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Hayden's unexpected fantasy football performances, waiver wire sleepers, and trade targets for Week 5 (2024). Can these NFL players sustain Week 4's success?
The fourth NFL Sunday of the season gave us plenty of entertainment. The exciting finishes in Atlanta and Houston had fans on the edges of their seats. Big wins by Tampa Bay, Washington, and Baltimore will also cause a lot of discussion in the coming days, as will the shocking 4-0 start by Minnesota.
Fantasy managers also saw a lot of great performances from their stars this week. Jayden Daniels, Derrick Henry, and Nico Collins all dominated, among others. What about some of the lesser-known players who showed out as well, though? They deserve some recognition for their surprising stat lines.
Let's take a look at five of this week's unexpected boom performances, starting with a dual-threat quarterback.
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Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
With teammate Russell Wilson sidelined to begin the season, former Chicago Bear Justin Fields had to take over as starting QB for the Steelers. After two "meh" fantasy performances, Fields put up a solid showing in Week 3. With 245 passing yards and two total touchdowns, he helped Pittsburgh reach a 3-0 record.
Few saw his Week 4 outing coming, though. Against the Colts, Fields completed 22 of 34 passes for 312 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 55 yards and two scores on the ground. While the game was Pittsburgh's first loss of the season, it was a big win for any fantasy managers with Fields.
Justin Fields is @steelers tough 💪 pic.twitter.com/lwhjnSMnYZ
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) September 29, 2024
Fields put up the fourth-best fantasy performance of his career with 31.98 half-PPR points. Ahead of the two Monday games, Fields ranks as Week 4's QB1. It was not a mistake-free game for Fields, but he was able to demonstrate how his versatile skillset can help a team launch a comeback effort.
Pittsburgh's quarterback situation has caused speculation over the past few weeks. With Fields largely playing well, and with Pittsburgh still sitting at 3-1 despite this week's loss, he could remain the team's starter even upon Wilson's return. Fields would be a solid addition in fantasy leagues this week.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
Considered a fantasy football sleeper this offseason, Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks did not get off to a hot start. In both Week 1 and Week 3, Wicks went catchless. While he did score a touchdown in Week 2 versus Indianapolis, Wicks had just three receptions for 26 yards on nine targets through three weeks.
Week 4 was much different. In a game that marked the return of starting quarterback Jordan Love, Wicks led Green Bay with 13 targets. He turned those opportunities into five receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns. By scoring 22.3 half-PPR points, Wicks ranks as the WR3 for the week ahead of the Monday night doubleheader.
Love to Wicks again! #MINvsGB pic.twitter.com/NOYEmbUCOO
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 29, 2024
Because the Packers found themselves down 28-0 in the second quarter, the game script was extremely favorable for Wicks. Love will not be throwing 54 passes every week. Still, Wicks's sudden breakout is promising, and teammate Christian Watson went down with an ankle injury. Wicks should continue to be a major factor in Green Bay.
This has been a brutal season where many fantasy rosters have been decimated by injuries already. Fortunately, Wicks is still available in many leagues, making him an appealing waiver target this week. Any fantasy manager who wants a new wide receiver should make Wicks their number-one priority if he is available.
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati running back Chase Brown was viewed as a breakout candidate for 2024. Through three weeks, that did not appear to be materializing. Brown had just 10 touches in Weeks 1 and 2 combined, and while he did gain 69 scrimmage yards in Week 3, his snap share that week sat at just 24 percent.
The Chase Brown fantasy managers were searching for arrived in Week 4. He carried the ball 15 times for 80 yards and caught two of three targets for 12 yards. Importantly, Brown also found paydirt twice, marking the first multi-touchdown game of his career. He played an integral role in Cincinnati's 34-24 win over Carolina.
Chase Brown scores again!
📺: #CINvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jt27GKU0X0— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Brown and his 22.2 half-PPR points rank as the week's RB4 before Monday's games. Notably, Brown's performance was built on an expansion of his role which began to encompass goal line carries. That is a significant change to monitor in this backfield moving forward, as it could lead to many more scoring opportunities for Brown.
Brown is already rostered in quite a few fantasy leagues, but he should be picked up in those where he is not. His arrow is pointing upward, and fantasy managers should want in on him. Brown and the Bengals will take on the Baltimore Ravens next week in a crucial matchup for both sides.
Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols hardly played to begin the season. Indeed, through the first three weeks, he had just one carry for one yard on the year. With Austin Ekeler suffering a concussion in Week 3, though, Washington needed to turn to McNichols in Week 4.
McNichols seized his chance. He displayed strong efficiency, turning eight carries into 68 yards and two touchdowns. He also gained six yards on his lone catch. In his eighth season in the NFL, McNichols set a new career high with 19.9 half-PPR points. The effort earned him the week's RB7 ranking through Sunday's games.
Jeremy McNichols with his 2nd TD of the game for the @Commanders!
📺: #WASvsAZ on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/C8SiHl5WFl— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
McNichols will not challenge teammate Brian Robinson Jr. for Washington's RB1 role. Robinson turned in a strong showing himself, totaling 113 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown. Still, McNichols showed that he can be productive alongside Robinson in a potent Washington offense.
Ekeler's availability will have a large impact on McNichols's usage, of course. An Ekeler return in Week 5 would reduce McNichols back to a bench role. If Ekeler misses more time with his concussion, though, McNichols could be worth a look on waivers. This is a situation worth watching.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
In the season opener, Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill saw a lot of action in the passing game. He caught six of eight targets for 52 yards in Week 1 versus Kansas City. In the ensuing two weeks, however, Hill was quieter. He saw just four targets over that span to go with nine carries.
Hill returned to being a big weapon for quarterback Lamar Jackson in Week 4. In a 35-10 rout of Buffalo, Hill caught all six of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown. A full third of Jackson's 18 pass attempts were to him. Hill also tacked on 18 yards on the ground on four rushing attempts.
Jackson lofts it to Hill for the 3rd @Ravens TD of the night!
📺: #BUFvsBAL on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tI1duxgMt6— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2024
Entering Monday, Hill stands as Week 4's RB9 with 18.6 half-PPR points. He turned in a great showing as Baltimore's pass-catching RB, a role he will continue to hold. Given how dominant Derrick Henry has been (199 rushing yards versus the Bills), it is hard to foresee him becoming any more than that, though.
Hill is definitely a waiver target for any RB-needy fantasy managers. It is important to take note of his role limitations, though. Moreover, as we have seen, his week-to-week production will be inconsistent. Hill will try for his second consecutive boom outing next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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