Fantasy Football Start/Sits: NFL 2026 Week 4
I started off 0-3 in my main league. 12 teams. I'm the only one that's 0-3. I have nothing left. I'm probably starting four Panthers this week. Maybe five if I grab their kicker. One of them is in this article. Maybe you can win this week if you read and learn.
The way we go about this weekly article is: several 4QWI staff members select one player from the major fantasy football positions to write about, whether it be starting or sitting them. We don't communicate at all, and at times there may be some overlap of advice, or even disagreements about the same player. Of course, we will generally avoid the obvious no-brainer starts every week such as Josh Allen and Jahmyr Gibbs. With that, let's get going.
Quarterbacks:
(@jvr1210) Sit: Joe Burrow vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Joe Burrow has been off to a semi-decent start to the 2026 regular season, averaging about 245 passing yards per game with 6 total touchdowns and 2 turnovers (one INT and one lost fumble). Last week certainly was Burrow’s best outing of the season so far as he threw for 282 yards and 3 touchdowns. This week Burrow faces his most difficult opponent so far this season, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are coming off their best game of the season where they made Drake Maye look like a lost puppy, causing him to throw 2 interceptions and cough up a fumble. They have also forced Bo Nix and Deshaun Watson to turn the ball over at least once in their other two games of the season, while supplying a steady dose of pass pressure (which may prove difficult for the Bengals offensive line). If you have another option sitting on your bench, you may want to turn to them in favor of Joe Burrow this week.
(@austinkh0ury) Start: Jacoby Brissett @ New York Giants
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 1:00 PM EST)
We’ve been riding the Brissett train this season, and in the 4QWI fantasy league, it’s paid off as Brissett ranks number 8 at the position. Jacoby Brissett finds himself traveling to MetLife stadium this week to take on a battered New York Giants team that ranks 26th in fantasy points allowed against opposing quarterbacks. Although he hasn’t eclipsed the 300 yard mark yet this season, Brissett firing a 70.1% completion rate and coming off his first multi-TD game of the season. The Cardinals find themselves with a 1-2 record to start the season, and even though it’s only Week 4, they find themselves in a must-win situation, as they have what looks like potentially the most difficult schedule ahead of them. After Week 4, their schedule is: vs DET, @LAR, vs DEN, @DAL, @SEA, vs LAR, @KC, vs WSH, vs PHI, then their BYE in Week 14. I expect Brissett and the Cardinals to try and win this game by any means necessary. I expect big plays to Michael Wilson and Trey McBride, with Marvin Harrison Jr. getting back on track this week. Brissett is a sneaky QB play this week, and if you’re in a points per completion league, upgrade him to a low end QB1.
(@Endydoe) Start: Sam Darnold vs. Los Angeles Chargers
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 4:25 PM EST)
In his first game back after an early injury in Week 1 against the Patriots, Darnold was slinging it against the Commanders last week: 379 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the 33-31 upset loss to Washington. I’m not here to speak on the outcome of the game, only to provide reasons why Darnold may be a good QB streaming option this week with injuries and huge underperformers abound this season.
First of all, the Seahawks are coming off that loss and are now hosting the poor Chargers in Seattle. The Chargers are in the doldrums and the defending champs want to get back on the board. Darnold’s line against the Commanders tells me he’s good to go and health shouldn’t be a big consideration going forward. The Chargers are a modest challenge in that they’ve allowed 26, 26 and 24 points to opponents this season, including forcing a handful of turnovers against Josh Allen and the Bills last week.
That said, the Bolts are allowing the 12th most passing yards per game (233) in the NFL and Darnold has an automatic weapon available in Jaxon Smith-Njgiba who remains good for 150 yards and two touchdowns every game it seems. In a game that seems almost a foregone conclusion, throw Darnold in if you’re suffering at QB in fantasy and expect a solid floor.
(@spechty49) Sit: Bo Nix @ San Francisco 49ers
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 4:25 PM EST)
A sliver of hope shined for Bo Nix owners last week. But the passing yards were still down. It would’ve been a mediocre performance if not for his rushing TD. As for this week he goes up against the 8th stingiest defense for QB points in the 49ers. I need to see some consistency before confidence sets in.
(@spechty49) Start: Tyler Shough vs. Atlanta Falcons
(MNF, 10/5 @ 8:15 PM EST)
As a Tyler Shough hater this one is surprising. I thought he was a bum but it turns out he just needs a good coach and some time. Posting top 10 QB results in all 3 weeks so far he is off to a roaring start. Monday Night could be a sneaky shootout as the Falcons looked solid with Penix under center. For Shough though, he goes up against an AJ Terrell-less Falcons secondary. Curious to see how this game comes together. You can confidently keep Shough starting.
Running Backs:
(@austinkh0ury) Start: David Montgomery vs. Dallas Cowboys
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 1:00 PM EST)
I bet after the Arizona “must-win” mention in Brissett’s piece that you thought I’d say Jeremiyah Love. You’re wrong! My RB call out this week is Mr. David Montgomery, AKA TD or Bustgomery. (Yeah I just made that up, what’s up?). Since his departure in Detroit, Montgomery is averaging a surprisingly bad 2.8 yards per carry, however, the Cowboys defense is allowing a remarkable 5.0 yards per carry to opposing rushers, and have given up 4 TD’s to opposing RBs so far this season. The Texans are boasting an 0-3 record to start the season and are desperate for a win, and with a defense like Houston’s, I expect the Texans to be in control of the clock this game. What does that mean? David Montgomery should be a busy man Sunday, and if there is anyone I’d bet on finding the end-zone this weekend, it’s him. Montgomery has the floor of a solid RB2 this week, with real potential of scoring multiple touchdowns. TD or Bustgomery is locked in my lineup this week.
(@spechty49) Start: Braelon Allen @ Chicago Bears
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 1:00 PM EST)
If you need a little one week pick from the wire see if Braelon Allen is available. No Hall no problem. Allen is still available in 27% of leagues And I do not expect Isaiah Davis who hasn’t logged an offensive snap all season to take too many touches away. Once Hall is back Allen might not have much value but for this week I’d expect a decent performance to pick you up. So far every starting RB vs Da Bears has gotten 80 yards at least. Add a tuddy and we are in business!
(@jvr1210) Start: Jacory Croskey-Merrit vs.Indanapolis Colts
(London: Sunday, 10/4 @ 9:30 AM EST)
There is no questioning the fact that Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off to a bit of a rough start this season, averaging 3.02 rushing yards per attempt and only finding the endzone once so far this season. This week I would love to give Croskey-Merritt the benefit of the doubt as he has had to face the Eagles and Seahawks defense in two of his three games (not sure what happened against Dallas in Week 2). Despite the lack of production, Croskey-Merritt is still seeing a ton of usage, with 16 rushing attempts in Week 1, 12 in Week 2, and 19 in Week 3. With that level of usage the production will come. This week is a great week for Croskey-Merritt to breakout, as he will face the Indianapolis Colts who have been horrible against the run this year, allowing 141.3 rushing yards per game and 5 total rushing touchdowns through their first three games. This week should be a great opportunity for a Croskey-Merritt breakout.
(@spechty49) Sit: Omarion Hampton @ Seattle Seahawks
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Hampton, much like the Chargers in general, been meh at best. His only saving grace is he has found the endzone a couple times. We have seen his workload decrease and his backup's workload increase. At least in the passing game. Hampton only running routes on under 20% of his drop backs in Week 3. Against the Seahawks his best outlook is TD or bust.
Wide Receivers:
(@spechty49) Start: Josh Downs vs. Washington Commanders
(London: Sunday, 10/4 @ 9:30 AM EST)
Josh Downs has looked pretty good since Alec Pierce hit the sideline. Topping 70 yards and 5 catches in back to back weeks. Going up against a terrible Commanders secondary the floor seems to be pretty high. From a PPR perspective, 20 targets in the last two weeks is very attractive. I expect more this week in London.
(@Endydoe) Start: Mack Hollins @ Buffalo Bills
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Listen, I’m trying to find some players that you’re not gonna just see every time you scroll down your social feed. Hollins has a case to be started and I ask you to give me a chance.
I am a Patriots fan. All of us who run 4QWI are Patriots fans. No cope here. Drake Maye has a case for the worst starting Quarterback in the NFL right now. BUT, if there’s one thing we saw last week, it’s that Mack Hollins is a rocksteady option for him to throw to.
Six catches and 87 yards on nine targets was the stat line the Mack Daddy laid out last week against the Jaguars. In this next matchup the Patriots travel to upstate New York to take on the Bills in an awfully-timed divisional matchup. My personal philosophy? For Drake to overcome this slump, he just needs to throw his way through it. In a matchup against the mighty Bills offense, all we can expect is Maye to throw. Will someone in a Patriots or Bills jersey catch it? Unfortunately the latter, but when it’s sent a Patriots’ way, Mack is one of the prime candidates.
The Bills for their part are a soft passing defense which helps out quite a bit here. If you’re in a 12-team or large dynasty format with additional WR or Flex slots, Hollins has a legitimate case to be a flier.
(@austinkh0ury) Start: Mack Hollins @ Buffalo Bills
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Alright. I know, Drake Maye has been playing like he forgot who he was last season. But you know what, he’s going to find himself again, and while he continues down his path, Mack Hollins seems to be the only receiver that can actually catch a poorly thrown pass from Drake Maye. Week 3 showed Drake Maye relying on Hollins downfield and in crucial 3rd down scenarios, with Mack producing a 6-87-0 stat line on 9 targets. Drake Maye is not going to suck all season, and he is going to correct himself, the question is, when? And I think that the time is now, facing a Bill’s defense allowing 275+ passing yards/game. Mack Hollins seems to be the WR that has seen the biggest step forward with AJ Brown on IR, and the Bills are going to score a lot of points against New England, so I’d expect Drake Maye to try to throw his way out of his slump, with Hollins to be the biggest benefit. I got Hollins locked into my flex this week, optimistically hopeful for a WR2 showing.
Sit: Terry McLaurin vs. Indanapolis Colts
(London: Sunday, 10/4 @ 9:30 AM EST)
Going back to Washington baby, I’m slamming the start on Terry McLaurin this week. McLaurin seems to finally be hitting a stride for Washington, as he has received 9 targets in each of his last two games, and last week he was finally productive with those targets hauling in 6 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. McLaurin clearly seems to be Marcus Mariota’s favorite and that should do him well against a Colts defense that is 30th in the league against the passing game.
(@spechty49) Sit: Ladd Mcconkey @ Seattle Seahawks
(Sunday, 10/4 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Sitting Chargers is probably not an outrageous idea right now. They need to figure it out. Mainly this is just an “Avoid the Seahawks Defense” pick. They have been stingy as can be against opposing receivers minus a couple big plays. McConkey has not seen the endzone or broke 80 yards since week 1. Bad matchup. I’ll pass.
Tight Ends:
(@Endydoe) Start: Darren Waller vs. Detroit Lions
(SNF, 10/4 @ 8:20 PM EST)
Tight End guy here. So I'm 2 for 3 on my recommendations this season. Likely in Week 1 and Ferguson in Week 2 were oracle-like. Then Oronde Gadsden laid an egg last week so I myself had egg on my face.
This week’s recommendation is someone only rostered in 15.2% of ESPN leagues as of writing, but who is also TE12 in PPR, with an outlook that keeps growing. Listen to this: Waller’s target share has increased each game, from 2 to 3 to now 8 in Carolina’s most recent game against the Browns. Waller benefited then from Jalen Coker’s exit with an injury during the contest and remains questionable for Sunday Night, along with Xavier Legette already being out. I like the Waller start even if Coker plays, but upgrade him if he sits.
The Panthers host the Lions at home on Sunday Night Football and there literally couldn’t be a better matchup Waller, who turned 34 in September. The Lions, over three games, have ceded 29 catches for 351 yards and six touchdowns to opposing Tight Ends alone. In this cruel sick world of fantasy Tight Ends, Waller is about as good of a start this week as anyone if you don’t have the automatic options like a McBride, a Bowers, a Kittle etc.
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