Time to Panic? Underachieving Big-Name Players - Fantasy Football Outlooks

by Tipp Major

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Tipp's fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 4 of 2025. His fantasy outlooks for Drake London, Chase Brown, Ashton Jeanty, Calvin Ridley, Brian Thomas.

Week 4 is here, and the fantasy panic meter is already on full tilt. Plenty of early-round picks are underperforming, with Terry McLaurin being one of the underperformers. He skipped most of training camp, so a slow start was always on the table, but fantasy managers didn’t draft him for patience; they drafted him for WR1 production. The question is whether he’s ready to hit stride, or if fantasy managers will keep watching him run routes without results. Now, he is visiting Dr. William Meyers, who I don't think gives any players good news, but let's monitor.

Players drafted in the first five rounds are usually supposed to be “set it and forget it” starters. But right now, several players have been anything but automatic, leaving fantasy managers scratching their heads and reconsidering early draft strategies. Some are struggling due to slow offensive starts, while others are affected by injuries or new quarterback dynamics. The key takeaway? Early draft capital isn’t guaranteed, but these players still have the talent and opportunity to rebound; it just might take a little patience and a few adjustments from their teams.

Here are the main culprits, leaving fantasy managers second-guessing their lineups and wondering if the early draft capital was a mistake. The good news? There’s still time for these players to rebound -- but patience is wearing thin. Some of the struggles are tied to slow starts from quarterbacks, injuries, or adjustments to new offensive schemes, while others simply haven’t clicked yet despite high usage. Fantasy managers now face tough decisions; stick with these early round picks and hope for a turnaround, or start weighing alternatives on the waiver wire. The next few weeks could make or break the season for those who invested heavily in these high-upside players.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

The leap from college to the NFL isn’t easy, and most rookies stumble -- Ashton Jeanty is no exception. Entering Week 4 as the RB32, he’s underperforming relative to early draft expectations.

But don’t hit the panic button just yet. Jeanty has already hauled in five catches through three games, and the Raiders are clearly looking to get him more involved in space. Could we see him lining up out wide? If that happens, his fantasy ceiling suddenly looks a lot higher.|

That’s Ashton Jeanty lined out wide! Brock Bowers and the rookie RB running around in the open field in an offense designed to create space! This offense is going to be legit! #justwinbaby pic.twitter.com/7rl9atkQNv

— Tipp Major (@tippmajor) August 3, 2025

Looking ahead to Week 4, Jeanty gets a break, facing a Bears defense that has been giving up big points to running backs all season. The learning curve is still very much in effect, but as the season progresses, expect Jeanty to see more scoring opportunities -- enough to make fantasy managers forget about his slow start.

Recommendation: Chill! Start in Week 4

Consider Jeanty a strong start in Week 4, especially for PPR managers. The Bears have surrendered chunk gains to backs both on the ground and through the air, and Jeanty’s growing role as a pass-catcher puts him in line for double-digit touches with touchdown upside. If you’ve been debating whether to trust him, this is the matchup to plug him in with confidence.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase Brown’s season started with so much hype, but one toe injury has already derailed his production. His bread and butter -- pass-catching -- has yet to show up, with under 20 receiving yards in the first three games. Fantasy managers, though, there’s a small silver lining: he’s still seeing 18.3 touches per game.

That said, all hope isn’t lost. Brown’s workload suggests the coaching staff still trusts him to be involved, and when/if Joe Burrow returns, he could see a boost in both targets and efficiency. For fantasy managers, this means patience might pay off down the stretch, especially in PPR formats where touches are valuable. Keeping him on the roster for the long haul could turn those early struggles into a second-half payoff if the offense starts clicking again.

Recommendation: Panic! Shaky Start for Week 4

Even with Burrow potentially out for the season, Brown’s steady 18+ touches per game give him standalone value, especially in PPR formats. He’s worth starting as a volume-based starter or flex -- but it may not be pretty.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans

Abort, red alert, DEFCON 9! Calvin Ridley and the Titans offense are misfiring on all cylinders. His best finish so far? WR56. And he hasn’t caught more than four passes in a single game. Fantasy managers are feeling the sting.

There’s a sliver of hope, though. Ridley’s next four matchups are against defenses that have been generous to wide receivers. The catch: Cam Ward has struggled in the passing game and has leaned heavily on Elic Ayomanor the past two weeks, which could cap Ridley’s upside. So yes, there’s a chance for a turnaround -- but don’t hold your breath.

Recommendation: Panic! Consider Sitting for Week 4

I’m moving on from Ridley, though his upcoming soft matchups give him some short-term appeal -- and you might be able to trade him to someone willing to take a flier, just don’t expect a big return. He could chip in a few points off the bench, but I’m done betting on a full comeback. For Week 4 he's a risky start.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Since we’re being tough on Brian Thomas Jr. -- who’s averaging just eight fantasy points per game in PPR -- we’ve also got to look at Justin Jefferson. A top-5-7 pick overall, Jefferson hasn’t exactly lived up to the lofty expectations, either. As for Thomas, he’s been dealing with a lot this offseason, including the heartbreaking loss of his friend Kyren Lacy. It’s clear he’s still processing it, and that’s reflected on the field.

Even a struggling offense is still finding its rhythm. Trevor Lawrence isn’t Baker Mayfield -- but Liam Coen is scheming day and night to get Thomas the looks he needs. Honestly, that might be our only lifeline this season -- but in fantasy football, hope is often half the battle. The talent is too good with Thomas for us to fully panic. Consistency could be more of an issue, but at the end of the year, we are still looking at a WR1.

Recommendation: Chill! Shaky Start for Week 4

Brian Thomas Jr. is still a must-hold in fantasy. While consistency may be an issue early, his talent and target share make him a true WR1 down the stretch, capable of delivering high-end PPR production. Hopefully, the offense clicks soon rather than later. For Week 4 he's also a risky start.

Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Drake London’s final game of the 2024 season was a fantasy dream, delivering exactly what managers had hoped for. Heading into 2025, expectations were high -- but over the first three games, even with an 86% snap rate, he’s underperformed, leaving owners frustrated. Panic isn’t necessary just yet.

Atlanta faces the Commanders next, then a bye week -- ideal timing for minor injuries to heal and the offense to get back on track. To unlock London’s upside, the Falcons need some adjustments. Quicker passes to relieve defensive pressure, more creative play-calling, and better use of the running game to open space for their top receiver.

If the staff makes the right moves, London could finally live up to the hype that made him a high draft pick -- and cement himself as a must-own in fantasy leagues.

Recommendation: Chill! Start in Week 4

London is still a stronghold in fantasy, especially with a favorable matchup against the Commanders coming up. If Atlanta fine-tunes its offense, he has the upside to deliver WR1 production and justify his draft capital.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

How is it hard not to panic when you see plays like this from Marvin Harrison Jr.?

Marvin Harrison Jr is broken...

One of the WORST drops you will ever see.

pic.twitter.com/MQMZwI7RfN

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 21, 2025

That was a rough play, no sugarcoating it -- but the talent and pedigree keep us coming back for more. Forget that drop -- it hurt, yes, but we can’t dwell on it. Keep the faith that Kyler Murray and Harrison will find their rhythm. Enter Trey Benson, whose home-run ability could relieve some defensive pressure, giving the quarterback and top receiver more space to connect.

Harrison needs more than six targets per game, and as the season progresses, his looks should climb -- 8-10 per game is a realistic expectation. Hit that mark, and we should be thoroughly satisfied with Harrison by season’s end.

Recommendation: Chill! Shaky Start for Week 4

Harrison is still worth holding in fantasy, as his target share is poised to grow and he has top-end upside once he hits 8-10 looks per game. Patience is key -- he’s a high-upside WR2 who could easily deliver strong PPR production down the stretch. For Week 4 he's also a shaky start.

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