Key Starters and Tough Calls - Week 4 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include De'Von Achane, Drake London, Justin Fields

September 30, 2023

Scott breaks down his fantasy football lineup starts/sits for Week 4 (2023). He spotlights key NFL players to start, and tougher lineup start/sit decisions.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to my Week 4 Lineup Spotlights - Key Starters and Tough Calls for fantasy football. Every week, I share some of my favored players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions. These choices are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the 2022 fantasy football season.

We feature players that you should lean to in tough calls, and guys who may exceed expectations this week are also highlighted, so you can feel even more confident about starting or adding them. Skill position analysis here is based on my PPR rankings.

When considering each player for your lineup, also consult our fantasy football rankings to see exactly where they are positioned when compared to your other possible lineup choices.

Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 4

De’Von Achane

The rookie delivered one of the most memorable debut performances in fantasy football history in Week 3, scoring 51.3 points. Achane had 233 scrimmage yards and four TDs last week, joining Billy Cannon (1961) as the only players in NFL history with 200+ rush yards, two rushing TDs, and two receiving TDs in a single game. This past week, Achane was involved in a huge amount of trade offers, as many fantasy players tried to either sell high or buy on him.

The huge question of the week was, and still is, what can we truly expect from Achane going forward and beginning this week against Buffalo? The reality is, that at 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, Achane will never be a true feature back and will have to lean on efficiency when working in a timeshare or committee situation. But I view Achane as a lighter, faster version of Kenneth Walker III in the regard that both players are capable of scoring from anywhere on the field at any time. The Seattle RB is fast too, but you might miss an Achane open field run when blinking.

Devon Achane was literally born to play under McDaniel. Elite speed, vision and ability as a pass catcher. An absolute game-changer.

A perfect fit.pic.twitter.com/N1E6HxpqtU

— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) September 24, 2023

The matchups often won’t matter for Miami players in terms of possible upside.  Defenses know what is often coming from the Dolphins' offense and still can’t contain it most of the time. Achane is an ideal fit for the Miami offense as a speed RB in a speed attack. Consistency may be a concern, because Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Raheem Mostert will sometimes overshadow Achane. But because his statistical ceiling can be very high in every given week, you should simply lock in Achane regularly as a superb flex option.

Alexander Mattison

I continue to focus on what to get from Mattison in the shorter term, as it is likely that Cam Akers will start to significantly cut into his workload in Minnesota’s next game. This week’s matchup may be Mattison’s best chance to show he still deserves to at least be a key part of a projected timeshare going forward.

Mattison had 125 scrimmage yards last week, and the matchup against Carolina should present some opportunities to get into the end zone. The Panthers have allowed an NFC-high six rushing TDs. The Vikings’ offense will continue to roll and Mattison is worthy of RB2 or flex consideration for this week. Going forward, his outlook even as a flex player will be uncertain, so expect an adequate fantasy week before more instability sets in.

Alvin Kamara

The longtime Saints star makes his season debut this week, and those who drafted or traded for Kamara are anticipating quality fantasy RB2 production, maybe right away. The New Orleans offense has surely improved this season, and Jamaal Williams is on injured reserve too, apparently clearing the path for Kamara to function as a quality fantasy starter again, and maybe even right away.

In 2022, Kamara averaged 120.1 scrimmage yards per game at home, and the Saints host the Buccaneers this week. But expectations should not be too high for Week 4, and in the longer term. Kamara may still operate in a committee his week since it is his first game of the year. His ceiling may be capped when Williams eventually returns, and Kendre Miller can also potentially begin to emerge more before then. Plus, the regular threat of Taysom Hill stealing goal-line work still exists.

I would certainly start Kamara this week, but without anticipating better than adequate returns while continuing to shop him in possible trades before or after Sunday’s games.

Javonte Williams

He has made an admirable recovery from last season’s disastrous knee injuries, but Williams has posted unacceptable fantasy totals over the first three weeks. The third-year RB has totaled 138 rushing yards with no TDs yet. Still, those who roster him in fantasy football seem to be remaining patient with Williams, as I don’t get any questions about benching him.

Chicago ranks 28th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs, so give Williams one more chance to show he deserves to stay in your lineup. If another disappointing statistical outing is what you get, then he has to be reserved until we see any actual signs of better days ahead.

Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 4

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

I have been forecasting his first quality performance for three weeks now, and maybe I am just late on the actual prediction coming true. Seattle’s first-round WR has been very quiet at the start of his NFL career, with nine catches for 57 yards and no TDs. “JSN” was a popular upside fantasy target in the preseason, but a wrist injury and the realities of the regular season have temporarily dimmed his fantasy outlook.

Still, Smith-Njigba was drafted to help Seattle solve its third-down issues, and rookie WRs frequently don’t blaze out of the gates in their first few NFL games. Seattle ranks 23rd in third down conversion percentage, down three spots from its 2022 finish. The time to start getting Smith-Njigba involved is now, so pick him up if anyone has dropped him in your league. In larger leagues, I would consider starting the first-year Seahawk, because it’s just a matter of time before he starts to produce, and that time could be on Monday night.

Geno Smith giving a pep talk to Seahawks rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

This is awesome. ❤️
pic.twitter.com/WqL0NGEpXQ

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 26, 2023

Starting Smith-Njigba may not feel right yet, but making the gutsy call could pay off with at least a respectable Week 4 performance.

Jalin Hyatt

There is a very good chance that you will find the Giants’ rookie on your waiver wire because he is another slow-starting pro newcomer at WR. Hyatt has not caught a ball in two of his first three NFL games.

The first true fantasy splash is coming very soon from Hyatt, because the coaching staff must inject him into a lifeless passing game as soon as possible. It makes no sense to keep Hyatt off the field while playing guys like Parris Campbell, who is averaging 4.3 yards per reception. No one else on the Giants’ roster has Hyatt’s upside and promise as a deep threat and downfield playmaker. Add Hyatt now, because he is the other rookie WR who can start to make some noise on Monday night. You may not want to start Hyatt yet, but I would definitely pop him into DFS Showdown lineups.

Drake London

First, let’s get the bad and apparent joke out of the way. Do we play London in London?

Atlanta’s 29th-ranked pass offense has only ranked above the last spot because the passing games of the Titans, Bears, and Jets have looked beyond awful, while the Falcons have been just awful. London caught two passes last week and was shut out in the opener. The Jaguars rank 21st in FFPG allowed to WRs. To start getting the passing game on a track to decency, getting the ball to London is essential for Atlanta, so activate him if you don't have another comfortable option.

Joshua Palmer

Palmer became a hot waiver wire pickup this past week after Mike Williams went down for the season with a knee injury. The third-year WR totaled 66 yards and a TD last week and caught seven balls for 60 balls in his last meeting with the Raiders. Las Vegas ranks 19th in FFPG allowed to WRs.

The opportunity and matchup point to starting Palmer as at least a flex play this week. But rookie Quentin Johnston was drafted by the Chargers in the first round, with a likely eye on replacing the oft-injured Williams at any time. I am obviously recommending bold rookie WR calls this week, and I won’t be surprised when Johnston outproduces Palmer right away. He has more playmaking upside than Palmer and the Chargers should not hold him back anymore now that Williams is out for the year.

Quarterback And Tight End – Fantasy Football Week 4

Justin Fields

After three weeks, the projected preseason fantasy standout ranks 18th among QBs and has been outperformed by the likes of Mac Jones and Baker Mayfield. Some fantasy players have cut Fields in acts of outright disappointment.

Yes, we all know Fields is off to a terrible start, but it’s too early to get rid of him and you should scoop him up if he is on the free agent list. He is headed for a get-right matchup with the Broncos, who allow the most FFPG to QBs, and you don’t want to miss out on a chance to pounce on someone else’s possible mistake.

This social media post is one indicator that the Bears might be about to let Fields do more of what he does best.

The Ringer noted Justin Fields averaged just under 8 designed runs per game from Week 7 on in 2022.

The Bears averaged 24.6 PPG from Week 7-15, which would’ve been 8th-best on the season.

Chicago called 5 designed runs through the first two weeks, averaging 18.5 PPG, 22nd. pic.twitter.com/7fLSM4tuNp

— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) September 29, 2023

As for whether to start Fields or not, I would still reserve him if you have another quality option such as Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith, but would go with him if the other choice is mostly unproven or shaky, using C.J. Stroud or Daniel Jones as examples.

Dalton Kincaid

In this week’s continuing spirit of featuring rookies who have not yet shown us enough or any of their potential yet, I offer up Kincaid, who has caught 11 passes for 72 yards. I would definitely consider starting him in a show of good fantasy faith that can produce a good return.

Buffalo-Miami is naturally expected to be a shootout, and Kincaid will likely have a greater share of targets this week, because others besides Stefon Diggs will have to be more involved in the Buffalo passing game. We know Gabe Davis cannot be trusted. Start Kincaid if you don’t roster another fantasy TE in the top 10 range.

Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.

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