Week 4 Matchups + Start/Sits, Wheel of Shame! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 10/2

Aaron Jones is positioned to have a strong matchup against Miami, which cannot stop running backs; the source notes Minnesota's offensive confidence outside of handing the ball to Jones is limited, making him a focal point in the game plan.

Aaron Jones is mentioned in the context of start/sit decisions; the source recommends playing Addison and other players in other games, suggesting Jones may not be a priority start this week.

The source projects Aaron Jones over 66.5 rushing yards against Minnesota, noting he has all the work and expecting him to break off a couple of runs and score in a game where the team should be in the lead.

Rodgers has now posted over 280 passing yards and three touchdowns in back-to-back games; the source projects him to finish as a top-five fantasy quarterback or near it, describing his performance as 'disgusting' in a positive sense given his previous two-year stretch of poor play.

Alvin Kamara is expected to carry the load for the Saints offense against the Falcons; the source views him as an okay volume play despite not being a traditional running back, noting the Falcons are quite good up front against running backs with the position averaging 10.5 points against them.

Saints-Falcons divisional matchup is not a plus matchup for running backs; Kamara is a start/sit question in Week 4 alongside David Montgomery, with the source preferring Kamara in half or full PPR formats.

Has been elevated to the active roster, which the source views as a negative sign suggesting the 49ers have an infinite supply of replacement-level receivers available.

Hall is not playing in Week 4; he remains sidelined with injury.

The source projects Bryce Young over 179.5 passing yards in Sunday Night Football against Detroit, reasoning that he'll need to throw more to keep pace with the Lions' offense despite rain concerns.

Irving remained limited on Thursday but is expected to play in Week 4; the matchup against Green Bay is favorable, though there is uncertainty about the checkdown situation with an undrafted free agent making his first career starts at quarterback.

The source projects CJ Stroud over 242.5 passing yards against Dallas, citing lack of confidence in David Montgomery and Houston's running game, forcing Stroud to carry the offensive load.

Williams and the Bears offense are dealing with multiple injuries to key receivers including DeVonta Smith, Lad McConkie, and others; the source expresses frustration that 'they're all dead' and notes it is 'impossible' and 'irritating' to manage the Bears' receiving corps.

If Chris Bell gets eight more targets this week and catches three of them (the most likely outcome), he can be considered in future weeks.

If Chris Bell receives eight more targets this week and catches three of them (the most likely outcome), he can be considered for future weeks; the source suggests monitoring Bell's target share going forward.

Despite a disappointing Week 1, McCaffrey has been great for fantasy and will be awesome against Denver, who ranks 28th in fantasy points allowed to running backs and operates a run funnel; last year's film showed that even when inefficient, he was used more frequently as receivers around him dealt with injuries.

Swift was added to the injury report on Thursday with a knee injury and did not practice; this is a significant development that could impact his availability for Week 4.

If Swift is healthy and plays, he could be a top-10 running back start this week; the source expects him to be very capable in the matchup.

DeAndre Swift is expected to practice on Friday, providing an update for fantasy managers who may have been considering Monungi as a solo option.

Came through with a big fantasy day despite having no catches technically (one play); the source notes the unusual situation of him being the last man standing on the 49ers roster.

Named as a start of the week at tight end. With Jalen Coker potentially out, targets have consolidated to Waller; snap counts have increased from 35% to 44% to 51% over three weeks. However, the source notes he remains touchdown-dependent.

Montgomery is a start/sit question in Week 4 against the Saints; the source expresses concern about his current form and role, stating 'I'm grossed out By Montgomery right now I'm not sure what he has,' preferring Kamara in PPR formats.

Njoku had more targets than Boston in the Browns game (Concepcion had more targets than Boston), but Boston's utilization and downfield target quality were superior; Njoku remains a secondary receiving option despite target volume.

Averaging only 18 routes per game due to San Francisco's offensive scheme, which limits confidence despite being a better option than alternatives like Trey Tucker; the source has him benched in favor of Braylon Allen but acknowledges he is desperate for volume.

The source indicates they would play Jamison Williams over Debo Samuel as a start option, suggesting Samuel is less preferred in the current week.

Boston looks like the Browns' true wide receiver one despite being a first-round pick; he played 95% of snaps in the game, more than Concepcion (92%), and the source notes he 'feels like a player that could work' after initial skepticism about his archetype and skill set fitting in the NFL.

The Eagles are planning to play without Smith in Week 4; reports indicate he may be out for more than one week, though he has not been officially ruled out yet.

DeVonta Smith was not seen practicing on Friday and is almost certainly not playing in Week 4.

Metcalf had 5 catches for 115 yards in the Steelers game; the source notes he consistently receives 9-10 targets every week, establishing reliable target volume despite the Steelers' offensive inconsistency.

The source describes Kittle as awesome and expects him to keep getting better.

The source prefers Tucker Craft and Darren Waller over Isaiah Likely at tight end for this week.

The source recommends starting Jadarian Price over Ollie Gordon and Jalen Wright despite Price's recent struggles and poor performance; Price is positioned as a preferable flex option to the uncertain Vikings backfield committee.

Practice reports this week have been concerning; Coker appeared in limited capacity doing only individual drills, then not even that. The source expresses uncertainty about his playing status for the upcoming game.

On pace for 56 catches and 719 yards through three weeks. The source characterizes him as unreliable: 'He disappears' and notes this pattern has defined his entire career. Despite being in a plus matchup, he has consistently disappointed when started and performed when benched, making him a frustrating fantasy asset.

Daniels has been officially ruled out for Week 4; he is wearing a brace and will not have surgery right now, but remains unavailable for play this week.

The source has questions around Waddle's confidence level; Price Picks projects him at 6.5 targets and 56.5 receiving yards, and while he leads the team in first-read target share, the source expresses concern.

Warren had a big game for the Steelers in the Browns matchup; the source highlights him as one of several exciting players from the game.

Jalen Wright is expected to return this week after injury and maintains his position atop the depth chart ahead of Ollie Gordon, suggesting he will reclaim the primary running back role for the team.

Wright is splitting carries with Ollie Gordon in an unclear backfield committee; the source notes Wright is more likely to have the long touchdown run but expresses concern that against Minnesota's defense on the road, the running back situation is unpredictable and could result in frequent substitutions between the two backs, making either an unreliable start.

The source's 'Green Goblin' pick is Jeremiah Love over 39.5 rushing yards, but the source acknowledges this is a problematic bet despite the matchup being great and Love receiving all the work, suggesting concern about the projection despite favorable conditions.

Judy played only 37% of snaps for the Browns, appearing sporadically on offense; he had a crossing route for about six yards and was excited about the catch, but his limited snap share (compared to Boston's 95% and Concepcion's 92%) indicates he is not a primary target.

Preferred start option against the Jets in a Jefferson-less Vikings offense, positioning him as the primary receiving target.

Jordan Tyson is on short-term IR and does not expect to practice soon; coach Kellen Moore indicated his practice window is not expected to open yet. Tyson has suffered three hamstring injuries in a row (including a second injury while already out and a third at ASU), and the team is taking a cautious approach with the rookie to avoid re-injury despite the offense performing well with Tyler Shucks leading the NFL in dropbacks.

Josh Jacobs continues to receive carries from the Raiders offense under Kubiak's philosophy of staying with the running game regardless of efficiency; Kubiak is unwilling to relent from giving carries because he understands it unlocks parts of the offense, a philosophy he demonstrated last year even with inefficient production.

Justin Jefferson is dealing with an ankle injury, hasn't practiced, and the source suggests Minnesota may sit him despite being a 10.5-point favorite over Miami to give their star receiver another week to recover.

Jefferson's absence from the Vikings offense has left the passing game in poor condition; the source notes that outside of one deep bomb throw last week, the Vikings passing game was ineffective, and the source would trade Jefferson for Puka Nacua if given the chance, indicating concern about the Vikings' offensive capability without him.

The source would trade Justin Jefferson for Puka Nacua, indicating Jefferson's value is high enough to consider such a swap; this reflects confidence in Jefferson's talent despite the Vikings' recent offensive struggles.

The source expresses uncertainty about whether Kyler Murray and Justin Jefferson will work together going forward; the pairing is unproven and the source is still evaluating their compatibility.

Kendra Miller should be on the bench of all 12-team rosters; the source implies he is not a viable fantasy option given Alvin Kamara's expected lead role in the Saints backfield.

Kenneth Walker is a start in the Chiefs-Raiders matchup; the game outcome hinges on whether the Raiders can shut down Kenneth Walker, as they are top-ten against running backs but not an impossible team to run on.

Sadiq is dealing with a back injury and was limited on Thursday but is expected to play; the source is hopeful he plays because he has a great opportunity similar to what he took advantage of last week, plus good matchups. With A.D. Mitchell and Mason Taylor also not playing, Sadiq should see increased target volume.

Kirk Cousins is tied with Brock Purdy for the league lead in touchdowns through Week 3; the source is very excited to watch what happens with Cousins in the Raiders-Chiefs matchup.

Kyle Pitts has scored zero, two, and one point across his first three games with only 20 receiving yards total; the source explicitly states 'Kyle Pitts is not good enough' and warns to be careful with him despite his talent, noting the last game's one-point output as the most relevant recent data point.

Kyler Murray had the single worst passing success rate in any game under Kevin O'Connell's tenure as Vikings head coach (73 games); this was the worst quarterback performance O'Connell has ever witnessed, worse than games with backup quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Maximus Brosmer. The source notes Murray is mobile and on the ground, but expresses concern about his matchup against Miami.

The source projects Lamar Jackson under 27.5 pass attempts against Tennessee, believing the Baltimore Ravens have an easy road ahead and won't need to rely heavily on the passing game.

Preferred over Jamison Williams as a start option against the Jets, who have been vulnerable to wide receivers.

Willis has one passing touchdown in three games for the Dolphins; his PrizePix projection is 169.5 passing yards, the lowest of the week. The source questions whether Willis is simply not a good quarterback or whether he would perform better in a different system like Minnesota with Jefferson and Addison.

Malik Willis has the lowest passing yards projection of the week at 169.5 yards against Minnesota; the source expresses uncertainty about whether Willis is inherently limited or simply lacks established weapons (Caleb Douglas is out), noting he thrived in Green Bay's system but is struggling in Miami's offense.

Pittman is dealing with plantar fasciitis and is not 100% healthy; the source expresses concern about his performance and notes he is a professional receiver who needs to make plays despite the injury, but acknowledges at 28 years old he should eventually get back to form.

Evans is still not practicing for the Buccaneers; his status for Week 4 remains uncertain.

Did not practice Wednesday or Thursday with a rib injury but may still play; the source recommends playing him when he plays through injury, though there is a chance he sits.

Ollie Gordon received significant volume and waiver wire investment after Jalen Wright's injury, but Wright is expected to return this week and remains ahead of Gordon on the depth chart; the source questions whether Gordon will maintain 15+ opportunities against Minnesota and suggests most fantasy players have higher-upside flex options.

Against Minnesota Vikings on the road, the source projects a best-case stat line of 11 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown; the source expresses skepticism about Gordon's upside relative to his FAB cost (80+), noting most people have higher-upside flex options and that the Vikings defense matchup is unfavorable for running back production.

Nakua remained limited on Thursday with hip and groin injury; the source is 'the most scared' about his status and believes the injury carries high risk of showing itself this week, though he is expected to play. The source will not trade for him until after this week and notes the injury could be a sports hernia with potential 4-6 week recovery if surgery is needed.

Rashee Rice is a start in the Chiefs-Raiders matchup; the source recommends playing him if you have been playing him.

Wilson looks good in the slot for the Steelers; he had a seam route on a good pass and the source expects more opportunities coming for him as he develops in the offense.

Tucker has been heavily talked about getting involved in the Buccaneers offense this week; however, the source notes he has been discussed as getting more involvement for years without consistent results, and jokes that 'he's all tuckered out.'

Ferguson did not practice and will not play for the Rams in Week 4.

Terry McLaurin appeared on the injury report with a hamstring for the first time in Week 4, creating uncertainty around his availability.

Etienne has been better than Henry in the Jaguars offense since Henry was placed on IR with a hamstring injury; the source notes the change has not been successful for Henry but has benefited Etienne.

Travis Kelce is the Chiefs' top target and faces a Raiders secondary that is tenth against running backs but has been vulnerable at tight end, an area where the Raiders have been beat; this represents a favorable matchup for Kelce.

Received eight targets and played all snaps in his recent game. The source emphasizes the need to keep playing him and names him as a start of the week, noting he will continue to get targets with Jalen Coker out.

The source identifies Woody Marks as a favorable start against Dallas, positioning him in the tier of preferred flex options over the uncertain Vikings backfield committee (Gordon/Wright).