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Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 4 of the NFL season. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers this upcoming week.
Another week and another major player was knocked out for the season due to injury. First, it was Aaron Rodgers, then Nick Chubb, and last week we lost Mike Williams. It just sucks and an injury is nothing to ever celebrate.
But, the show must go on as they say. That means those fantasy managers who have lost those players are likely searching for replacement options on the waiver wire. Perhaps you got Jerome Ford or Joshua Palmer or well, hopefully not Zach Wilson. But there are certainly fantasy players out there who did not land those players and are searching for deeper options.
If you need an injury replacement, or if your lineup has a few duds in it and you want to swing for the fences, this article provides plenty of sneaky starts and pivot options each week. This week, we're diving into Week 4.
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Quarterback Pivot Options for Fantasy Football Week 4
Pivot options in case Derek Carr and Anthony Richardson don’t play or you don’t like your QB's matchup…
Russell Wilson has thrown for 300 yards in two straight contests and has multiple passing touchdowns in two of three games this season. He showed in Week 2 that he can still run when he has to as well. And don’t look now but since he’s been freed of Nathaniel Hackett, he has averaged over 19 fantasy PPG. Now he gets the lowly Chicago Bears, who have allowed the fifth most passing yards and third most passing touchdowns in the league. Russ is a strong streaming option this week.
Russell Wilson still has the flick of the wrist arm talent and play making ability on the run. This throw is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iEVXfrUwWJ
— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) September 26, 2023
Brock Purdy came through with over 20 fantasy points last week, throwing for 310 yards and two scores. He has thrown multiple passing touchdowns in eight of his nine regular season starts. The Cardinals have been respectable this season but they still can be had. Purdy is a strong streaming option this week as well.
Jimmy Garoppolo is coming off his best fantasy game of the season throwing for 324 yards, two scores, and a season-high 17.66 fantasy points. He has thrown multiple scores in two straight games. But this is all about the Chargers matchup. They have allowed the most passing yards and third most passing touchdowns this season. He is in play if you are diving a little deeper.
Jameis Winston averaged just under 15 fantasy PPG last year in three starts. But he did average 286 passing yards per game as a starter, which was top three in the NFL. The floor is not very high, but the ceiling always is with Jameis. Expect him to throw some deep balls to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed and if he can connect, he could come through with a big fantasy day. Plus, this is a revenge game for those who believe in that sort of thing!
Running Back Pivot Options for Fantasy Football Week 4
Pivot options if Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, Aaron Jones, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill don't play …
Matt Breida played 82 percent of the snaps in Week 3 but was limited to just four carries and three targets for 18 yards. He did have a touchdown that salvaged his day, however. That was in the toughest matchup a running back could have against the 49ers. This week he gets the Seahawks who have also been tough on the run, but nowhere near as formidable as San Fran. Volume has Breida in play as a streaming option this week.
Roschon Johnson had a season-high eight carries last week and he has at least two targets in every game this season. Johnson has looked good, just ask fantasy Twitter, but the volume makes him a boom-or-bust option. He does have a better chance to go boom this week against the Broncos who have allowed the most rushing yards and touchdowns this season. Last week they allowed eight touchdowns to the Dolphins RBs. Johnson is an upside swing this week.
Every touch #Bears Roschon Johnson got in his third NFL game. pic.twitter.com/iThwRs1ZO4
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) September 25, 2023
Ezekiel Elliott saw big volume last week carrying the ball 16 times and adding one target. He finished with 87 yards - more than Rhamondre Stevenson. With Stevenson off to a slow start, it is possible that Zeke could continue to see work. He also could be the vulture near the goal line - especially this week in what is a revenge game against the Cowboys. Zeke is a volume play for those diving a little deeper.
Melvin Gordon III is in play if Gus Edwards and Justice Hill both sit this week. Last week, with the two banged up, he totaled 10 carries and two targets for 55 yards on 40 percent of the snaps. This is purely a desperation play in a tough matchup against the Browns. But those in deep leagues may not have a better choice.
Wide Receiver Pivot Options for Fantasy Football Week 4
Pivot options in case, Christian Watson, Jaylen Waddle, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Odell Beckham Jr. don’t play…
Adam Thielen is coming off a monster game where he caught 11 of 14 targets for 145 yards and a touchdown. And before you say it was all Andy Dalton, do not overlook the fact that he had nine targets and seven catches the week prior with Bryce Young. He has scored a touchdown in two straight contests as well. He is certainly in play in a revenge game against the Vikings, who have allowed the third most yards to receivers.
Quentin Johnston brings a lot of upside. While Joshua Palmer is safer immediately, Johnston is the high-ceiling play. Johnston can win downfield, but he is often miscast as a Mike Williams 2.0. He is not that good (yet) downfield, but he can excel with the ball in his hands after the catch. That is a skill set that could come in handy this week as the Raiders are in the top 10 in YAC per catch (4.8). He’s in play if you are diving a little deeper.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley on dealing with loss of Mike Williams: "Everyone is going to have to elevate their game. We have a lot of good options on our team -- obviously, Quentin (Johnston), being the first guy that is going to emerge in a bigger role."https://t.co/beyr3IYV55 pic.twitter.com/7TJZPgReVu
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 27, 2023
Marvin Mims Jr. has run 26 routes all season. He has just nine targets. Yet he still leads the Broncos in receiving yards. And this is a great matchup as the Bears have allowed the fifth most receiving yards this season. He needs to get more run but even if he doesn’t, he has shown he can be productive with limited snaps. Until he gets consistent playing time he will always be boom-or-bust, but the chances he goes boom are high in this matchup. I have a league where I lost Mike Williams and I am starting Mims Jr. in his place this week.
Jalin Hyatt is a deeper option I like this week. This is partially because of the matchup and partially because of vibes. The Seahawks have allowed the second-most yards to receivers and they especially struggle against the deep ball, allowing the second-most yards to the position on deep throws. That is Hyatt’s strength. Not only that, but he may be the only Giants receiver that can consistently win downfield. Head coach Brian Daboll is a smart man so I am guessing he knows that. Hyatt is boom-or-bust but the chance of him having a big week and carving out a larger role moving forward is there.
Tight End Pivot Options for Fantasy Football Week 4
Pivot options in case Irv Smith Jr., Greg Dulcich don’t play…
Luke Musgrave caught six of eight targets for 49 yards scoring 10.9 fantasy points last week. That was enough to make him a top-10 fantasy TE on the week. Now he has the best matchup a tight end could have so far this season. The Lions have allowed by far the most catches and yards to the position. He is certainly a streaming option this week.
Jake Ferguson has carved out a role in the Cowboys passing attack. He has at least seven targets in two of the three games this season. The Cowboys also love to feature their tight ends in the red zone, meaning he is always a threat to score a touchdown. The Patriots are a tough matchup, but the volume has Ferguson in play this week.
Gerald Everett and Donald Parham Jr. have been splitting routes and targets all season long. And it is Parham Jr. who has been used in the red zone, catching two touchdowns last week and three on the season. He only has 33 yards this year, but starting him is hoping for a touchdown. He is currently the TE6 on the season. Everett has been a little more reliable in the yards department but he has yet to score a touchdown. Both are deeper options this week with Mike Williams out.
Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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