Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings: Standard and PPR Leagues

RotoBaller brings you our Week 4 fantasy football rankings and rankings analysis, by authors Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Ryan Rufe (@RyanRufe).
 

Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings

The NFL season is now in Week 4 ladies and gentlemen. You should be familiar with the routine by now, but just in case you weren't sure, every week fellow RotoBaller Ryan Rufe and I will be posting our weekly fantasy football rankings, based on team matchups and expected player performances for the week. Below are RotoBaller's Week 4 fantasy football rankings for all positions including running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and team defenses. Hopefully our rankings can help guide you in Week 4, and every other week of the NFL season, when setting your fantasy football lineups. Good luck RotoBallers!

Editor's Note: Also included in the below rankings analysis is fellow RotoBaller and FantasyPros approved ranker Ryan Rufe’s Week 4 advice and recommendations.

2014 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros
 
 

Week 4 Quarterback Rankings Analysis

(Rufe Analysis) - Many elite signal callers like Drew Brees (@DAL), Matthew Stafford (@NYJ) and Philip Rivers (vs JAC) have excellent matchups this week, so there really aren't too many surprises at the QB position. I might be too low on Andrew Luck (vs Ten) compared to most experts, but I think Indianapolis will run the ball a lot more than they have in previous weeks since the Titans' run defense is weaker than its pass D. One guy I'm higher on than most this week is Ryan Tannehill (vs Oak), who I think will put these silly rumors of a QB controversy in Miami to rest with a huge game in London.

(Wilkens Analysis) - A few surprises in my top five this week. Colin Kaepernick is really high at QB3. He is running the ball more than any other quarterback, averaging over 40 rush yards a game so far. That trend dates back to the playoffs and I think it's because Michael Crabtree opens up a lot of options for Kaepernick and the offense as a whole. It's a great matchup and he should succeed both on the ground and through the air. Kaepernick had four turnovers against the Bears but zero in his other two games.

With Rivers at QB4 it's pretty simple. After the Jags first half of football where they held Nick Foles to about zero points they have been an atrocious defense. It should continue again here. I like Andrew Luck but his early schedule was ridiculously easy. His first three opponents are the three worst against fantasy quarterbacks. It goes beyond Luck. He now faces the Titans who allow the second fewest points to opposing QBs. He'll do fine but I'll be surprised if it's a top-3 performance again.

Cam Newton isn't running but he is making good throws as a passer. No interceptions through two games and a career-high completion percentage. People forget that he is actually a very talented passing QB just because he is also such a good runner. It takes away some of his fantasy stats but he is still worthy of a start. Putting it as nicely as I can, Tom Brady has been a terrible fantasy quarterback. Gronk isn't on the field 100% of the time and no one outside of Edelman is any good at WR. I'm not starting him until I see improvement from the offense. Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater have arrived! I like Bortles a little bit better. The offense will throw more and Bortles got 15 points in just one half last week. Mike Glennon also gets a start this week and it can't be any worse than McCown. Ideally you aren't starting any of them right now, don't buy into the hype on the two rookies just yet.

Week 4 Running Back Rankings Analysis

(Rufe Analysis) - Chris Ivory has never been very exciting to me, but watching him against the Bears on Monday Night Football proved he's clearly the most talented running back on the Jets. He has a difficult matchup against the Lions this week, but I think he's still a nice RB2 or Flex play in Standard formats. In PPR, I'm apparently fond of 70 year-old tailbacks, as I'm higher on Fred Jackson and Steven Jackson than most. I'd avoid Reggie Bush and Joique Bell against then Jets since 'Gang Green' hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown or 100 yard rusher through three weeks.

(Wilkens Analysis) - I honestly never thought I'd have Le'Veon Bell at #1 but he looks fantastic and faces the Tampa Bay defense that looked terrible last week. The Steelers defense is awful too but I have to imagine they should have the lead here and Bell will get a lot of work. Forte and McCoy have been disappointing so far but I'm not worried yet, both are must starts. Same goes for Jamaal Charles if he plays. Eddie Lacy is a bit different but I have him inside my top ten once more. He's had tough matchups but another bad game here and I am really worried. Lamar Miller, Donald Brown and Khiry Robinson are my RB11-13. They all have nice matchups where they should be getting a lot of work. If they are on your team, congratulations!

Chris Ivory is pulling away in the Jets backfield and it shows in my rankings. He is a big aggressive back and it may lead to an injury down the road but it's a great fit for the Jets offense. Chris Johnson is big play or bust. If Doug Martin is healthy he should have nice game as the Steelers offense is injury-riddled. Maybe I'm crazy but I'm giving him another shot here. With Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert both hurt, DeAngelo Williams should see a ton of carries. He missed the past two weeks but I think he'll be a nice flex play here.

There's a small chance things get better for Toby Gerhart with Blake Bortles at the helm. I'd wait out this week before I drop him. Bishop Sankey got carries last week and looked pretty good! I doubt he is going to get enough to be a great option this week but it could be the start of a trend. Lorenzo Taliaferro impressed last week but if Bernard Pierce is active I am avoiding all Baltimore RBs this week. Pierce will likely get the carries and I just don't think he is very good at all. I still like Taliaferro long-term.

Week 4 Wide Receiver Rankings Analysis

(Rufe Analysis) - I've got 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree as my #2 WR this week, both in Standard and PPR. Colin Kaepernick has been locked in on him the past two weeks and I expect that to continue in a high-scoring affair against the Eagles. Bills QB EJ Manuel had trouble connecting with rookie Sammy Watkins last week against the Chargers (2 catches on 8 targets), but Watkins is such an incredible playmaker that I'm confident with my ranking this week.

Look for Ravens veteran Steve Smith to have a chip on his shoulder against his former club. With Eric Decker questionable for week 4, Jeremy Kerley should be Geno Smith's primary target in a game where the Jets might have to pass a lot.

(Wilkens Analysis) - No surprises in the top 5 here. I have Alshon Jeffery ahead of Brandon Marshall as I'm a little worried that Marshall's ankle flare up last week could affect him. Jeffery looked much better than week two and is back in must-start territory. Pretty baffled by the use of Cordarrelle Patterson these past two weeks. After seeing so much rushing success late last year and in week one, the Vikings have decided to stop that apparently. I have him so high because his ceiling each week is the sky, and he has developed a nice floor with nine straight games of at least 5 fantasy points.

DeAndre Hopkins is shooting up my rankings. He is super talented and getting as many targets as Andre Johnson lately with two touchdowns through three weeks. Steve Smith Sr faces his old team this week and knowing the competitive fire that burns in Smith, I couldn't help but buy into the 'revenge game' factor. Hey, it worked with DeSean Jackson last week.

We have a reason to be a little more optimistic with Vincent Jackson. He had success with Mike Glennon last year and it didn't take long for him to find the end zone once Glennon came in last week. I'm willing to believe. Keenan Allen was clearly limited last week and I'm not sure if he'll be 100% this week. It might not matter. The Jags have actually done a good job keeping #1 WRs at bay with Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne. They would have done the same with Jeremy Maclin if not for blown coverage on one big play. As a result of my concerns with Keenan, I am really high on Malcom Floyd. He will be an excellent sneaky start for a team in need of a WR. Eddie Royal probably will be too, but I'm not banking on that one.

Especially if Eric Decker is limited again, Jeremy Kerley should be a nice PPR play. I'm not sure if Jordan Matthews has completely surpassed Riley Cooper, but in terms of fantasy upside he sure has. Cooper is droppable if you haven't done so yet. He might have a big game or two but you'll never know when. I think Vernon Davis is playing this week but if not, Stevie Johnson had a big day last week and against the Eagles Kaep will be throwing a lot so Stevie is a name to consider. I like the Jags offense this week, I just don't know who to like specifically. Cecil Shorts got a touchdown last week but it was on a fluke fake spike play. Allen Robinson was the man who got targeted the most and Allen Hurns had just one catch but it went for a big score. They all have potential if you're desperate. I'd go with Robinson for upside, Shorts in PPR and Hurns if you love to gamble.

Week 4 Tight End Rankings Analysis

(Rufe Analysis) - Vernon Davis is a good bet to score if he suits up against the Eagles this week, even if he's a bit more limited than usual. Andrew Luck continues to look Dwayne Allen's way when the Colts are in the red zone.

(Wilken Analysis) - What happens when you put the best tight end against the defense allowing the most points to tight ends? I'm not sure yet but Jimmy Graham this week is the safest play in the world (I just jinxed it). Gronk started to see the field more last week and I'm not worried at all with him. The Jaguars are nearly as bad as the Cowboys against tight ends and as a result Antonio Gates is a must start. Ladarius Green is a nice option as well especially if Keenan Allen is still banged up. I hate to say it but I have zero confidence in Jason Witten. Look elsewhere and try to trade him on name value. Heath Miller and Charles Clay are probably the best stream options this week. They are usually pretty reliable and probably due for a score soon. I would look to Miller first against the dreadful Bucs.