broncos. That makes him a player I will be conservative with considering the re-injury risk. If Evans plays, he is a boom-bust WR3. If Evans is out, Deebo Samuel is a high-end WR3.
   
• Jalen Coker | Panthers: Coker (quad) did not practice on Wednesday and is questionable after not completing Week 3 due to the injury. The Panthers have a fantastic matchup against the Lions. If Coker gets in a full practice by Friday, he will be a borderline WR2. If he can't practice but tries to play, that is much more risky. In that scenario, he would be a boom-bust WR4.
   
• Adonai Mitchell | Jets: Mitchel (finger) did not practice Wednesday and is week-to-week. If he is out, Garrett Wilson will be even busier. Tight end Mason Taylor (thumb) is also week-to-week, which could open the door for another Kenyon Sadiq boom game. If Mitchell and Taylor are out, Sadiq moves back into the top-10 in my ranks for the second straight week.

WR SICKO STARTS For Week 4 Fantasy

These players are for you, deeper-league SICKOS, that have 14-16 teams or 12-team leagues where you have 2-3 flex spots or multiple starting WRs. These players are available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues and aren't in many starting lineups, but they offer a ray of light. You could get lucky.

• KC Concepcion | Browns: Concepcion misses the 50% SICKO mark, but is available in 63% of Yahoo leagues. And I just wanted to write about him! The rookie Round 1 pick has ascended to the WR2 role over the last two games. Route shares this season: 65%, 74%, and 95%. His target shares have also climbed: 19%, 21%, 25%. His aDOT (4.5) is low, but his average route depth (8.9) is in the sweet spot for fantasy production. Concepcion has worked from the slot on 62% of snaps and has been in motion at the snap on 24% of plays. He is Todd Monken's new Zay Flowers. We don't have the same offensive environment, but Concepcion is in a fantastic role. Concepcion is my WR38. 

Wide Receivers To Sit In Fantasy Football Week 4

Emeka Egbuka | Buccaneers

With Baker Mayfield (thumb) out, Egbuka will catch passes from undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. Daniels has the lowest passing yardage projection in our model this week at 165 yards. Oddsmakers have him at 168—which is also the lowest in the market.

I still believe in Egbuka, but I am not convinced he is 100% healthy from his preseason toe injury, and the team started rotating WRs more in Week 3. Rookie Ted Hurst entered a three-way split with Egbuka and Chris Godwin. None of the three reached an 80% route share.

Freedman's Game Model is slightly more optimistic than oddsmakers about the Buccaneers. But they still carry the sixth-lowest team total at 19.0 points.

The Packers have been the second-best matchup for WR corps with a +4.7 boost. So, if Daniels surprises, there is room for Egbuka to make me regret benching him.

But that matchup just isn't enough for me considering all the other factors.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 8.9
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 14.3
• Floor: 6.4

Egbuka DOWNGRADES to low-end WR4 territory, making him benchable in most formats.

WR Downgrades to Sit in Week 4 Fantasy Football

• Carnell Tate | Titans: Tate has a strong role. He is not limited to playing vertically down the boundary as we feared. That has led to superior integration into the offense. Tate leads the team with an impressive 25% target share and 41% air yards share. But the offensive environment is one of the worst in the NFL. Cam Ward projects as a bottom-three passing-yardage QB every week in our model. This week the Titans are 9.5-point underdogs in Freedman's model with a 17.2-point team total (second-lowest). Tate is a mid-range WR4 against the Ravens.
   
• Courtland Sutton | Broncos: Sutton has never been a fantasy stud, but he was a steady WR3. With Waddle in town, that has disappeared. Sutton has a 19% target share with only 5.4 PPG. He has a 48 Utilization Score. Historically, his comps have averaged 8.5 PPG. The season is early, and Sutton should still be the No. 2, but he is hard to trust at the moment with Waddle and RJ Harvey gobbling up targets. Sutton is a mid-range WR4; I would rather not play against the 49ers. 
   
• Rome Odunze | Bears: The 2024 first-round NFL Draft pick is in a great offense, but he is stuck in the role from hell. He has the deepest average route depth on the team at 11.4 yards and is pushing vertically on 35% of his routes. He will eventually hit some big games on long plays, but the role is highly volatile and not conducive to a high-end target share. Odunze ranks 61st in target share at 16%. This is Marvin Harrison Jr. territory. Odunze is a low-end WR4 against the Jets in Week 4.   
   
• Chris Godwin | Buccaneers: See Egbuka above. The QB situation is a massive question mark. The Bucs are rotating WRs. And while Godwin has looked feisty after the catch (and had an 87-yard TD called back in Week 3), he isn't earning targets (12%). Godwin falls to WR5 status in Week 4.
   
• Quentin Johnston | Chargers: Johnston has spit the bit over the first three games. Despite leading the WRs with a 79% route share and Ladd McConkey battling an injury, Johnston has averaged 4.4 PPG. He has a meh target share of 18% and just seems out of place in the new offense. Tre Harris is outplaying him and pushing for more time. Now we get the Seahawks defense. Ewwwwww. Johnston is a low-end WR5. I'm out, dog.

Tight Ends To Start In Fantasy Football For Week 4

Isaiah Likely | Giants

In Week 4, Likely flopped like a five-minute conference meeting from Michael Scott in The Office. The TE scored only 3.3 fantasy points.

But over the last two games, he has an 88% route participation rate as the Giants move away from a rotation with Theo Johnson. In those two games, he has an elite 27% target share with seven opportunities per game.

The upside of the offense is not what it was with Jaxson Dart injured, but Likely gets a choice matchup against Arizona. The Cardinals have licensed the fourth-best fantasy boost (+3.4 PPG) to TEs in 2026. They have a weak LB corps. Jack Gibbens ranks 52nd out of 60 LBs with at least 50 coverage snaps, with a PFF Grade of 44.3. Mack Wilson ranks 49th (45.5).

In a game with better weather than last week, I expect Likely to get back on track. And Freedman's NFL Game Model has the Giants with a decent team total (24.25). The Giants are a five-star bet to cover the spread.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 11.4
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 17.4
• Floor: 8.5

Likely is a mid-range TE1 against Arizona in Week 4.

TE Upgrades To Start In Fantasy Lineups In Week 4

• George Kittle | 49ers: Kittle collected an 86% route share with a 28% target share on his way to 26.2 fantasy points in Week 3. Back in a full-time role with a banged-up receiving room + a funnel defense for TEs against bad LBs, the veteran TE is a smash option again. Kittle is the TE3 against the Broncos. 
   
• Kenyon Sadiq | Jets: With Mitchell and Mason Taylor looking unlikely to play in Week 4, Sadiq could be in another smash spot. Last week, his 57% route share wasn't as high as we wanted, but he showed out with 23.5 fantasy points, thanks to an elite 32% targets per route run. If Mitchell and Taylor don't play, Sadiq is a low-end TE1 with high-end upside against the Bears.
   
• Oronde Gadsden | Chargers: Gadsden pooped the bed in Week 3 with zero fantasy points. But he did play a much larger role with Charlie Kolar and David Njoku out. The second-year TE had a 73% route share. Kolar and Njoku won't play again in Week 4, making Gadsden a boom-bust high-end TE2 in a tough matchup against the Seahawks.

TEs That Bombed In Week 4 That I Am Starting Again In Week 4

• Dalton Kincaid | Bills: Kincaid scored only 3.8 points in Week 3 after notching 18 and 22.5 in the first two games. But if you have him, he should be back in your lineup. As a deeper aDOT option without an elite route share, there will be some highs and lows. But the highs are top-end TE performances, which we don't want to miss. Kincaid will look to cook Patriots LBs Christian Elliss (50th in coverage grade) and Robert Spillane (42nd) in Week 4. The Bills boast the No. 1 team total in Freedman's model (28.55). Kincaid is a top-5 TE.
   
• Tucker Kraft | Packers: Kraft faces the seventh-best matchup for TEs (+2.1 PPG) against Tampa Bay. With Jayden Reed out, Kraft is a top-three option and is due for a big game. Kraft is due for a big game and is a low-end TE1 with high-end TE1 upside.
   
• Sam LaPorta | Lions: It's the Lions offense in another potential shootout thanks to a lack of defense. Detroit has the fourth-highest team total (26.13) in Freedman's model, and the Panthers have allowed the eighth-best boost to TEs (+2.0 PPG). LaPorta is a low-end TE1 with mid-range TE1 upside.  

TE Injury Watch For Week 4 In Fantasy Football

• Colby Parkinson | Rams: Terrance Ferguson isn't tracking to play this week, and Parkinson is day-to-day with an AC joint sprain. If Parkinson plays, he could be a sneaky mid-range TE2 with upside. But the real story here is Tyler Higbee. If Ferguson and Parkinson are out, he moves into mid-range TE2 territory. Last week with those two hurt and Nacua out, Higbee notched a 77% route participation rate with a 21% target share. That led to 20.2 points in Sean McVay's scheme. If both TEs and Nacua are out, Higbee is a low-end TE1.
   
• Chig Okonkwo | Commanders: Okonkwo (hamstring) returned to practice on Wednesday. He shouldn't be in lineups in Week 4, but is a name to remember in TE-premium leagues if he was dropped.

TE SICKO START For Week 4 In Fantasy

These players are for you, deeper-league SICKOS who play in 16-team leagues or TE premium formats with two flex spots.

• Darren Waller | Panthers: Waller has emerged as the top TE in Carolina. While his 57% route share over the last two games is not elite, he is a great red zone weapon. If Coker can't play, we could see him take more reps at WR from the slot. And the Lions have been roasted by TEs in 2026. Detroit has endorsed a +5.9 PPG boost to TE rooms—the second-best matchup. Waller is available in 80% of Yahoo leagues. He is a mid-range TE2 with multi-TD potential if Coker is out.

Tight End To Sit In Week 4 Fantasy Football

Colston Loveland | Bears

It hurts to say it, but Loveland deserves a move to the bench. Who knows, maybe we can collectively inspire him to improve and earn his way back into our lineups.

Loveland's route participation rate has fallen to 69% and 74% over the last two games. We could live with that if he were a larger part of the Bears' plans. But right now, the offense is funneling through Burden and Kalif Raymond. Loveland has a 9% target share on the season with only 2.8 PPG.

I am still not dropping Loveland unless it is small league. But he doesn't project well in our model heading into Week 4.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 9.4
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 14.8
• Floor: 6.9

Loveland DOWNGRADES to mid-range TE2 territory against the Jets.