Injuries have been brutal after just three weeks.
I know, I sound like a broken record, along with much of the fantasy football community on X. For those fantasy managers tilting hard after an unfortunate 0-3 start, I implore you to consider the words of Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super.
“Trespass into the domain of the gods.” Make the smartest fantasy football moves you can make, and play the game to the best of your abilities. Let the pieces fall where they may.
It starts with smart roster management, and that includes making tough, but educated start sit decisions. Don’t ignore fantasy advice from those in the industry, but at the same time, trust your gut and start the players you feel are the right pieces.
Spoiler alert, rookies are primed to explode this week!
Here are some smart players to start and sit to help you dip your toe into the waters of victory. Let’s go!
WEEK 4 START ‘EM, SIT ‘EM
Quarterback Starts
Justin Herbert vs. New York Giants
Look for Herbert to bounce back after putting up a respectable 14.6 points against the Broncos secondary.
The Giants represent a pass funnel defense, allowing the third-most passing yards while failing to generate much pressure.
Herbert’s complete command of the Greg Roman offense has him as the QB6 on the year and a strong MVP candidate early.
With plenty of time to go through his progressions and hit his weapons across the field, Herbert is a strong QB play in week 4.
Bo Nix vs. Cincinnati Bengals
It’s time to give Nix another shot.
After a miserable performance in week 3, it was clear that Nix was off his game. We all still remember him missing a wide open Marvin Mims multiple times downfield.
Still, Broncos WRs were able to create plenty of separation.
The Bengals rank top five in the NFL in allowing TDs to the QB and Nix should be able to return managers faith with fantasy points.
Other QB starts: Caleb Williams vs. LV, Justin Fields vs. MIA
Quarterback Sits
Dak Prescott vs. Green Bay Packers
Hold up, let me check something. Nope, CeeDee Lamb is not healthy and about to walk through that door. I don’t see prime Ezekiel Elliott ready to wreak havoc on opposing defenses.
The Packers defense might have shown a couple of cracks in its loss to the Browns last week. It certainly wasn’t on the well-aged back of Joe Flacco.
Quinshon Judkins popped off for 94 yards and a score on 18 carries. Javonte Williams could be in line for a good showing after being the biggest surprise in fantasy football through three weeks.
The Packers have allowed just three passing touchdowns through three weeks and Micah Parsons is going to be out for blood against his former team.
Despite his strong play at the QB position, Dak has disappointed in fantasy thus far.
Plop Prescott on the pine this week.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Minnesota Vikings
He no longer owns the NFC North. In fact, aside from an outlier week one performance, Rodgers has looked every bit of his age.
That legendary pistol may not have much firepower left. He’s averaging the lowest air yards per pass attempt (5.4) and, according to Next Gen Stats, only QBs like Flacco and Cam Ward have a worse usuccess rate.
His ridiculous TD rate is bound to come crashing to earth based on data shared above.
Since 2024, Rodgers has consistently posted QB2 numbers and is best served as a streaming or Super Flex option.
A blitz heavy team like the Purple Tidal Wave should limit his upside.
Other QB sits: CJ Stroud vs. TEN, Carson Wentz vs. PIT
Running Back Starts
Breece Hall vs. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins defense is not good.
The Miami mammals rank near the top in the league in explosive rush rate and rush yards allowed to running backs.
On the season, 43.3% of Hall’s yards have come from explosive runs. He has more than twice as many rush attempts as Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis combined.
His heavy utilization in the pass game (13 targets) keeps his fantasy floor safe. With Fields returning from a concussion, run lanes should open up more for Hall.
Start him with confidence in what could be a catalyst to jump starting his season after two down weeks.
Omarion Hampton vs. New York Giants
Guys, it’s happening!
The Hampton emergence is upon us. Najee Harris‘ unfortunate Achilles injury opened the door for Hampton to handle all the work and he thrived.
Last week, Hampton commanded 26 carries and turned it into a scintillating 24.9 fantasy points. It was beautiful.
The Giants are fantasy point fertilizer. They’ve allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to running backs and allow explosive runs on 12% of carries.
Hampton still needs to work on not trying to just plow over defenders and leverage his mammoth-like size-speed combination for extra yards.
Still, he’s had some angry runs that make for fantasy football cinema and more explosive fantasy outputs are coming. He is a must start this week.
Other RB starts: Ashton Jeanty vs. CHI, TreVeyon Henderson vs. CAR
Running Back Sits
Jacory Corskey-Merritt vs. Atlanta Falcons
Bill appears to be stuck in an even more gross committee than before Austin Ekeler went down with an Achilles injury.
Despite being out carried by Chris Rodriguez Jr., Bill snuck into the end zone. That might be the best way he yields fantasy excellence this week.
The Falcons have a stingy front that have only allowed one explosive run and touchdown this season.
The birds rank 10th against the run and have Marcus Mariota back (revenge game?!) under center with Jayden Daniels still recovering from injury.
With JCM nursing a mysterious knee injury, expectations should probably be tempered. Expect more work to go around the backfield.
It’s best to not take the chance here.
Chuba Hubbard vs. New England Patriots
Rico Dowdle is starting to carve out more of a roll in this backfield. Through three weeks, Hubbard still owns 67% of the team’s expected fantasy points in the backfield.
So why would I consider sitting Hubbard? Follow the injuries of the big boys in the trenches.
The OL booked a stint on the IR leading in to week 3 and the Panthers got mauled at the LOS. RBs avearged under 1 yard before contact last week.
The Patriots and Mike Vrabel have that same knee-cap biting energy the Lions boast on defense. In fact, they have a strong matchup against the Panthers, allowing only 0.5 yards before contact.
It could be a long day for the Panthers up front and Hubbard is going to need healthy numbers in the receiving game to restore fantasy value. Especially with zero forced missed tackles on the season… yikes!
A questionable designation ahead of a rough matchup with the Pats knee-chomping defense raises multiple red flags this week.
If managers have any other options they should probably consider sliding them in the RB2 slot. Judkins perhaps?
Other RB sits: David Montgomery vs. CLE, Isiah Pacheco vs BAL
Wide Receiver Starts
Rome Odunze vs. Las Vegas Raiders
With Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey having slow starts to the 2025 season, is Odunze asserting himself as the clear WR2 in the class?
It’s still too early to assign accolades to second-year wide receivers not named Malik Nabers.
Still, Odunze is encroaching on weekly must-start WR status. This week’s matchup against the Raiders secondary should cement his status as a fantasy great.
The black and silver have given up the third-most yards to opposing wide receivers.
Odunze leads the Bears in nearly every receiving category and, with a decisive air yards advantage, his opportunity is off the charts.
He should lead the Bears in targets for the fourth-straight week and will please fantasy managers… again.
Matthew Golden vs. Dallas Cowboys
It’s time! Golden paced the Packers in targets last week, tied with Tucker Kraft and Dontayvion Wicks. His 52 yards in the air lead the Packers in a disappointing performance vs. the Browns.
After getting roasted by the Giants and Bears in back-to-back weeks, the Cowboys secondary has allowed WRs to post:
- The most receiving yards
- The most receiving TDs
- The most fantasy ppg
Dallas seems to be the leagues premier pass-funnel defense.
Golden was second in snaps and routes last week and that opportunity against the Cowboys has the potential to break fantasy this week.
Tet McMillan vs. NEP, Dontayvion Wicks vs. DAL
Wide Receiver Sits
Tee Higgins vs. Seattle Seahawks
Guys, last week was bad for the Bengals. Like, historically bad.
If your name isn’t Ja’Marr Chase you can’t feel confident starting them next week. Being the best WR in football comes with perks.
Higgins caught one of his two targets last week. This isn’t just some unheard of thing either.
He’s averaging a disappointing three catches for 35 yards this season and has yet to really deliver for fantasy.
Scoring fewer than 7 fantasy points in two of three weeks does nothing to instill confidence in him this season.
Denver’s secondary is likely going to swarm Chase and force Higgins to beat them.
With a paltry 1.06 Y/RR this season, it’s unlikely Higgins is going to make the most of the attention Chase is likely to garner.
PFF’s WR/CB matchup chart is a bit more optimistic, with a heavy dose of Riley Moss expected.
A favorable matchup against Moss isn’t enough for me to trust Jake Browning to get the ball to Higgins consistently this week.
Jameson Williams vs. Cleveland Browns
The home/road splits for Williams might make a fool out of me this week. But I have the courage of my convictions and say Williams is a sit.
Maybe I’m just being naive, but 12 targets through three weeks frightens me. This is the same defense that punched Green Bay in the face last week.
While not insurmountable this season, ranking 10th in fewest fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.
Williams can take any touch and go to the house for six! He’s a great separator.
Until I see more of a defined role in the Lions offense, Williams is going to be a gutsy flex play at best.
Cleveland should be able to handle its business on defense and slow down the suddenly lethal Lions offense.
Other WR sits: DK Metcalf vs. MIN, Brian Thomas Jr. vs. SF
