The 2021 season has already managed to throw out a lot of our preseason expectations. I know that I was not expecting the likes of Sam Darnold and Chuba Hubbard to make this list! Here are my start and sit recommendations for Week 4. As always, these are based on full PPR scoring.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers – Darnold and the Panthers have been the NFL’s surprise package of 2021 and I’d start him again this weekend. He ranks as QB12 through three games, averaging 21.1 points per game. Christian McCaffrey will not be available against the Cowboys either, so expect Matt Rhule to lean on Darnold in this one.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders – I’m going to keep pounding the drum for Carr unless he shows me a reason not to. Through three games he has 1,203 passing yards, the fourth most at this point of a season in NFL history. He is getting it done from a fantasy perspective too, ranking as the QB8 and scoring an average of 23.1 points per game.
Sit ‘Em
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears – The Bears’ offense was an absolute disaster against the Browns last weekend. They had a single yard passing all game and Fields was sacked nine times. Matt Nagy is yet to confirm a starter for their Week 4 matchup against the Lions, but even if Fields plays I’ll be sitting him until I see some sign of progress from this offense.
Mac Jones, New England Patriots – Jones has looked like the best rookie quarterback through three games, but I still wouldn’t start him. He is coming off two underwhelming performances, including throwing three picks last week against the Saints. This weekend he faces a talented Bucs defense with one of the best front sevens in football. I can’t see this being an easy ride for Jones.
Running Back
Start ‘Em
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers – Hubbard impressed last week against Houston when he came in for an injured Christian McCaffrey. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and showed he can be a weapon in the receiving game too, with three catches for 27 yards. With CMC ruled out, he looks like the clear RB1 on that offense heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Cowboys.
Peyton Barber, Las Vegas Raiders – This might be a more risky option, but there is a lot to like about Barber’s matchup with the Chargers. He got a tonne of carries last weekend and went for 111 yards on his 23 touches. Brandon Staley’s defense is built on using light boxes to limit explosive passing plays and I can see the Raiders targeting that from the outset.
Sit ‘Em
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – I didn’t like Fournette’s fantasy value heading into last week and after his showing against the Rams I’m even less convinced. As things stand, Fournette is RB35 and averaging less than 10 points per game. With the Patriots on the horizon, I don’t see things getting much better any time soon.
Damien Harris, New England Patriots – Things aren’t looking great from the other side of the Bucs-Patriots matchup. As talented as Harris is, I just don’t trust the Patriots’ backfield against this Bucs defensive front. Tampa Bay rank third in EPA allowed per run and are allowing just 63.7 rushing yards per game.
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers – Williams has been excellent through three weeks and has seemingly emerged as the Chargers’ WR1. He leads the team in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns, and currently stands as WR2 in fantasy scoring across the NFL. This weekend’s matchup against a poor Raiders secondary should give him plenty of opportunities to impress again.
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals – The preseason drama surrounding Chase’s apparent drop issues seems like a lifetime ago. He has been the best rookie receiver through three weeks and has had at least one touchdown in each of his games so far. With the Jags on the schedule for Week 4 I am expecting another solid showing.
Sit ‘Em
Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers – The reunion of Anderson and Sam Darnold hasn’t translated into any real production, fantasy or otherwise. Through three games he has just 103 yards on five catches. Terrace Marshall has already taken on the role as WR2 in that offense and I can’t see Anderson producing to a high enough level to warrant a start.
Corey Davis, New York Jets – From a former Jet to a current one. Davis has underwhelmed after a strong Week 1 showing and has been a victim of the team’s wider offensive problems. Zach Wilson has also been spreading the ball around and Davis has logged just a 22% target share. This is not starter material.
Tight End
Start ‘Em
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team – Thomas continues to be a reliable producer for Washington and is close to being considered an automatic starter in fantasy terms. So far this season he ranks as TE6 in PPR scoring, with 12 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. This weekend he faces a Falcons team allowing an average of 16.1 points per game to the position.
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings – Conklin has looked great for Minnesota so far this season and he is well worth a start this weekend. He is coming off a great performance against the Seahawks where he had seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, scoring 20 points. He clearly has his quarterback’s trust and I expect good numbers against the Browns this weekend.
Sit ‘Em
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams – Higbee’s usage has always been a little volatile in L.A. and this year is no exception. He has shown he can produce well when the matchup is good, but he has weeks where he rarely gets a look-in. This week could be case of the latter. The Rams face a Cardinals defense with a vulnerable cornerback group and I can see Stafford prioritising his wide receivers in this one.
Evan Engram, New York Giants – Engram missed the first two games of the season and before a hugely underwhelming performance last week. He had just two catches for 21 yards against the Falcons and also fumbled the ball. That was a great matchup on paper, which makes you all the more concerned for this weekend’s clash against the Saints.
Defense
Start ‘Em
Green Bay Packers – The Packers face a woeful Steelers offense who managed to score just ten points against the Bengals last week. Big Ben’s arm is gone, the receivers are banged up, and they are incapable of moving the ball on the ground.
Sit ‘Em
Los Angeles Rams – I love this Rams defense, but their matchup against the Cardinals and Kyler Murray this weekend has the hallmarks of a shootout.