Week 4 Fantasy Football Guide

Here we are in week four of the NFL fantasy and chances are you’re either 3-0 and dominating your league, or you drafted Saquon Barkley number one and now you’re devastated, because your season just might be over. Whatever your situation is looking like, here is our week four fantasy football guide.

Let’s start off with the Saquon Barkley situation. As you know, Barkley suffered a high ankle sprain this past Sunday against the Buccaneers. The injury will keep him out for 4-8 weeks. Yikes! You might be wondering; “Should I trade Saquon Barkley?” It really depends on your record and your running back depth. If you’re 1-2 and are thin at running back, then you should really consider trading Saquon. I know it’s hard to trade the #1 ranked fantasy football player, but if your team is struggling then you just might have to pull the trigger. If you’re in a good spot with a 2-1 or 3-0 record, then I would keep Saquon unless you are in dire need of a running back. In this scenario, I would only trade Saquon for a decent RB2 like Aaron Jones. I recommend you keep the young stud if you’re in an 8 man league where you can find a solid replacement until he returns.

Let's move on to our Top 5 Waiver Wire Pick-Ups.

Top 5 Waiver Wire Pick-Ups

(All players listed are available in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy football leagues)

D.J Chark (41.1% rostered)

11.4 Projected Points

D.J Chark has been fantastic so far this season, scoring 20.2 points a week. Chark has caught a touchdown in all three games this season and looks like the Jags’ number one receiver so far. Chark’s production didn’t drop off at all when Nick Foles went down, so I’m confident he can continue to be a high-level fantasy receiver. Chark is a good option if you need a WR2 or a flex.

Case Keenum (11.9% rostered)

18.2 Projected Points

Keenum struggled last week against the Bears, turning the ball over five times. The turnover issues overshadowed his 332 yards and 2 touchdowns. This week Keenum and the Redskins face a much easier opponent, the New York Giants. Keenum and Washington’s pass-heavy offense should have success against the Giant’s defense, which is pretty bad. Keenum is a nice little band-aid for a week as we start heading into bye weeks.

Phillip Dorsett (29.1% rostered)

10.1 Projected Points

Phillip Dorsett has been sneaky good this year, scoring 3 touchdowns in the first three games of the season. Dorsett is averaging about 4 catches a game which is a solid amount of usage for a guy who has been a part of an extremely crowded receiving core for the past 3 games. With Edleman possibly missing this week's game vs. the Bills, Dorsett should see more targets as he slides into the WR2 spot. Chark is a better option if you need a receiver for the rest of the season, but Dorsett might be the better pick up for week 4.

Jamal Williams (23.4% rostered)

10.8 Projected Points

I really like Jamaal Williams, but Matt Lafleur can’t seem to decide if he wants Williams or Aaron Jones to be the Packers’ premier running back. Last week Williams had 12 carries for 59 yards and 2 catches for 27 yards. If Williams continues to have an impact in both the run and passing game, then he has value as a flex guy. If only he could score some touchdowns.

Darrell Williams (15.5% rostered)

1.4 Projected Points

Darrell Williams can be a great pickup if LeSean McCoy misses this week's game. Last week vs. the Ravens, Williams went off for 62 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards. Apparently you’re immediately successful when you're on the Chiefs. Be cautious though, because Williams has no value unless he has a big role in the Chief’s offense.

This week is a great time to pick up a new quarterback if yours is struggling. Last week a couple of backup quarterbacks had to step into the starting lineup after Cam Newton, Nick Foles, and Ben Roethlisberger suffered injuries. Surprisingly these backups played extremely well in their first starts. Daniel Jones went off for 364 total yards and 4 total touchdowns in the Giants’ comeback victory over the Buccaneers. He showed he has value as a rusher, which was surprising. Gardner Minshew II (202 passing yards and 2 touchdowns) and Kyle Allen (261 passing yards and 4 touchdowns) also had great performances as the secured victories in their first starts. All of these quarterbacks are available in a majority of leagues. Daniel Jones has an easier schedule than Kyle Allen and Gardner Minshew II, so I recommend choosing him out of the three QBs.

There are a few players that I think have the potential to go nuts this week.

You have to start Derrick Henry this week. The Titans are going up against the Falcons who’s run defense took a hit after Keanu Neal tore his achilles. Henry should have a field day as the Falcons continue to try to find their identity on defense. The Falcons have the 12th ranked defense, but with their tackling issues, I still like Henry as an RB2 this week. I also love Austin Eckler against the Miami Dolphins (for obvious reasons). Eckler has shined during Melvin Gordon’s holdout and his dominance will continue against the horrendous Miami Dolphins (32nd ranked rush defense). Russell Wilson might be my favorite quarterback not named Patrick Mahomes this week. He plays the Cardinals (30th ranked total defense) and is coming off a week in which he scored 41.3 fantasy points. I don’t see Wilson slowing down much this week.

There are also a few players I’d stay away from this week.

Baker Mayfield has struggled this season. To be honest that feels like an understatement. Mayfield’s sophomore season has been a train wreck, and all of the blame can be placed on the Browns’ offensive line play. Mayfield is struggling to score over 15 points consistently. I’m not starting him again unless the Browns get a whole new offensive line. I’m done.

There are two running backs I would stay away from this week; Leonard Fournette (vs. Denver Broncos) and David Montgomery (vs. Minnesota Vikings). Both defenses are in the top half of the league in rush defense. I don’t like how Matt Nagy has used Montgomery this season, and I think he will struggle against the Vikings’ front seven. Fournette plays a worse run defense and should do better than Montgomery, but he hasn’t looked spectacular this year. This week Fournette is a flex guy at best in my opinion. I know it’s hard to bench these guys considering the running back depth this year is garbage, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Hope you enjoyed this week's guide and we'll see you next week.