Week 4 Fantasy Football Start/Sits - NFL 2025 (QB, RB, WR, TE)

Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season is upon us, and the first week with Fall officially underway. Vibes are good for a lot of fanbases at this juncture, with a few exceptions (sorry Saints). Hopefully your fantasy team is doing well, and if it's not, we GOT. YOU.

Using data, gut feelings and ethereal projections, we will provide you the tools needed to get that juicy dub week after week with 100% accuracy. We will, of course, omit matchup-proof choices such as Saquon Barkley and Lamar Jackson.

Quarterbacks: @jvr1210

Start: Justin Fields @ Miami Dolphins (MNF, 9/29 @ 7:15 PM EST)

Justin Fields' status coming into week four is still up in the air. Fields is still in concussion protocol after being tackled by Joey Bosa and hitting his head on the ground. Fields and the Jets do have the benefit of playing the Monday Night game, which may give Fields a bit more time to clear protocol and get ready for the Jets game against the Dolphins. Tyrod Taylor played decently in Fields' absence, but I think Fields should remain the starter once he returns from injury.

The Miami Dolphins defense has struggled to contain the passing game so far this season, allowing Daniel Jones, Drake Maye, and Josh Allen to combine for a 78.8% completion percentage, 6 TDs to 0 INTs, and a passer rating of 128.9. On top of that, they have surrendered 3 rushing TDs to the QB position. All signs point towards an incredibly favorable matchup for Justin Fields, so long as he is healthy and ready to go.

Start: Jordan Love @ Dallas Cowboys (SNF, 9/28 @ 8:20 PM EST)

Listen, I get it. Week 3 was a horrendous outing for both the Green Bay Packers and Jordan Love. Highly touted by us along with a lot of other individuals as one of the teams to beat after their impressive 2-0 start against the Lions and Commanders, the Packers struggled against the Cleveland Browns. Jordan Love was kept under 200 yards and threw one TD and one INT. This week, the Packers line up for a Sunday Night showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have been miserable against opposing QBs, allowing Caleb Williams to put up the best game of his career, and allowing Russell Wilson, who otherwise has been awful, to throw for 450 yards and 3 TDs. This should be an easy bounce-back game for Jordan Love and the Packers. With a matchup against arguably the worst passing defense in the league, you should start Jordan Love.

Jordan Love

​Start: Geno Smith vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday, 9/28 @ 4:25 PM EST)

Geno Smith has been having himself a pretty good start to the 2025 NFL Season. The Raiders' offensive line has been struggling, as Geno Smith is the second-most-sacked QB, and Ashton Jeanty, who was poised to be a breakout star this season, has not been able to get much going. Despite all that, Geno Smith still finds himself as the #13 fantasy QB, after putting up 289 yards and 3 TDs against the Washington Commanders. In week four, Geno Smith and the Raiders face off against the Chicago Bears, who are currently ranked 30th in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs, as they have surrendered the most passing TDs this season. All signs point towards a high-scoring game between the Raiders and Bears this week, and Geno Smith should play a pivotal role in that.

Sit: Brock Purdy vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 9/28 @ 4:05 PM EST)

Brock Purdy appears to be on track to start for the 49ers after missing weeks two and three with a toe injury. In his absence, Mac Jones had one excellent game and one mediocre to serviceable game. In his return, Brock Purdy will line up against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have allowed the lowest passer rating in the NFL through the first three weeks. The Jaguars have an NFL-leading 7 interceptions so far this season, and are coming off a game where C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offensive woes and nightmarish start continued. There are a lot of red flags this week for the 49ers, between the tough matchup, Purdy still being limited in practice, Jauan Jennings being questionable after missing week two with an ankle injury, and Ricky Pearsall now being day-to-day with a knee injury. It’s hard to justify starting Purdy in a tough matchup against the Jaguars.

Sit: Daniel Jones @ Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 9/28 @ 4:05 PM EST)

This is a really hard one for me to choose. Daniel Jones has been nothing short of excellent so far this season, ranking as the #4 fantasy QB through the first three weeks of the season. Jones has managed to put up 200+ yards with 1 passing TD in each of his first three games, he has also managed to find the endzone with his legs three times so far this season. Week three against the Titans was a bit quieter for Jones, as Jonathon Taylor ran the ball down the Titans' throats.

This week's matchup just seems to have bust written all over it for me. The Rams have the sixth-best passing defense in the league, allowing an average of 165.3 passing yards per game and a total of 4 passing TDs. On top of that, the Rams are one of the best teams at getting pressure on the opposing QBs as they are tied for the most sacks in the league with the Denver Broncos (who notably Daniel Jones did light up earlier this season). Jones has largely struggled against the pressure throughout his career, and I expect the Rams to bring a lot of it. I really do hope Jones will prove me wrong, but it feels safer to sit him this week.

Running Backs: @BreTT_Shevlin

Start: Omarion Hampton vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 9/28 @ 4:05 PM EST)

Hampton was finally able to break out in week 3 scoring his first TD and tallying over 100 all purpose yards. Najee Harris unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles in this contest so Hampton is now officially the bellcow in what projects as one of the top offenses in the league. If Jaxson Dart struggles in his first career game which is entirely likely, this could turn into a blowout fast where Hampton sees a high amount of volume.

Start: Jordan Mason @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Dublin, Ireland, Sunday 9/29 @ 9:30 AM EST)

Another running back that benefits from another man’s injury we have Jordan Mason. Mason ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns in last weeks blowout win vs Cincinnati. With the absence of Aaron Jones, Mason is taking advantage of his opportunities and has a lot of trust in this Minnesota coaching staff. I don’t think Kevin O’Connell is quite ready to trust Carson Wentz to fully lead them so Mason should benefit from a more conservative offensive approach.

Steelers defense is also not as good as fantasy points suggest. If Patriots ball carriers could just hold on to the ball last week we see a completely different outcome to that game. Don’t just look at the stats!

Jordan Mason

Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt @ Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 9/28 @ 1:00 PM EST)

The Commanders backfield is hard to predict as JCM, Chris Rodriguez Jr and Jeremy McNichols are all getting a slice of snaps in this offense. Many thought after the departure of Brian Robinson Jr and the injury sustained to Austin Ekeler that Croskey-Merritt would seize a workhorse role, but that has not happened yet. Until we see how this committee shakes out I don’t think it’s safe to trust any Washington running back.

Sit: Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 9/28 @ 1:00 PM EST)

This is advice not just for my fellow fantasy managers out there but also to the Head Coach of the New England Patriots Mike Vrabel if you somehow are reading this… RHAMONDRE STEVENSON IS TRASH. A man that led the NFL in fumbles last season fumbled twice last week during the absolute worst times a person could ever fumble. The bias patriots fan in me says he belongs in the XFL not the NFL, but regardless he’s lost all faith in the organization and Treveyon Henderson is the future. Don’t just sit Stevenson, drop him and never look back.

Wide Receivers: @Endydoe

Start: Tetairoa McMillan @ New England Patriots (Sunday, 9/28 @ 1:00 PM EST)

I and a bunch of the 4QWI boys will be at this game live and I expect some OFFENSE out of these two squads. The Panthers take on my New England Patriots who are allowing the fifth most fantasy points to receivers this season. Per Mike Vrabel himself, it's looking like Christian Gonzalez may actually be suiting up for the first time this season as he was a limited practice participant on Wednesday which will anchor this Patriots defense. Despite that, Tet has found a solid connection with Bryce Young, as he boasts the 14th most receiving yards in the NFL entering Week 4 (216). It's a catch-22 here. McMillan is really the only option Bryce Young has, which means oodles of volume, but if Gonzo plays, this will be a true test for the rookie. If there was ever a game for McMillan to get his first career tuddy, this is the one. Throw him in your flex this week.

Tet McMillan

Start: Keenan Allen @ New York Giants (Sunday, 9/28 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Returning to the Chargers after a one year stay in Chicago has the 33 year old Allen reestablishing his role as Justin Herbert's safety valve despite joining a pretty crowded offense, including the rise of Quentin Johnson. In three games, Allen has been targeted a whopping 28 times, which is tied for 9th in the league. That amounts to a 19/194/3 line for him. Not bad for someone who was going at an ADP of WR53. Yours truly got him in the 10th round of my league's draft. Allen and the Chargers take on the Giants this week, a team that has allowed the third most fantasy points to Wide Receivers this season, including 272 receiving yards per game and five receiving touchdowns. Like years past, Allen has one of the most stable floors for the entire WR position in fantasy. In my opinion, he is one more game away from being considered a weekly must-start option, especially in PPR options.

Sit: Tee Higgins @ Denver Broncos (MNF, 9/29 @ 8:15 PM EST)

Yeah it ain't looking too good for Cincinnati. Following an absolute stomping at the hands (or feet) of the Vikings last week, the Bengals now have to go face the Broncos in Denver. Jake Browning has been pretty bad, and the production of his Wide Receivers is one obvious byproduct of that. Higgins had just one catch for 15 yards on two targets in the 48-10 blowout. For their part, the Broncos are allowing the sixth least fantasy points to the position this week. I think it's too soon to even consider benching Ja'Marr Chase, but Higgins is an easy fade if you have better options. Perhaps with more reps for Browning paired with an easier opponent there are better days ahead for Higgins, but that doesn't start this week.

Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Seattle Seahawks (TNF, 9/25 @ 8:15 PM EST)

MHJ has not taken the leap that I personally expected going into this season and in fact is looking even worse at this juncture than he did in his rookie season. In his first three games this season, Harrison Jr. has splits of 10/142/1 and in the first three games of his rookie season he put up 10/198/3; just food for thought. Last week's game against the 49ers included two absolutely brutal drops as well. On Thursday prime time ball, the Cardinals host the Seahawks, who have allowed the second least points to WRs in fantasy thus far, and in general have allowed just 47 points all season which is good for second in the league. MHJ is on the bench for me.

Tight Ends: Austin # 1

Start: Juwan Johnson @ Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 9/28 @ 1:00 PM EST)

In 3 weeks, Johnson has established himself as Spencer Rattler’s security blanket, posting a stat line of 19-176-1 on 28 targets. He is averaging over 9 targets a game, and although he faces the Buffalo Bills, one of the toughest defenses against the TE position, his volume and involvement in this pass-heavy offense keeps him in the TE1 conversation. Also, the Saints are going to be playing from behind for the entire game, so I would expect Spencer Rattler to be airing it out to try and keep this game competitive.

Start: Chig Okonkwo @ Houston Texans (Sunday, 9/28 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Have an untrustworthy TE against a tough matchup this week? Pick up and start Chig Okonkwo! Only rostered in 18% of ESPN leagues right now, Okonkwo’s level of involvement has grown each week as he establishes chemistry with rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans find themselves 0-3 on the year, and are facing a hungry 0-3 Texans that have been struggling on both sides of the ball. If Tennessee wants to win this game, they’re going to need to move the ball with pace, and I think Okonkwo will play a factor in moving the chains. He’s coming off his season high 5-66-0 stat line, and is averaging 10 yards/catch with a stat line of 12-120-0 on the year. Okonkwo should have a decent floor in his team’s week 4 must win matchup.

Chig Okonkwo

Sit: Mark Andrews @ Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 9/28 @ 4:25 PM EST)

Mark Andrews played like his prime self last week, posting a stat line of 6-91-2, however, through the first two weeks, Mark Andrews had only 2 catches for 7 yards. Week 3 was a very weird game for Baltimore, as Andrews seemed to be the only productive receiver in the matchup, however, based on the last couple seasons and early weeks of this season, week 3 is very likely an outlier performance more than a breakout. And he’s up against a stingy KC defense that has only allowed a total of 8 catches for 102 yards to TE’s through 3 weeks.

Sit: Evan Engram vs. Cincinnati Bengals (MNF, 9/29 @ 8:15 PM EST)

Evan Engram missed week 3 due to a back injury and is slated to return week 4 against Cincinnati. Engram was a big preseason draft target, as the potential to be Bo Nix’s security net is intriguing, but the first couple of weeks showed minimal connection between the QB/TE duo, and with Engram out of practice last week, I wouldn’t expect the chemistry to look any stronger than before. Engram, if he plays, is staying on the bench for me.