Booms and Busts - Fantasy Football Starts and Sits for Week 4 Lineups (2025)

Dave's fantasy football start 'em and sit 'em booms and busts for Week 4 of 2025. Sneaky starts that may boom, and typical starters who will disappoint.

As we approach Week 4, we are preparing to flip the calendar to October. Feels just like yesterday that we were discussing breakouts, busts, and sleepers while sizzling in the sun. Now we are bracing for fall weather while loading up on Halloween candy. Time sure does fly once the NFL season begins!

Last week’s Sonic Boom, George Pickens, didn’t quite hit the way we had hoped. Cowboys WR1 CeeDee Lamb exited with an ankle injury, and that threw Pickens into the clear WR1 role. Unfortunately, Lamb’s injury seemed to shut down the entire Cowboys offense. Pickens did post a respectable 5-68-1 line and finished the Week as the overall WR16, so he still got the job done for gamers. This week brings a new set of challenges that fantasy managers must endure. Hopefully, the Lamb injury did not affect your team. If it did, or if your team has been stuck in a rut because of a few underperforming players, we will do our best to present some viable alternatives who could be a boost to your lineup.

Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Let’s get in our boom/bust picks for Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Sonic Boom of the Week

Omarion Hampton - RB, Los Angeles Chargers at New York Giants

Hampton is set to take over lead back duties for Los Angeles following the unfortunate Achilles injury to Najee Harris. The Chargers' rookie should function in a near bellcow role. This was the case in Week 1 when Harris was out, as well as in Week 3 when Harris exited the game.

Admittedly, Hampton has been a bit underwhelming so far this year and is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. That will likely change this week as Hampton gets a dream matchup.

Los Angeles takes on a New York Giants defense that has struggled to stop the run. New York currently ranks 32nd in FTN Fantasy’s defensive rushing DVOA, 10th in explosive rushing yards allowed per Fantasy Points Data Suite, and has allowed the fifth most PPR points to running backs according to Fantasy Football Today. This is a matchup that should leave every Hampton manager salivating.

The Chargers are also 6.5-point favorites this weekend and are facing a rookie quarterback making his first career start. This game has just about everything we’d want to see for a talented running back.

Don’t let Hampton’s slow start deter you. Some NFL draft pundits and teams reportedly had Hampton neck and neck with Ashton Jeanty as RB1 of the 2025 draft class. This is the perfect chance for Hampton to showcase his ability. I expect him to deliver, and he is live for a monster game. Start him in all formats.

Other Week 4 Fantasy Football Booms

TreVeyon Henderson - RB, New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers

We’re going to gamble on Henderson this week. After Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson both lost fumbles in last Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Henderson could be in line to function as the team’s lead back. Stevenson actually lost two fumbles on the day, including one on his way into the endzone.

DEFENSE WITH ANOTHER HUGE PLAY‼️

📺: #PITvsNE on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/UcSV1Oax6D

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 21, 2025

Henderson was on the field much more following that play, and that could continue this weekend. If it does, Henderson is set for a huge game as New England takes on a Carolina Panthers team that's allowed the fourth-most rushing yards to running backs through three games per Fantasy Football Today. Carolina has also allowed the sixth-most explosive rushing yards this year.

The real gamble here is whether or not Mike Vrabel and the Patriots coaching staff decide now is the time to give him more touches. However, Henderson has big-play ability, and this is a matchup where he could pop for a few big plays even if he doesn’t dominate backfield touches.

THE FIRST TIME HE TOUCHED THE BALL IN THE NFL!!!!@TreVeyonH4 | @NFL

📺: WBZ pic.twitter.com/NcT2a635nx

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 8, 2025

Gamers should consider Henderson a viable flex-play or even an RB2 in PPR formats.

Matthew Golden - WR, Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys

Golden had his best game to date last week against the Cleveland Browns. He only posted a 4-52-0 line on four targets, but saw a huge increase in playing time following the injury to fellow wide receiver Jayden Reed. Golden played nearly 71% of offensive snaps in Week 3, and that's good news for his outlook moving forward.

Green Bay faces the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 4. Dallas' defense is coming off a horrific performance in Week 3, where it allowed multiple huge plays to the Chicago Bears' passing offense.

Dallas currently ranks 32nd in defensive passing DVOA, has allowed the most PPR points to opposing wide receivers, and ranks 28th in DVOA against opposing WR1s. This is a fantastic spot to start the Packers' rookie receiver as Green Bay’s offense is primed for a major bounce-back following a disappointing performance in Week 3.

Fire up Golden as a WR3 or flex play with upside for much more.

Jameson Williams - WR, Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns

Williams looked like he was in store for a big game Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens after catching two passes for 43 yards on Detroit’s opening drive. Unfortunately, Williams was only targeted one time the remainder of the game and finished Week 3 as the PPR WR59.

Detroit now takes on a Cleveland Browns team that is fresh off an upset victory over the Green Bay Packers, and this could be a spot where Williams pops for a big game. Cleveland boasts one of the best run defenses in the league, which could force Detroit to focus on the passing game. That could mean good things for Williams as Cleveland currently ranks 20th in defensive DVOA against opposing WR2s.

Williams really feels like the perfect type of player for this article, as he usually either pops for a week-winning performance or completely fizzles out. We’ll take a chance and say this will be a game where Williams performs like a rock star. Fire him up as a WR3 or flex play.

Carson Wentz - QB, Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers

Wentz turned in a solid performance against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. He threw for 173 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and finished the week as the overall QB13.

Carson Wentz finds Josh Oliver for a Vikings TD!

CINvsMIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/WXuSA5ocez

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

With J.J. McCarthy still sidelined with an ankle injury, Wentz draws another start this week. Minnesota plays the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first international game of the year. Pittsburgh’s defense has struggled so far and has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in the process. The Steelers also rank 23rd in PFF pass coverage grade.

With Jordan Addison set to make his season debut following a three-game suspension, this is setting up nicely for another solid performance from Wentz. Games can consider him a viable streaming candidate in single quarterback leagues and a solid QB2 play in superflex and two quarterback formats.

Landmine of the Week

Javonte Williams - RB, Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers

Williams has gotten off to a hot start in 2025. His 227 rushing yards rank seventh in the league, and his three rushing touchdowns are tied for third.

Williams could be in for some rough sledding in Week 4, as Dallas takes on a Green Bay Packers team that’s allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points to opposing running backs. The Packers have also allowed the third fewest rushing yards in the league through three games.

Also working against Williams is that Dallas will be missing guard Tyler Booker in this game. Booker suffered a high-ankle sprain last week and is expected to miss several games. Booker is currently PFF’s fourth-highest graded run blocking guard, so this is a big blow to Williams and the entire Cowboys offensive line. Dallas will also likely be missing starting wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in this game due to a high ankle sprain. That could cause the Packers' defense to stack the box and force Dallas to beat them with a one-dimensional passing attack.

Williams has arguably been the best feel-good story of the season, but there are a lot of factors working against him in this game. If you have Williams on your team, you should consider benching him for other options, as he could post a real dud against a very good Packers defense.

Other Week 4 Fantasy Football Busts

D.K. Metcalf - WR, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Metcalf found the endzone last week against the New England Patriots. However, he was only targeted four times and caught three passes for 32 yards. He and quarterback Aaron Rodgers are still developing chemistry. Metcalf’s 19.3% target share and 20% targets per route run (data courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite) leave a bit to be desired as well.

Pittsburgh now faces a Minnesota Vikings defense that has been very good at limiting opposing wide receivers. Minnesota has allowed the fewest PPR points to receivers and ranks ninth in DVOA against opposing WR1s.

Rodgers struggled against Brian Flores’ aggressive, blitzing defense last year when he played for the New York Jets. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is currently ranked 23rd in PFF’s pass blocking grade. This could be a tough matchup for Rodgers and the Steelers' offensive line. That would negatively impact Rodgers’ ability to connect with Metcalf.

Pittsburgh’s WR1 also has a tough draw this week, according to RotoBaller’s Week 4 WR/CB matchup chart. Metcalf is slated to go against cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, and that could also lead to a disappointing outing.

Leave Metcalf on your bench this week and consider other options.

Zay Flowers - WR, Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs

Flowers got off to a hot start in the first two games of the year, but hit a wall this past Monday night against the Detroit Lions. Flowers only posted a 2-13-0 line on just three targets in Week 3.

Baltimore takes on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. This might not be the week Flowers bounces back as Kansas City ranks third in defensive DVOA against opposing WR1s, and allows just 38 receiving yards per game to opposing WR1s, too.

If you have a surplus at receiver, consider sitting Flowers in favor of other options. If you have to start him, just know he could let you down for the second week in a row.

Sam LaPorta - TE, Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns

LaPorta has cooled off following a big Week 1 performance against the Green Bay Packers. The third-year tight end posted a 6-79-0 line on nine targets in Week 1. The last two weeks, though, LaPorta has caught a combined seven passes for 59 receiving yards.

The Lions host the Cleveland Browns this weekend, and this game is projected to be another tough matchup for LaPorta. Cleveland’s defense has been highly effective at limiting opposing tight ends. The Browns have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards to tight ends this year and also rank third in defensive DVOA against the position. The Browns have also had issues defending opposing wide receivers. Detroit might choose to attack the Cleveland defense through Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa.

Put it all together, and LaPorta becomes an easy fade this week. Leave him on your bench and consider other streaming options.

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